Bites Nearby: Tex-Mex Cactus Cafe

You could stand on a corner and look around until a restaurant sign draws you in. But we've got a better idea. Each week, Glen Cove Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice:

If you're like me, the daily dinner decision can take hours. However, Tex-Mex Cactus Cafe is always a delicious choice, especially since it offers so much in a cozy, welcoming setting.

Open since 1999, the restaurant serves quite a fusion of Texas barbecue and Latin American specialties, including tacos, burritos, quesadillas and Peruvian rotisserie chicken.

Upon entering the cafe, customers order from the counter, and if you encounter a line, which is rare and always moves rapidly, don't fret; instead, it's a great opportunity to take in the cafe's ambience: the meticulous decoration, the authentic Latin music, the sizzle of the fresh ingredients cooked at the front counter. Or, take in the action of a soccer game on the cafe's two televisions; there's always a lot going on at Tex-Mex.

The food delivers. This week, I ordered a Carne Asada quesadilla, though I usually order BBQ variations, but you pretty much can't go wrong with anything on the menu. 

The quesadillas come with sides of guacamole, sour cream and salsa, which is definitely a plus. The cafe serves homemade sangria, so if you're of age, be sure to give it a try before leaving.

The jalapeno corn bread is a great side, and for dessert, be sure to try their delicious flan, which (to me) is very similar to Italian cheesecake.

Tex-Mex has several tables, though for larger orders, the restaurant does deliver and has a catering menu. Visit their Web site for a full list of menu items and directions.

214D Glen Cove Ave. (in the CVS - 7/11 Shopping Center). 516-609-2623. Monday-Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Prices: $5 to $10 for entrees.