Where do I even begin. Been driving past this place forever and always wanted to stop but hadn't. What an IDIOT I am for that decision. Came here for lunch earlier this week. I am blown away. First by the people. It's a family owned spot, father & daughter were working. Son I believe works there too. Just salt of the earth type people. Friendly from the moment I walked in. Conversational and easy, in no way overbearing. Not salesy. Just genuinely, good people. Asked what to order, what he recommended. And boy, he lit up when he started telling me about the dishes. A true nod to the care taken in the recipes and the cooking. I ended up grabbing beef empanadas and some steak tacos. I took my order to go but they made me and extra empanada to have while I was waiting for the rest of the order. Corn tortillas. Soft but crispy. Not oily in the slightest. These empanadas were like eating pure happiness. I'm fairly sure they put magic in the green sauce too. Went out to the car and couldn't wait so I ate right there in the lot. The tacos were fresh; cilantro as if it was pulled right from the vine and placed in the box. Steak was juicy but not all drippy onto my hands messy. The diced onions were the flavor bomb it needed to finish off the massive enjoyment that was my lunch. Hot sauce on the side wasn't overwhelming to the point of ruining the taste. Price was super fair. Staff was memorably pleasant. Food was banging. If you're driving by this spot, don't make the same mistake I did. Stop immediately and grab yourself and bite. It's worth it. read more

Really REALLY wanted to love this place, and it wasn't bad at all. But definitely wasn't the best either. I'll start by saying the ambiance and staff were both 5 stars. The owners father is super friendly and the man HUSTLES. Prices were fair, and the outdoor seating makes you feel like you're on vacation. The food overall wasn't great though. Burrito, tacos, nachos, papusa's were all good but definitely not the best compared to some other local options. Burrito was on the smaller side and lacking meat, tacos were small too for the price. Overall we decided we'd definitely come back, but it's not going to be our go to (yet), the food was just a little bland and portions weren't great. Things could change, but I hope these guys do well here it's apparent they're trying. read more

We ordered 3 shrimp tacos and received pork tacos instead. Then we ordered 2 shrimp burritos -- and when I say there was LESS THAN 1 small shrimp in the entire burrito, I'm not exaggerating. It was like 3 advil sized pieces of shrimps. Crumbs. We paid $18 for what was essentially a vegetarian burrito. If shrimp wasn't available, it would have been much better to get a heads-up or a call asking if we wanted to switch proteins. Instead, we either received something we didn't order or were charged for shrimp while barely getting any shrimp at all. Such a bummer because the flavors were actually good, and it's right down the road from us. Unfortunately, after this experience, we won't be coming back. read more

The service is outstanding the owners are so friendly and helpful. The space is small but is very nice and decorated tastefully The food was great could have used some guacamole or sour cream for the fajitas. Unlimited. Chips and salsa would be a great addition also. Will try this place again when the weather is better and can sit outside read more

The food was phenomenal and so authentic. It tasted like tacos I've had from Queens. The staff were so sweet and friendly. The homemade salsas were delicious. The patio area is so cute with the greenery wall and hanging lights. I'm happy there's finally a good restaurant in this location. We will definitely come back and recommend others. read more

The Green Gem - Tacos: chicken, shrimp, carne asada - Mexican Near Me - Smithtown, New York

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Tried this place for the first time. I usually prefer flour tortillas but decided to try their corn tortillas and really enjoyed it. It's tastes fresh, moist and home made. Ordered shrimp tacos, fish tacos, combo fajitas and chicken enchiladas and we devoured all of it. Would return to try other dishes. Service was very friendly and the place is spotless and clean. Nice outdoor space for when the weather gets warmer. read more

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Yumm! Yummy! Yum! Wonderful every time I come!! Shrimp tacos and sangria with nachos and good company! You can't lose! Everything fresh and delicious! read more

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Must try! Such a great relaxed environment, warm atmosphere and yummy food! Seems to be family owned, we spoke with owner and she was so sweet and makes the bread pudding (you must try this!!). We got birria, fish, & al pastor tacos. Birria was the standout for us. Pupusas also very good. We definitely envision this being a go to spot for us!! read more

Great food, great service. Family owned, family recipes. Indoor seating, outdoor seating, 3 kinds of tequila, multiple beers, Johnnie Walker, Hennessy, great deserts. read more

The Green Gem - Mexican Near Me - Smithtown, New York

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The service was great. The people are extremely friendly. The food was authentic. The sangria was good.

