Salsa Salsa :: 320 Maple Ave., Smithtown

Salsa Salsa is a well-known, Port Jefferson and Smithtown staple, even though it’s tucked in to a corner in an odd shopping center on the corner of Maple and Rte. 111. A self-proclaimed burrito bar, Salsa Salsa is Tex-Mex with fun, colorful decor.

Jennifer ate:

Chips & Homemade Guacamole ($4.69)
Greek Salad Wrap ($6.99)

I had been to Salsa Salsa once before and I remembered the fun, colorful interior. This time the weather was nice and they had the front of the restaurant open, which is apparently a big garage door! As usual, the cool booths were full so we sat in one of the small tables.

Service was good and fast. I ordered my usual unsweetened iced tea, but beware! It wasn’t just plain iced tea at Salsa Salsa! It was flavored with some peachy-passion fruit flavor and they didn’t warn me first! (They really should have.) The flavor was not good so I traded it in for plain water.

Their signature homemade guac was very tasty, although I like mine with a little more flavor punch. This tasted like homemade with just the right texture, and the serving size was ample for two to share, which we did. The chips, which are served in a fun, cone-shaped display, were tasty without being greasy.

For some reason I opted for the Greek Salad Wrap, which is neither Tex-Mex or Mexican, but I see some sort of Greek Salad offering on every Tex-Mex, Mexican, and pizza/pasta place I go so I got curious. I thought maybe they’d throw some black beans or pepper jack cheese in there. Nope. Just your standard Greek Salad on a wrap. Tasty, but nothing unexpected. The presentation was boring, too. Just a foil-wrapped wrap on a plate with a couple of flavor-less plantain chips. Which is okay. The wrap was good!

We were stuffed and didn’t try dessert. If you do, why not post your own opinion of it?

The bottom line:
Homemade Guac and Chips – Yum!
Greek Salad Wrap – Good. A nice alternative to Tex-Mex if you lost to the majority vote and you wanted Greek.
Overall rating: Very Good! I think I preferred what I ordered last time, but I can’t remember what it was. I’d go back and try something new!

Chuck ate:

Mesquite Grilled Chicken Burrito ($6.89)

What looks like to be a converted garage, Salsa Salsa is very small and unassuming, it’s easy to miss, so keep an eye out!

We were greeted promptly and sat towards the back, the huge retractable door offering up plenty of fresh air through the restaurant. We could have very easily just walked into a small restaurant in San Juan with its vibrant oranges and limes, the feel was open, friendly and festive.

We started with the chips and salsa and I was pleasantly surprised with the salsa, it was different than your typical tomato salsa. This was a thick, smokey flavored puree that clung to the chips. It was very good and we quickly finished it.

For lunch, I opted for a “Fat Burrito” stuffed with mesquite flavored grilled chicken, guacamole, rice and beans, with a side of sour cream and more fresh guacamole. The burrito was good, although not great. I think I was expecting something a bit more “wet” possibly with some sauce inside, while the mesquite flavor was prevalent, the beans and rice where a bit bland. I would have dipped it, but as I said before, the salsa was finished. The portion was quite large and I was only able to finish half the burrito, which I brought home for lunch the next day. One caveat with the fresh guacamole…you better eat it all there, because it doesn’t keep well for the next day. So take advantage of it at the restaurant, it’s very good.

The bottom line:
Mesquite Grilled Chicken Burrito – Large portion, good solid meal. A bit bland.
Overall rating: Salsa Salsa has a great ambiance and would be a good place to do a quick lunch.