Restaurants near Jones Beach in Wantagh

If you're planning to hit Jones Beach, consider a lunch or dinner stop at any of these eateries.

All are conveniently situated off either the Meadowbrook or Wantagh, the two parkways that lead to the beach.

All will also welcome you in your flip-flops, shorts and bathing suit cover-ups.

Dirty Taco & Tequila (3261 Merrick Rd., Wantagh): The uber-popular Mexican-Asian eatery serves individual tacos with creative combinations, such as pork belly taco with watermelon cucumber salsa. More info: 516-785-5300, dirtytacoandtequila.com

DJ's Clam Shack (3255 Sunrise Hwy, Wantagh): Quick service and fast casual, DJ's is the place to get your seafood fix en route to the beach. Lobster rolls are served hot with butter or cold with mayo, plus myriad iterations of clams — creamy New England-style clam chowder, steamed littlenecks with garlic, baked clams, clam strips and fried Ipswich clams, served on a roll or heaped into a basket with fries. More info: 516-900-1400, djsclamshack.com

Charred Brick Oven (3915 Merrick Rd., Seaford): This casual, family-friendly spot is a top spot for the best pizza on Long Island, but you'll also find crowd-pleasing Italian classics, too. More info: 516-586-8617, charredbrickoven.com

Chickens Road (2975 Merrick Rd., Bellmore): This counter-serve Venezuelan eatery specializes in more than just rotisserie-roasted chicken. Try the gallo rice, a Chinese-South American stir-fry, as well as the house-made empanadas. Eat on-site or have your meal packaged to go. More info: 516-221-5222, chickensroad.com

Pit Stop (1706 Sunrise Hwy., Merrick): Much TLC goes into the sprightly salads, inventive wraps and juicy burgers at this counter service spot, a renovated Carvel stand with indoor and outdoor seating. More info: 516-223-7799, thepitstopny.com

Pastrami Plus (2568 Hempstead Tpke., East Meadow): In small, simple digs, deli man Sal Gawish produces an exemplary pastrami. His house-made knishes are tall, flaky and onion-enriched. You'll also find all the deli classics: matzo ball soup, stuffed cabbage, corned beef and brisket. More info: 516-644-2644 pastramiplusny.com

Shake Shack (860 Old Country Rd., Garden City): There's invariably a line that moves quickly at Danny Meyer's nexus for burgers, dogs and shakes. Try the simple Shack Burger, topped with lettuce, tomato, American cheese and the mayo-based shack sauce. It's a juicy treat and one of the area's best values. More info: 516-620-2880, shakeshack.com

Passione Della Cucina (231 Old Country Rd., Carle Place): This sprawling place has an outdoor dining veranda. It's attached pizzeria serves some top-notch pies and slices. The grandma, grandpa and marinara pizzas are three of many standouts. More info: 516-741-4800, passione-restaurant.com

Pollos El Paisa (989 Old Country Rd., Westbury): A popular standby for its namesake dish, the national chicken of Colombia, this bright little eatery offers glistening bronze-rotisseried birds and lots more. Eat in the diner-like restaurant or have your chicken boxed to go, for the beach. More info: 516-338-5858