Howdy, neighbor! Here are some places we frequent:

* Cafe Spice (Indian, Cockeysville)

* Pollo Amigo (Peruvian, Towson)

* Tropical Grill (Salvadorian, Cockeysville)

* Bluestone (Seafood, etc., Timonium)

* Andy Nelson's (Beef & Ribs, Cockeysville)

* Pho Dat Thanh (Pho, Towson)

* Atwater's (Soup and Sandwiches, Kennilworth Mall)

* There are many sushi places around as well, I've only tried Edo and San Sushi. There's a new Sushi Hana opening at the York/Ridgely shioopping center soon.

Got kids? You'll need pizza:

* Pasta Mista (Timonium and Towson)

* CPK (Hunt Valley)

* A zillion other small pizza and sub shops in the area

You mean the "Health Concern" in Towson? I think its still open.

That sounds like a typical Powerhouse sandwich to me. I used to work at a similar store in NW B'more back in the late 80's (long gone). We used a thick slice of Muenster cheese (or soy cheese, or baked tofu, if desired), a heavy 9 grain bread, lettuce, tomato, sprouts, sometimes mushrooms, and some soy mayo mixed with one of the natural spice blends the store sold to jazz it up a bit. This was my lunch every day (with a carrot juice) for, like, 2 years. Probably why I'm still alive.

There was also a teeny little place/natural food market in Towson, kind of behind the Hutzlers building -- maybe even a basement if I recall, that sold delicious Powerhouse sandwiches too. Circa late 80's.

OK, well I answered my own question... sort of. These two places, while not exclusively "Mexican" (in the sense of, say, the old Hacienda restaurant that was on Belair Rd.) fit the bill:

* Pollo Amigo (Towson)
* Tropical Grill (Cockeysville)

My understanding is that Pollo Amigo is Peruvian, while Tropical Grill is Salvadorian. Both are excellent -- Pollo Amigo has amazing, smoky chicken, so anything with chicken as a filling is wonderful (we tried a chicken burrito and chicken enchiladas). Definitely ask for the "green sauce".

Tropical Grill has a larger menu, including tasty pupusas, tamales and paella. The veggie burrito here was really huge, chicken tacos were excellent.

Neither place has an elaborate sit-down dining experience, but we were after take out, so it didn't matter.

I loved them both!

I think you're gonna have to go a bit south from HV/Sparks.

Andy Nelson's is good, so is Charcoal Deli (Cockeysville) for pit beef, turkey and ham sandwiches.

For Thai, I like Thai One On in Towson.

Pho can be had at the place next to the Recher Theatre in Towson.

For Indian, Khatmandu Kitchen in Towson is my favorite IN THE AREA. Cafe Spice seems to be closed for renovations. (But I miss Mango Grove in Columbia!)

Sandwiches and soup: Atwaters in Kennilworth.

Dutch Market: killer pretzels and pretzel rolls

Pizza is an intensely personal thing, but I like Pasta Mista (Timonium or Towson).

Burgers: I'm not a huge burger-head, but Five Guys is fine with me (Cockeysville or Towson).

The Tropical Grill in Cockeysville has great pupusas, paella, tamales, chicken stew, etc. (I believe their outside sign still says "Maria de Los Angeles")

Bluestone in Timonium can be nice. I've liked their seafood stew.

Milton Inn is a nice special occasion place. I had a great rack of lamb there a couple years ago.