Mondo margaritas are at Lista's

Lista's restaurant is a lovely Mexican-themed eating establishment tucked away in Fell's Point at 1637 Thames St. It is hidden behind the storefronts that face onto Thames St. itself, but this only adds to its charm. Its off-the-beaten-path factor makes it even more thrilling to add it to your list of Baltimore discoveries, maximizes the service and minimizes the tourist contingent. This place is truly for people in the know.

That lovely Lista's charm starts the second you walk in the door. The dining area is huge with an upstairs level in addition to the ground level and outdoor patio. If you have a choice and the weather is still agreeable, I recommend eating on the little patio that juts right onto the water. It is decorated with the soft glow of little Christmas lights, which twinkle and reflect off of the water. Inside the restaurant the eaves are covered with bushels of brightly colored tissue paper flowers and rainbow-colored Corona signs.

Mexican art and painting covers the walls, and if you're lucky, sometimes mariachis roam, freely playing such favorites as La Bamba and Guantanemera upon request. It is truly a South-of-the-border utopia.

Beyond its colorful atmosphere, Lista's is also known for several specialties - both food and drinks - including most famously, a little something that they like to call The Monsterita. This is actually not a little something at all - it is a huge 48 ounce frozen margarita that comes in a variety of flavors including strawberry daiquiri, pina colada, raspberry and orange creamsicle It costs a hefty $13 but the bragging rights that are earned and the huge sombrero that is bestowed upon you if you can finish a whole Monsterita in one sitting are worth every penny. Lista's veteran and Hopkins student, Emily Martin who is ever-faithful to the Monsterita declares Lista's, "A yummy way to get drunk!" The menu also includes a hearty but smaller-sized 20 ounce fiesta margarita for those who want to join the party but still want to be able to do the Mexican Hat Dance without stumbling, at the end of the night.

When it comes to food, Lista's has made a science out of perfecting such basics as nachos and tortillas. In fact, that is all the food you really need to have a good time there. The nachos are out of this world and they make a great appetizer. Heaps upon heaps chips come piled on a plate covered with a generous helping of bean mush, melted cheese, guacamole, sour cream, with a lovely side of salsa. And by salsa of course I mean hot waiters with heavy Latin accents. The tortillas make a great entre too and you can order them with virtually any kind of filler - chicken being the classic. The huge portions are delivered to your table on a cast iron skillet still sizzling from being cooked in the kitchen just moments ago and the tortillas are kept fresh and hot in little, lidded dishes that keep in the steam.

Lista's also has a delicious dessert menu. I highly recommend the caramel flan which, if you don't know, is kind of like a pudding, only more sophisticated. And if you haven't had enough fun with your Monsterita, or even if you have, 723 is a fun way to continue the fiesta - especially on Fridays when you can partake of their $.25 Corona bottle special (they'll even throw in a lime wedge for free). So for a little salsify-ing in your own backyard, shake your bon-bon and take a trip down to Lista's. It is definitly worth the music, the margaritas, the food and the good times you'll share.