It's hard to tell from the rough-sawn lumber clad building that so much color will greet you inside of Carmel's in Dayton, but when you step through the doors, it hits you — a palette of intense, blazing orange as far as the eye can see punctuated by accents of wood, bright paintings of full flowers and desert sunset scenes and an occasional beer sign. For those looking for a TV to catch the game, just about every seat in the house has a screen within sight.

It's a business-on-the-outside, fiesta-on-the-inside proposition to be sure.

When owner Bob Byers took over the restaurant in October 2006, his first order of business was overhauling the sizable menu with the help of chef Liam Hennessy, in effect doubling the number of selections, according to Byers. He also decided to brighten the interior of the restaurant (which has been in that location since 1982) and a different Carmel's from the one you might remember has emerged.

At a recent lunchtime visit, we opted for the Corn Cloud Chicken ($8.95) and the fish tacos ($7.95) stuffed with copious amounts of lightly seasoned grilled barramundi. The Corn Cloud Chicken, billed as a house favorite, is an unusual find that features three thin corn pancake-like taco shells. A generous helping of shredded barbecued chicken was served alongside to fill the sweet corn cakes with.

On a follow-up visit, we commenced with our most prized menu items: the beverages from the bar. Carmel's doesn't offer any beers — Mexican or domestic — on tap. Numerous choices are, however, available by the bottle although deciding on a beer can be a more challenging task depending on the knowledge of your server.

Alexis opted for a margarita — or as she likes to call it, a Mexican martini ($6, $4.50 during happy hour) — which she found potently robust and to her liking. Craig went with the tried and true Dos Equis ($3.50, $2.75 during happy hour).

To satisfy our south-of-the-border hunger pangs, the Lizards sampled a few more selections from the extensive menu. The Buffalo Chicken Potato Skins ($6.45) stuffed with zippy buffalo chicken, cheese, bacon, tomatoes, scallions were a fast favorite thanks to a terrific medley of flavors capped by the surprising tang from the buffalo chicken. The generous portions of the hearty Mexican deep dish pizza ($8.25) were impressive but the flavors never elevated it beyond the rich meat and cheese and crunch of the crispy shell it was served in.

Carmel's burgers were the winner of all the food we sampled by a Texas mile. The Bronco Buster ($7.99, $5.99 a la carte) topped with barbecue sauce, bacon, cheddar cheese and Tabasco onion rings was one of the most tender, moist burgers we've had anywhere here in town and certainly one of the most flavorful items on Carmel's menu. Other options like the Cactus Burger ($6.99, $4.99 a la carte) blend jalapeno salsa and mustard marinade with the meat sealing in the flavor to give it a nice little kick that brings the heat, but not too much.

The Fried Ice Cream ($3.50) was a sweet treat worth every penny and we'll leave it at that.

A few other dishes we sampled met with mixed results. For those looking for an American spice level to go with their Mexican food, Carmel's is your spot with most dishes measuring close to zero on the spice scale. There were several winners on the menu to be sure, but a trip to the spice rack wouldn't hurt in pepping up a few dishes that fell flat.

Service was something we found underwhelming during most of our visits — it's not that we didn't see a server, they just didn't check in with us all that often. But with a nice sized patio for summer that will be expanded soon, according to Byers, a long happy hour that runs seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. featuring worthwhile daily specials on both food and drink and one of the best burgers in town, we will definitely be back for more.

how to go

WHAT: Carmel's.

WHERE: 1025 Shroyer Road, Dayton.

HOURS: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Monday through Thursday with the kitchen closing at 11 p.m.; 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday with the kitchen closing at midnight; Noon-11 p.m. Sunday with the kitchen closing at 10 p.m.

SING YOUR HEART OUT: Karaoke starts at 9 p.m. on Thursdays.

HAPPY HOUR: Monday through Sunday 11 a.m.-7 p.m. with daily specials on both food and drink that include deals like five for $8 buckets of Bud, Miller or Coors on Mondays and half pitchers of their potent margaritas (that's roughly four drinks) on Tuesday for $11.

SAVE A BUCK OR TWO: Coupons can be printed off of the Web site (www.bobarita.com). Currently there are two: $4 off any food purchase of $25 or more and $2 off any food purchase of $15 or more. Just click on the Web specials tab and you're ready to go. Be sure you've checked the expiration date to be sure it's still valid.

WORTH ORDERING: Buffalo Chicken Potato Skins ($6.45), Bronco Buster burger ($7.99, $5.99 ala carte), fried ice cream ($3.50), margarita ($6, $4.50 during happy hour).

MORE INFO: (937) 294-1261 or www.Bobarita.com.