Margaritas
Seeking a good margarita at home and on the road
On the road, from New Orleans to Chicago, at Walt Disney World, and even in Flagstaff, I’ve sought out and savored many a margarita. If I had the choice, and if I weren’t trying to accomplish anything productive today, I’d be sharing one with you right now. (Honestly, what are you up to at this moment?)
A margarita is tequila, fresh-squeezed lime, and a few other ingredients that shift with the maker’s style and the spirit of the place serving it. Traditionally, it comes in a salt-rimmed glass with a slice of lime. I’m always on the lookout for a margarita that inspires joy, sparks a little love, and maybe even reveals something new about life.
The margarita haunts below are listed alphabetically. If you asked me to travel to my favorite spot, I’d point us either to Santa Fe in New Orleans or El Mariachi in Chicago. Here’s hoping our paths cross somewhere along the way. Cheers!
Bar Takito – Chicago IL
This spot sits just below a stop on Chicago’s Green Line, which is a blessing, because you definitely won’t want to drive. The margaritas go down almost too easily, even for this tequila pro. The taco options are delightfully unique, and the staff is always up to some mischief, dreaming up new, irresistibly tasty menu items. Recommended: House rocks
Bario – Minneapolis MN
I found myself in Minneapolis for interim ministry training. One Sunday morning, right after church, I went to eat brunch and check out the margaritas here. The salsas were exquisite. Recommended: The Trinity rocks
Casa Garcia - Kenner LA
The best place to watch a Saints game with a margarita in hand is at Casa Garcia. This place has been a staple of mine since I was a senior in high school. Eighteen was the legal drinking age way back when. I spent many nights after a shift at Marshall’s Department store at this wonderful place established by the Garcia family in 1984. And, as far as I am concerned, I have never had a better frozen margarita anywhere else. Recommended: House frozen
Chapala - Ann Arbor, MI
Downtown Ann Arbor is a relaxing but vibrant scene full of food, art, and fun. During a visit to hear Lilli Lewis at The Ark, I stopped in at Chapal to try their premium margaritas, all delicious. When I requested spicy, bartender Juan recommended house on the rocks, spicy. He was right! Recommended: House spicy
Chili Mac’s (closed) – Chicago IL
I cried on the evening Chili Mac’s closed, a fateful Friday evening, August 2012. This corner establishment featured incredible burgers, the best fries in Chicago, and dreamy blue frozen margaritas. Being a purist, I wasn’t much into the blue until I walked into this place on one hot Chicago afternoon. I tasted the Blue Frozen Margarita, and it was love at first taste. I know you will find it hard to believe, but I have corrupted many others at this festive place with a lot of heart. After 21 years of faithful service to the people of Lake View and the Greater Chicago area, the landlord upped the rent, so Chili Mac’s lost their lease. The lack of loyalty to neighborhood institutions breaks my heart. Makes me want to have a frozen blue. A guy can dream, right? Dreaming about: Blue frozen
Chuy’s – Norman OK
I had the pleasure of drinking a margarita here while on the trail of terror in September 2012. I was between Oklahoma City and Waco, staying overnight in Norman. I entered Chuy’s just after the lunch rush on a Wednesday afternoon. I was alone. I ate lunch at the bar. Once the bartender found out I was always searching for the perfect margarita, we started a conversation about how they do things at Chuy’s. Lime’s are freshly squeezed daily and are the basis of all margarita drinks. I had a rocks, frozen, and a martini with jalapeno-infused tequila. Recommended: Texas Martini
Criolla Latin Kitchen – Flagstaff, AZ
I had attended Credo 219, a weekend of discernment for Episcopal priests. I found myself in Flagstaff, waiting for the Amtrak to take me home to Chicago. It was here that I had my first taste of infused tequila. What a mistake. I had to have three margaritas to ensure a drink like this was up to snuff. I guess it was. I walked back to the Hotel Monte Vista, pretty happy and unafraid of the establishment’s reported ghost residents.
