Depending on how long you’ve been at school here, you may or may not remember Flaco’s Tacos, a little taco stand that was off Lindell, housed where the Crazy Bowls restaurant now stands. If you are familiar with Flaco’s (and probably now sadly reminiscing), then you most likely remember the popular fish taco and the plethora of salsas also available for consumption. There’s now hope for those longing for an authentic Mexican taste that surely isn’t Del Taco: Tomatillo Mexican Grill.

In operation for approximately two years, the Tomatillo Mexican Grill on Delmar has been filling the hole left by Flaco’s.

Almost unexpectedly, it turns out, Tomatillo serves an excellent fish burrito, as well as offering a collection of five salsas, differing in heat intensity, ingredients and even color.

The speciality of Tomatillo is their colossal burritos filled with jalapeno cilantro rice, shredded lettuce, choice of vegetarian black beans or traditional pinto beans, cheese or sour cream, a choice of their homemade salsa and a choice of meat.

The Grilled Steak Burrito ($4.95) was at the peak of excellent taste, the meat was tender and grilled superlatively. It was nice to taste taco meat without the unneeded grease. Besides steak, burritos are also available in chicken, a traditional Mexican-style braised beef called Barbacoa and vegetarian. The burritos are accompanied by tortilla chips.

The special currently at Tomatillo is the Fish Burrito. This bad boy of burritos takes huge chunks of white fish and wraps them with the described above toppings. The reincarnation of Flaco’s Tacos is alive and kicking with this menu item. Tomatillo serves tacos the way they were meant to be.

After biting into a crispy or soft shell taco filled with your choice of goodies and meat, you will consider suing every other taco restaurant for false advertising. The Barbacoa ($4.75) is the favorite in the taco category for choice of meat. The tacos are served in groups of three along with tortilla chips. They are also available in grilled chicken, grilled steak and vegetarian.

The fajita burritos take most of the same ingredients included in the burritos with the additions of grilled bell peppers and sweet red onions. This adds an extra zest to the already mighty burritos.

They are available with your choice of salsa and meat. The grilled chicken ($4.95) is a wise and spicy choice.

Tomatillo has a choice of three different chilies. All three are packed with vegetables and spice. The Grilled Steak Chili ($ 2.95) was okay, but it had an overbearing spicy tang that took away from the taste of the meat.

The special salsas to choose from at Tomatilla are one of the reasons why the food is so distinct. The salsas are made fresh daily and contain special ingredients which makes them taste oh so good.

The Pico De Gallo is at the mild end of the spectrum while the Habanero completes the other side. For those who cannot make up their minds, Tomatillo offers a sample of each. It is wise to taste before hand because when they say hot, they mean hot.

Tomatillo keeps an assortment of Mexican beers and margaritas, besides the usual soda and tea. The only question left is: what is a tomatillo? A tomatillo is a small green fruit, resembling a tomato with a paper-like husk. The tomatillo is used in Mexican cooking because of it’s full flavor and taste. With five locations, there is always a Tomatillo near you. The two closest locations for SLU students are 6333 Delmar, which is the original, and the one at 7931 Forsyth in Clayton.

What more could you ask for: a great tasting meal that will leave change in your pocket for those also hungry meters on Lindell and Laclede. Hey, they also have a great Fish Burrito. B