Dining pick of the week: Mama Maria’s Mexican

PICK OF THE WEEK:

MAMA MARIA'S MEXICAN

6055 E. Lake Mead Blvd., 453-3111

There is no question that eating at Maria's is like eating in a small Mexican village. Everything is authentic because that's just the way it is. And you know there is something special about this place because of the busy adjacent bakery. Large burritos are filled will steak, chicken, shredded beef, ground beef or pork. There is also a tortilla-less burrito where the meat, beans, rice, cheese, lettuce, guacamole and pico de gallo are simply served on a plate. Popular fajitas platters come with steak, chicken or shrimp or order chef's sizzling fajitas, steak and chicken sautéed with ham, bacon, onions and peppers. Other entrees include garlic butter shrimp, chile Colorado, shrimp enchiladas, bistec ranchero (beef slices simmered in ranchera sauce), Spicy Devil Chicken, shrimp taco plate, enchilada Guadalajara, flautas, chimichanga, chile verde (chunky pork in house green sauce) and the Mexico Tour consisting of a chimichanga, a chile relleno, carne ranchera and an enchilada. Featured appetizers are Mama's Nachos, taquitos, cheese or steak quesadilla and the thick and creamy guacamole made fresh daily. Several soups are menudo, meatball, seven seas, and beef and vegetable. Entrees begin at $7.49, and burritos start at $5.99. Mama Maria's is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

-- Jack Bulavsky