Good margarita in the area? Is there no tequila anymore?
Posted by rockclimbermx@reddit | plano | View on Reddit | 109 comments
Hi all......my wife and I have become quite disappointed in the margarita quality in the whole Dallas area. We've lived in the area (Dallas, Richardson, Allen) for 35+ years. If I order a margarita....even a basic house margarita...I should taste a hint of tequila, even if it is cheap tequila, but lately it seems like most restaurants are serving the equivalent of 7-11 lime slushies with almost no alcohol. I had a Chuy's Grande margarita a few weeks ago and walked out with zero buzz....nada, nothing. FYI, a Grande is served in 16 oz glass, which should have at least 1.5-2 shots of tequila in it, and you will feel it. I appreciate the flavor of a good margarita, but part of that taste is tequila. Lately, the only place we've gotten a good honest house margarita is Gloria's.
Mysterious_Help_1657@reddit
Now I'm going to drop a hidden gem. Go to Gloria's and order a tall frozen GGM. You'll only need one. You'll think you'll want another one, and that will be your mistake. 😅
Freejak33@reddit
you can always order a shot with your marg and throw that in the mix.
rockclimbermx@reddit (OP)
True, and I've done that, but that $5 marg just became $12+.....so might as well start with a higher end margarita to start. Or in the case of Salsa Tex Mex, I added a Don Julio shot....they charged me $16 just for the shot!!!
Freejak33@reddit
thats club prices but don julio is expensive. i wouldnt expect much for 5$ though other than some bad well tequila out of a plastic bottle.
drinks are stupidly expensive these days i work in expensive bars but even dive bars get pricey on tequila. i can still find 5$ beers but decent tequila is always about 8-10 and good tequila is 10-12$ even at dive bars.
i
TrishBee423@reddit
Happy hour $5 margaritas at Love & War in Texas are great and pretty strong . I’m a light weight so half of one gets me feeling good.
rockclimbermx@reddit (OP)
Good to know...haven't been there in a while!
majiktodo@reddit
I enjoy Señor Locos margaritas! Plenty of tequila.
heacolpi@reddit
Casa Mama never fails to give Hubs and I a good buzz. And we just get a classic house margarita on the rocks.
Pristine-Counter-461@reddit
Blue Goose cantina in McKinney has good margaritas. They’re all about $8 tho I always get on the rocks
cjcrashoveride@reddit
Vidorra has the best margs I've ever had and you can ever get them in a flight!
iwantapetbear@reddit
GLOOOOOOOOORIAA’s
roadsidegunfight@reddit
Javier’s
telecombaby@reddit
I really like the one at the urban crust roof top bar. 38 degrees I believe. It’s not a Mexican restaurant but I swear it’s a great frozen margarita
rockclimbermx@reddit (OP)
Cool...haven't had one there...always a beer. I'll give it a shot!
telecombaby@reddit
Yea it’s fairly cheap too.
We probably have some mutual acquaintances.. I’m out of telecom now tho and moved into data center.
rockclimbermx@reddit (OP)
Probably so....and yeah, I moved into all sorts of stuff (data center/cloud, fiber optics, wifi/5g/wireless, etc). Lots of companies and different jobs...gotta stay moving in this industry. I retired 8 years ago.
telecombaby@reddit
Oh that sounds all too familiar..
Anyways I hope you’re enjoying retirement! I still have a few years ago so please enjoy some daytime margs for us still in the grind
Howard_Cosine@reddit
You're going to the wrong places lol. Mi Cocina's margaritas will knock you on your ass if you're not careful, just to name one.
rockclimbermx@reddit (OP)
We used to go there for the Mambo Taxis, all you needed was one. Not so much anymore.
texan-yankee@reddit
I have not noticed a difference in mambo taxis....been drinking them for 20 years now i think! They are still the best margaritas in town to me....so many other places just taste so sweet.
Not sure where you are, but Mesa's in McKinney on Eldorado has a good house margarita too.
rickybobbyscrewchief@reddit
Mi Cocina's food is only so-so to this San Antonio native. But their mambo taxis still do the trick. I haven't noticed any drop off there, and just a few months ago 3 mambo taxis while day drinking was all it took to put me in full nap mode. I don't care if it's not terribly authentic or the latest high end craft whatever. A mambo taxi is still a winner winner tamale dinner after all these years.
Sanchastayswoke@reddit
How did you get 3? Their limit to serve is 2
your-pet-goldfish@reddit
I went to an event at Kyle Warren where mi cocina was at selling mambo taxis. I had five and had a great night lol
tj2286@reddit
They aren't what they used to be, but I'd still put them in the top 5 most reliably good. My go-to places Mi Cocina. Glorias, and Uncle Julios. There are little family owned places that'll surprise you, but the next week they'll be like water. That's why the chains are high on most people's list, they're consistent.
Lurcher99@reddit
Two mambo taxis is my limit.
Sanchastayswoke@reddit
Two mambo taxis is everyone’s limitÂ
tj2286@reddit
I know a guy who had 7 one night.
Thesinistral@reddit
Two mambo taxis and you will need to call one.
