FOODIE
Mexican, Any Way You Want It
By Tirica, Rita & Kevin / foodie@longislandernews.com

With Cinco De Mayo just around the corner, the Foodies were in the mood for a taste of authentic Mexican dishes so we decided to dig our forks into the flavorful fare at Baja Grill in East Northport.

Baja Grill, a full-service sit-down restaurant, greeted us with warm, vibrant hues of green, orange and blue and festive Mexican tunes. We sat down on the wooden benches and chairs, soaking in the upbeat and energizing atmosphere of the border eatery.

Taken over by new management in October 2007, Baja Grill specializes in serving authentic Mexican food specials and also offers Tex-Mex and Cal-Mex dishes in order to appeal to everyone. Specials are offered weekly, and take-out is available. A family-friendly eatery, Baja Grill also offers a kids menu with healthy options, including juice and milk as well as soda.

Refreshing margaritas, offered at the price of 2-for-1 all of the time, were our first selection off of the menu. We sipped them down as we munched on the colorful, crunchy red, white and black nacho chips dipped in fresh homemade salsa and decided what to order.

We chose to start off with the Empanadas ($6.99), marinated seasonal vegetables with shrimp, chorizo sausage and potatoes, served with homemade salsa verde. Fried in trans-fat free oils to a crisp perfection, the empanadas had a delicious flaky crust and a delightfully spicy core.

For our entrées we opted for the Baja Chicken Wrap ($7.95) and the BBQ Grilled Chicken Quesadilla ($7.95).

Packaged in a warm fresh wrap, the burrito was bursting with tender, juicy chunks of grilled, marinated chicken breast mixed with a flavorful saffron rice, shredded cheese, pico de gallo, guacamole and black beans.

The quesadilla was just as heavenly. Crisped to precision and dripping with a savory melted cheese, the quesadilla contained a plentiful portion of grilled chicken smeared with a tangy BBQ sauce. A fresh side of pico de gallo and lime sour cream complemented the dish tremendously.

To finish off our meal we ordered the Fried Ice Cream ($3.95) and the Churros ($4.25). Served in a crunchy shell and toasted in coconut, the Fried Ice Cream was delightfully warm on the outside and deliciously cold within. Caramel and whipped cream topped the treat.
The churros, also topped with caramel and whipped cream, were toasty in temperature and sweet in taste. Melty and gooey and bursting with cinnamon in each bite, the churros were the perfect end to a perfect meal.

The authentic, savory flavors of Baja Grill’s exquisitely prepared food will have us back in no time, possibly even this weekend so we can relish in the Cinco De Mayo specials. Baja Grill will be celebrating Cinco De Mayo all weekend with 2-for-1 drink specials, a domestic Mexican beer on tap and out of the ordinary authentic Mexican treats.

Baja Grill
1920 Jericho Turnpike
East Northport, NY 11731
(631) 462-2252

Cuisine: Authentic Mexican, Tex-Mex and Cal-Mex
Atmosphere: Lively, casual, family-friendly dining
Hours: Monday-Thursday
11:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Friday 11:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Saturday Noon – 10:30 p.m.
Sunday Noon – 9 p.m.
*Hours will be extended
in the summer*

Main Menu