By Becky Billingsley

Monday, June 11, 2012, Myrtle Beach - A new Myrtle Beach burrito bar has Tex-Mex fans stepping up for premium ingredients.

Grand Strand resident John "Farlo" Farrelly and his father, John Frances Farrelly, spent the past four months completely renovating a former antique store (and before that, an Asian restaurant) at 815 Main St. to create Farlo's Burrito Bar.

They installed a tile floor, built half-walls and put in black and chrome booths, chairs and tables. Warm orange paint adds flair.

The aroma of slow-roasted meats draws diners to Step One in this burrito experience, which is standing at the starting end of the burrito bar and selecting one of five entrees: Burrito, Fajita Burrito, Burrito Bowl, Vegetarian Burrito or Burrito Salad.

Cilantro-lime rice is used, and the difference between the regular Burrito and the Fajita Burrito is the addition of chunky, crispy sauteed bell peppers and purple onions.

Step 2 is selecting a meat filling. There are chicken, which is marinated overnight and then grilled fresh every day; shredded beef or pork that are slow-cooked in house-made adobo sauce; and steak. A vegetarian option replaces meat with black beans and thick fresh chunky guacamole.

Step 3 is where the decisions become harder, when salsa selections must be made. There are pico de gallo, corn salsa, green salasa, hot red salsa and mild red.

I chose a pork fajita burrito ($7.50) with corn "salsa" that isn't like conventional salsa. It's roasted corn and veggies, and doesn't have a sauce on it. The blend of savory meat, sauteed peppers and onions, roasted corn and moderate amount of cilantro lime rice was pleasantly varied in taste and texture, and was light in flavors yet extremely satisfying.

The serving is generous; I was ravenous when I sat down, and could not quite finish the burrito.

Chips and guacamole are $2, while a child's meal of two tacos and juice is $4. Bottled beer is sold along with soda, bottled water and bottled teas.

Farlo's Burrito Bar is at 815 Main St. in Myrtle Beach, next to Gem City Pizza and across Kings Highway from Myrtle Beach Zipline Adventures. It's open Mondays through Saturdays starting at 11 a.m., and it stays open late. The number is (843) 712-2307.