Have a 'pretty' experience at Maria Bonita

A few sacrifices had to be made when I moved here from Texas. I could no longer wear flip-flops year round. There was no room for my SUV in Beacon Hill, so I had to leave it behind. And, I had to drop my "ya'lls" to avoid public ridicule. But the hardest thing to let go of was the delicious, readily-available, traditional Mexican food. While Mexican food does exist in Boston, choices are often limited to either a fast food franchise or a chic spot that costs mucho dinero. Where I come from, Mexican restaurants abound that offer fresh, flavorful, authentic food that is inexpensive. And since I'm a Nutrition student, my ideal Mexican restaurant must also have some healthy options. The closest I've come to feeling like I'm back in Texas is at Maria Bonita Restaurant. This cozy, 25-seat restaurant is a 10 minute walk from Davis Square, just down the Minute Man pathway to Mass Ave. But when you enter, you feel like you've stepped into a central Mexican kitchen. While the mango-colored walls and wrought iron light fixtures add to Maria Bonita's welcoming atmosphere, what really makes it feel like home are the friendly people who prepare the simple, comforting dishes. The menu is not trendy or fancy or particularly unique - tacos, tostadas, tortas, enchiladas, burritos and quesadillas filled with beef, chicken, beans, pork, fish, or vegetables - but what makes Maria Bonita different is that the uncomplicated dishes are wholesome, satisfying, and if it's possible to gauge such a thing, made with love. The vegetarian burrito was chock-full of tangy veggies (saut?©ed mushrooms, squash, zucchini, and peppers), yellow rice, and pinto beans - the flavors melded together with creamy cheese and hot sauce. A few added spoonfuls of fresh cilantro-infused salsa gave the burrito a perfect balance between light and rich. Unlike its drive-thru counterparts, the burrito definitely wasn't greasy or heavy, so I felt good about eating it (though I'd request a plate if you're planning on using silverware - I had a rough time maneuvering with the paper-lined basket). The cheese enchilada plate my friend chose included two warm cheddar-filled corn tortillas carefully topped with a spicy red sauce, diced tomatoes and lettuce. Each bite was velvety and comforting. Sides of seasoned black beans (I preferred the pinto beans from my burrito) and rice rounded out the colorful plate. The stars of the meal were definitely the chips and guacamole. The lightly salted homemade wheat tortilla chips were nice and thick - which was a good thing when you're using them to scoop large amounts of the wonderfully fresh, chunky guacamole. It was well worth $1.50 for a small bowl of this heavenly avocado creation. In fact, everything at Maria Bonita is incredibly inexpensive. The enchilada plate was $5.00 and the burrito cost $3.00. While Mexican food menus can be a mine field for those wanting to eat healthfully, Maria Bonita isn't nearly as dangerous because the portions are reasonable. My friend and I both left feeling satisfied, but not gorged. Also earning nutrition points are the lack of food coloring, flavor additives, and heat lamps at Maria Bonita; instead, there are just straightforward recipes made with simple ingredients. Maria Bonita is special because it's basic. Maria Bonita Restaurant is located at 2447 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge, and is open from 10 am to 9 pm every day of the week. Tel: (617) 868-1160. Jennifer Wilmes is a graduate student in Nutrition Communication at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. She has a BA in Communication from Southwestern University.