Burrito Brilliance Recently a reader sent in a letter to the editor raving about a burrito stand that he claimed had the "best burritos in town." It was an enticing enough claim that I had to check it out for myself. Burrito Girl, which bears no relation to the other well-known burrito joints of a similar name, is a little stand located near the end of West 11th. The owner, Maira Bell, sits patiently inside, ready to whip up one of her original creations and turn you into a regular customer. Myra (front) and Maira Bell of Burrito Girl Bell, originally from El Salvador, created Burrito Girl in 2002 with nothing but a dream and her own savings. "I didn't know anything about running a business, but my kids have always told me how much they loved my food, so I gave it a shot," Bell says. Her youngest child, Myra, 12, the real "burrito girl" for whom the establishment is named, sits beside her mother, greeting customers and taking orders. When I told Bell about the admirer who inspired me to check out her business, she smiled and didn't seem too surprised. "I have very loyal customers that have been with me from the beginning," she says. Since its opening five years ago, Burrito Girl has switched locations several times, and Bell says she is still trying to find the right spot that will bring in the most customers. While I was there, at least four of Bell's regulars stopped by on their lunch break, every one of them knowing exactly what they wanted. The most popular item is the carne asada burrito. From the first bite, there is something about the burrito that is just different from anything I've ever tasted. The tightly wrapped concoction is packed with grilled steak, Spanish rice, onion, cilantro and a hot sauce with an authenticity and spice like nothing else. Bell says customers have joked with her many times about what she puts in her burritos that makes them keep coming back. I think it is the six different spices she uses to marinate the meat, the subtle seasoning in the moist rice or the homemade sauce (made with Japanese hot peppers) that creates a tangy, crisp fire in your mouth. Burrito Girl offers food for any time of the day: breakfast burritos until 10 am, quesadillas filled with chicken and other goodies, a huge taco plate with three large tacos, vegetarian dishes and burritos galore. It seems too good to be true, but everything is $5 or less and is served within minutes. Bell says that all she asks is that people try her food at least once; she's confident they will come back after that. She made a regular out of me. Burrito Girl is well worth the drive out to 4419 Commerce St. (Space Age gas station's parking lot). — Deanna Uutela     New Specialty Store | Oregon Cheese | Home Style, Delivered | Café Cruisin' | Food Visionaries | Burrito Brilliance | Edgy Brownies |