La Mesa — Restaurant in Town of Oyster Bay

I really want to like this place, and that is why I keep giving it a chance, but I have now had my fourth bad experience and I feel like that is more than enough of a chance. The food is really tasty. If you live close and pick up, I’m sure it’s worth it. I ordered once from work and waited forever for a delivery. When my coworkers and I got our meals, mine unfortunately was covered in pork (it was supposed to be a vegetarian meal). The other three times I ordered from Uber eats. One time, the order was about an hour and a half late and arrived cold. We were certain we would never order from there again. But then a few months later, we figured we would give them another try. We ordered and again it was very late, only this time after waiting about 2 hours, they canceled the order due to not having the items. 2 hours waiting to learn this news. For some unknown reason we recently tried again- the tacos are truly that good. An hour and a half and I can’t believe it but the order was cancelled again, due to being out of items, after waiting that long. Why not cancel the order immediately if you don’t have the items available? Or call to see if we want something else? I cannot believe that on two separate occasions this restaurant thought it was ok to leave my family and I waiting for dinner , for 1.5 to 2 hours each time, before canceling it and leaving us to find another place after waiting so long? I tried to call at this point to speak to a manager, but was told that they were not in. They took down my number and said a manager would call me. Of course, no one ever called. 4 orders placed and 4 pretty big problems. Time to move on, goodbye delicious...

The food here is incredible. They have the best tacos, burritos, pupusas on Long Island. They also have a hot bar with different items featured daily. Pulled pork, meat balls, fried chicken, roasted chicken. Homemade potato salad, coleslaw. Freshly made plantains and 2 different kinds of beans. Special items.. one day they had vegetarian samosas, the best I have ever had and so much more. All deliciously fresh and reasonably priced. You can choose your size plate starting at 10$. So your wondering why 4 stars? The help… most of them are out to lunch. I tried calling 2 weeks ago to place an order… the phone would ring once and stop. So here it is 2 weeks later we called again, same thing. So I went there asked if something was wrong with the phones. She said I don’t think so. So I called with my cell phone standing there…again one ring then cuts off. The girl is like “ ohhhh I’ll tell the owner”. So I ordered and had to sit there 30 minutes to wait. It’s also very uncomfortable to sit and eat in there. Unless your 100 pounds or less your behind does not fit in the uncomfortable metal chairs. So do take out if they fix the phones, otherwise plan a nice long wait for...

As a chef whose concentration is international cuisine, I am thrilled to have found truly authentic Spanish food that is nearby and outstanding. Every item I tasted, and I had seconds of my first order, bought other items to have for dinner that night at home, along with some marinades from their in-house ethnic store. Even their magazines are classy (and imported from France). Simple, clean decor that has obviously been carefully selected is extremely inviting as are the two friendly owners who are happy to assist you with explaining each dish so you can make your selection. Finding La Mesa made my day. Can't wait to take my friends here. Buena suerte guys. Been here many times since without writing about it. But had the most enjoyable afternoon talking with one of the owners who let me try curtido and beet slaw. Got the cajun shrimp burrito (which needed a spicier umph but was packed with avocado & good portion of shrimp --so wholesome healthy), NOTE: La Mesa is now open SUNDAYS fortunately. What a surprise when the owner treated me and the couple before me -- now that's good advertising, for sure!) Muchas...