It would be quite a normal thing for a Friday evening to stop by Delaney’s Tavern, the new Cheers-like hotspot restaurant in Orlando’s SoDo district, and have a bite to eat. So in an attempt to maintain some normalcy in these abnormal times, I ordered takeout for curbside pickup and took it home, where everybody knows my name and doesn’t give a hoot.
DT has put together a special takeout menu, though I’m told that most of the regular menu is available, too. But there were plenty of delicious options on the special menu, so I stuck to that.
I phoned in my order, gave the credit card information, including authorizing the addition of a gratuity, and was sitting at the curb outside the restaurant on Orange Avenue in no time. After a quick call to the restaurant to let them know I was there, a staff member came out and placed the order in my trunk.
The food was all packaged in sustainable cardboard boxes, and because I live in downtown Orlando, not far from the restaurant, it was all still good and hot.
My favorite was the Tavern Burger, a thick patty fashioned out of a blend of brisket, ground chuck and short rib, cooked to a juicy medium rare. It was topped with smoked gouda cheese and slathered with a bit of chipotle barbecue sauce and a caramelized onion aioli. It was served on a soft and fresh brioche bun and accompanied by thick wedge fries.
My isolation companion had the Smoked Brisket Tacos, with bite-sized bits of tender meat and potatoes, onions, and peppers in griddled flour tortillas.
For appetizer/side dishes, we had the Honey Chili Brussels Sprouts and Vegan Butter Braised Cauliflower Skillet.
The sprouts were tossed with roasted shallots and big pieces of bacon and had a nice bit of spiciness.
A few pieces of roasted poblano chilies and a yellow coconut curry made the cauliflower a full-flavored vegetarian feast.
Beer and wine is also available to go. But I’m looking forward to getting the all-clear to go back and enjoy my burger with the bar’s signature Old Fashioned.
Delaney’s Tavern is at 1315 S. Orange Ave., Orlando. Takeout is available for curbside pickup daily. The phone number is 407-849-0801.
