Editorial: Mexican restaurants in Mission Beach

With its close proximity to the Mexican border and its high demand for late night food, Mission Beach has become home to countless Mexican food restaurants. Maria's, Roberto's, Sara's, Valentine's and numerous other "mom n' pop" taco shops line the beach.

But last week the corporate giant climbed down the Sea World Drive beanstalk and into the Mission Beach Mexican food scene. Santana's, a local Mexican food chain with 11 restaurants in the San Diego area, opened its newest store at the corner of Mission Bay Drive and Mission Boulevard last Friday.

While South Mission's Sara's, and North Mission's Valentine's remain relatively uneffected, Central Mission's Maria's, lying across the street from Santana's latest addition, has felt the heat of new competition.

Late one Friday night, one week before Santana's grand opening, Maria-the owner and, as any local Mission Beach resident can attest to, welcoming face of Maria's-expressed her concern with the opening of Santana's. "Santana's is going to take a lot of business. That's why you guys gotta keep coming here man."

It is interactions such as these, Maria more than happily conversing in her native accent with any customer who walks in the door, which have made Maria a local favorite among Mission Beach residents.

But as the weather warms, and the tourist season begins, it will take more than a few local fans to keep Maria afloat; President Obama's new $15 billion small business plan might help a little.

Luckily for Maria, it is not only her unique attitude and warm spirit that have made her a local favorite, but her authentic menu and large servings as well.

Mac F. writes of Maria's, in a recent review for Yelp.com, "This is the best taco shop in Mission Beach. Your reward for walking past the Santana's and Roberto's chains and digging out this little gem is much better quality meat and a burrito that is twice as big."

Certainly anyone who has tried Maria's campeon burrito or shrimp tacos can attest to the fact that Maria cooks up some of the best food at the beach. But with Roberto's and now Santana's occupying both corners of the Boulevard-Santana's even offering a drive-thru, and Maria occupying only a small space in between a T-shirt shop and liquor store, publicity is hard. Still Maria is optimistic about the future, "Ya man, we're gonna be okay. I just keep comin' in and makin' food for you guys."

The fee fie foe fum of the Santana's giant may sound appealing but don't forget about the magic of Maria's. With her friendly demeanor and mouthwatering burritos Maria makes those extra few steps past the corner worth the walk.