Fifth Ave. Business Spotlight: Chiquitita Serves ‘Food You Can Trust’

April 12, 2012 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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By M.K. McGarrity
Special to Brooklyn Eagle

BAY RIDGE — Tucked into a storefront just off 84th Street and Fifth Avenue, Chiquitita Mexican Grill continues to offer stunningly fresh and quickly prepared Mexican food to all of Bay Ridge.

The portions at Chiquitita are impressive. A burrito appears at the table almost as large as a child’s football. The rice and black beans are plentiful, but what makes this order so appealing is the noticeably fresh vegetables — spinach, tomato and lettuce, sautéed to order — that are stuffed into a large flour tortilla and rolled to perfection with guacamole, sour cream and salsa.

The fajitas can be ordered family-style, with one pound of meat (boneless, skinless, marinated and grilled to order), a dozen tortillas, peppers, onions, beans (black or pinto) and salsa ready for you and your family to assemble at the table, or individually, already prepared and conveniently set out before you.

The grilled chicken fajita is especially well done. The marinated chicken is delicately and almost sweetly spiced. You can also choose to have steak, shrimp, or a combination of chicken and steak prepared for this sizeable entrée.

The guacamole would make any grandmother proud. The chunks of fresh avocado and the hint of citrus present a flavor of crisp and sparkling notes in your mouth. Order it as a side and ask for extra chips for a delicious snack.

The ambience of the restaurant owes much to its Mexican roots. The colors are vibrant; bright pink and true turquoise blocks are separated by richly stained woods to frame the space. Carpets, wall hangings and images of Mexico give a warmth to the space that seems authentic. The space itself is modest, but such small quarters simply illustrate a distinct coziness.

The restaurant serves the local and diverse community well. It does not offer, or even stock, any pork products. It prepares everything fresh and eschews frozen supplies. This philosophy of newly picked products is reflected in the menu, which is both creative and traditional at once.

The company’s motto says it all: “Food you can always trust.”

Chiquitita accepts Visa, Mastercard and American Express and offers local delivery with a $10 minimum (the last delivery order goes out daily at 9:30 p.m.). The business is open seven days a week: Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 10 p.m.

Chiquitita Mexican Grill is located at 8321 Fifth Ave. For more information, call (718) 238-3228 or (718) 238-3328, fax (718) 238-1332, or check out the web page at www.cmgtacos.com.