70862 Thu Jun 30 11:36:41 -0700 2005 37 2 Los Angeles Area 0 387670 While I realize the best margaritas must start with quality tequila, who locally has the best tasting margaritas, both lime-based, but other flavorings as well? Strawberry ones have been overdone, but would love to try some other exotic concoctions. And wine based ones need not apply. Thu Jun 30 11:36:41 -0700 2005 0 carter 1 387675 had a blackberry margarita the other night at The Hungry Cat. Very good. Thu Jun 30 12:11:34 -0700 2005 387670 0 dsdsd 1 387677 Definitely, definitely, DEFINITELY El Carmen on Third Street, near Crescent Heights. I'm not sure if they make froo-froo fruity concoctions, but the straight up Perfect Margarita on the rocks is just that - my absolute fav in the city. They also have THE best tortilla chips, and all that with a Mexican wrestling theme. Yes, HEAVEN! :) Thu Jun 30 12:12:45 -0700 2005 387670 0 poetkitty 1 387688 El Cholo has pretty good margaritas, don't laugh BUT applebee's has a "perfect margarita" served like a martini with a green olive, very YUMMY. Thu Jun 30 12:45:15 -0700 2005 387670 0 Loree 1 387701 La Fiesta Grande on Colorado in Pasadena. Best margarita I have ever had. Thu Jun 30 12:58:25 -0700 2005 387670 0 WildSwede 2 387710 I agree, and excellent food as well. Unfortunately our allergic reaction to mariachis prevents our going back... pity. Thu Jun 30 13:17:30 -0700 2005 387701 0 Will Owen 3 387724 Agree. I cannot tolerate them either! Was there marg the regular kind, or a flavored version? Thu Jun 30 13:32:44 -0700 2005 387710 0 carter 4 387746 They have regualr as well as flavored. I only get the "margaritas on the rocks with salt" - usually a double, but have been with some on occasion who get the "fruity" versions and they like them very well. Thu Jun 30 14:18:14 -0700 2005 387724 0 WildSwede 3 387745 I don't think they are there every night - I remember noticing them mostly on Fridays and weekends. It is sad that the mariachis keep you from enjoying their fabulous margaritas and food. I would give them a call to see what the schedule is... also another trick is that I usually sit in the room straight off of the bar, not the room that has the entrance off Colorado. When they are there, I do not notice them in that room as much. Thu Jun 30 14:16:47 -0700 2005 387710 0 WildSwede 4 387759 We and a friend went there after a movie at the Laemmle Playhouse. I enjoyed the food immensely, but the women were so annoyed by the music that they were ready to leave mid-meal. And unfortunately weekends is about the only time we're likely to go. Just muting the music enough to allow conversation would be adequate, and your tip about the side room sounds like a good solution. Thank you. Do you know about the other LFG in South Pas? Thu Jun 30 14:59:06 -0700 2005 387745 0 Will Owen 5 387768 I have not been since the Colorado location is close to home - however, I believe (not positive, though) that they do not have a full bar (another reason I have never been) and one of my friends who I go to LFG with says the food is not as good. Do not know if they have the mariachis. They also own Sol Y Azul in old town (which I have not trid, but would like to). Thu Jun 30 15:49:43 -0700 2005 387759 0 WildSwede 6 387772 I think you're right about the bar (we went just once, for a midafternoon late lunch), but we loved the food. Sol Y Azul has gotten distinctly mixed reviews, and our one excursion there didn't get us all fired up to go back...got there too late for food (at what would have been mid-evening back in Nashville!), and sat around admiring the decor and reading the pricey menu for a while before moseying on. Might be a good margarita stop, though. Thu Jun 30 16:09:56 -0700 2005 387768 0 Will Owen 7 387795 Good to know. Thanks. I am pretty sure that LFG on Colorado uses Montezuma Tequila in their margaritas (at least that is what Lorenzo has told me when he brings me shots of it!!). ;-) Thu Jun 30 17:28:49 -0700 2005 387772 0 WildSwede 7 387923 I like the room at Sol y Azul a lot, but the negative reviews here have kept me from doing more than poking my head in. BTW, in several trips to Nashville over the last two years, I've thought the town rolls up the sidewalks really early -- what am I missing that the locals are hiding from the visitors? Fri Jul 01 00:03:21 -0700 2005 387772 0 Tom 5 387906 La Fiesta Grande in South Pas does not have a full liquor license and so they serve wine margaritas, which aren't very good. But the food is good and there are no mariachis. Thu Jun 30 21:52:05 -0700 2005 387759 0 Key Lime Guy 1 387713 Had a fantastic Banana Margarita at Toppers Happy Hour a while back in Santa Monica. Food sucked, but the margarita was good. Thu Jun 30 13:20:39 -0700 2005 387670 0 Xericx 2 387728 Very intriguing sounding. Any guess on the ingredients beyond the banana and tequila? Thu Jun 30 13:33:36 -0700 2005 387713 0 carter 3 387733 I think just the banana Liquor. It was sweet and troipical-tasting....I'm by no