Food: La Tienda

The full name of this interesting restaurant is "La Tienda Latina," but it's probably confusing enough already, given that "tienda" means "store." La Tienda is located on 13th, a half-mile or so from the southeast corner of UF. And if you're cruising around for some fast Mexican food in Gainesville, it's probably the place to visit.

The first sign that this is going to be a decent meal is probably the crowds that inevitably form during lunch and dinner time. And - surprise - many of the diners are Mexican, which is a marked departure from gringo-friendly fare like Las Margaritas. Service is simple - you order at the counter (nobody there speaks English very well, so if you have a Mexican friend, bring him), you chill out at a table (perhaps taking in a soccer game or a Spanish talk show), and you chow down when they bring your food.

It's back-to-basics, mole and enchiladas Mexican. Portion sizes for the price are usually good, but they range from superb (the burritos) to the skimpy (the taquitos). I prefer the chorizo to anything else, and the overall value and atmosphere are hard to beat, especially considering your location. They even have Coke imported from Mexico (where they still use cane sugar to sweeten it) and a large selection of Mexican drinks and beers. It all makes for a pretty fun meal.

Rating: 3/4 stars