There really is an Anita -- she started cooking her New Mexican dishes in a vacant Vienna doughnut shop more than 30 years ago. The original site recently changed hands, but the inexpensive chili-based fare spawned half a dozen other locations, and Anita's is now a Northern Virginia institution. The unpretentious interior and casual atmosphere is perfect for families with kids and friends looking to duck anything even remotely hip where they can simply chat, catch up and crunch tacos.

The menu is extensive with more than 20 types of burritos, 12 different tacos, enchiladas, marinated chicken and steak along with dinner combinations served with Spanish rice and refried beans. Service is quick and friendly. Free chips and salsa appear almost before you sit down. But long careful food prep goes into the short wait. Pork is marinated for 24 hours in red chilies until the meat is tender and oozing with flavor. In this ask-for-whatever-you-want atmosphere, you can substitute green chili sauce for red, ask for whole beans instead of refried, get a side of guacamole or create your own combos a la carte.

Categories: Restaurants-Mexican, Restaurants

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