Guam Diner Bytes: Tony Roma's

When you think of eating at Tony Roma's, you have images of racks of smoky, sauce-covered barbecue ribs so good that you'll be licking your fingers after you toss down that bone! What's sometimes hard to do is bypass the famous Tony Roma’s rib experience and opt for something new and different on their menu. Well, that's exactly what I did over the course of two visits – I ate something new and different, which I can describe as imaginative as well as satisfying!

I was at the Tony Roma's in Tumon where I was introduced to their Steak and Mushroom Flatbread ($13.99). This is a sight to behold! Brought out on a handled plank, it's as crisp flatbread sheet topped with grilled, all-natural beef tenderloin, melted Havarti cheese, crumbled blue cheese, wild mushrooms, red peppers, chives and their special bistro sauce.

Once you start with a piece (these are cut into 6 pieces) and take your first bite, your mouth is filled with all of those amazing ingredients. Cheese lovers will go crazy – Havarti? Blue cheese! Goodness! I can see why it's becoming a preferred favorite! The other new flatbread offering is the Chicken Caesar Flatbread ($12.99).

The second new item I tried was the Island Mahi Salad ($15.99). This lovely festive creation has grilled mahi drizzled with mojo sauce, on a bed of Asian greens, tomatoes, pineapple salsa, Italian cheese blend, macadamia nuts and cilantro, tossed in their homemade Hawaiian dressing. Talk about sensation flavors! They've really developed these amazingly fresh, fine tasting foods at Tony Roma's...they've been in business long enough to know how to get creative!

The third new item I tried was the Flat Iron Steak ($27.99), which is a special feature on the menu (it includes an iced-cold Carlsberg beer). Accurately described as an all-natural, lean flat iron steak topped with tangy sweet Katsu style steakhouse sauce, diced red onions, and red bell peppers, this is an excellent meal deal since the steak is so tasty and sizeable that you could swear you're getting a premium cut of beef for half the price!

I've got to give profs to the cooks here (I understand that one of them enhanced the recipe for the Katsu style sauce by giving it a little kick). They've got a winner – the diced red peppers and red onions really add a world of texture and taste to this creation. I don't think people really appreciate the finer points of the grain and flavor of flat iron steaks. At Tony Roma's, you'll definitely have that opportunity!

My final item to try on a separate visit was one of Tony Roma' new burger creations, the Steakhouse Burger ($11.49), which the menu describes as a burger topped with Cabernet-Demi glace, creamy Havarti cheese, and rosemary bacon. Yes, you read it right, "rosemary bacon!"

What a novel idea! When I saw the rosemary sprigs on the bacon strips I was intrigued. Put a piece in your mouth and you're sold. Tony Roma's burgers are all natural 100 percent sirloin, and they are grilled to your liking and served with fries, lettuce, tomato, red onion and a pickle (unless noted otherwise on the menu). Another new burger is the Cajun Onion Burger.

Others new to me are the Bistro Burger, Wild Mushroom Havarti Burger, and Sundried Bleu Cheese Burger! So many burgers, so little time! Guess we'll just have to keep on living our way through the menu, one bite at a time! Go to Tony Roma's for a feast of new flavors!

*Tony Roma's has a location in Hagatna.

Agana Shopping Center

S Route 4, Ste 133 & 134

Hagåtña, GU 96910

(671) 477-4071