a tale of two restaurants tony’s jacal

Ask anyone in Solana Beach where their favorite Mexican restaurant is, and you’ll almost always get one of two answers: Tony’s or Fidel’s. These two eateries have been standing back to back (they are literally right next door to each other and practically share a parking lot) in the battle for North County customers for over 40 years.

We love both places equally, so on our most recent trip to the area, we flipped a coin and landed at Tony’s Jacal. When you first make your way to the door from the parking lot, your ears might take notice before your eyes do. Around two dozen parakeets fly around in a large custom cage, chirping and singing to let everyone know that you’ve arrived at the famed cantina.

For lunch, we strayed from the more traditional fare and opted, instead, to try the grilled salmon. As expected, though still much to our delight, the dish was excellently prepared. The salmon was seasoned and cooked to perfection and the ingredients in the mango salsa were fresh. We especially liked how the sweetness of the mangoes paired with the rich creaminess of the grilled salmon. Accompanied by sautéed vegetables and a side of rice, the portion was generous and filling.

Next time we find ourselves in the area, we’ll have to visit Fidel’s in the spirit of impartiality (and for their equally good food).