It sounds like a crown. That's what I had done. They remove the amalgam, drill down the tooth and put a crown over it.
I know it's pricey but it might be tax deductible.
I like to bargain-hunt but there are some things I don't look for the lowest price for, namely what's going in my body.
COnsidering your location, what about Tijuana?
You're right about cheap tacos....and mani/pedis, too!