Dallas BBQ – New York NY
We were broke while I was studying at General Seminary in New York City. Cheap margaritas were in order. I know this may shock your sensibilities (from the people who brought us Friends of Bill), but occasionally (OK, more than occasionally), we would celebrate completing the latest quiz from Fr. Wright by walking over and having a margarita here. The food cheap. The atmosphere loud. The margaritas in the budget. At least we could afford a sugar high. Recommended: Well, how broke are you
El Agave – Bellingham WA
If you find yourself doing an EfM training this close to Canada, El Agave was recommended by the locals as having the best margarita. It fits the bill on a cold and rainy night. Standard mix with a generous pour. Recommended: House rocks
El Maguey - Bowling Green KY
When I travel from Sewanee back home to Chicago, I sometimes choose to drive down the mountain after a full workday. Bowling Green, Kentucky lands me about three hours down the road and comfortably past Nashville—an ideal stopping point. This place had stellar Yelp reviews, so I decided to give it a try. Not only was the food genuinely delicious, but the margaritas were made with fresh ingredients, and they were truly outstanding. Recommended: Spicy Margarita rocks
El Mariachi – Chicago IL
This is the first restaurant I dined in when I landed in Chicago in June 2004. It is still one of my favorites. The food is excellent, the staff is wonderful, and many of us have met many new friends here. There are two on Broadway – little El Mariachi, which is right around the corner from my house, and big El Mariachi, just south of Irving Park. Little is small and cozy. Big is bigger, has a bar, and an incredible patio, quite lovely when the Chicago weather cooperates. The chips and salsa are out of this world. The sipping tequila with sangrita helps pass the time. My favorite dish is the Pollo Ranchera. Recommended: House premium rocks
El Salto – Columbia SC
Happy hour enticed my friends and me to this friendly establishment in the heart of South Carolina's capitol. After a Yelp search for the best margaritas in Columbia, this place popped up. Obviously, they have put a lot of work into their menu, which yielded several tasty entrees. We loved the food. The margaritas, not so much. Currently, El Salto receives the prize for the worst margaritas on my margarita quest journey. But I am still alive! No recommendation. (Enjoy the food!)
Fiesta Grill - Cowan TN
Many Mexican restaurants around the University of the South serve margaritas, but I’m sad to say that many rely on mixes rather than fresh ingredients. Those mixes are usually overloaded with sugar and additives that drown out the tequila rather than elevate it. While working with the EfM program, I’ve eaten at Fiesta Grill more times than I can count. Their Diablo Shrimp is something I crave whenever I’m away. I still can’t fully figure out their margarita. Still, I’ve learned that ordering the house spicy margarita on the rocks with salt can be a surprisingly satisfying oasis in a landscape dominated by overly sweet, mix-heavy drinks. Recommended: House spicy, on the rocks with salt.
Flaco’s Tacos - Chicago IL
The best $3 frozen margarita (Margarita Mondays) on the planet. Flacos is right under the "el" in Edgewater, although there are several locations in Chicago. I'm a traditional lime guy, but they have flavors created by syrup that they mix in. The food is good, and the staff is friendly. Recommended: Frozen traditional
Guanajuato - Glencoe IL
Right down the road from St. Elisabeth’s, you may drive right by this place and not see it hidden there on the side of the road beckoning you to come in. You will be glad you did! Their blackened tilapia fajitas or the salmon fajitas are served with delicious marinated vegetables. Recommended: House rocks
Las Mananitas - Chicago IL
I used to live way too close to this Boystown favorite. And thank God I did. Driving is not recommended after tasting their house margaritas. They go down way too easily, and, on a beautiful day, one can lose track of time. I crave their Pescado a la Veracruzana; the staff is always friendly and attentive. Recommended: House rocks
Las Margaritas - Winchester TN
Once I became executive director of Education for Ministry in Sewanee, Tennessee, I began looking for a funky place with a good margarita. This is it. The menu is extensive. The staff is friendly, kind, and accommodating. And there is an overwhelming combination of margaritas available. Recommended: Spicy margarita on the rocks with salt
