Restaurant serving tastes of paradise to go

Many Dayton-area restaurants are responding to Gov. Mike DeWine's order to shut down their dining rooms due to the COVID-19 coronavirus threat by ramping up their carryout and delivery options, and some are launching curbside service as well.

El Meson is selling items from its food trucks weekdays from 11 a.m.  to 5 p.m. during the week it is also offering curbside pickup from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday, co-owner Bill Castro told us. Call ahead at (937) 859-8229.

The restaurant’s “hot and ready” meals are $39 and serve four. Options include:

Fajitas with choice of beef, chicken, shrimp or vegetarian and rice, black beans, lettuce, salsa, sour cream, guacamole and a dozen tortillas.

>> PODCAST: Bill Castro on squid, horses and how his family has served Dayton the world on a plate for 40 years 

Pollo Sudado: a Colombian-style chicken and potato stew with rice, black beans and salad.

Filet of fish: four sauteed fish filets with olive oil and lime served with rice, black beans and salad.

>> Which Dayton-area restaurants are offering carryout, delivery and curbside service?

Pork Mojo: pork tenderloin medallions with garlic and onion served with rice, black beans and salad.

Arroz Con Pollo: chicken and rice with peas and tomato served with black beans and salad.

Kid's Cheese quesadilla meals are available for $6.

>> Related: What you should know about Bill Castro

Select items from the restaurants regular menu are also available for pickup, including the feel-good chicken tortilla soup for $9 or $13.

“We all need that soup in our lives right now,” Castro said of the chicken, rice, hominy, avocado, cactus, chipotles, corn chips, guacamole, and cheese dish.

The food truck and carryout menu is as follows:

BURRITO BOWL
Choice of chicken, beef or pork with rice, black beans, lettuce, sour cream, cheese, salsa. $8

TACOS
Choice of chicken or beef with rice, lettuce, sour cream, cheese, salsa. 2 for $7 / 3 for $9

MACHO NACHOS
Choice of chicken or beef with nacho cheese, beans, lettuce, sour cream, shredded cheese, salsa, Jalapeños, over a bed of corn chips. $9

>> Local restaurant chain to add groceries to its menu during shutdown

AREPA
Colombian sweet corn cake. $6

EMPANADA
Chicken and potato turnover. $8

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CUBAN SANDWICH
Cuban bread, dijon mayo, pickle, swiss cheese and served with rice and beans. $9

TOT-CHOS
Choice of chicken or beef with tater tots, queso blanco, lettuce, sour cream, salsa, jalapeños. $8

Chicken Tortilla Soup
Chicken, rice, hominy, avocado, cactus, chipotles, corn chips, guacamole and cheese. $9

CHURROS
Warm fresh donuts covered in cinnamon sugar. 3 for $4

SIDES
Chips and Salsa $5
Chips and Guacamole $6
Chips and Queso Blanco $5
Tater Tots with Queso Blanco $5
Maduros $5