Costa Vida

 Costa Vida---Lone Tree location

Costa Vida is a go-to place for most people I know. It is fast, affordable, delicious, and great for the whole family. For an easy Eating Club we chose to go to Costa Vida even though 90%+ of us had been before.

It doesn't matter if you have a small or large group, Costa Vida is very accomodating with their open seating. When you get there you line up in the fast moving line, and when you get up to the food area you tell them, as you go down the line, what you want on your salad, burrito, tacos, etc. The Mexican fare is very Americanized, and if you go with the Raspberry Chipotle chicken options or the Sweet Pork/Pork Barbacoa, your meal will be on the sweet side. Designed similar to a Subway, where you choose the options as you go down the line, each item goes well together in whatever format you have chosen. Ranging in price from $5-10 for most meal options, I believe they even offer quesadillas for children for free (with a paying adult. I am not sure if this is in writing anywhere, but it has worked out that way for us on numerous occasions).

Many of my friends opt for the salads because they are huge, and are loaded with beans, cheese, meat, lettuce, pico de gallo, tortilla strips, and have the options of avocado and sour cream as toppings, all on top of  a large soft, handmade tortilla. With the jalapeno ranch dressing (which is fairly mild with a slight kick), the flavors blend together amazingly well.

I am always torn between ordering a burrito (smothered or not) vs. a salad. I like them both equally well, and they are similarly priced. Those who have ordered the nachos or tacos have raved about them as well. And just like most Mexican food places, you have the option of going with corn tortillas for almost all of their entrees if you are gluten free.

It is hard to go wrong with Costa Vida.

Photo courtesy of costavida.net