Let’s Taco 'bout the New Menu at Saltbox
New or returning visitors to Nantucket might hear, “If you’re heading out to the airport, you should stop by the old AK Diamonds.” Now known as Saltbox, the restaurant and bar at 7 Macys Lane and Old South Road is barely recognizable compared to the old AK’s. The salad bar in the upstairs dining room is gone. In fact, the whole upstairs is gone, at least for customers of the eatery.
The upstairs has gone to much-needed year-round housing, and in its place Saltbox now offers one of the biggest outdoor dining areas on the island. The main bar still exists in the same spot downstairs, and the décor is lively and comfortable with a few well-placed TVs. Last year, Saltbox improved its outdoor dining space and now boasts a covered bar outside, for additional seating, plus a huge, lighted lawn with large picnic tables. This is where local musicians Sean Lee and teen star Merrick Brannigan set up throughout the summer to entertain diners on many evenings.
Besides the structural changes to the building, new visitors to Saltbox will find a revised menu that fills a gaping hole in the island food scene – Mexican food. Owner Genevieve Gauvin was fortunate enough to coax new Chef José Martinez to the island to prepare his coastal Mexican cuisine and street food.
Starter specials include Chef Martinez's daily preparations of ceviche and mussels. Mexican shrimp cocktail and queso fundido are perfect dishes for the table to split. Tacos are divided by land and by sea. There's something for everyone with three hearty tacos to a dish, all for prices in the teens. For those who crave American-style meat, the Saltbox burger is still available – two beef patties with a side of tots—enough to satisfy any appetite. Burrata and Caesar salads balance out the menu nicely for those looking for a lighter dish.
The Saltbox naturally beefed up their tequila and Mexican beer selections to accompany the cuisine. One of the bestselling refreshers is the Saltbox Paloma with Espolòn Tequila and fresh squeezed grapefruit. They also serve up a wide selection of rocks and frozen margaritas, and even a ghost pepper cocktail for those with adventurous tastes.
