Taco Bell has yet to penetrate the City of Destiny, but some fine and recently introduced Latin cuisine helps fill the gaping void left by the chain's absence. Let's take a stroll.

Jama

Our first stop is yumma, yumma Jama (V Jame 7, Prague 1, Tel: +420 2422 2383, fax: +420 2422 1783, Metro: Mustek, Tram: 3, 9, 14, 24, 52, 53, 55, 56, 58, www.praguepivo.com). Who knew your favorite ex-pat hangout was home to Prague's best burrito? It's hard to believe any reader would have to question the validity of that statement, but, just in case there is any doubt about the overwhelming consensus on this burrito issue, let me devote the next few sentences to the mouthwatering details of this mother of Mexican creations.

Picture a steaming plate filled with generous portions of beans, rice and salsa surrounding a virtual burrito island nestled in among the toppings. Yet, the reason why this burrito takes the cake is the cheese factor. Cheese is a key Mexican ingredient that no other place in Prague seems to be aware of. The tortillas are soft and the beans are definitely tasty. Did I mention the sour cream? It's like the nectar of the gods. My winner for The best burrito in Prague is Jama, so treat yourself to a Mexican special and get on over there. Come on, you know where it is.

Azteca

Across the river in Malostrana, Azteca (Říční 9, Praha 1, Malá Strana) Tel: +420 2 5732 7389, www.azteca.cz, Open daily: 11am – midnight) is still the Speedy Gonzales of Czech-Mex, offering chop licking Tapas that will take you back to that summer you spent as a mercenary for the Basque separatist army. Andulusian mushrooms and fresh-from-the-box gazpacho (65Kc), and a vast salad menu ranging 80-130Kc are the perfect set ups for the wide range of sizzling fajitas, quesidillas, steaks, and party platters on offer. Deserts are good and cheap, and the tequila menu is the biggest in the country with everything from Pepe Lopez (50Kc) to Tenoch (290Kc). Dees eez a bueno f*ckeeng place mang. Highly recommended.

Barracuda Cafe

. . .and what about that ever elusive super Mexican restaurant? Prague is not exactly known for its abundance of South of the Border cuisine. Or, so you thought. A nice Mex joint, the Barracuda Cafe (Krymská 2, Praha 10, Tel: +420 271 74 05 99 Website: www.barracuda-cafe.cz, Open daily: 11:30-23:30 except: Saturday: 17:00-23:30, Sunday: 17:00-23:30, Metro: Namesti miru, Trams: 04, 22, 23 Stop: Krymska), about four blocks from Namesti Miru. Probably the most authentic Mexican food in Prague, this place also boasts a very wallet friendly menu. Most of the dishes are under 100 Kc and come in ample proportions. The 79 Kc burritos and the 99 Kc fajitas are righteous enough to make your taste buds do the mambo, and are highly recommended.

Its basement level, softly lit dining area offers the perfect somber ambience for its spicy dishes. While the Barracuda prepares its own excellent house salsa, some of the dishes come with some non-mexicky fixings. Iceberg lettuce, for example, may be difficult to come by in Prague, but cabbage ain't, so don't fret, the food still tastes superb. And while it may not taste exactly like it was prepared in ol' Tijuana, it's probably a lot safer for your bowels.

And now for the The Bad, as in the bad meaning good, like the big bad hood of the neighborhood... up to no good.

El Gaucho

El Gaucho, located directly beneath the Kenvelo superstore on Vaclavske namesti (Václavské náměstí 11 11000 Praha 1 , +420 21 629 410 www.el-gaucho.cz). If you can get past the humming of escalators, the pan flute version of Lady in Red, and the knowledge that a supersale on T-shirts is going on 15 feet above your head, then you're ready to enjoy an "authentic" Argentinean dining experience and some of the heaviest cuts of choice beef in town. Main courses run anywhere from 300 to 800Kc, and include traditional dishes such as Beef Entrecote and Beef Asado. For 120Kc, you can help clean the slaughterhouse floor with appetizers like liver, pickled tongue, intestines, and beef udder. The menu lists two pasta dishes along side an encyclopedia of meat, and a couple of lonely salads. Coronas cost 120Kc; an orange juice will set you back 70. If you like bloody beef and muzak, this place is for you.

O'Che's Cuban Bar

At first glance O'Che's Cuban Bar (Liliova 14, Prague 1, Metro: Narodni Trida) appears to be another Irish Bar brandishing it's Guinness sign like a shield at the door, (hence the name), but at second glance this place could pass for Casa Blu in another life. That is, if it was actually run by Latinos. The first thing that bites you are the prices. You may want to bring your booty chest of Aztec gold bullion. Or you could opt for Gulas, at an ever so humble 190Kc. It is a Czech specialty you are paying for after all.

The drinks are properly stiff for a good Irish bar, but at 350Kc for a round of three they'd better be! O'Che's is the perfect place to head to when you're close to the Charles bridge and need to grab a beverage and gather your thoughts. But for the traveler on a budget, a glance at the prices will have you running back to your usual hovel. But if you're in the mood, stay and have a drink with the sportsmen entombed at the back tables, where you'll find a round of laughs equalled in few Prague establishments. The ambience will grow on you, as will the beers - just remember to eat before you come again.

Mexická Restaurace Cantina

When it comes to accessible Mexican food in Prague, expect American prices and less than Mexicano quality. If you simply don't care and are hankering to eat anything even spelt Spanish, then Cantina (Újezd 430/38, 118 00 Praha 1, Malá Strana www.restauracecantina.cz. Tel: +420 257 317 173, Tram 9, 12, 22) might be for you. But be warned; Jimmy Buffet wouldn't even serve these margaritas to his slaves.

The Mexican beer selection is quite impressive however, but skip the quickie-mart-quality chips and salsa and order the fajitas. Management is apparently stockpiling tortillas for the apocalypse, so you are only allowed two, but what the hell, you have a steaming plate of sizzling meat in front of your face and a dirty Mexican beer in the same line of sight. Who knew Mala Strana was Czech for barrio? Sitting at a nearby table I glimpsed a Samotari star. Wisely, she only sipped a glass of wine. After those exceedingly dark beans, I'm beginning to wish I had stuck with liquids as well.

...and finally, a place you should absolutely avoid; the Ugly...

Buffalo Bill's

Buffalo Bill's (Vodičkova 9, 110 00 Praha 1, Czech Republic, +420 224 948 624, www.buffalobill.cz) stirs up their own mighty brand of Tex-Mex Hell each and every day as their wafting fumes bear down on exiters from the Mustek Metro. Why one would ever wander in here is beyond me, but we all make mistakes in the face of devastating hunger and blinding thirst. God knows I did. They too boast a world class margarita, but on this planet, in this dimension, it rates as the worst in Prague. I guess when your food is this bad you have to boast about something. The first question that popped into my mind was: Is this salsa or ass juice? The salsa would ruin any substance it came into contact with; animal, vegetable, mineral, or alien pod. And since the burrito is of such questionable consistency, you will be wondering just which of these categories it represents. The salsa pretty much sets the tone for the whole dining experience at Buffalo Bill's. Mexican is not what is going on here. Nor will you escape Big Bill hell by choosing what you think is a safe burger.

The meat actually appears to be regurgitated; the grassy product of stomach number four from Daisy out back. It is best not to dwell on the origin of the burrito, either. The decor, however, is funnier than a Pancho Villa sex doll. I kept searching for the stuffed Lewis and Clark dolls, but no luck. There will be no next time.