Tango Mango

LOCATION: 1191 Centre Street Newton Centre, MA
TYPE OF FOOD: Mexican (casual)
REVIEW: One of the minor parts of an experience eating out is the drive. Sometimes they're good, sometimes they're bad. This drive was kind of depressing. And it was long (thanks Iron Man 2!). I mean, how can a church with a sign saying, "Pastor Needed", not be depressing? How about a Domino's, eight feet wide, and placed behind a gas station? Or about the larger depressing fact that I passed by at least 15 places to eat on the way to this place? Yeah, I saw all of these and more as I reached Newton Center (which has at least five more places to eat).

Being a repeat customer, I knew exactly what I wanted. In Tango Mango, you walk up to the long counter and go through a process. First you say what you want (burritos, tacos, etc.), the size you want (for burritos, 10" and 12"), and the type of burrito (white or whole-wheat, whole-wheat is a large size). Next, you say what you want on your burrito. Meat or veggies? Lettuce? Guacamole? Salsa? Beans? Sour cream? Cheese (you say that when you order your burrito)? Jalapenos? Plenty of choice, huh (that last statement was not a choice)? My final order was this: burrito on whole-wheat tortilla, chicken, both types of beans (pinto or black, what did you think there was?), lettuce, extra lettuce. The final stop on the Burrito Railroad was the counter, where I paid, walked fourteen feet to a table, and bit in.

The burrito was absolutely amazing. Period. There wasn't a single, UN SOLO, thing wrong with it (I think when you type in Spanish it's a good thing). The burrito was liked what I think a movie with Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks will be like: two really good actors under one roof. In this case the actors were the chicken and the beans. And the tortilla. And the lettuce. And the extra lettuce. Finally (and sadly), I got up, put the plastic tray it came in in the tray pile, took a takeout menu, and left.

SERVICE: The service was beyond just nice and friendly. The people making the burrito didn't really talk, which is fine (they were authentic, very authentic). The person behind the counter was one of the most friendly people I have ever met. She appears to be American, but I don't care about that. She was always smiling, never appeared to be bored, and was conversational. Case in point, she was just plain awesome. There we have it.

ATMOSPHERE: The floor was not covered in trash. In fact it was clean, except under the radiator in the room. There were two plastic forks and a bit of dust, but really no one looks under a radiator (if someone in your party does that...um....). There was also a large bulletin board where people can post things up, from plays to free guitar lessons. There was also little pieces of art here and there, which added to the whole place. Man, I have a vocab!

PRICE: Two people can be fed with fifteen dollars, including drinks. Really, it depends on what you get, entrees range from $3.25 to $8.00. Cheese, sour cream, rice, beans, and jalapenos all cost 35 cents extra. Guacamole is 75 cents. Luckily, here the burritos are very filling, so you will not go back for more. Unless you really like it. Then dive in. It's five dollars.

RATING: Tango Mango is plain, in one word, perfect. It is the best burrito I have ever had. So go. Go. It's worth it. Tango Mango consigue unos cinco de cinco (man, I love good old Espanol!).