Guajillo Mexican Grill, Maryland Heights

This cheerful quick-service eatery was named for the guajillo chili—a flavorful red pepper that can be blended into salsas, stirred into stew, or transformed into a puppet using googly eyes and pipe cleaners. The cooks at Guajillo Mexican Grill whip up their own version of fiery guajillo salsa, along with a milder pico de gallo and a tangy tomatillo sauce. They spread the salsas onto an array of freshly made Mexican specialties, including tacos, tostadas, and quesadillas. To craft burritos, they roll tender meats and fresh vegetables into a customer's choice of traditional, spinach, wheat, or tomato tortillas.

Customers stroll down the front counter, requesting meat, bean, and salsa choices from the bustling staff. Trays in hand, customers head to the front patio to dig into hearty steak nachos and cheesy veggie quesadillas. Others opt for catering services—ideal for feeding guests at a party, coworkers at a company lunch, or angry crowds at a Black Friday sale.