Taste The Flavors of Mexico At Oaxaca

By Sophia Ricco
sricco@longislandergroup.com

Feel transported to Mexico, as Spanish ballads play and the smell of meat, beans and rice wafts in the air of Oaxaca.

When owner, Alejandro Gonzalez, came to East Northport over 24 years ago he never expected to stay more than a year, but he fell in love with Long Island. He knew something was missing, an authentic Mexican restaurant with flavors like the ones he grew up with. Gonzalez took it upon himself to bring these flavors to the Island, opening Oaxaca in Huntington Village 23 years ago and later Quetzalcoatl.

Working as the restaurant’s chef for 17 years, Gonzalez brought recipes from his travels around Mexico as child to his menu.

“I am standing on the shoulders of woman,” Gonzalez said. “The recipes in Mexico were designed by women, the best dishes in the world could not compare to chile nogada that was created by nuns… Most of my recipes are from Mexico, so I did not invent them but I respect and try to do the best I can to match the love they put into their cooking.”

Oaxaca offers daily specials on top of their flavorful menu. One of their specials is the previously mentioned, chile nogada that is famous for being served to the fighters who won Mexico’s independence by nuns when the army passed through Puebla. The exquisite delicacy masters the flavors of savory and sweet, as shredded pork and beef are covered by a poblano pepper, pecans, pomegranates and the signature white sauce, made of grandeur liquor, fruits, cream, and almonds.

The sauce is the centerpiece of chicken covered in mole sauce ($18.95). The sauce gives the meat a rich flavor unlike any other. The dark, velvety sauce has 32 ingredients, with seven dried peppers as the base complemented by cocoa, raisins and plantain.

Nothing compares in popularity to their Mexico City tacos ($4.25/taco). The dish takes it name from the Mexican capital known for having the best tacos in the country. There are a variety of meat choices and we enjoyed the skirt steak tacos topped with three different salsas, radishes and cilantro and served on two mini-flour tortillas. It was clear why it was a beloved dish at the restaurant.

“Here at Oaxaca, every day is taco tuesday,” Gonzalez said. “The people who come know we have the best tacos, so we don’t assign a day for that.”

If you’re looking for a fun twist on tacos, consider trying their tostadas ($8.95). Tostadas give a tasty crunch with crispy corn tortillas as opposed to the soft flour tortillas. They’re topped with shredded flank steak, refried beans, sour cream, guacamole, lettuce, pico de gallo and cotija cheese.

Gonzalez remembers his mother making tostadas for him as a child and hopes to do her proud.

“I want people feel at home and relaxed here,” Gonzalez said. “Like I said, I’m close to the women in Mexico and they are happy when they see their kids and husband eating good. Me too, when I see the people eating are happy, then I am very happy.”

Two more plates that make you feel like you’re eating at your abuelitas are pork tamales ($12.95) and the chimichanga ($13.95). The tamales come wrapped in a corn husk that makes the pork tender while giving it a unique flavor. Chimichangas are a Mexican-American dish with fried chicken and cheese in a tortilla like a burrito.

“When people ask me the principles of Mexican food. I say, the first rule of Mexican food is there are no rules,” Gonzalez said.

No Mexican feast is complete without a sweet treat, our Foodies highly recommend the churros ($4.75), a  sugar covered pastry oozing with yummy filling, and flan ($4.25), a scrumptious cake with the perfect consistency.

Oaxaca
385 New York Ave.
Huntington Village
631-547-1232
Cuisine: Mexican
Atmosphere: Colorful and cultural