PHOENIX
I squeezed my food hunting during my recent spring trip to Arizona down to the very last minute, including a quick burrito run on my way to the Phoenix International Airport.

Just a few minutes away from the airport in a residential neighborhood, Rito’s Fine Mexican Food is an unpretentious burrito shop in an old home, across the street from a school playground. I had read about Rito’s in a Los Angeles Times primer for spring training, but I wasn’t the only one who knows about the place.

Framed photos of local sports celebrities fill one wall (left); the shredded beef taco ($2.50), right

As I waited for my food with my friend Ken, several people came in to place their orders or pick up phone orders even though it was just after 10 a.m.

Rito’s has a limited menu, focused on some of the basics of beef tacos, quesadillas and enchiladas. As for burritos, it only offers one – a simple bean burrito for $4.10. No chicken, no guacamole, no lettuce, no sour cream. Just a tortilla encasing some beans and rice.

While I’m used to more specialty burritos in California, there was something to say about the simplicity of a plain bean burrito. The beans were good, but nothing special. I believe what makes Rito’s burritos so popular is probably the home-made and super fresh tortilla.

Soft to the touch like a paper towel, the tortilla is so popular that I saw one person come in buying only packages of tortilla. I’ve never had a tortilla so fresh and authentic.

Cheese enchilada with rice and beans ($5.50)

I also ordered the shredded beef taco ($2.50), which was a crispy taco (the only way I like them) and the taco shell was fresh, probably because it’s made from the fresh tortillas, and the shredded beef was tasty. Again, nothing spectacular but definitely fresh and authentic.

Ken had a plate of the special cheese enchilada ($5.50) that looked beautiful with the perfectly melted cheese on top. He wolfed down the enchilada, partly because we had to rush off to the return the rental car, but also because he said it was one of the best enchiladas he’s had.

Rito’s might not offer anything unique or dazzling, but it dishes out quality everyday Mexican food that fosters loyalty and satisfaction.

Rating: 2.5 out of 4 camera snaps

Rito’s Fine Mexican Food, 907 N. 14th St., Phoenix. PH: 602.262.9842. Open weekdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. No reservations, cash only.

The gated entrance to Rito's. It's hard to tell they're churning out burritos inside.

Chili lights decorate the counter windows

Rito's only sells one burrito, a simple bean burrito wrapped in a soft home-made tortilla