As bright and festive as a Dia de los Muertos celebration, Pequeña offers scrumptious Mexican food on a quiet, tree-lined street in Fort Greene. Recognizable by its casual front patio decked out in tiny white lights, the restaurant is a delicious little secret that locals would like to keep all to themselves.
From the crunchy, spice-dusted, house-made chips and smoky chipotle salsa ($3.50) to the just-like-San-Diego sautéed fish tacos (two, $6; or three with rice and beans, $12), you could basically tie on a blindfold, point to a spot on the menu, and be more than satisfied with what comes to your table. The hearty sweet plantains ($3) are a favorite, but for a bonus, go for the black bean and sweet plantain quesadilla ($6). Other reasons why you’ll see the same customers here time after time: the perfectly balanced avocado black bean salad with corn, queso fresco and lime cilantro vinaigrette ($7-$10); the stewed pork soft tacos ($5); the not-too-greasy cheese, chicken or pork enchiladas with red or green salsa ($6); and the delectable poblano relleno ($6- $7). The complement to this unerring food is the equally excellent fresh homemade margaritas ($6 for lime; mango, raspberry, coconut, kiwi, $8).
The interior is cozy without feeling cramped, the small quarters decked out in a carnivale of Day of the Dead skeleton icons, papier-mâché flowers, vibrant amate paintings and chili pepper and rose lights. No way to go wrong here.
86 S. Portland Ave. (betw. Fulton St. & Lafayette Ave.), B’klyn, 718-643-0000.