means a margarita expert, but I'm trying to learn! A few weeks ago, I went to Mesa Grill in Vegas and had some AWESOME margaritas (White Peach and a Cactus Pear), which I'm trying to find similar versions here in LA. Thu Jun 30 13:39:16 -0700 2005 387728 0 Xericx 1 387726 Though I love Margaritas and find drinkable ones, even good ones, at many place...the best you'll find are the ones you make at home. Fill up your shaker with ice. 2 shots of tequila, 1 shot of orange liquer (grand marnier, triple sec, etc), juice of 1 fat lime, some simple syrup if you like it a tad bit sweet (i don't), shake the heck out of it, and pour into a salt rimmed martini glass. The best ever. And hopefully 'The Chowhound Team' will see this and delete. Thu Jun 30 13:33:11 -0700 2005 387670 0 torville 2 387747 ...not before i print it and save!! I will be using the receipe for a party I am having in August! Thanks! Thu Jun 30 14:23:38 -0700 2005 387726 0 WildSwede 3 387880 For the record, my recipe for best margarita is 3 parts tequila 1 part lime juice and 1 part Cointreau. Mix it as you like (either on the rocks or blended) and serve it with or without a salted lip. The only place I have ever seen it served in similar fashion (i.e. without crappy Margarita Mix or sweet and sour mix) is at the Border Grill in Santa Monica. Thu Jun 30 20:30:18 -0700 2005 387747 0 Bob Brooks 4 387975 Thanks! On the rocks, with salt!! You rock! ;-) Fri Jul 01 12:30:43 -0700 2005 387880 0 WildSwede 1 387727 I would agree with the El Carmen rec, and the El Cholo one, though wouldn't necessarily expect great food at either. (Mostly bar food @ El Carmen anyway.) Also, I'm not sure I agree that better tequila makes a better margarita. In my experience, the smoothness of the expensive sipping tequilas is lost against the other ingredients in a margarita, while the harshness of a cheaper tequila provides contrast with the otherwise cloying sweetness. Most places, certainly El Carmen, will be prepared to make you a margarita with a top shelf booze -- try it and see what you think. I've always been disappointed, both in the result and the cost. Thu Jun 30 13:33:29 -0700 2005 387670 0 Tom 2 387731 I like silver tequila or reposado, as I feel the gold and definitely the 100% agave ones are too sweet or just a waste of money. Thu Jun 30 13:36:15 -0700 2005 387727 0 carter 3 387760 Someone left a bottle (full!!) of reposado after a party at our house, and I made REALLY good margs with it. Tequila flavor punched right through the other stuff, but in a very good way. I agree - no more Cuervo Gold for me. Thu Jun 30 15:04:17 -0700 2005 387731 0 Will Owen 1 387732 I had a fantastic grapefruit margarita a couple years ago at Vert. Not sure they still do it, and have never seen one anywhere else, but it was fab. Thu Jun 30 13:37:11 -0700 2005 387670 0 jnovgirl 1 387775 i have to agree with tom - the high end, quality tequilas are not good for margaritas at all, though i am not a mixologist so have no clue why that is. not saying that the tequila should be white-label, black lettering generic "TEQUILA," but somewhere in the middle seems to work best. this seems to be the case for most liquors - if you're going to mix it with a bunch of other fruit sugary crap, then why waste something like grey goose on it? *did i digress?* anyway, in recent weeks, i have liked the margaritas at LULA on main street in santa monica. they are strong, and though i did not order any (i am sort of a plain juanita - tequila, lime, rocks, no salt), i saw large glass vats of infused tequilas against the back wall. the food is not authentic anything by any means, but it's good enough to go with the drinks (deep fried jalapenos ;) ), and the atmosphere has always been lively. Link: http://thedeliciouslife.blogspot.com/2005/05/never-waste-in-margaritaville-lula.html Thu Jun 30 16:12:09 -0700 2005 387670 0 the delicious life 1 387786 The mango ones available right now at Marix Tex Mex are very yummy, although the food there is not so good. Thu Jun 30 17:00:46 -0700 2005 387670 0 DB 1 387797 Granadas on Victory in Burbank. Regular on the rocks strong and consistently smooth for over ten years Thu Jun 30 17:32:24 -0700 2005 387670 0 bigdog 1 387822 I find that the triple sec or the Grand Marnier is the real problem. Both these liquors I find undrinkable and have never heard of anybody drinking them in anything but a margarita. Anybody know of anyplace that makes a margarita using something else? Or a better tequila drink alternative to a margarita. I've been trying tequila sunrises but they are always too sweet. Thu Jun 30 18:31:20 -0700 2005 387670 0 duckduckgoose 2 387852 In doing some more checking subsequent to my original request, I have found that tequila really can only stand up to Cointreau if an orange flavor is to be used, as the others, per your post, are just over the top sickly sweet. Tequila mixes well with almost any fruit juice, be it berry or citrus or others as well. Found a web site at