If you have ever parked in the Leadbetter East Parking Lot, you may have noticed the Shoreline Cafe. Maybe you have even eaten there.

A local Mesa favorite for more than 15 years, burgers, fries and hot dogs can be had affordably at the walk-up snack bar all day, while a full course of lunches and dinners await seafood lovers with a little more time.

But it was the Shoreline’s happy hour ‘Sunset Specials’ that stretched cilantro-speckled smiles across our hungry mugs.

It happens every weekday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. but take note that the menu offerings are on the drink card propped on each table, with the salt and pepper. You get eight dishes from which to choose and $2.00 off any of nine specialty drinks.

Over the years, head chef Enrique Hernandez has striven to infuse a Latin accent to the establishment’s offerings and some ideas are as fresh as the ingredients, including one original dish.

The Mexican spring roll ($6.95) is highly recommended. They are Hernandez’s personal creation exclusively at Shoreline. On the outside, an everyday egg roll, bite into it and you will taste a Latino medley of shrimp, cilantro and mango. Thanks to the fried homemade wrapping, every juicy bit is locked in. Served with Hernandez’s own smoky chipotle dip, is it a wonder we ordered this twice?

With a service that was prompt and a courteous staff that deftly answered any of our questions about ingredients or preparation, we moved on to the nacho plate ($8.25).

You can order this plate with or without chicken, but I say go for the poultry. They are massive, succulent chunks of grilled breast buried in home made guacamole with sour cream on a bed of freshly made tortillas. This plate is a real deal on a budget and could feed a small army.

As a measure of the more familiar, let us bring to your attention the chef’s ‘Baja style’ fish taco ($3.25). Flaky cod battered and fried, tossed with freshly grated cabbage and cilantro served on warm tortillas, is sure to satisfy. Ask to be seated by the beach and enjoy two of these with your toes literally in the sand as the nearby surf tumbles lazily.

Shellfish is a staple for a New Englander like me. Order a bucket of steamed mussels ($10.25) and you will know why I thought of home. These mollusks are plump and taste like the sea. And don’t neglect that little cup of grey water. That’s the broth from preparing them and it’s meant to get with your bread. Share this with that special someone and you two will be happy as clams.

With a happy hour like this, finding parking at City College has never been more fun!