Baja Grill :: 20 E. Main Street, Smithtown

Centrally located in the heart of Smithtown village, Baja Grill offers lunch and dinner hours, and is both business and family friendly.

Jennifer ate:

Hot Wrap: Grilled Vegetable ($7.95)
(Served Enchilada Style for an additional $1.75, and on a spinach wrap for an additional 50¢)

I’ve eaten at Baja Grill many times at both the Smithtown and East Northport locations and am rarely disappointed. Although it is ALWAYS too cold inside (winter or summer), the decor is fun and fresh. If you’re not lucky enough to be seated in a raised 2-seater, the tables are often too close together, but it rarely feels that way once you sit down.

Today the service was very quick! We were seated and had drinks and chips in no time. Their tri-color chips and fresh salsa are a favorite of mine, even though the chips are clearly deep fried and most likely contain trans fats (just a guess). Our orders came exceptionally fast as well considering it was the middle of the lunch hour. I almost always have the Border Salad with cilantro lime dressing, but branched out this time and tried the Grilled Vegetable Wrap served Enchilada Style (melted cheese and pico de gallo on top). Not only was it served quickly, but it was hot and fresh and very, very good.

The wrap was gigantic and I was full after only half. I had the other half wrapped to go and am assuming it will re-heat well for tomorrow’s lunch.

There are plenty of vegetarian options, since in most cases adding chicken or beef is an add-on. There are even healthier options if you’re careful. But chances are, if you’re going out for tex-mex, healthier choices are not a priority. If I wasn’t so full from the chips, I would have tried one of their desserts. If you try one, let us know!

The bottom line:
Grilled Vegetable Wrap – Yum!
Overall rating: Excellent. This is good tex-mex with a fun atmosphere, lots of choices, family friendly and (usually) good service. Try either location, Smithtown or East Northport. Both are good.

Chuck ate:

Tacos del Abuelo ($10.49)

Ah Baja. Like Jennifer mentioned above the decor is excellent and really feels like a South American beach hut with plenty of color. Service was supreme, fast and attentive. I had the tacos as softshell with Taco meat and they were excellent. Typically I would think 3 wasn’t enough, but with the chips, refried beans (which were really tasty BTW) and rice, I was unable to finish the last taco. I am still full (satisfyingly so) even as I write this.

The bottom line:
Tacos del Abuelo with taco meat – Fresh, flavorful and filling (the three “F’s”)
Overall rating: While Baja Grill is a chain restaurant, it has a local town feel with truly excellent and tasty offerings.

La Panchita :: 67 W. Main St

Nestled on a busy section of Main Street right in Smithtown village is La Panchita, a Mexican and Spanish Cuisine restaurant. Although open daily for lunch and dinner, on this particular Wednesday we were the only patrons during lunch hours. With an old-school “across the border” visage, the Mexican restaurant hides some truly tasty fare.

Website: http://lapanchita.com

Jennifer ate:

Grill Wrap with vegetables (no meat) ($11.95)

We were seated promptly in an empty dining room that was decorated like the typical American-style Mexican/Spanish restaurant. Vibrant colors, decorative textiles and sombreros, and Fiesta ware surrounded us. The temperature was a bit on the warm side, which suited me more than my companions.

The standard chips and salsa was served for the table and while the chips were tasty, the salsa was a bit bland and untraditional. (I suspect it was not prepared freshly at the restaurant.) Once the food arrived the presentation was very appetizing, although it was fairly slow in coming considering we were the only patrons. The Grill Wrap was warm and crispy on the outside, with a well-balanced flavor of veggies, rice and cheese on the inside. The chopped lettuce, tomato and onion that decorated the plate fit in nicely with the flavor of the wrap.

The portion was large – big enough to share but so tasty you might not want to.

The bottom line:
Grill Wrap with vegetables – Fresh, tasty, full of flavor and just enough melted cheese.
Overall rating: If you like Mexican and Spanish Cuisine, try La Panchita.

Chuck ate:

Grill Wrap with Ground Beef ($11.95)

I liked the ambiance, especially the Mariachi music playing in the background. It was a little bit warm, which is odd since most establishments have the AC cranked this time of year (albeit, it was on the chilly side outside).

I really enjoyed the meal. While it took a longer-than-you’d-expect wait to get our food (especially since the place was empty) – the food was hot, with a crispy tortilla shell and fresh ingredients. I was also unable to finish the whole thing (although I did eat a lot of chips and have a whole glass of diet coke before the meal arrived).

The bottom line:

Grill wrap: tasty and fresh.
Overall rating: Highly recommended if you are not in a rush.