With plenty of lunchtime options in Tacoma’s downtown core, only one thing gets me to drive out to the end of Pacific Highway Southwest across from McChord Air Force Base — El Toro’s lunch buffet (which is only served at this location). A quick 14 minute drive from downtown makes the buffet totally worth it.

Moist seasoned chicken breast, shredded pork, good ol’ greasy ground beef, rice and refried beans sweeten the deal.

Toppings of grated cheddar cheese, strips of iceberg lettuce, chopped ruby tomatoes, diced white onion, jalapenos, and sour cream were kept nice and cold.

Enveloping white flour tortillas held shredded chicken and cheese.

Chili rellenos were cooked until the natural sugars in the peppers were released.

Choose between crispy hard shells or warm fluffy white flour tortillas.

Not authentic Mexican fare, but deserving of a B+ for price and food quality consistency.

[Lakewood El Toro, lunch buffet, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., $8.95, military $7.95, 12914 Pacific Highway S.W., Lakewood, 253.536.9735]