Cinco de Mayo food and drink picks
The price of limes has soared in recent weeks, Long Island restaurants gearing up for Monday's Cinco de Mayo celebration say. The fruit is commonly used in margaritas and Mexican dishes. Credit: iStock
Cinco de Mayo celebrates freedom, independence and the pursuit of a perfect Margarita. Here are five place to join in the festivities.
CINCO DE MAYO, 3725 Middle Country Rd., Calverton; 631-591-2474.
What's in a name? Everything. Go for breakfast, lunch or dinner, maybe all three. Try the chimichurri-sparked skirt steak with fried plantains, mole poblano, fried porgy, huevos rancheros, tacos with chorizo, salty beef, roast pork, or pig ear.
CHICHIMECAS, 169 Main St., Farmingdale; 516-686-8646.
Dive into the savory pozole, with pork and hominy, or the black bean soup; nibble on tostadas and enchiladas; sample anything with chorizo; and savor fajitas Rio Bravo, snappy enough to evoke Howard Hawks.
OAXACA, 385 New York Ave., Huntington; 631-547-1232.
This veteran establishment stands out with ropa vieja, or shredded beef with hot sayce; pork tacos; chicken salsa verde; and spicy shrimp tostadas. A very friendly restaurant.
CARACARA MEXICAN GRILL, 354 Main St., Farmingdale; 516-777-2272.
Go for the guacamole and the queso fundido with chorizo; enchiladas, burritos and tacos; the ceviche of the day; the hanger steak sandwich; tortilla soup; tamales; nachos; fried plantains; and roasted corn.
BESITO, 1516 Old Northern Blvd., Roslyn, 516-484-3001; and 402 New York Ave., Huntington, 631-549-0100.
Shrimp-and-lobster flautas and complimentary tequila tastings from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday set the mood at the two branches of Besito, the high end of Mexican restaurants on Long Island. Terrific guacamole, made tableside, gets things started.
