Discover a Hidden Oasis at Ruta Oaxaca’s Enchanting Outdoor Dining Experience
Summer is back with a vengeance. The sun is shining. The thermometer is climbing. And the drinks are pouring. We went to find the best outdoor dining spots on Long Island to enjoy a bite to eat and a cocktail, the spots that transport you to another place while having a fun time.
Ruta Oaxaca, with two locations on Long Island and two in New York City, has exactly what we were looking for.
Owner Jose Castillo says that they designed the outdoor experience purposely to make you feel like you are on a mini-Mexican getaway (no passport needed.)
“That’s the beauty of it,” he said from their location in Patchogue one sunny afternoon. “It’s a nice day. People are sipping margaritas and having fun.”
Click here to read about the opening of their Woodbury location and the genesis of Ruta Oaxaca.
With nary a view of the street, the outdoor dining area behind Ruta Oaxaca envelops you in a tropical themed patio. You would never know you’re in the middle of a bustling village. In their Brooklyn location there are 40 seats in the fully enclosed outdoor patio, similar to Patchogue. In Woodbury they have 20 seats; that one is in front of their restaurant.
Their outdoor patios are also available to reserve for private events.
Their margarita menu is filled with tempting creations like the Sexy Oaxaca, made with Dos Hombres mezcal, Cointreau, grilled pineapple, mint, fresh lemon and worm salt. Or the Amante Picante with Patron Reposado, Cointreau, habanero/mango, puree, fresh lime and worm sale. The list goes on but if you have trouble deciding, don’t worry.Having trouble choosing? Just get the Tule Margarita Tree with a choice of four margaritas from their menu served in a tiered holder and take a bunch. (We recommend sharing that one!)
The drinks don’t stop at margs. Ruta Oaxaca has a whole host of signature cocktails, wine, and beer on tap as well.
The food menu features authentic Mexican fare from appetizers like fresh guac, shrimp flautas and empanadas de mariscos (mixed seafood), to a whole section of tacos. And yes, they have a Taco Tuesday special. Entrees include their Pechuga and Mole Verde, which is chicken breast, mole verde, green zucchini, berengena, ayocotes, and roasted pumpkin seeds, and the Steak Oaxaqueno, made up of grilled New York strip steak, mole coloradito, melted Chihuahua cheese, sweet plantains, nopales salad, queso fresco, and cilantro.
Castillo says that from the food to the atmosphere, Ruta Oaxaca is going to make you think you traveled to Mexico for a few hours.
“People tell me ‘we feel like we’re on vacation here,’” he said.
Ruta Oaxaca, Patchogue, 30 E. Main Street, (631) 569-2233; Woodbury, 8025 Jericho Turnpike, (516) 515-9620; Brooklyn, 138 Smith Street, (718) 576-1507; Astoria, 35-03 Broadway, (929) 349-1228; rutaoaxacamex.com.
