Aunt Chilada Delivers
By Danny Schrafel/foodie@longislandernews.com
Call it bias if you must, but it seems
we have a thing in our hearts for our aunts at this newspaper.
On our way home from Cow Harbor Day, we needed something to
warm our rain-soaked bones after sampling the concession noshes.
Enter Aunt Chilada’s Mexican Grill in Northport, which
warmed us up and filled us up.
Inside Aunt Chilada’s, the seating space has a certain
Tejano flair, boasting colorful, funky lamps and Southwestern-styled
window drapes. The distressed tile floors, walls and adobe
orange walls above those tiles make for a cozy space, especially
in the rear tables leading toward the back of the restaurant.
The menu is one of the most eclectic and imaginative we’ve
seen at a Mexican eatery, and with 212 boxes to check off
on your takeaway menu, it better be. So, if you want a little
excitement with your burrito, put this place on your map –
the Asian influenced dishes toward the end of the menu sound
enticing, as do the choices with fresh tuna.
We didn’t go venturing too far, though; we stuck to the
Tex-Mex classics like tacos and quesadillas. We went with
chicken and steak tacos, although the menu offers choices
like black beans, refried beans and heaps more to satisfy
the most eclectic gourmand in your group.
The quesadillas – and a generous portion at that –
are mild and boast Monterrey Jack cheese and ample, tender
chicken encased in two crispy, flaky tortillas. They’re
served with a peppy, crunchy and colorful pico de gallo that
has all sorts of peppers, onions and other zesty goodies.
Tacos are warm, crunchy and surprisingly easy to handle, thanks
to sliced steak and chicken that fits neatly (or as neatly
as one can expect) in the corn shells. The corn aroma is prevalent
when one opens up a taco, and the steak is well-seasoned with
a smoky note that works well with the mixed cheeses and lettuce.
Barbecue chicken tacos are another good choice if one is looking
for Mexican fare with a twist.
Tacos in all of their permutations will set you back about
$3, a quesadilla or burrito, depending on what one stuffs
it with, $7 - $10. The base ingredients, like chicken and
steak, are prepared well and tasty, so one can expect those
ingredients to translate well to other dishes we didn’t
try, such as chimichangas, nachos, enchiladas, salads and
miniature wraps.
With quick service, a vivid culinary imagination, tasty offerings
and a nifty lunch special selection which boast four combinations
of tacos, mini wraps, mini salads and sodas for about eight
bucks, you’d be hard-pressed to go home with a rumbling
tummy after visiting with Aunt Chilada.
Aunt
Chilada’s Mexican Grill
729 Fort Salonga Road
Northport
631-757-8226
Cuisine: Eclectic Mexican grilling
Atmosphere: Casual, with a Southwestern flair
Price: Inexpensive/moderate
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Main
Menu
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