
Tex-Mex restaurant Del Fuego moves to larger location in St. James

Del Fuego restaurant in St. James offers a platter of surf and turf fajitas -- beef and shrimp -- served with the classic fixings of guacamole, salsa and sour cream. Credit: Doug Young
Good news for fans of the taco- and tequila-centric menu of Del Fuego North in St. James: In December, the eatery moved into airier digs across North Country Road, more than doubling its space, from 40 to 95 seats. The bar area is bigger, too, and a patio will open this spring — but the seasonal Tex-Mex menu remains the same.
Del Fuego opened in St. James in October 2011, and the Tex-Mex formula was a hit: In the ensuing years, two more Del Fuegos would open, in Babylon and Patchogue, while the brothers continued to run their Italian restaurant in Sayville, La Tavola Trattoria, as well as two Ruvo Kitchen & Wine Bars locations in Greenlawn and Port Jefferson.
Meanwhile, back in Del Fuego’s former space at 429 N. Country Road, owners DeNicola Brothers Concepts are busy creating a new meat-focused joint, Liberty Burger & Fried Chicken, set to open in May 2017. The 70-seat eatery will serve up burgers, fried chicken, handcut French fries, salads, and milkshakes, according to Vicki Loizos, director of marketing for DeNicola Brothers Concepts. The spot will also have 12 craft beers on tap behind its bar, including suds from a handful of Long Island breweries.
Del Fuego, 430 N. Country Rd., St. James; 631-963-6900, delfuegorestaurant.com