Easy Dinner Ideas: Solita’s Tacos + Margaritas Takeout

Back from the beach: hot, sweaty, sandy, sun struck, and relaxed. You peruse the contents of your fridge and nothing cries, “Make me”. Do I feel like making dinner. No.

But, I have the perfect solution! And no, it’s not reservations, but it does require a call to a restaurant. Since they opened the day after Christmas last year, Solita’s Tacos & Margaritas has become my, and a lot of other people’s, favorite casual, upscale Baja-inspired Mexican eatery that also offers a great list of tequilas along with fabulous cocktails and margaritas made from fresh juices, not bottled sweet and sour mixes. Now you can savor the fresh Baja cuisine of solita’s at home with one phone call and a quick trip to Bella Terra to the special pick-up window next to the massive rough-hewn Mexican doors that mark solita’s entrance. Chef Deborah Schneider and partners launched their takeout and party pickup in June and I was particularly excited that their house-made margarita mix is on the menu, *happy dance*.

In addition to her regularly offered menu items, Chef Deb’s takeout menu also features a la carte and Party Pickup options. A la carte offerings include solita’s special Whole Oak-roasted Chipotle Chicken and “Build Your Own Taco” packages which feature meats roasted on solita’s Santa Maria-style grill and smoker including Carne Asada, Wood-grilled Ancho Chile Chicken, and Grilled Fish Mazatlan, as well as vegan and wheat-free options. The Party Pickup option features a taco buffet that presents three kinds of delicious wood-fired meats equipped with tortillas, solita taco fixings, solita’s famous chips & salsa, plus three sides. Add-ons to the Party Pickup option include cheese enchiladas, chicken taquitos, and solita’s margarita mix, all of which are available in specified quantities.

solita Takeout is available Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. solita is located at Huntington Beach’s Bella Terra Center (7631 Edinger Avenue, Suite 1508). More information and complete Takeout Menu is available at www.solitatacos.com.

Ordering and pick-up at the exclusive street-side takeout window could not be easier. Our first experience was delicious and inexpensive. We decided on the “Special”:  Whole Oak-roasted Chipotle Chicken with corn (4) and flour (2 large) tortillas, two sides and chips & salsa for $21.00! Of course, we added their margarita mix (alcohol not included, just to be clear) – 32 oz. for $8.00 and an order of guacamole with extra salsa because their salsas are fresh made and taste amazing. It was plenty for 3-4 people – total bill $40.

With a round of fresh strawberry margaritas whirled in the VitaMix and fresh cantaloupe margs for dessert – we were happy campers and caught the season finale of Game of Thrones in real time, no Twitter or Facebook spoilers. There are some delicious dessert options but they all included ice cream, so we had to pass due to the 15 minute drive. But if you’re lucky enough to live in one of the new residences at Bella Terra, or in close proximity, you have until 11 p.m. to satisfy your sweet tooth!

 All in a reusable bag which, by the way, makes a great beach bag 🙂

We loved the food and will definitely be trying more items from the takeout menu, or maybe the next time we have guests, instead of cooking, I’ll introduce them to solita’s with the Street Taco buffet: 3 kinds of delicious meats, tortillas and salsa to build your own plus three sides and their famous chips & salsa, makes 30+ tacos ($140). Available from 11:30 am – 10:00 pm and they ask that you allow them 2 hours notice. I can do that.

Keep solita’s Takeout in mind. Easy dinner ideas are welcome any time of year, right? You might also like solita’s Skinny Margarita recipe, if you’re not able to make it to Huntington Beach any time soon. Enjoy 🙂

Mmmm, chicken roasted over their wood-fired open grill and oak smoker.

solita’s Tacos & Margaritas

Bella Terra Center

7631 Edinger Avenue, Suite 1508

Huntington Beach, CA  92648

(714) 894-2792

More information and complete Takeout Menu is available at www.solitatacos.com.