Southwest Boulevard’s historic Latin strip is home to taquerias, tamale shops and Mexican markets – and they’re all preparing for tomorrow’s Cinco de Mayo. We’ve checked the weather (no rain!) and done the hard work for you. Here are 5 spots you can grab a margarita on a patio to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
If you’re looking to do a margarita tour like we did, begin underneath the i-35 highway in the Crossroads at La Bodega and head Westward. Salud!
La Bodega
Okay, not a Mexican restaurant but Latin nonetheless. La Bodega, a Spanish tapas restaurant, has one of the best patios along the boulevard with plenty of seating and shade. You won’t find a margarita on their menu but they’ll make one if you order it. It’s a classic house margarita with a salt rim.
Tacos El Gallo
Come for the margarita, stay for the food. At least, this is my motto when it comes to Tacos El Gallo. The margarita is premade and served without the works (no option for sugar, salt or tajin), but pair it with some of the restaurant’s fried tacos on the patio, you’ll be plenty satisfied.
El Pueblito
You’ll find a margarita happy hour here with an entire menu dedicated to the drink. If you’re looking to do it big, this is the spot. The large marg is strong, and sure, you can order it with the classic salt or sugar rim, but you can also order it with tajin and chamoy for an extra kick.
Lilly’s Cantina
This small Mexican joint should not be forgotten along your margarita tour. Its interior is small with a cute patio to match but make no mistake – they have a full bar. Order the Mexican peach margarita. It’s an easy sipper with mango flavoring and a rim of tajin (although salt would pair well with it as well).
Ponak’s
It’s not a Southwest Boulevard margarita crawl without a stop at Ponak’s. Loved for its no-frills approach to Mexican food, the colorful restaurant boasts a large patio. You can get the house margarita frozen or on the rocks. Along our tour, it was (without a doubt) the strongest marg we had. Head here if you want to get right to business.
El Patron
Directly across from Ponaks is El Patron. Check in with the host, then head upstairs to dine on the rooftop (it’s not the greatest view in the city but, hey, drinking and dining at elevation makes for a good time no matter where you are).
Out of all the margaritas we tried along our tour, El Patron’s cucumber was one of our favorites. Not too sweet, great consistency and a little bit of everything – refreshing and spicy with just a hint of sweetness. There’s a whole menu to choose from however, so the sky’s the limit.
