Mediterranean meets Mexican at Feta Cowboy

How it works: The fast casual spot at Warner Road and McClintock Drive in Tempe has some pre-set menu items, but most lunchtime diners during my recent visit opted for the build-your-own selection, which include bowls, pitas and burritos.

• After selecting a base, you proceed through a Chipotle-like assembly line with protein choices including birria, gyro, falafel, chicken shawarma and brisket.
• Load up on accouterments like rice, beans and roasted veggies.
• Finish off with an eclectic drizzling of salsa, tahini or hummus.

The intrigue: I chose to build my own bowl, but was a bit bewildered by the thought of combining the Mexican and Mediterranean options.

• Yes, but: My dining companion reminded me that the fusion was the whole point, so I went wild with an unusual mashup of birria, Mexican beans, roasted veggies, salsa verde, cucumber salad and whipped feta.

The verdict: It didn't feel like it should work, but it did!

• The spicy salsa and tangy cucumber salad brought out the best of the tender birria.
• The dollop of creamy whipped feta was the star of the show, and I'll definitely be getting an extra helping on my next visit.