Lucha Cantina - Rockford IL
While in Rockford for Chicago’s Diocesan Convention, I sought out the best margarita in town. I discovered Lucha with a simple web search. The Rio Grand Bowl with chicken, paired with salsas from their sampler, was simply delicious. Recommend: The Natural
On the Border - Lake Buena Vista FL
I stumbled into this place after a full day at The Magic Kingdom—a day that nearly sent me to meet my maker. It was late, I was exhausted, and even Grumpy didn’t have anything on me. Luckily, it was late-night Happy Hour, so I went for the $3 margarita special on the rocks. I wasn’t expecting much from a $3 margarita, but I was pleasantly surprised: a basic house drink with a sour mix that wasn’t as sugary as a Fanta. Feeling revived, I upgraded to The Perfect Patrón. Shaken to order, it was delicious and completely satisfying. The bartender was friendly and attentive, the perfect end to a long Disney day. Recommended: The Perfect Patron
Revolucion – Chicago IL (closed)
Revolución was a Mexican steakhouse run by the same family behind El Mariachi. A neighborhood favorite, it offered great steaks at dinner and excellent hamburgers at lunch. My favorite chile relleno in all of Chicago came from Revolución—it was baked rather than fried, allowing every ingredient to shine. Recommended: Revolucion House
Santa Fe – New Orleans LA
If I’m home in New Orleans and the weather is beautiful, there’s a good chance you’ll find me here—sitting outside, soaking up the breeze, and watching the world drift by. This beloved New Orleans haunt lived initially in the Marigny before moving to its current spot on Esplanade, right by the racetrack where the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival comes alive each year. German chef Mark Hollger and his wife, Wendy, first opened Santa Fe at 801 Frenchmen. I lived just around the corner, which meant easy walks to what quickly became my go-to spot for outstanding margaritas and unforgettable Southwestern dishes. After Katrina, Hollger’s vision passed to new owners, who moved the restaurant closer to City Park—and they’ve done a remarkable job keeping the spirit, flavor, and warmth of the original alive. The hospitality here is exceptional, the welcome genuine, and the experience consistently top-notch. Highly, wholeheartedly recommended. Recommended: House rocks
Shenanigans - Sewanee TN
I live near the goats and horses at the University of the South, but across campus—“in town”—you’ll find Shenanigans, a beloved spot for students and alumni alike. They serve classic, delicious bar food in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. There are beers on tap, of course, but one day I noticed a chalkboard sign claiming they served margaritas. Curious, I asked the woman at the counter if that was really true. She said yes, though she needed to check whether they still had the mix. A moment later, she returned—not with a mix, but with the news that they make their margaritas from scratch. That was an excellent sign. I ordered one immediately. When I asked what was in it, she told me it was a secret recipe—and if she revealed it, she’d have to kill me. So was it worth the risk? Absolutely. It was, hands down, the best margarita I’ve had in Tennessee. I even ordered a second one… strictly for confirmation. Recommended: House, rocks with salt
Su Casa – Chicago IL
This place is located near St. James Cathedral in downtown Chicago. Whenever the Dean and I were off the clock and not driving, the margarita here could not be beaten. The food is nothing to write home about, but the margaritas on the rocks beat the heat just off Michigan Avenue. Recommended: Tres rocks
Walt Disney World – Orlando FL
There are excellent margaritas to be had at Disney’s World. The first margarita I had on the Disney property was at Epcot, San Angel’s Cafe (now called Choza de Margarita). It has been significantly upgraded into a fine-dining establishment called La Hacienda de San Angel. The same company operates the bar and food pavilions at the Walt Disney World Resort Coronado Springs. The margaritas on the rocks and the friendly service make it way too easy to have a good time here. Back at Epcot, La Cava del Tequila is the newest addition to the Mexico Pavilion. It celebrates the heritage and tradition of tequila-making in Mexico.
Add your reviews in the comments and help all of us on the margarita quest journey.