I've been wanting to stop into this place for a while anow and last night was the perfect opportunity. I was greeted by a lovely lady who helped me place my order. I had the taco combo one chicken, one steak And one Birria , all of them were excellent! I should've took pictures, but my husband and I scarfed them down before I thought to do so. They make their own home corn tortillas and they were so good, it's hard to find places that make their own tortillas, I only know of 1 other place in Queens. Anyway, I'm happy to say that I will definitely be back. Do yourself a favor if you like Mexican food, give them a try, you won't be disappointed ! Next day.... OK so i'm back here again. The food was that good! I think I'm gonna be a real regular in this place because the food is just so good. Fresh. Authentic. Can't get better than that. read more

The Green Gem - Carne asada (steak) tacos.... best I've had, check out the homemade tortillas!!!! - Mexican Near Me - Smithtown, New York

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Visited for the first time with my family and had a great experience. Everything we ordered was fresh and delicious. We're excited to have such a great restaurant in the neighborhood and will definitely be back! read more

I moved here three months ago and haven't found one good restaurant...until today. This place is fantastic. The drinks, the food, the desserts, the service, absolutely fantastic. Can't wait to go back. As authentic as it comes and just great all around. read more

Definitely a hidden gem! Empanadas were fantastic as well just didn't get a picture. Everything was delicious. Very authentic flavors! Mango margarita was top-notch! read more

The Green Gem - Al Pastor tacos - Mexican Near Me - Smithtown, New York

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Found this place while in the area area. Food is superb, so homemade, especially the handmade corn tortillas that came with the carne asada, came with a bit of rice beans and salad too. We also ordered the empanadas- 3 corn empanadas with chicken. It has a nice crisp outer crust and soft with quite a bit of chicken inside. We will def return here. read more

Sign from the road just says Tacos but it's far more than just tacos. Fantastic Mexican eats. Super Fresh authentic and delicious. Had the taco trio with a Fish, chicken and carne sandwich asada tacos. All were very fresh cooked to order and tasty. Also tried the beef empanadas they were very good as well. Went with 8 people & everyone enjoyed the food. My son had the birria tacos and said they were delicious and on par with dirty tacos birria tacos which are excellent. The red sangria was also very good. Nice to be able to sit outside in the nice weather and enjoy some tacos and sangria. The owners cane out and greeted us. Super friendly family run authentic food. Wish them much success in this nice addition to the St. Janes neighborhood. Looking forward to my next visit. read more

Truly a gem! Have been meaning to try this spot and so glad we finally did. Everything is made fresh from the sauces to the corn tortillas. We tried the 3 taco combo w/ Carne Asada,Birria,and Fish. All 3 were excellent, Service was wonderful and the coconut flan was to die for! So excited to have this near by! Definitely will make it a regular spot read more

We ordered 4 different types of tacos and chips & guac -- crazy hot evening but Alex and his wife were hustling hard. This is a family operation which makes eating here much nicer. Who needs Chipotle when you can get essentially home made Mexican in Smithtown! Bucket of beers -- 5 for $25. Nothing better than sitting outside enjoying a tasty meal with a cold drink. Highly recommend. read more

Delicious food. Amazing hospitality and really nice owners. Recommended for everyone.

This place is awesome! Food is fresh and delicious. Owners are very friendly. Highly recommend.

Wow this place is amazing!! The service was incredible, it felt like being served by family. We also got empanadas (not in the photo) and they were easily the best we ever had! I couldn't recommend this place more!! The owner and his daughter were SO friendly. Can't wait to come back :) read more

The Green Gem - Enchiladas, papusa and Birria tacos - Mexican Near Me - Smithtown, New York

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We had an amazing dinner at this terrific family run restaurant. The couple who own the restaurant are delightful and friendly. They are helped by their son and daughter in law. My husband and I each had 3 tacos. All (except the Biria) on delicious corn tacos they make in house. I ate every bit of mine. We were treated, on the house, to an absolutely delicious beef empanada. We will be back here soon! Run, don't walk, here the next time you want homemade Mexican food! read more

Amazing spot! Great food and relaxing vibe. Definitely will be a summer hangout. Love it.

A five-star experience at The Green Gem in Smithtown. Everything tasted incredibly fresh and authentic, and you can see that every dish is made completely from scratch in front of you. The flavors stood out in every bite, especially the chicken and steak tacos, zucchini pupusa, and fajitas. This is a wonderful family-owned spot with genuinely kind people The restaurant itself was very clean and well kept, they wiped the grill down each time they made a dish and use gloves. The portions were generous, and everything was so delicious that we left completely stuffed and I still have enough for lunch the next day. Prices were very reasonable for the quality and freshness of the food. Overall, it was an amazing experience, and I'm already looking forward to coming back. Thank you, Elmer for the great service and hospitality. read more

The Green Gem is a true gem! Easy, casual, comfortable. Food was yummy. I did take out and the owner (?) was incredibly kind and personable. I will definitely be going back. Sorry it took me so long to get there ..... read more