tasteoftx.com/bev/margarita that listed all kinds. Maybe this is where some of the bartenders get their recipes, among many others. Want to try the Hungry Cat's blackberry one, and I hear white peach and lemon/ginger are also good. Thu Jun 30 19:31:31 -0700 2005 387822 0 carter 3 387997 Cointreau w/ just lime and tequila sounds perfect. Can't wait to try it. Fri Jul 01 14:20:44 -0700 2005 387852 0 duckduckgoose 2 387877 If you like tequila but not margaritas try the fruit-infused tequilas on the rocks at Malo on Sunset (Sunset Junction). I think I had a strawberry-pineapple infused tequila. My wife had a blueberry-pineapple one. The blueberry flavor was a little overpowering for my tastes, but mine had a nice strong tequila core. -Jon Malo, 4326 Sunset Boulevard, half a block east of Fountain Avenue Thu Jun 30 20:23:32 -0700 2005 387822 0 jonu 1 387970 Cabo Cantina 100 Main St./Ocean Ave., Newport Beach, CA Phone Number: 949-675-7750 This place is where the Studio Cafe used to be at the end of Main Street and start of the Balboa Pier. Great location on the boardwalk and overlooking the grassy/gazebo area just before the sandy area entering the beach. (BJ's Pizza is next door or so). They have their own special blend mix and use premium tequila. Kind of tastes like a Golden Maggie, but is much better. During their happy hour (even on weekends), the margaritas are two-for-the-price-of-one; however, the price for a margarita is about $8. They are worth it. Salt on the rim or not (oh, the glasses are plastic maggie glasses and very large), blended or iced > just ask. One margarita there is too much alchohol for me, so definitely take a friend. The little brunette bartender (sometimes food server) is a sweetheart and almost always perky and neighborly). If the food could be better than, say, Avilla's El Ranchito, I'd go there a lot more. The Mexican food is acceptable, nothing remarkable, and all served at your table in a to-go-like basket or plate, sometimes the thick melamine dishes (again, unbreakable). Mostly foods you can eat with your hands, but some other items; kind of gringo and even some commissary quality guac. The interior space is accommodating on two levels, a community table in the center of the second level and banquette seating and tables on wall side, high cocktail tables at windows side. They also have a separate room with a pool table and about 15 TVs all over the place. Kind of kitschy with the liquor promo banners and figures, beachy collections and thatched roofing in their rafters, and beach cruisers parked outside while the surfer's partake inside. Wide variety of ages and styles, some after to work visit in slacks and ties off, and some long-hairs in Hawaiian shirts and sandles keep their cellphones on the table while they intracately discuss life around the beach with their buddies. Girls wear all kinds of things from bikini tops to sundresses with glitter to slacks and tees. I kind of feel like taking a shower after being in there, though. Since they've closed Margaritaville, many people are going to Cabo Cantina instead. Many drink the beer from the bottle; lime in the Corona (and they have that new low carb beer, too). But their house margarita is the best in Orange County; a good stiff one that goes down smooth and kind of sweet, no biting, no dirty old flavors, just quality tequila. I rarely will order tequila anywhere or even indulge at home parties. Though in my years, I have tasted margaritas many times. I have not tasted a better one than at Cabo Cantina. I don't know if the make the fruit or other flavored maggies. Just wish the place was a little less kitschy, but that's not my call, huh. The house margaritas are the best anywhere, IMO. Fri Jul 01 12:08:55 -0700 2005 387670 0 kc girl 2 387978 They also have Cabo Cantinas in West Los Angeles at 11825 Wilshire and Sunset Cantina at 8301 Sunset in West Hwd., yet both are so packed that patience is truly required to even taste one. The Zampellis truly have a good thing going! Fri Jul 01 12:38:03 -0700 2005 387970 0 carter 1 388034 I can't beleive no one listed Pacos Tacos! Awesome blended margaritas served in a caraf (they must have regular ones on the rocks, too). These margharitas are all made from scratch, with fresh fruit as well. The food is awesome too! Flour and corn tortillas made in-house right before your eyes. I wrap my food in their hot flour tortillas and I'm in heaven! Super quality mexiacan food and delicious margharitas with a nice view of 2 tropical fish tanks. Careful... even though the margharitas taste so good, they dont mess around! Be warned, people pile out the door waiting to be seated. Sometimes 45 min wait. Go before 6 otherwise it gets packed. (The mexican restaurant in Jerry Maguire) Fri Jul 01 16:30:56 -0700 2005 387670 0 justified 2 388074 Which Pacos? Fri Jul 01 19:00:22 -0700 2005 388034 0 WildSwede 2 388109 I'm referring to the Pacos Tacos in Mar Vista on Centinela Blvd. Fri Jul 01 20:51:59 -0700 2005 388034 0 justified