Just down the road on Highway 70 in Stoney Creek awaits Wholly Guacamole Mexican Grille. The soon-to-be chain restaurant – location number two will be located on Battleground Avenue in Greensboro in early 2004 – serves up an eclectic array of Mexican traditions and specialties.

The small restaurant doesn’t come decorated fiesta style but relies on modern simplicity. Its casual atmosphere is accentuated with one-tone walls in beige or terra cotta and wall hangings of small paintings and clay pots.

Whether you eat inside at a table or booth or chose to dine outside at caf`E9 table, the pleasant smell and Latin music will certainly set off the cultural cuisine cross-over.

Though the Wholly Guacamole Grille’s menu carries more punch than its location, the foods’ flavor lacks spice. Literally. It seems that good old Southern tradition has worked its way into the Mexican cuisine. Toss out the jalapenos and say bye-bye to the cayenne, this Mexican food sticks to tomato bases, onions, green peppers and greens or, in this case ,cilantro.

But of course, they serve the best sweetened iced tea I’ve had in long while.

I decided to try the $5.99 three-item lunch special and filled my plate with a chicken enchilada, tamale, chicken chimichangas, Spanish rice and refried beans. As with many Mexican restaurants, a starter of salsa and chips is provided.

Served piping hot, my plate looked delicious. Unfortunately, it didn’t taste as good as it looked. With my stomach set on the Mexican flavor provided by spices, I was let down. The chicken enchilada and tamale were topped with a brown sauce that tasted like gravy more fit for mashed potatoes and the chimichanga was not crispy.

Skip lunch and go for dinner. The Chef’s Specials are a complete page of traditional Mexican specialties. Go for the Brochetas (Skewers), which is grilled chicken and shrimp, skewered with peppers and onions and served with rice and guacamole salad.

If seafood doesn’t wet your whistle, try the Pollo Relleno (Stuffed Chicken), which is two grilled chicken breasts, stuffed with cheddar cheese and topped with mushrooms, cheese sauce and served with rice and beans.

Don’t be alarmed if you aren’t a fan of meat. Wholly Guacamole Grill also offers vegetarian dishes. These three dishes are Spinach Enchiladas, Taco Primavera, and Fajita Vegetariana.

As if their fair prices didn’t cater to the college budget enough, their drink specials follow right behind. Monday margarita specials of $2.99 are sure to be easy on the wallet – they also offer seven specialty margaritas-- and daily $7.95 beer pitchers can’t be beat. For a simple change try the sangria.

So skip Cantina Roble tonight and head out to Wholly Guacamole Grille.