El Rincon Familiar

Freshly prepared Mexican food at El Rincon Familiar in Brooklyn outperforms many Manhattan Mexican standards.

Food glorious food. Sure MaryAnn's has locations all through Manhattan but Rincon Familiar has the food that makes leaving the main borough worthwhile.

The first two times we went there were some order mix ups-but even after we discovered them we plugged away-it was just that good. Slightly spicy shrimp nachos($5.50) or chorizo nachos($4.50) are a tough choice-do what we do and get an order of each and share. Of course you may want to try the mushroom quesadilla($3.95) or the chicken($4.60) which are tastier than most but we stick with the nachos. If you're still looking for the perfect black bean soup($2.95) this isn't it-some hot sauce would pick it up but it is satisfying. The avocado salad with lemon dressing in a tortilla basket($4.50) is worth having. Lots of perfectly ripe avocado with lettuce and tomato-you can fool yourself into thinking you're eating healthily.

While the menu is mostly meat, there are vegetarian entrees. Combo #5($7.95) comes with a guacamole taco-a corn tortilla stuffed generously, a cheese enchilada-which while not entirely flavorful, is satisfying in a chewy manner and a mixed vegetable burrito. This burrito isn't as large as the ones at Burritoville but it's filled with mixed veggies, rice, and covered with a tasty sauce. The chicken mole($8.95) and pork chops($9.50) are also worthwhile. Yellow rice and refried beans accompany every dish - but this time you might actually want to eat them.

Desserts are pretty limited and not worth following up on.