Salsa Fiesta Urban Mexican Grill

For a place with salsa in its name, this Mexican fast-food joint sure doesn't offer much comida típica. The uninspired-looking salsa bar that once offered only two versions -- red and green -- now also stocks a hot cabbage and the same green variety as before, just a tad spicier. And although they seem visually uninspiring, all four of those condiments are capable of striking up a fiesta in your mouth. For instance, the fire-roasted tomato salsa (with chunks of charred tomato), like the hot cabbage, finishes with a pleasantly spicy bite, while the green tomatillo blend cools the palate (unless you want to bump it up a notch with the tamarindo medium salsa). Not bad for an imported chain that, thanks to husband-wife pair Cesar Olivo and Adriana Perez Benatar, has taken over Venezuelan food courts. Try the Fresca 29th Street salad, featuring a cabbage, carrot, and mango mix sitting pretty in a tortilla shell. It'll set you back only $7.50 to $8.99, depending on the meat you choose; we suggest chicken marinated with chipotle peppers in lemon and orange juices and adobo. If you're feeling more gluttonous, take for a whirl the Mero Macho taco -- stuffed with beans, lettuce, and sour cream; topped with Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses; and served with chimichurri salsa. Or try the Tostada Fiesta ($8.99), a platter that consists of a crisp corn tostada piled high with layers of black beans; chicken, ground beef, or carnitas; and homemade guac. It's accompanied by well-prepared tostones and a salad topped with pico de gallo. Or if you're watching carbs, the Urban Bowl ($8 to $9) is a flour-free burrito. Sides-wise, the tostones are massive, crisp, soft, and usually perfectly cooked. Salsa Fiesta is a great spot for a fast and pleasant lunch.