Long Island Marathon: Restaurants near the route

Little Mexico

Little Mexico (280 Post Ave., Westbury): In a storefront decorated with colorful Mexican artifacts, you'll find an authentic -- and filling -- selection of Mexican specialties. Huaraches, shaped like (and named for) shoes, are made with fried masa, or corn dough; the smaller but similar sopes take a round shape. Toppings for either include cheese, tongue (pictured), chorizo and chicken. More info: 516-333-2058, littlemexicorestaurantbar.com 

Grimaldi's Pizza

Grimaldi's Pizza (980 Franklin Ave., Garden City): The classic, coal-oven pizzeria also serves calzones and salads. More info: 516-294-6565, grimaldisgardencity.com 

Jake's Steakhouse

Jake's Steakhouse (2172 Hempstead Tpke., East Meadow): You'll find plenty of steaks and burgers, plus dishes such as crab cakes, oysters Rockefeller, salads and seafood at this eatery. (Pictured: Porterhouse for two). More info: 516-222-8400, jakessteakhouse.com

Mac & Melts

Mac & Melts (684 Stewart Ave., Garden City): Grab an all-American made with American and Cheddar cheeses; a Margherita mac with mozzarella, tomato, basil and house-made pesto; and a crunch-topped, meltingly good Southwestern (pictured). More info: 516-246-9610, macnmelts.com 

Pollos El Paisa

Pollos El Paisa (989 Old Country Rd., Westbury): At this sunny Colombian restaurant, rotisserie chickens turn on spits behind the counter. The birds emerge beautifully burnished, their interiors juicy and deeply flavorful. If you order the bandeja de pollo, you'll be getting lots more than a quarter of that superior chicken. First comes a bowl of chicken soup -- rich, yellow and rife with pieces of chicken and vegetables. Your chicken shares a plate with very good rice, so-so fries and salad. An even better deal is a whole bird (which feeds four). Everyone at the table can order soup, rice and beans, too. More info: 516-338-5858

Ristorante Venere

Ristorante Venere (841 Carman Ave., Westbury): Ristorante Venere is an old-fashioned, moderately priced Italian-American restaurant, with pastas, pizzas, assorted Parmigianas, and other familiar appetizers and main dishes. More info: 516-333-2332, venererestaurant.com 

Thomas's Ham & Eggery Diner

Thomas's Ham & Eggery Diner (325 Old Country Rd., Carle Place): Hot out of the skillet at this eatery are scramblers that are similar to omelets but lots creamier, since their fillings are scrambled right in. The menu insert lists five kinds, the Popeye, the Italian with prosciutto, the Texan, the Lox and CC and the Mexican scrambler. (Pictured: The pulled pork breakfast melt). More info: 516-333-3060

Taka

Taka Sushi (821 Carman Ave., Westbury): To fully appreciate chef-owner Taka Yamaguchi's artistry, settle in at the sushi bar and ask for the omakase, chef's choice. Depending on season (and whim), you might be served marinated mackerel, Arctic char, Spanish mackerel topped with ginger and scallion (pictured), yellowtail sushi with its own little belt of shiso leaf, fluke, toro (belly tuna) so fatty it was pink, or raw sweet shrimp. More info: 516-876-0033

Pho Maxia (817 Carman Ave, Westbury): Start with a summer roll and a glass of wine, then decide on your meal, among the spicy papaya shrimp salad and all manner of banh mi sandwiches. An order of pho is a year-round favorite, the aromatic Vietnamese noodle soup that trails the scent of star anise. Among hard to find dishes on Long Island, there's also bun: grilled beef, shrimp or pork over rice vermicelli with herbs and condiments. (Pictured: Banh hoi (angel hair pasta) with grilled shrimp). More info: 516-414-1738

Chipotle Mexican Grill (1166 Hempstead Tpke., Uniondale): Located near Hofstra University and Nassau Coliseum, the chain known for its build-your-own burritos and burrito bowls offers choices of chicken, steak, carnitas, barbacoa and sofritas, a spicy tofu scramble. More info: 516-483-1026, chipotle.com 

Pastrami Plus (2568 Hempstead Tpke., East Meadow): This deli is known for its warm, peppery pastrami. Also recommended are the flaky and onion-y potato knishes (pictured). More info: 516-644-2644, kpsearch.com 

Shake Shack (860 Old Country Rd., Garden City; The Gallery at Westbury Plaza): The Garden City Shake Shack is the chain's first Long Island location. The overwhelmingly popular burger chain keeps the menu relatively simple. Order one of its Angus beef burgers (pictured) and a signature dessert. More info: 516-620-2880, shakeshack.com