Aguacates

The self-serve-at-a-counter setup speaks of fast food, as do menu selections such as burritos, chimichangas, enchiladas, quesadillas, and so forth. But the food is tastier, more authentic, and much fresher - prepared from scratch daily - than anything you could ring up at BajaTacoFreshMexBell. Some menu items are better than others. Patrons with hearty appetites should head straight for a chimichanga or burrito. The former features either shredded beef, chicken pastor, or steak carnitas wrapped in a large flour tortilla with refried beans and Monterey Jack cheese and deep-fried to crisp splendor. The same choice of protein comes in the big, bulky burrito, which is stuffed with Mexican rice, refried beans, lettuce, cheese, mushrooms, salsa, sour cream, and whatever else you want the able assembler to put in - guacamole, jalapeños, etc. If these considerable garnishes aren't enough, a salsa bar on the side of the room allows more customizing via a tart tomatillo salsa, very hot and smoky red salsa, and other savory add-ins. The authentic tastes of Mexico come through clearest in the tacos. These are priced at only $2.25 each, but most customers try the popular 3 Amigos trio for $6.50 - with greaseless corn chips on the side. All the meats we sampled were fresh and packed with flavor, but because the product is cooked in the morning, it becomes a little less fresh as evening unfolds. Numerous combo plates are likewise proffered - taco and enchilada, carnitas plate with tortillas, and grilled fajita chicken or steak to name a few. Excepting the fajita platter ($10.49), the entire menu ranges in price from $6.25 to $7.89. Add an ice-cold Mexican beer and you're set with quite a nice meal for a ten-spot.