Who are we kidding-it's the margaritas that get us in the door of Maria's, the closest thing Santa Feans have to a Tex-Mex restaurant. Maria's boasts a menu of over 100 margs, all of which are potent enough to get you plenty buzzed before even considering the food. But the chow-straightforward and traditional as it is-is more than an afterthought. For one thing, Maria's boasts the most affordable steaks around. Don't listen to your inner Dr. Phil-order the New York strip cut that's basted with loads of garlic butter, restraint be damned! If that's too rich for your blood, try a steak combo with a relleno, enchilada or tamale. One warning: Be careful with the green chile stew. It's hotter than most and each bite is a blast of blazing hot chile, but what better excuse to order another Silver Coin?
555 W. Cordova Road, 983-7929. Lunch and dinner daily.
$-$$.
SFR Pick:
Green chile stew, beef, chicken or veggie fajitas.
