Ay! Caramba Whips Up Latin Fusion Flavor

Since 2009, Ay! Caramba has been an attractive dining destination for Long Beach residents and visitors, ideally located across the street from the Long Island Rail Road station in the heart of the city.

Formerly operating two Long Beach locations, Ay! Caramba now stands with one express restaurant at 6 W. Park Ave and the second establishment in Hewlett. The Latin fusion restaurant considers itself Mexican-inspired, but prides itself in its eclectic cuisine that pulls recipes from cultures across the world.

A small dining room offers patrons a place to eat in, but most of Ay! Caramba's business seems to cater to take out and delivery. For those dining in, Ay! Caramba is anything but spacious — the dining room houses about eight small tables. On the up side, vibrant shades of orange, pink and green decorate the walls, giving a lively feel to an otherwise tight quarters.

The staff is quick to greet its customers, and the food is delivered just as fast. An extensive menu leaves options for everybody from a simple quesadilla to a tropical burrito.

Portions at Ay! Caramba will never leave you hungry, and the taste will probably leave you longing for more.

Quesadillas are a likely choice for both new and returning diners, but quesadillas at Ay! Caramba go above and beyond the usual bill in size and flavor. Options range from the generic cheese-filled treat to more complex fillings including steak, chorizo, shrimp, chili or barbecue chicken. Quesadillas also come in a variety of vegetarian styles.

Another popular item on the menu are the Ay! Caramba burritos. The tropical burrito bundles tasty grilled chicken with lettuce, jack cheese, mango, peppers, onions, cilantro, spices and lemon juice, and serves as a creative alternative to a generic chicken and rice or ground beef and cheese combo.

An array of wraps are available as well. The chee waa waa wrap is a must-try, blending grilled chicken or steak, carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, cucumber and fresh mozzarella smothered in cilantro dressing — all very common toppings, but rather healthy and delicious.

Ay! Caramba boasts an appetizer menu offering French fries, buffalo wings and salsa and chips if you're in the mood for something more generic.

The restaurant is open daily from 12 to 10 p.m. Parking can be a bit tricky, especially during dinner hours, but the food is definitely worth a bit of a walk.