After getting its start via Waikiki street cart, Alejandro’s Mexican Food found a permanent spot deep in Kalihi Valley a year ago and marks its anniversary, appropriately enough, on Cinco de Mayo.

The little takeout spot features a short menu of taco combo plates, burritos and Mexi bowls that offer all the flavors of the hand-held originals without the mess. Bowls range from $7.50 to $8.50 for a layer of Mexican rice, beans, cheese, onions, sour cream, cilantro and your choice of ground beef, carne asada or pork carnitas. Of these, the carnitas is the most flavorful option. The taco combo plate comes with a trio of your choice of tacos, with rice, beans and a soft drink, at $10 to $13.

The food, overall, is bland and helped considerably by two pour-your-own sauces at the counter, a mild red chili sauce and a tomatillo salsa verde that perk up any taco combo.

It pays to plan your visit by the calendar. On Taco Tuesdays, take 50 cents off all a la carte tacos. Wet burritos, featuring a red enchilada sauce, are offered only on Wednesdays, chicken enchiladas ($13) only on Thursdays. Fridays introduce various house specials, and on Super Saturdays you get $1 off a $10 macho burrito.

Alejandro’s is open 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays at 2831 Kalihi St. Call 777-0038.