Howard_Cosine@reddit
I think it’s their limit to serve too!
HockeyBikeBeer@reddit
That used to be the case, but for the last few years, they've fallen off. More like lemon/lime slushies these days.
And for those suggesting the mambo taxi, that's an expensive specialty drink, and the OP specifically said house margarita.
tj2286@reddit
Their double barrel is still amazing. Try it next time.
JubileeSailr@reddit
The mojito I had at Mi Cocina was nice and boozy. Thank you, bartender.
bun_engine@reddit
Bajio Cocina and Bar off Jupiter has great margaritas and they have a great Thursday special on Ranch Waters...$5 all day
stamos4president@reddit
Senor Loco's. My wife and I still drive out from Wylie just for the margs. They still sell them in gallon jugs to go!
lathamb_98@reddit
Desperados on lovers and Greenville.
rockclimbermx@reddit (OP)
Desperados on Greenville.....our original date night spot 35 years ago!
boosted32vee@reddit
This right here, they also have a location in East Richardson on Cambell and Plano road. Ojedas on Park and Coit.
Mi Concinas food sux, but their margaritas are on point, Vaqueros BBQ in Allen, Bethany and 75 are in partnership with MiCo, so their $10.00 margaritas are worth every penny, the TexMex BBQ is legit as well.
rockclimbermx@reddit (OP)
Whoa, I forgot that Vaqueros created a location in Allen. And yeah, we've hit the Desperados in Richardson numerous times, and Ojedas also.
boosted32vee@reddit
Yup, I went to Tre's place in Grapevine numerous times.
Most places now give you watered-down drinks, more about making money than giving an overpoured drink. Though they are still charging a premium, that and they don't cut off the regular drunks, and those clowns are getting in their cars and killing people going the wrong way on highways.
Eh, I very rarely drink out, unless its a glass of wine, they can't water that down, lol.
jjmoreta@reddit
I believe Wednesdays are their margarita specials.
maddjointz@reddit
Come waaaay up North to Denison and a place called El Tapito - great margs and the jumbo is like 10 bucks
rockclimbermx@reddit (OP)
We get up there sometimes....I'll have to try it!
UsedValuable2013@reddit
I guess I’m a bit confused. Are you worried about a good cocktail or are you worried about getting hammered? It can be infrequent that the two cross paths in a public space but can be remedied when you DIY.
rockclimbermx@reddit (OP)
You should "feel" a good cocktail.....that's my point. Otherwise it has little to no alcohol in it and wasn't made correctly. Not looking to get hammered...those days are long behind me.
UsedValuable2013@reddit
That’s cool. We all have thoughts as to what we are trying to find. Best of luck to you. Personally, I’m a big fan of the New Mexican at Chuy’s. Also, Casa Mama will be more than happy to make a skinny with Mezcal.
rockclimbermx@reddit (OP)
We used to love the New Mexican! We love green chiles. But it has gotten weak (both in alcohol and spiciness). We don't order it anymore.
yesitsyourmom@reddit
You might have had a wine-based margarita if you had one at restaurant in Plano without a liquor license?
Thesinistral@reddit
That what I was thinking
PlanoTX_Resident@reddit
Headed to Salsa's now. Their Magarita's are strong but are made with cheap liquor.
rockclimbermx@reddit (OP)
I'm ok with cheap liquor in a marg.....kinda a waste to use the really high end stuff. I save that for shots at home (except I had a Don Julio shot brought to me at Salsa's one time, to add to my marg. They charged me $16!!!!!! I was so shocked. I still think they ripped me off.)
chaosad81@reddit
San Miguel’s in McKinney off of 380 has really good margaritas. My parents are there every Wednesday nights for margarita night
rockclimbermx@reddit (OP)
We go there every so often for lunch. It's ok.
hamlet_d@reddit
Alexander's margaritas at Alexander's on 15th. Get Bernardo to make it.
rockclimbermx@reddit (OP)
We went there once for lunch. They were ok.
Sanchastayswoke@reddit
La Hacienda Ranch or Marianos. They literally invented the frozen margaritaÂ
rockclimbermx@reddit (OP)
We've been going to La Hacienda since their beginning....but they've gotten too pricey (food and drinks) since Covid. Sad, because we love the place.
hango-mango@reddit
Blue goose cantina has a strong margarita and HH on Thursday.
to-mockakillingbird@reddit
Was actually shocked by the lack of blue goose comments!
Thick-Broccoli6986@reddit
Their Paloma is 🤌
Ok_Swimmer958@reddit
Casa del bros is surprisingly good with that tequila punch I know what your craving . I hate when it’s too sweet or to balanced when you don’t taste the tequila . They do a jug Togo for $14 . Food is good . Very casual place
Ok_Swimmer958@reddit
And Katy trail ice house !
blah_kesto@reddit
Best margarita is the Mr. Trey from Mesero
texanchris@reddit
Check out Don Pepe’s in far north Dallas (Arapaho and hillcrest)
et_the_geek@reddit
Las Flamas in Downtown Dallas has a good one.
ujimboslice@reddit
Me and the mrs go to Desperados in Richardson. She likes the mango margarita, Dos XX’S for me though…
Mattness7979@reddit
I dont do margs that often as most just taste lick sweet and sour mix. But I like the passion fruit ones at senior logos.
westtexasgeckochic@reddit
Julio’s house swirl
Be careful
altagato@reddit
Las Marias, Lita's and occasionally blue goose
Engagethedawn@reddit
Urban Rios. Ojedas. My backyard.
