The Local Flavor Meg and margaritas

Author: Meg Young

Tucked away just past Ben Franklin's, down Bakery Lane and past the curry-laden Taste of India, Tully and Marie's boasts an intriguing boat-like facade, and a striking river-front view. The wait-staff is friendly and punctual, and the check always comes flanked with gingersnaps. On any given Wednesday, however, these impressive daily assets are trumped by two simple additions: a burrito menu and a margarita special.

In the face of the posh main menu - fine when the parental units are visiting, but daunting when you're flying solo…"hello entrée, goodbye paycheck!" - the Wednesday night burrito list provides an appetizing student-friendly option. Creative, inexpensive and off the cuff, one description plainly reads: "a really good burrito!" - this menu is clearly aimed at a college audience.

The three dollar margarita requires minimal decision time (on the rocks, salted, if you please), and is a natural first addition to the evening. It is tangy, sweet and much, much better than the fruits of your suitemate's futile attempts last weekend. Tully's margaritas remind you that tequila can, indeed, yield a pleasing flavor when properly mixed.

The drink arrives just in time to aid you in the process of choosing from an impressive spread of burrito ingredients. Black beans, sweet potatoes, chipotle sour cream, oh my! The list of potential innards and toppings takes up half the menu, and leaves only your taste buds and imagination to regulate the decision-making process. Vegetarians and vegans will find themselves pleasantly surprised by the number of original, veggie-friendly options. If decisiveness is not your style, three "tried and true" burritos are listed at the top of the menu for you to choose from.

Per the waitress's suggestion, you may find yourself choosing the first selection featuring black beans, grilled chicken and green chili that is delicious and prepared with just enough spice. The waitress also recommends the second burrito feature, which substitutes sweet potatoes forthe chicken and cuts the chilies altogether. Huh? Since when have tubers become viable replacements for chilies? Autumnal Vermont has certainly had its hands in this mixture. Both burritos arrive in true south-of-the-border form: ready to spill out of their tortillas, with shredded lettuce, onions and tomatoes on the side.

Take the last sip of your margarita (or second…only three dollars, remember), and brace yourself as the waitress moves towards you with the bill. Sheathed in black leather, and flanked by the complimentary cookies, this innocuous slip of paper has the power to lay to waste money made from hours upon hours of library shelving. You inhale sharply and flip open the bill. Exhale. Less than 15 dollars a person. Really. Elated and stuffed, you feel inspired to tip generously and savor every last crumb of your free ginger snap.

As you walk outside, the autumn air chills your cheeks and nose, reminding you that despite an evening of cheap drinks and burritos, the only border you're currently south of is the Canadian one. No matter, you think, savoring the last hints of margarita salt on your lips; at the very least, you've found a weekly, much-needed break from apples.