Sometimes you overlook what is right in front of you. That was definitely the case with El Gallito, a homey Mexican restaurant on Madison Street, at the east edge of Capitol Hill. It's been there all along, close to my house, but I hadn't gone until recently.

"This tastes like homemade," my friend remarked while scarfing down her carne asada soft-tortilla taco ($12.25). Apparently, she's made carne asada before. The meat had hints of being grilled, she explained, a mark of authenticity. Her picadillo taco ($3) had seasoning with a little kick to it that was pleasing even if the shredded beef was, as she said, "greasy but tasty." As a non-meat-eater, I took her word for it.

Meanwhile, I made quick work of my vegetarian plate ($10.25), which was heaped with a cheese enchilada, a bean crispy taco, and an item I've never seen at a Mexican restaurant before--a guacamole enchilada. Generous doesn't quite describe the large portions. Even after two baskets of tortilla chips, complemented by ultra-fresh tomato salsa, the guacamole was so good that I couldn't help but finish the enchilada, which was wrapped in a tortilla and drizzled with sauce and plenty of melted cheese. After that, my margarita on the rocks , which might have been disappointing to aficionados, as it hailed from a mix, was just the thing to accompany the comforting, carb-laden meal.

I heard more raves for El Gallito a few nights later when residents of my apartment building, rendezvousing for beers at our neighborhood bar, the Twilight Exit--just steps from El Gallito--were delighted to discover that the bar keeps a few of the restaurant's menus stashed behind the counter, for to-go ordering. Within 15 minutes, we were snacking on chimichangas, chips, and more enchiladas, and vowing to take greater advantage of our proximity to a fantastic Mexican joint.