3 Best Restaurants in Long Island, New York

This place has been selling tacos on Long Island for more than two decades, so when Hurricane Sandy destroyed the restaurant in October 2012 a hole was left in the Long Beach/Island Park community. Now this family-friendly restaurant, known for consistently outgoing service, good Tex-Mex food, margaritas, and pitchers of delicious sangria, is back and as good as ever. Brown paper covers the tables, and if your artwork is good enough, it may end up on the wall. Garlic lovers should try the shrimp maragrita entree or the cattleman's steak drenched in homemade garlic BBQ sauce. Fajitas and fish tacos are perennial favorites.

In the center of town, with outdoor seating out front, this casual restaurant attracts visitors and locals of all ages, lured by the aroma of sizzing fajitas wafting in the air and the sight of diners enjoying colorful pint-sized cocktails with fresh fruit (which are more expensive than most of the mains). While you may have to wait a bit for the server to take your order—the place gets pretty packed—you can munch on the complimentary chips with fresh salsa, and know that once your order is placed, the food will likely be out quickly. It's not gourmet dining, but the carnitas are quite tasty, the guacamole delicious, and with lots of affordable options, your wallet won't take a hit.

This spot is popular for Mexican takeout. With only a handful of stools and counters lining the perimeter and a busy galley kitchen, Salsa Salsa is tiny, so it's best to time your arrival to beat the lunch and dinner crushes. All the expected fare is done well, but it's truly the salsa that is memorable.