Betto's Restaurant

Wow! A jewel. Food and service are wonderful. Authentic Mexican and S. American food. No ABC license yet though, although they have great drinks on the back of their menu.
Their salsa and bean dip is awesome. Try the ceviche tostada and the Betto's special plate. You can't lose with anything you pick.

Wow! Betto's deserves an excellent rating as much for being a delightful surprise as for its delicious food and wonderful ambiance.
Tucked on a street in amongst an old Pizza Hut, a Salvation Army thrift store, a Taco Bell and an abandoned Taco Bell (no, I am not kidding) sits a restaurant that seemed transported from somewhere much more upscale, hip and trendy than Crater Road in Petersburg. For months I had begged off a friend's invitation to join her at this Tex-Mex eatery because the images I conjured in my head when I thought of Crater Road weren't necessarily appetizing. But as soon as I pulled up in the parking lot beside this structure painted in bold but tasteful colors with wrought iron detailing, I knew that I had judged this place unfairly.
Unlike the area's many Mexican restaurants which seem to have taken over old fast food restaurants once the garish murals have been painted on the wall, Betto's stylishly contemporary interior paid tribute to the talents of its designer rather than an airbrush artist. With no sombrero hanging on the wall to signal the contents of its menu, this restaurant's sophisticated clean lines and subdued colors are a refreshing change. The pleasant background music is the only clue that this restaurant serves tacos, but its not the usual over-the-top mariachi music usually piped into these places.
I don't know enough about Central or South American cuisine to know where Betto's menu deviates significantly from the usual Tex-Mex fare, but the menu did allude to locations farther south than Guadalajara and their food s definitely an upgrade from the area's other Mexican restaurants. All I know is that the food was delicious and the menu offered more than burritos, rice and beans from which to choose. Perhaps it could be called Tex-Mex with a twist.
For instance, the usual chips and salsa was brought to the table. The chips were light and crisp and the salsa had just enough bite to be interesting, but not deadly. The twist came with the black bean dip that accompanied the chips and salsa - it turned out to be more tasty than I expected and was a nice compliment to the salsa.
While I don't frequent many four star restaurants, I have seen enough episodes of "Top Chef" and other culinary shows to recognize that the artful presentation of the food on my plate was done by someone who knows about food. Ordinarily, I wouldn't notice these things, but on a street where the usual food presentation is greasy chicken in a box, I could not help but be impressed. ("Artful presentation" is not code for the haute cuisine's meager portion of three spoonfuls of food arranged with four beans and a squiggle of sauce. The helpings are generous and despite having passed on the thought of eating dessert, both of us left the table full.)
Don't allow all my blathering about cuisine and presentation mislead you into thinking that this is a stuffy restaurant for food snobs with fat wallets. Betto's prices are as inviting as its design and its menu. Just as we were leaving, a family loaded with children and presents came in for a birthday celebration, from which one can surmise that even those who don't live for the next issue of Bon Appetite will feel comfortable in this restaurant.
In summation, Betto's is a restaurant to which I hope to make many return visits. The food is delicious, the prices moderate, the atmosphere pleasant and the servers were attentive and friendly, but not intrusive.

I have to agree, the area really needed a restaurant of this caliber. There are some good dining options in old town Petersburg; but, as far as I am considered, nothing even close to the level of this restaurant anywhere in the area.

I think most people will be just as surprised at the visually appealing plate presentation as I was. This restaurant has the best presentation of Central American and Mexican entrees I have ever experienced. On top of the great visual appeal of the food, the quality and preparation also far exceed what I have experienced in Latin American cuisine.

The style and design of the building exterior and interior is contemporary and quite stylish. The overall feel evokes inspiration from warmer, more stylish environments and culture.

Even though Betto's has all these positive aspects going for it, the prices are affordable and leave both your stomach and wallet satisfied.