he home of this quasi-Mexican parlor, though still in the land of Ikea and Fatburger, is worlds away from the Deerfoot Meadows neighbourhood that it occupies. The plates are substantially large, the food serviceable, and the service, well, iffy.

A simply adorned décor gives off a rustic, open, welcoming feel. Avocado, divided into a small lounge and main dining room (pit and fruit), has appropriately avocado-coloured booths and banquettes. The general aesthetics may sound drab on paper, but in person, it's quite playful (though slightly lacking in the soul department).

The Mexican menu, with staples like chicken wings, quesadillas, piles of greasy-good nachos, and a kicky quartet of burrito choices, is predictable but mostly tasty. It's all the more appealing when it's midnight, you're buzzing on "super premium" margaritas, and you need to shove some tasty calories down your pie-hole, pronto.

Try the burrito with Spicy Chicken ($14) tricked up with plump refried pinto beans, guacamole, greens and a medium-heat salsa that combines the brightness of tomatillo with the spark of green-chili heat and the fresh jolt of cilantro. About the only thing wrong with the burrito is the firm, rubbery flour tortilla, which poses an antagonizing barrier between mouth and succulent mixings.

I've since tried the other burrito combinations. Only the Marinated Sirloin, with its full range of seasoning, including garlic and cumin, approached the delectability of the Spicy Chicken. Also, the Marinated Pork, though chewier and not so spicy, is not bad at all, while the Vegetarian is dry and lackluster.