Mexican Restaurant Wraps Up First Year with Gigantic Burrito

Next week will mark 's one-year anniversary of dishing out Mexican fare on Marshalee Drive.

To celebrate, the Elkridge restaurant will be offering food and drink specials, said owner Ricardo Vanegas, and on Thursday night the fun began when the first patron took on El Hidalgo's burrito challenge.

New to the restaurant's menu this summer is the 8-pound burrito. Staff said that they had to wait for special plates to come in so they would have something to serve this grand creation on, and once the tableware arrived, someone was waiting in the wings to take on the assignment.

El Hidalgo patron Mario ordered the 2-foot long, 8-pound entree, called "Ultimate Burrita Preñada" (Ultimate Pregnant Burrito) on June 30.

If patrons can eat the whole burrito in one hour, it is free. If not, it's $39.95.

Last year's challenge was a 4-pound burrito. Those who conquered that feat have their pictures hanging on a wall in the rear of the restaurant, Mario's among them.