Those are my go tos for strong delicious Margs.
njordan1017@reddit
El Norte in Plano is great, $5 happy hour
reigntastic@reddit
Ojeda’s always has good margaritas, definitely not weak like you’re describing.
Farazod@reddit
Can confirm. Wife got ripped off two frozen compared to five elsewhere. Definitely had the right flavor too. Usually frozen are weaker than on the rocks but here they're balancing for the ice.
rickybobbyscrewchief@reddit
I really like Ojeda's molé enchiladas, too. Not a lot of great molé around.
Sunshark65@reddit
Ojeda's is the best
scooteristi@reddit
Señor Locos on Parker at 75 has strong margaritas.
jsadams1@reddit
Give El Noa Noa off 75 & Park a shot. Great drinks and awesome food. One of our very favorite Tex-Mex spots.
Cpt_Sassypants2903@reddit
Alejandro's off 15th and Custer makes them, strong, so does Blue Goose at Park and Preston, across from Studio Movie Grill and Kenny's PIzza.
val913@reddit
It's not the place it's how you're ordering. Never go for frozen unless Mi Cocina or Gloria's and even then it varies.
My suggestion is to always order a pint glass size, on the rocks, with salt, made with Patron Silver or Don Julio Silver, and a GrandMa or Cointreau floater.
Mynplus1throwaway@reddit
Casa Mama is pretty good. Try a top shelf they had a Grand Marnier floater.Â
Velvet Taco.Â
rockclimbermx@reddit (OP)
Velvet Taco....interesting. We'll have to try that. And yes, we've been to Casa Mama.
Mynplus1throwaway@reddit
I forgot Rusty Taco also
rickybobbyscrewchief@reddit
The wife and I ordered a round, then another. She decided she was good to go after barely sipping on her second, so that worked out well for me. In a couple of ways!
No_Lingonberry_1165@reddit
you trippin. Salsa tex Mex and Glorias is where its at!
rockclimbermx@reddit (OP)
Salsa Tex Mex is good, but their house marg doesn't have much tequila in it.
No_Lingonberry_1165@reddit
you just gotta get to know the wait staffðŸ¤
Puzzleheaded_Web6540@reddit
Gloria’s never fails
No_Lingonberry_1165@reddit
yes! the meltdown is my fav!!
im_in_your_closet@reddit
I like Salsa's food as much as the next person, but their house margarita is not even good -- tastes way too much like a cheap mix. If you go top-shelf it is good.
Extra_Chz_Plz@reddit
Salsa Tex Mex FTW!!! However, I get the skinny marg- it’s always SO strong! Haven’t had their house in forever.
Foundrynut@reddit
How are the ones at Beto and Sons at Trinity Groves? The make them table side with liquid nitrogen. Impressive show. But are they good?
MisunderstoodPenguin@reddit
i really like velvet tacos but they’re pricey
Cloudy_Automation@reddit
They must have listened, they dropped the price to $5 all summer
rockclimbermx@reddit (OP)
Cool...I just checked...yup, Kick Ass marg is $5 (limited time only). We'll have to try it!
MisunderstoodPenguin@reddit
reeheeheeheeeeeaaalllyyyyy
daschle04@reddit
Strangely, the best margaritas (IMO)are Fish City's house margaritas and OliveGarden's Italian Margarita.
xavier19691@reddit
Glorias Margaritas as legit
yeahimcason@reddit
Pappasito’s Reserva
CallMePickle@reddit
Salsas or Casa Mama or Gloria's if I'm feeling pricy.
rockclimbermx@reddit (OP)
Yeah, that's the thing about Gloria's.....their house marg is great, but $12 (and never a happy hour).
squeadunk@reddit
Salsa tex mex or meso maya
rockclimbermx@reddit (OP)
Yes...Salsa Tex Mex is a regular of ours....but still not great on the tequila content. I had a Don Julio shot added and they charged me $16/shot. Crazy.
North_Maybe1998@reddit
Stop getting frozen
WereBot@reddit
Best margarita in Plano is La Verdadera at Urban Rio on 14th.
Incognito118@reddit
Gloria's is solid. 👌
Howard_Cosine@reddit
Second this. Gloria's has kicked my ass more than once.
Snoo_72467@reddit
Casa Mia off 121 and Josey. Get the repasado perfecto
Consistent_Monk_4018@reddit
Mena’s on Campbell east of 75.
Trolater@reddit
SangrÃa Y Cerveza in West Plano goes hard with the tequila.
ChemicalChipmunk4171@reddit
Austin Avenue sports bar in Plano has some strong ones, I think they're on special all day Tuesdays. Last time I got the frozen with a mango swirl in it, it was good