Trudy's South Star

Mexican martinis, spicy Tex-Mex, and two bustling bars
Popular plate: The migas plate is a breakfast indulgence featuring scrambled eggs, corn tortilla slices, serrano peppers, and a top-secret three-cheese sauce.

Word to the wise: Pay attention to the pepper symbols on the menu: some dishes are mega-spicy.
The palapa-covered outdoor bar at Trudy's has the feel of a Mexican beach resort, and a large U-shaped bar in the middle of the expansive dining room adds to the festive vibe. The restaurant's signature drink is the Mexican martini, which is basically two normal-sized margaritas, served in a cocktail shaker with a martini glass.

In addition to dishing out first-rate Tex-Mex standards, Trudy's chefs routinely come up with inventive new dishes, such as the stuffed avocado. It's a masterful combo of breaded chicken, hunks of avocado, and spices.

With a movie theater on the other side of the parking lot, Trudy's early-evening crowd often depends on what's playing. After the dinner rush, however, the two bars take center stage, serving as post-movie discussion areas for young singles.