Bites Nearby: South of the Border

Looking for authentic Mexican cuisine? Just a hop, skip and a jump away from Merrick lies South of the Border in Levittown.

Intimate and romantic with close seating and low lighting, this independently-owned eatery never has a bad night. Walking in, The staff welcomes patrons in with freshly-made salsa and a bowl of homemade tortilla chips, which gets refilled plenty of times throughout the night.

Start off your meal with the queso fundido, or a mixture of melted cheese, jalapeños and chorizo with warm tortillas to wrap, or loaded nachos. If you are looking for a healthier option, South of the Border has a garden salad or ensalada al carbon – grilled chicken and avocado on top of a bed of cheese, tomatoes and corn – to appeal to your palette.

Two local favorites are the sizzling fajitas, which capture every diner’s attention as they sizzle their way through the restaurant to their final destination, and the paella, which includes lobster and an abundance of fresh clams, mussels, chicken, chorizo and shrimp.

Don’t leave South of the Border without dabbling in a guilty pleasure – dessert. Adorned on the menu of sweets lies two Mexican favorites – fried ice cream and tres leches, a puff-pastry like dessert drizzled with honey and finished with a dollop of whipped cream.

In the summer, the staff places tables outside and opens the full windows in the front of the eatery, making it a great place to hang out and people watch.

Just want a spot to get a drink? South of the Border has a bar area complete with televisions for sports games and other televised events.