The Green Gem is a Gem! My brother and I enjoyed a tasty lunch experience. We had Empanadas for an appetizer-(3 in ea serving.) I had a chicken burrito and my brother had tacos-both were ample servings! To top it off, home made bread pudding...out of this world! Everything is made while you wait. Although I didn't partake, they also have alcoholic beverages. The staff is friendly and welcoming. Claudia is the best. I will definitely return. Great place, give it a try. read more

Authentic Mexican food! Delicious! Empanadas, shrimp tacos, burrito, pupusas were all excellent! Not too heavy. Everything made fresh and done just right. Service good and Margaritas tasty too. Small inside but probably great in the summer. Will definitely be back! read more

Holy cow. It's really good food, really good. You know how when you eat at a restaurant and say to yourself, this really feels like it's "home-made." This is it. The place is adorable, small and neat on the inside and a beautiful outside dining area. Everyone was so attentive and kind. Go here and eat some good eats. read more

LOVE this little spot- truly a GEM! Warm and welcoming - menu is your 'basic' Mexican Specialties- but made super special and delicious! All Fresh ingredients - & i swear I tasted the LOVE they cook with! Everything is cooked to order and worth a few extra minutes so I suggest you skip the 'drive thru'.... I stopped in to try for lunch- ... & was back the next day to get dinner for the whole family. TRUE! It was that good Super excited to see this little spot in Smithtown and as the weather gets warmer looking forward to hanging out on their lovely outdoor patio to enjoy some homemade sangria or margaritas as well! read more

Very delicious, authentic and fresh, great people, must try. I had flautas for the first time and loved it! Will def come again. read more

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1st time tacos, excellent... 2nd time empanadas, wonderful...3rd time pupusa was magnificent. Can't recommend them enough. Put yourself in their hands and let them cook for you. All is made fresh to order, couldn't be more satisfied. read more

Omg the shrimp tacos and quesadillas yum yum yum yum. The tortillas were so fresh. Margaritas were also strong and delicious. Went here after a dry wedding and got our fill of food and marg. read more

Best birria tacos I've ever had! Great service and beautiful outdoor area. This will definitely be our new summer spot.

This is the BEST MEXICAN SPOT in Smithtown. The delicious food and wonderful service from Maria keeps bringing me back. The PUPUSAS are absolutely CHEESYYYY, so delicious and the best part it's NOT oily. The TACOS DE CARNE ASADA is out of this world. The tortilla is made on the spot . Maria adds a cup of homemade quac on side with red and green salsa. The meat is seasoned to perfection, my taste buds jump for joy with every bite I take. I down it with a cup of homemade HORCHATA too . My mom loves their mango aguas Fresca, it's sooo fresh. It's such a cute place, you can order food at the window or come in. There's plenty of seating outside too once the weather gets warm smile . The next time I come I definitely want to try their ENCHILADAS SUIZAS read more

The Green Gem - homemade HORCHATA - Mexican Near Me - Smithtown, New York

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I've watched this location with interest, it has changed hands a number of times and no one seemed to be able to make it work. The Green Gem is the first establishment that I hope stays, the place gives off a warm home feeling, the owners are truly some of the nicest people you'll meet. The food is exceptional and reasonably priced. We go there often and have not been disappointed in anything we have ordered, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend The Green Gem to anyone. read more

My new favorite taco spot. The owner is super friendly and helpful with the menu. Food is also great! Fresh tortillas, non-greasy, and sauces make the food extra delicious! read more

Wow, the freshest corn tortilla I have ever had and it didn't disappoint. The restaurant was clean and the family was super friendly. I will definitely be going back. read more

We are so happy to have found The Green Gem. If you appreciate great Mexican food, this is your place.

Im pleasantly surprised that this tucked away Mexican restaurant that sits in between Smithtown and St James, is authentic and delicious. The food is wonderful and the service is great. I ordered the combination tacos: Birria (beef), fish and shrimp and was blown away with how delicious they were. Their homemade taco is truly delicious a real game changer from the typical store bought hard taco shells. My palates are thanking me for this amazing meal and I will certainly be coming back again. read more

Amazing authentic tacos made with love! The corn tortillas are made from scratch with incredible flavor. The taco Birria is beyond AMAZING!!! The flavor profile is so beautiful and unique that a true foodie will appreciate! The chef came out to meet us and chat a bit which was wonderful. Our waitress was so helpful and hospitable and was attentive to us. We want to come back on a weekly basis, that's how incredible it was! read more

The Green Gem - Carne Tacos al Pastor, Tacos de Birria, carne tacos - Mexican Near Me - Smithtown, New York