• Chimichanga al Gusto (pollo o carne deshebrada) - Flour tortilla filled chicken then deep fried. Served with rice and beans $5.50

El Amanecer was a great neighborhood Mexican restaurant in a great Mexican neighborhood the West Side of St. Paul. It is right across the street from El Burrito Mercado which is another great restaurant and grocery store.

I had the Chimichanga which was freshly made and very good. I had a bit too much cheese for my taste, but that is simply quibbling. The accompanying beans and rice were both stand up versions. The guacamole was above average.

This is a great place to go if you are in the area. We probably will not return because our neighborhood has a great variety of Mexican restaurants many of which are as good

• Combinacion de San Pablo / St. Paul Combination - Beef crisp taco and two chicken enchiladas. Served with rice and beans $6.50

El Amanecer is a good choice for reasonably priced Mexican food in St. Paul's West Side, which has many good to excellent Mexican restaurants. I was most impressed by the prices and the value for dinners with rice and beans, and yes, they serve complimentary chips and salsa. The crispy shell on the taco was different than what you might be used to; it's fresher and crispier than most places serve. I also really liked the refried beans that had a rich flavor distinctive to a good bean recipe. The chicken enchiladas were standard fare, although the food would make a good alternative to the large, sterile Mexican chains that seem to pop up everywhere. And I would hazard to guess that most of the chains serve margaritas that are more expensive than the meals at El Amanecer. If you are in the neighborhood, this would be a good choice among many good choices for Mexican food.