Issue date: 11/10/04 Section: Arts

By the end of their freshman or sophomore years, most Suffolk students quickly become fed up with the lack of food joints that are both cheap and edible at the same time. If, however, they knew of such a restaurant that had a surprise bathroom message that said "It's hard to live life down on your knees, those are dark days indeed," they might be more than a little curious to discover it.

Fajitas and 'Ritas, located at 25 West Street on Boston Common, is one such place for Suffolk to discover. From the moment you walk in the door, your eyes are met by murals of every color, walls adorned by disco balls and hubcaps and thousands of scribbles filled with sentiment.

There are dedications to first dates and significant others written next to raves about the nachos. Customers have even moved messages into the restrooms, including words of inspiration while on your knees from all of the frosty margaritas.

With this type of atmosphere in a hidden Tex-Mex joint, it may surprise some to see the variety of patrons that choose Fajitas and 'Ritas as their weekend hot spot. It is frequented by entrepreneurs for business meetings and by fellow college students desperate for anything but cafeteria cuisine.

A typical night of feasting begins with a basket of chips, perfectly seasoned salsa and a carbon-copy menu that gives any hand with a pen the freedom to doodle while they choose from the traditionally alluring menu.

A popular appetizer among customers is the cheese quesadillas, filled to the brim with cheddar and chicken, steak or shrimp for the gourmet-oriented. The homemade chili, though a bit watery, is easily kicked up with habanero chili sauce, which will bring even the most rugged Mexican to tears in a heartbeat. And for $2-$3 for appetizers and $6-$8 for entrees, students won't burn a hole in their pockets trying to get a decent meal.

These aren't the only reasons why Fajitas and 'Ritas has won so much acclaim. It won Boston's Best Crème de la Crème award in 1993 and was featured in the Boston Herald of August 1996. Although food and atmosphere are certainly factors, the popular frozen margaritas are the icing on the cake. If there is anything to rave about time and time again, their strawberry and raspberry 'ritas would be it.

With its fun and eclectic atmosphere, good prices and even better food, this is a spot that your taste buds will crave for night after night. All in all, if a night of cafeteria pizzas and Salisbury steaks simply won't cut it, Fajitas and 'Ritas will not only feed you for cheap, but will leave you "on your knees" begging for more.

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