Mesita opens in Port Washington 

Long Island is in the midst of a full-fledged upscale Mexican restaurant boom — almost half a dozen have debuted in the last few months — but now one of the OG South of the Border spots has expanded to the North Shore: Mesita is now in Port Washington.

Mesita broke new ground in 2015 when it opened its first location in Rockville Centre. It was “modern Mexican” with a rustic-chic décor, a menu full of dishes that skewed more Mexican than Tex-Mex and a long list of “elite" tequilas. A Garden City spot followed in 2021 and now the ownership group,  including Matt McBride and John Cestare, has taken over the spot at the corner of Main Street and Port Washington Boulevard that was, from 2020 until earlier this year, the home of Waterzooi. (The original Waterzooi, in Garden City, is still going strong after 25 years.)

The newest Mesita has the same menu as its two siblings: There is guacamole made to order at a station adjacent to the bar ($20) and familiar starters (most are $10-$18) such as nachos, tostadas, empanadas, street corn, quesadillas and queso fundido (in a skillet). The eight tacos ($20-$28 for three) include birria, barbacoa and veggie.  There are burritos and enchiladas ($21 to $29) and fajitas ($26 to $32) plus the “fajita fiesta” which includes shrimp, pork, steak and chicken and, for $65, serves two to three people. The majestic parrillada Mexicana ($60) includes grilled shrimp, skirt steak, grilled chicken, chorizo, peppers and onions and rice and beans and, again, serves two to three people. But most main courses — among them slow-roasted pork and pan-seared salmon are less than $30. 

The drinks menu is just as extensive, with more than a dozen margaritas (and a margarita flight), signature cocktails, a dozen beers, more than 30 tequilas and a handful of mezcals.

The Mesita group is also working on its first Suffolk location, in the old Chase bank in Amityville. Meanwhile, other players are getting in on the Mexican action: ​​Garden City’s Tocolo Cantina recently opened a second location in Glen Cove; ; Frida’s opened in Plainview, Casa de Catrina opened in Carle Place and Mateo’s Cantina just opened in Wantagh.

Mesita, 1029 Port Washington Blvd., Port Washington, 516-203-7273, mesitarestaurants.com. Open Monday to Thursday 4 to 10 p.m., Friday 4 to 11 p.m., Saturday noon to 11 p.m., Sunday noon to 9 p.m.