If you find yourself stuck outside of the city, searching for a decent meal among a sea of terrible chain restaurants and corner pubs, check out Poco Loco. 

Poco Loco opened in September 2005 and took over the former space of the Vilage Coffee Shop, nesteled right off Brown Deer Road, just west of Hwy 57. It is truly one of very few good restaurants outside of the city offering upscale cuisine in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. 

The casual restaurant's concept is fresh, easy Mexican food from the grill. If you can't find a table on the newly expanded outdoor patio, snag one of only twenty seats around a breakfast counter encircling the grill. 

The menu is fairly small, offering tacos, burros (burritos) and a few entrees and appetizers. I recommend the guacamole, calamari ceviche and the chipotle shrimp skewers to start. The steak and Strauss lamb tacos are also popular favorites.

On my last visit I ordered the red snapper, which was on special and requested it atop the house salad served with black bean and corn relish, toasted pine nuts and a light, creamy cilantro dressing ($18). Everything tasted so fresh and the portion was so big that I took half the entree home for lunch the next day.

My dining companion ordered the blue crab quesadilla ($12), which was also a special. Two crispy flour tortillas engulfed the crab meat with loads of gooey, melted cheese and a smattering of jalapeno peppers. Delish!

Chef Lupe Ferrer is constantly concocting new salsas, specials and seasonings for fresh fish, beef, pork and even lamb. His speciality is the chicken mole ($11) slathered in the traditional mole sauce that includes chocolate, peanuts, chipotle peppers and about ten other secret ingredients .

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the tart and tangy margaritas made with fresh squeezed lime juice ($6). I didn't have one on my last visit, but since i first tried one, I refuse to drink margaritas any other way. 

Whether you find yourself in that particular neck of the woods or just crave authentic Mexican food, Poco Loco is definitely worth the trip.