Varied and Delightful

McALLEN - Zamora's Restaurant had an active lunch crowd Saturday when I walked in.

I noticed immediately that the dining area was divided into two sections. The larger one was in front of the doors. To the left was a smaller, quieter dining area where I went to sit. Although everyone was busy, a waitress immediately came to my table.

I ordered decaf coffee, and while I waited I looked over the menu. I had trouble making a decision, because it was filled with a broad variety of choices. Had I been hungrier, I might have requested one of the appetizers, such as a baked potato with beef fajita, nachos with cheese, or a botanita with tamales. I ran my eyes over the Mexican Food section, which included enchiladas Suizas, carne guisada, chicken breast cilantro or flautas.

There was also a sizable selection under Combination Plates: regular Mexican plate (one enchilada, one chalupa and one taco, with rice and beans); a chimichanga plate that came with a large carne guisada burrito; and the Tejano plate - two fajita tacos, salad, rice and beans. The large platters seemed a little too much for me, so I decided on the entomatadas. My waitress had by now brought me a basket of warm fresh tortilla chips, which I snacked on (but not too much!) after she took my order.

Everyone in the dining room seemed to enjoy themselves. It was a comfortable place that opened in December. The cream colored stucco walls had brown trim, paintings of flowers, wrought iron candle holders, and a television set in a corner.

I didn't have to wait long for my order, a large and very hot plate of entomatadas with sides of rice and refried beans. I found the plate a little hotter than the entomatadas, which were nevertheless very good. The soft tortillas all bundled up together beneath generous blankets of melted cheese and tomato sauce were a perfect way to quell my hunger, the rice was warm and fluffy, and the refried beans were delicious, all for less than $10

On my next visit I ordered the Mexican burger with ham, bacon, cheese, lettuce, beans, tomato and avocado.

After a few minutes it was at my table; a huge burger packed with glistening morsels of bacon spilling out the sides, and dripping with melted cheese. I could see the edge of the ham near the rim of the burger, but not the beans. I closed my eyes, held my breath, and bit into one of the most delicious burgers I've ever tasted.

So many wonderful sensations jumped out at me that I almost fell out of my chair. I had mixed feelings about the beans - there were just enough to pique my curiosity but not so much that they overpowered the whole experience. It only made me wonder, what would a bean burger taste like?

I enjoyed Zamora's and think everyone should drop by for the Mexican burger or any one of the other dishes on the menu. Zamora's has Child Plates which include the baby burger, the cheese enchilada and the pizza with a small drink. Breakfast includes migas and eggs, chilaquiles con pollo, and barbacoa, or breakfast tacos. You can also get oatmeal, pancakes or French toast.