La Hacienda Restaurant at 225 North Michigan Avenue, Shelby, Michigan.

This little family-owned restaurant in downtown Shelby is a gem! Open for only a year, the owners work very hard to deliver first-rate meals in a pleasant and inviting environment.

After we were greeted and seated, my husband and I received a warm basket of homemade tortilla chips with three types of sauces almost immediately with our waters. The salsas were excellent and very fresh, with cilantro and other spices. We ordered two different entrées - and WOW - what incredible dishes! Since they are known for their burritos, my husband ordered the wet burrito. For only $8, a HUGE chicken burrito with special sauce arrived on his plate. He could only get through half. I ordered a combo platter that was on the lunch menu - by adding just $1, you can order it for dinner. Great way to try three dishes. So for $15 total, we had a delicious, authentic Mexican dinner with huge portions (we took home a full take-out box). Another plus - they are open late (till 10 p.m.) when a lot of places close up early this time of year. And while they don't have a liquor license, you can have a pre-dinner cocktail at the Brown Bear just a few doors down.

Make it a point to stop in and patronize this wonderful, fairly new restaurant that is a welcome addition to the northern Michigan food scene for an authentic, ethnic dining experience.