119 East 18th Street (between Irving Place and Park Avenue South) 212-539-0202, also 1395 Second Ave. bet. 72th and 73rd Sts., 917-261-7012 www.javelinatexmex.com
Tex-Mex. If you’re feeling fajita-ish, drop everything and haul it to Javelina. I don’t believe I have ever tasted one better. They serve it on a sizzling comal with onions, red and green peppers plus guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream, rice, beans and house made flour tortillas. I cannot put my finger on what brought this to perfection or why it stands apart, but the result is unadulterated genius. My nirvana included shrimp and chicken, yours may be chicken and steak — or all three.
From their gloriously extensive menu, you might also consider an enchilada enriched existence. I opted for chicken, yet I imagine the other choices (mixed cheese, brisket, pork) are equally graced by the Latin gods. When all is said and done, you’re presented with sopapilla and a side of syrup. It’s a sweet way to end the meal. Not that you’ll want to leave. Nor will it take you long to come back.