It’s that time of the year again; you know, when you celebrate a holiday for no other good reason except to get your drink on! We’re talking about Cinco de Mayo, and in Southern California you can find a good margarita just about anywhere. It’s the great ones that might take some serious bar-hunting to find, and luckily for you, we’re willing to do the leg work.
El Agave (San Diego)
This upscale Mexican restaurant takes “you get what you paid for” to a new level: At El Agave, there is no holding back from the best of the best when it comes to serving up memorable margaritas. When the house utilizes the restaurant’s own tequila – and can call itself a tequileria – you know they’ve got to be doing something right. By the way, their food is outstanding too.
2304 San Diego Ave. #B
San Diego, Calif. 92110
(619) 220-0692
Baja Betty’s (San Diego)
If you’re looking to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a group and want that epic margarita to set the tone for the night, look no further than The F’ugly Betty. Serving as many as five people, the gigantic cocktail is served with a test tube of tequila and topped off with Pacifico Mexican beer. Although for casual drinking—stick to the house margaritas.
1421 University Ave.
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 269-8510
Border Gril (Los Angeles)
Ironically, it was in French restaurants where Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger first tasted authentic Latin flavors. While guests were dining on escargot out front, in the back of the house Mary Sue and Susan were discovering the home cooking of Oaxaca and the Yucatan at staff meals prepared by their fellow cooks from Mexico.
Fortunately for Margarita lovers, Mary Sue and Susan also have an appreciation for the drink side of the menu and have used their culinary expertise to craft several margaritas that can hold their own. If you only have the tolerance for a couple though, try both the Blanco Margarita (classic) and the Cucumber Jalapeño which is sweet, spicy and refreshing.
445 S Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90071
1445 4th St
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Gilbert’s El Indio Restaurant (Los Angeles)
“Great Mexican Food and Great Margaritas” is their slogan, and fittingly so. Priced under $6 each, you can’t go wrong – especially when the margaritas offer as much bang for your buck as you’ll get anywhere in L.A. Each drink is made to order and is well-balanced between sweet, tart and salty; just the way it ought to be.
2526 Pico Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 450-8057
Red O (Los Angeles)
From celebrity chef Rick Bayless, West Hollywood’s Red O restaurant offers some of the finest Mexican food in LA with a unique combination of prime steaks and seafood using authentic Mexican sauces (with ingredients that are primarily sourced from local farms). The drinks are no slouches either. Aside from tasty cocktails, they offer a great selection of margaritas, including their “Organic Skinny Margarita,” that is served on the rocks and includes Sauza Tres Generaciones Organic Blanco Tequila, fresh lime, organic agave nectar, as well as the favorite “Red O Margarita,” with Cabo Wabo Blanco Tequila, JDK & Sons O3 Orange Liqueur and house-made limonada.
8155 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90046
143 Newport Center Dr
Newport Beach, CA 92660
