Tampa Bay Afternoon Delight: Mexican Margarita Happiness with Friends!

A hidden gem is in Pinellas Park and it is right before your eyes! Nuevo Vallarta Restaurant is located at 9359 US. Highway 19 N. in the Budget Inn. (This was a Howard Johnson's for years.) You would not expect a motel restaurant to have an authentic family restaurant, but this one does!

My lunch companions were numerous and the margarita's were flowing. Nothing better than good friends and a yummy pitcher of margaritas to wash down the chips and salsa! My lunch friends included: Rob Bell of Bell Contracting and Design, Ruth Hughes of Florida Reflexology, Maggie Colwell, Heather Sakelariou of Heather's Day Spa and Suzanne Andrew of SMA Solutions as well as Try Thai Yoga Massage.

Rob ordered the "Chicken Yolandas;" 3 chicken enchiladas topped with ranchero sauce, Mexican rice and guacamole salad. ($7.95)

There is an extensive menu with many lunch specials as well. It was almost exhausting deciding what I was going to order.

Fortunately, the waiter quickly served the cheese dip and another pitcher of margaritas so we could all chat and decide what to order.

Although there were many other patrons in the restaurant, we were not rushed or hurried in any way. The servers were extremely nice and helpful.

Heather and I both decided to have the "Burrito Loco." It is "the biggest burrito we have!" Stuffed with either beef, chicken or pork (I had pork), refried beans, rice, sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, shredded cheese, lettuce and topped with cheese and burrito sauce. ($5.99) Fortunately, Rob was with me, so he finished mine! Heather got to take some home with her. It is a huge burrito. And, they have an even bigger one for dinner. Of course it is as messy to eat as you can imagine! I had sauce dripping everywhere. What fun!

Suzanne had the vegetable fajitas and they looked delicious.

I always want what everyone else ordered when the food arrives! Speaking of food arriving, the food was delivered to the table very quick. If you are in a hurry, this would be a great place to go for lunch. I was very surprised and impressed by the speed of our orders.

Back to the fajitas...they looked and smelled amazing! They were served with Mexican rice, refried beans, lettuce, sour cream, pico de gallo and flour tortillas. ($10)