Margarita is so much more than a girls name. Mention the word, and you can conjure up images of a refreshing drink that combines sweet, salty, sour and bitter. While the longterm benefits of drinking margaritas have yet to be discovered (I remain hopeful), the lovers of this Mexican classic know there is a right and a wrong way to make one. Check out a few of my favorite places to enjoy the drink, and celebrate National Margarita Day on February 22nd by toasting one of Mexico's greatest exports.
1. Big Star
Big Star is one of my favorite places in Chicago, not only for their food selection (their fish tacos are the titts) but also for their margaritas. The classic is delightful, but the addition of Vida Mezcal in their Big Star Margarita takes the drink to a whole new level. I have shared many a pitcher on their lovely outdoor patio in the summer, which pair perfectly with the food.
Big Star: 1531 N Damen
2. Cesar's
Famous for their ‘killer margaritas,' Cesar's does not mess around when it comes to the drink. I have indulged in their killer margs more than once, and always find them delicious. You can enjoy their oversize margs in many fruity flavors like lime, strawberry, raspberry, mango, guava, peach, tamarindo, and banana. They even have a blue curaçao flavor which is very… blue. In addition to the many fruit options, Cesar's also features a seasonal drink, currently orange-passion pommarita.
Cesar's: 3166 N Clark (Wrigleyville), 2924 N Broadway (Lakeview)
3. El Cid
Located in Logan Square right across from the Blue Line stop on the L, El Cid's margaritas are the best in the neighborhood. Their famous margaritas come in the classic lime flavor, but can also can be ordered in the fruit flavors of strawberry, raspberry, mango, or tamarindo. My suggestion? Come with a group and share a pitcher. In the summertime, you can frequently catch me on their back patio enjoying the warm nights and delicious margs.
El Cid: 2645 N Kedzie
4. Taco Joint
What makes the margaritas at Taco Joint special, I have found, are the variety of flavors to choose from as well as the fresh ingredients from which they are made. Try the Taco Joint Margarita, an instant classic, or spice it up with their Chile Mango marg. For those partial to a fruity flavor, Taco Joint has you covered with several choices: guava, mango-passion, coconut-lime, pineapple-blood orange, strawberry-hibicus, or grapefruit. For a truly authentic experience, order the Made in Mexico Margarita and travel to a warmer place, if only for the time it takes for you to finish your drink.
Taco Joint: 1969 N Halsted (Lincoln Park), 158 W Ontario (River North)
5. Del Toro
Del Toro, a tequila bar located in Pilsen, has some of the most delicious cocktails I have ever tasted. Their signature margaritas feature their house tequila and come in many interesting flavors. My favorite is the Berry Jalapeño, which mixes several fruits and jalapeño syrup for a spicy sweet combo that is simply wonderful. Another unique margarita flavor they offer is the Abuelita, made with abuelita chocolate syrup and rumchata. Del Toro also features a seasonal menu of margaritas with flavors like mandarin and melon. Have a brand of tequila you love? Let the bar tenders know and they can create your own custom margarita.
Del Toro: 2133 S Halsted
What are your favorite margarita spots in Chicago? Share in the comments below!