I’ve fallen in love with Deal in the past year or so with its sweeping seafront, historic narrow streets and a food and drink scene well up there as one of the best in Kent.

As past editions of this column written by my colleagues (and even myself dare I say) have found, the variety and standard here is excellent.

From award-winning boutique hotels, to top-quality small plates drawing national food critics’ attention and seafood street food, even a Polish restaurant and everything in between, there is no shortage of options to satisfy your foodie cravings here.

So surely standing out from the crowd and drawing in a customer is the biggest challenge for any business in the hospitality industry?

That’s potentially when the power of images comes into play and coupled with a pun as your name, it whets the appetite.

When discussing where to go for this week's review, it was one image - of a stack of ribs piled high - that grabbed my attention and indeed that of my editor

“I think you should eat what’s in that picture,” he told me.

And far be it from me to pass up that invitation.

So here we are at Mex On The Beach - a Tex-Mex restaurant on the seafront smack bang opposite the pier in Beach Street. You really can’t pass up the chance of a pun sometimes.

If I’m being brutally honest, the thought crossed my mind as to whether that meant it might be a bit gimmicky.

However, from the second I walked through the door, heard the soundtrack of Latin American beats on the playlist and was faced with the brightly coloured walls, I felt my energy levels and excitement rising for the evening ahead.

I even found myself dancing and my shoulders moving while sat reading the menu.

There are no major surprises on the menu for a Mexican-Texas style cross-over restaurant - you’ve got your classic Mexican burritos, nachos, fajitas, tacos and then steaks, the aforementioned ribs and burgers representing the American side of this fusion.

One thing I’m intrigued by is a swordfish steak with chilli and lime salsa with Mexican rice - but I have come here for the meat feast, which I’ll come back to shortly.

We shared a starter of nachos (£8) which came absolutely fully loaded with cheese, refried beans, jalapenos, guacamole, salsa, sour cream and zingy lime and coriander.

It’s a flavour fiesta of exactly what you want from your nachos and as Ricky Martin and Shakira play in the background it prompts some more table dancing as I also satisfy my tastebuds.

The overriding theme I felt from the meal was a sense of fun and enjoyment and everyone just having a good time.

There was a convivial atmosphere as other tables enjoy their evenings too and a chatty atmosphere crackles away, followed by the odd mariachi track sounding out from the speakers.

Shortly after the nachos plates are cleared away, a sizzling plate of mushroom fajitas for my girlfriend arrives alongside the usual sides of sauces and tortilla wraps.

This is followed by my main event - the baby back ribs in a maple and sriracha glaze (£22).

I may have a good appetite but this mountain of meat will be an effort to conquer - especially when it’s served with a heap of chips, corn on the cob and slaw.

Such is the size, the bloke from a table opposite turns around and starts eyeing them up: “Are those the ribs?” he asks.

“Yeah, they’re pretty big aren’t they,” I reply.

Aware of our fellow diners deliberating over whether to order them, the staff member admits: “Well, they are what we’re known for.”

Signature dish in front of me then and it’s time to start digging in.

Immediately, I start pulling away the meat which just falls straight clean off the bone.

And then there’s the sweet maple and slightly smokey and slight tingling heat from the marinade which is just a taste sensation and instant satisfaction.

I think I must have uttered the words “wow, they’re good” or “banging” at least half a dozen times as I make my way through each of the 11 bones.

The punchy and citrus hit from lime in the salsa over the corn is a welcome addition and the slaw cools your mouth a little just when the heat is hovering from the sriracha glaze on my ribs.

The mushroom fajitas (£16) also included mixed peppers and plenty of fragrant coriander and there was a subtle addition of chilli and vibrant lime - all classic Mexican flavours.

It’s a good helping of tasty vegetables to go inside the wraps accompanied by sour cream, grated cheese, salsa and guacamole.

Having quickly run out of the dips, we asked for a top-up and another tray was happily provided with absolutely no fuss.

The loaded fries (£6) were ordered as a late add-on, having debated it when looking at the menu, and topped with cheese, sour cream and jalapenos, they hit just the spot.

I absolutely loved the honest, relaxed and fun atmosphere alongside some excellent food.

It's always the test of a place when you want to return and Mex certainly achieved that.

As summer approaches, sea views from the dining area coupled with banging food feels like a winning combination.

Out of five:

Food: All the dishes were fresh and extremely tasty, well cooked and the signature ribs will have me coming back - maybe to have a go at a steak next time ****

Drink: Selection of beers on draught including Cruzcampo and a good range of wines and cocktails ****

Decor: Bright and fun featuring range of cartoon and humourous posters. As a rite of passage you need to wear one of the sombreros hanging up by the entrance ****

Staff: Welcoming, attentive and friendly team ****

Price: The sides and starters we had were reasonably priced at £8 and under, while £22 for a hulking slab of meat, chips and one full stomach felt fair ****