Pinata's Mexican Grill
This casual Mexican eatery in Bethpage may not be the best place to go on a romantic night out, but for fresh, affordable Mexican food it's one of Long Island's better options. Start your meal off with a platter of crispy nachos smothered in black beans, melted jack cheese and all the fixings. Then assemble a customized plate of tacos stuffed with chicken, steak, chorizo, shrimp or even tongue. Prices are quite reasonable, so you can purchase a full meal for less than $10 (as of 2010). In fact, you can earn a free meal if you're up to Pinata's "Monster Burrito Challenge" in which you must devour two 3-lb. burritos in one sitting. Now that's a mouthful.
Pinata's Mexican Grill
601 Hicksville Rd.
Bethpage, NY 11714
(516) 681-8282
pinatasmexicangrill.com
Besito
This authentic Mexican restaurant in Huntington Village offers both classic and innovative south-of-the-border dishes. Besito's warm, rustic atmosphere recalls an upscale villa in the Mexican countryside. To start, enjoy fresh Guacamole en Molcajete prepared tableside, wild mushroom and goat cheese empanadas, or mini red snapper tacos with pickled red onions and homemade salsa. Entrees include chicken mole poblano, orange tequila glazed shrimp and pan-seared blue corn and crub encrusted grouper filet.
Besito
402 New York Ave.
Huntington Village, NY 11743
(631) 549-0100
besitomex.com
Green Cactus Fresh Mexican Grill
The name of the game is freshness at this popular restaurant in Stony Brook. Green Cactus Fresh Mexican Grill proudly avoids using can openers, freezers and microwaves in the preparation of its made-to-order cuisine. In addition to emphasizing freshness across the board, Green Cactus also strives to use the healthiest ingredients possible and provides guests with detailed nutritional facts for each menu item. Choose from a variety of tasty appetizers like Mexican pizza, cheddar jack nachos and taco salad. Entrees include tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, chicken taquitos and burritos. Green Cactus also offers a number of seafood and vegetarian options for those with special dietary needs.
Green Cactus Fresh Mexican Grill
1099 N. Country Rd.
Stony Brook, NY 11790
(631) 751-0700
greencactusgrill.com
Article Written By Charlie Higgins
Charlie Higgins is a writer, translator, editor and social-media consultant based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Originally from Connecticut, Higgins holds bachelor's degrees in media studies and music from Oberlin College. He currently works for the financial inclusion and microenterprise news website Microdinero.
