Chava's

This Mexican restaurant rose from the ruins of perennial Soulard dive Mike & Min's, but it wasn't a bad trade-off at all. Chava's menu keeps things short and to the point: tacos, a fajita platter, a burrito, an enchilada, a tostada, etc. The fajita platter and its close appetizer cousins (fajita quesadilla and fajita nachos) are sizzling-steak standouts, as are tacos de Guadalajara, a pair of flash-fried flour tortillas clamped around seasoned ground beef, lettuce, tomato, onion and a clever blend of grated Monterey and Parmesan cheeses. Specify a fresh-fruit margarita and choose from ten different flavors.