Güero’s
1412 S. Congress
447-7688
Aug 2, 7pm
(all times approximate)
Low End
“Rita” ($4.25)Superb. Not only can you get a great margarita at a fair price, you can specify one of eight premium tequilas at this price (we prefer Herradura Silver). Perfectly balanced between lime and liquor. MM Pack: “Buzz material.”
Frozen
“Frita” ($4.25)Very good. At most restaurants, this would be a winner. At Güero’s, it is second choice (unless you are just desperate for an icy margarita), simply because everything else is near perfection.
High End
“The Purest” ($6)“El Magnifico” ($6)
“The Don” ($6)
“Screamin’ Rita” ($5.25)
“Hornitos Perfecto” ($4.75)
“The Ultimate” ($5.25)
All superb. The main difference between the drinks above is the type of tequila used. We had every one of them and not one was less than wonderful.
Mama Ninfa’s
612 W. Sixth
476-0612
Jul 26, 8pm
Low End
“Ninfarita” ($5.95)Very good. Made with Ninfa’s own mix. Just a little over-sweet, but well-balanced and very easy to drink.
Frozen
“Frozen Ninfarita” ($5.95)Superb. Balance is just right. Strong. Let it melt just a little before you taste it, which allows the fruitiness to come on stronger. Unanimously enjoyed by the group.
“La Perfecta” ($6.50)
Very good to superb. Good tequila flavor, not too sweet or too tart. Powerful alcohol. Wes: “One of the best.”
High End
Z’Tejas
1110 W. Sixth
346-3506
Aug 9, 5:30pm
Low End
“Famous House Margarita” ($4.75)Very good. Tastes like it has some orange juice added.
Frozen
“Famous House Margarita” ($4.75)Very good. Remarkably smooth and well-balanced. Doesn’t appear to use a prepackaged mix. Served in a proper glass. For $1.50 extra, get some fruit-infused Patrón floating on top. Emily says “scrumptious.”
High End
“Z-Tini” ($6.75)Superb. Just a slight bit too much sugar, but still refreshing, not syrupy. Wes loves it.
“Topshelf” ($6)
Average. Rather than squeezing their own limes, they buy Goodflow lime juice and add a little sugar.
“Perfecta” ($6.75)
Very good. Paul feels this is well-crafted, but would prefer a non-anejo tequila, feeling it lends a vegetal taste. This drink is heavy on the orange.
Maudie’s
2608 W. Seventh
473-3740
July 26, 9pm
Low End
“House Margarita” ($4.50)Very good. The homemade mix is tasty, and its flavors don’t dominate, which allows the tequila flavor to shine through.
Frozen
“Frozen House” ($4.50)Above average. Tequila flavor is low, but their homemade mix, which includes lime, orange, and grapefruit juices, is great.
High End
“Joe’s Margarita” ($7)Superb. Herradura Blanco, Grand Marnier, Cointreau, lime juice, and a splash of grapefruit and orange juices. Everyone is amazed at the ingeniousness of the addition of grapefruit juice. Emily: “A masterpiece.”
Curra’s
614 E. Oltorf
444-0012
Aug 2, 9pm
Low End
“House Margarita” ($3.95)Above average. Good tequila flavor. Don’t be tempted (like we were) to order this with just lime juice, which has a slight metallic quality (are they crushing the limes and getting too much oil from the skin?) that is fixed by the sugar.
Frozen
“House Frozen Margarita” ($3.95)Above average. Not quite as good as the plain house, but still very good. A little weak, but that makes it a great hot weather pour.
High End
“Avocado Margarita” ($4.95)Superb. We aren’t sure this concoction should be called a margarita, but it is delicious. Basically, they take a margarita and blend in an avocado and a little bit of cilantro. Paul : “I’ve found a new breakfast.”
“La Currita” ($8.75)
Superb. The first 16 oz. drink we found that actually had lots of El Grito tequila in it. Great flavor of fresh lime, too. Warning! One is enough.
Fonda San Miguel
4914 Shoal Creek Blvd.
459-4121
Aug 2, 5pm
Low End
“Margarita” ($4.25)Above average. Homemade sweet and sour mix that still was a little too sweet. Pableaux:”A good standard house margarita.”
Frozen
“Mango Margarita” ($5.25)Very good. Rebecca: “Great creamy texture. Delicious.”
“Guava Margarita” ($5.25)
Below average. Emily: “This is just odd.”
High End
“Top Shelf” ($5.75)Very good. Tastes like real lime. Only let down by a lack of distinctive tequila flavor. Wes: “Order a second shot of tequila and pour it in. Then it would go from very good to superb.”
Nuevo Leon
1209 E. Seventh
479-0097
Jul 26, 5:30pm
Low End
“Large Rita Rocks” ($5.25)Average. Large drink with lots of mix. Rebecca: “Nice balance between sweet and sour but needs more tequila.”
Frozen
“Large Rita Frozen” ($5.25)Very good. Better than their standard “on the rocks,” limier and nicely balanced. Rebecca: “I’ve never had a bad frozen margarita here.”
High End
“Large Top Shelf Rita Rocks” ($6.25)Very good. Lots of tequila and very powerful. Dudley: “Tastes a little like chemicals but I like it. After 1/3 glass, I’m buzzed.”
This article appears in August 25 • 2000.