Photo by: Connie Mierkey
If you are thinking of going to On the Border for dinner, forget it and go to Las Margaritas instead. Las Margaritas is a Mexican restaurant and cantina that has a more authentic approach to food and one of the best margaritas in town.
The best time to go is Monday through Friday between 4 and 6:30 p.m. During this time house margaritas are only $3 and Mexican draft beers are $2. The house margarita is made with Sauza tequila and is clear, smooth and has a refreshing, bold lime taste.
Also at this time, complimentary homemade tortilla chips are served before the meal with a hot green chili, a smooth mild tomato salsa and a mild but dynamic pineapple salsa. During the lunch hours only the tomato salsa is served.
There are two locations: one in Lakewood another is downtown at 1035 E. 17th Ave. Along 17 Avenue, there are numerous trendy restaurants and bars and although it is not easily accessible via public transportation, if you get a group to carpool from campus it is 15 minutes north on Downing at East 17th Avenue and is worth the trip.
The menu offers traditional Mexican dishes as well as American entrees with Baja twists. A tasty appetizer is the California quesadilla, a giant whole wheat tortilla filled with avocado, bacon, Monterey jack cheese, lettuce and tomatoes. It is served with sour cream and pico de gallo and is $9.95. It can easily be split between three or four people.
A variety of tacos, burritos and enchiladas are offered for either $10 or $11. The spinach enchiladas’ made with whole-wheat tortilla stuffed with spinach and mushrooms and topped with an irresistible sour cream jalapeno sauce, are especially delicious. If you are looking for a spicy entrée, this dish will not do, but it is irresistible and smothered in the unique sauce. It costs $10.95 and is served with Spanish rice and refried beans.
Smaller portions of most of the house favorites are available during lunch for a couple dollars less.
There is another Happy Hour from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. every night of the week, which highlights two-for-one margaritas, draft beers and cocktails from the well.
To fulfill a craving for spicy food try the chile relleno plate which is two green chilies dipped in a light egg batter and then fried until crispy and golden. This platter is topped with cheese and can be smothered in green chile or, for a milder option, it can be smothered in mild southwest sauce. This dish is $10.95 and is served with refried beans and Spanish rice.
A margarita compliments any of the entrees and Las Margaritas offers 21 different types. There are specialty concoctions like the “Nobilita” which is tequila, orange liqueur, fresh lime and a splash of pomegranate for $8.95.
Las Margaritas serves blended margaritas in flavors of strawberry, melon, raspberry, banana, coconut and mango. Each one is $7.95.
A house margarita can be ordered on-the-rocks or blended for $6.
Currently, there is a printable coupon online at lasmargs.com/freemarg.pdf for a free house margarita good through March 3. There is no purchase necessary and it is limited one per customer per visit.
A popular dish is the homemade tamale plate. It is made with corn flour which is rolled into masa, then spread over a corn husk and filled with tender shredded pork and homemade red chile. It is also smothered in red chile and served with pinto beans and Spanish rice for $11.95.
Even though the food is consistently delicious the service is fifty-fifty. Some of the wait-staff is friendly and helpful but others lose details so specifics about meal preferences need to be stated clearly.
One of their inventive dishes is the mole pablano plate which is tender chicken breast simmered in a rich sauce of three different kinds: chile peppers, chocolate and peanuts and sesame seeds. If you are looking for traditional Mexican food that is both scrumptious and unusual try this one for $13.95.
Typical dishes are not forgotten either. Sizzling fajitas are offered with choices of chicken, steak, veggies, shrimp or a combo ranging from $12.45 for just veggies to $15.95 for steak and shrimp. Three warm flour tortillas, guacamole, sour cream, cheese, beans and rice are also served with the fajitas.
The rellenos tropicales is a refreshing item on the menu. It consists of two golden crispy rellenos filled with shrimp, pineapple, corn and pico de gallo that sit atop rice, drizzled with a mango salsa and served with a fresh ensalada. This dish is $14.95 and is served with Spanish rice.
Seating options range from a lively setting around the modest bar at one end of the restaurant, to comfortable booths and tables throughout the restaurant and there is an open patio in the front.
No need to call ahead. There is always seating available.
Las Margaritas is open 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday when they serve a weekend brunch.
For the full menu and information on the restaurant’s specials, visit lasmargs.com.
