Latin flare with style at Burrito!

Everyone has their own idea of a perfect margarita. I know a place just in time for Summer that does it just right. I'll give you a little tip but you have to promise not to crowd the place- Burrito! in Westbrook is the place to get it done right.

Co-owners Tom Gangewer and Jim Belanger opened Burrito! in 2005 and have expanded their menu from beers and burritos to drinks and food with a real Latin American feel. [Burrito! photo]

A small deck in front of the restaurant beckons but you better get there early, or else that seat will be taken by someone unwilling to give it up. Margaritas on a deck, can you blame them? With artwork adorning the bright colored yellow and red walls inside, the green picnic tables and eclectic furniture are an invitation to sit and make yourself comfy. This is not a pretentious place and the crowd seems very laid back and simply happy to be there.

Located on 652 Main Street in Westbrook,Burrito! serves up a fresh menu every day. Choose a carne asada mole burrito ($7.75), a Mexican chorizo bowl ($12), or chicken enchilada ($12.) Feeling frisky? Go for the Brazillian muqueca ($16) with shrimp, haddock, peppers, onions and roasted yams simmered in tomato saffron broth. Make sure you try their homemade chips with an order of guacamole or one of their five homemade salsas. Yum.

While quite possibly the world's smallest bar with 5 seats and room for four at the window, they know how to make life size drinks. Fresh fruits, homemade juices and the perfect amount of liquor, every drink I try seems to be a masterpiece. The strawberry margaritas here are to die for. I often ask myself if two is enough, wishing to take a third to go.

Any draft beer at Burrito! will cost you $4 and your choices include: Gritty's Pub Style, Leffe Blond, Pemaquid Ale and Brooklyn Lager. For bottled beers, you can choose PBR, Bud Light or Budweiser ($2.75) or Dos Equis Amber, Dos Equis Lager, Corona, Pacifico or Negra Modelo for $3.50.

Tequila Lover? Try a sampler for $9.50 and receive three top shelf varieties, including Patron, Corzo and Don Julio.

If you haven't tried Burrito! yet, head over for happy hour so you can see for yourself. Grab yourself a quesedilla for $5 or some homemade nachos ($4) and wash it down with a house margarita ($4), mojito ($4) or $2 Corona's and Dos Equis. The price is right, the food is fine and the drinks are delicious. Go, be happy.

And I will end this with my version of a Dear John letter:

Dear Jim,
I know I already confessed my love for you after my second margarita, but I'd be willing to bake cookies for you after a third. At least let me take one to go.
Love your drinks,
Amber