<strong>By Pamela Brownstein</strong>

When the Lunch Bunch met last week, we were all giddy with anticipation as we took our seats at a long wooden table in the middle of Berto’s Grill, an intimate Mexican restaurant located in Habersham Marketplace.

Peggy McLenagan, the new advertising rep, and I shared stories about how we used to go to Berto’s all the time when it was at its previous spot on Boundary Street (where Brick’s is located today).

[caption id="attachment_9130" align="alignleft" width="199"]<a href="https://actionclub.site/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/DSC_0576-1.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-9130" title="DSC_0576" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/DSC_0576-199x300.jpg" alt="" width="199" height="300" /></a> Berto’s wife, Iris, prepares guacamole fresh at your table.[/caption]

We were doubly excited when Iris, Berto’s wife and our server, brought the ingredients for guacamole and prepared it at our table. Is there anything better than fresh guacamole and chips?

Kim went light with two shrimp tacos wrapped in flour tortillas, and I ordered a basic, yet delicious, dish with a quesadillas filled with grilled chicken and melted cheese and served with sour cream, guacamole, lettuce and pico de gallo.

Nikki was thrilled with her sizzling plate of steak fajitas made with sauteed onions, fresh green and red bell peppers and cherry tomatoes. She hardly left any food behind on the skillet.

Peggy tried the Carnitas Dinner, and it was a must-have, in my book. The pork was slowly cooked to a golden brown in special herbs and spices and served with lettuce, pico de gallo, rice, beans and corn tortillas. The pieces of pork were so juicy, they fell apart in your mouth, and were so yummy.

Buck also ordered a must-have dish with the Berto’s Special — grilled steak, chicken and pork served on a bed of grilled cactus, topped with Monterrey Jack cheese, complemented with lettuce, pico de gallo, rice, beans and tortillas. The presentation alone was enticing, and it smelled fabulous.

Chef Noberto Lopez grew up in Mexico and worked for 14 years at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. His culinary skills and

[caption id="attachment_9131" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://actionclub.site/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/DSC_0587-1.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-9131" title="DSC_0587" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/DSC_0587-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a> Carnitas dinner[/caption]

dedication to authentic Mexican dishes have been pleasing customers in Beaufort for years, and the Lunch Bunch can attest that the food is better than ever.

Berto’s Grill is located at 9 Market Street, Beaufort, SC, 29906, in Habersham Marketplace. It is open Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Call 843-644-1925 for take-out orders.