Dining Pick of the Week: Chicken & Grill

Chicken & Grill

4016 N. Tenaya Way, 702-736-2048

OK, so let’s get things straight right away: You won’t be going to Chicken & Grill for the ambience. The little eatery on the northeast corner of Alexander Road and Tenaya Way is wedged into a nondescript strip mall. The front door is almost lost among signage proclaiming its lunch specials and 99-cent taco Wednesdays. Step inside, and you’ll find four laminate-top tables and chairs for eight. But no one seems to mind the limited seating, and a majority of the patrons are takeout customers. Try the food, and you won’t mind, either. Ingredients are fresh, and meals are made to order. That means a slight wait, but it’s worth it. Lunch and dinner offer tacos, burritos, a wet burrito, tortas and quesadillas. Those who like to explore Mexican fare further might order the gorditas, pambazo (Mexican white bread), tostada, super nachos, asada fries, chimichanga or fish tacos. Burritos come in four styles and start at $5.49. There’s always a daily special that combines a chimichanga, taco salad, burro mojado, sopas or tamales with soda. Kids’ meals include mini roll tacquitos, quesa-cheese, mini asada fries and mini super nachos. Family packs, good for football nights, can be ordered as well. What sets Chicken & Grill apart is that patrons get to choose what type of meat goes into their meal. The choices are spelled out in English and Spanish: beef steak, beef tongue, beef cheeks, ground beef, fried pork, marinated pork, shredded beef, Mexican sausage or shredded chicken. Breakfast is heavy on burritos that cost just less than $5. There’s chorizo and egg, bacon and egg, ham and egg and the beans and cheese. Also for breakfast: tamales. In a nod to American stomachs, one can have pancakes with eggs and three sausages. Chicken & Grill is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Free delivery is offered with orders of $10 or more.