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Delivering the Goods: Tony's Mexican Grill
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So here I am sitting at home on a Friday night: yeah, I know, weep weep I have no life. I have to work a long day tomorrow (in addition to my normal Monday through Friday grind), so in all truth I am more than excited about the prospect of a night hanging out on the couch with my boyfriend and some take-out.
But what to order? We are recent transplants to the apparently menu-less North Hollywood corridor. There have been no helpful delivery menus deposited in our mailbox since we arrived, and we have only just begun to explore the various local establishments, so we are pretty much in the dark when it comes to reliable "don't wanna cook tonight and don't wanna heat up frozen stuff" dinners. It's not going to really feel like home here until we've got a stack of Italian, Mexican, Japanese, Lebanese, Indian, Thai, and pizza menus at the ready for our dining delectation. But thanks to an insider tip, help was soon on the way in the form of Tony's Mexican Grill (oh, and FYI? the restaurant website is the new take-out menu!!).
I deliberated over whether or not to go the take-out route: it's Friday night, and this popular Sherman Oaks establishment is almost three miles away from our place. But the goods on display looked so gosh darn good I had to take the chance. As luck would have it, I got them on the phone right away. One chile relleno combo platter, one steak burrito, and one cheese-ortega chile quesadilla was soon on its way to my most comfy abode, where the beer flows like wine and the wine only comes in gallon jugs.
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A mere thirty minutes and twenty dollars later, a genial man with a large white paper sack appeared at our door.
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I have to admit (yes, non-Angelenos, cringe if you must): a thirty minute delivery time for a big delivery of fresh, hot food is a good deal in this town. A steak burrito the size of a baby is also a good deal: six bucks for something I'll still be eating tomorrow for breakfast. And possibly lunch. The chili rellano plate (with rice, beans, and corn tortillas) clocked in at $8.50, while the quesadilla was a mere $4 - and they threw in a big bag of chips and plenty of salsa for free. With tip, this meal (which really is more than enough for two people) was under $25. Score1
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This doesn't seem to be the end of Tony's great deals and tasty items. They also specialize in fish, including charbroiled trout, scallops, grilled shrimp, and tilapia, all served with rice and vegetables: not a single dish over $12. And the taste? Familiar, generous, and fresh: the vegetables are nice and crisp, and they definitely don't skimp on the meat. The flour tortilla encasing the burrito is elastic and soft, while the salsa contributes a mild bite. The chile rellanos are compact little packets of goopy cheddar and monterrey jack cheese. Whole ortega chiles line the interior of the quesadilla, and their tender flesh reminds you that chiles are sweet just as often as they are spicy.
I'm thrilled I've discovered this place, and even more thrilled that I have a reliable Friday-night gourmet option when I'm feeling less than up for the task of feeding myself. Plus, Saturday morning breakfast is gonna be awesome.
Tony's Mexican Grill
12910 Magnolia Blvd #F,
Sherman Oaks 91423
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818-769-5754
fax order (818) 769-8785
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