By Caley Breese and Cate Reynolds
Have you ever wondered where to find the best margarita in the area? Two of our editors set out on an epic mission to find our readers the tastiest margs around. The task wasn’t easy, but we at What’s Up? take our assignments very seriously. We spent over two weeks drinking our way through the Greater Annapolis area to find you, our valued reader, the best place to have your own little Cinco de Mayo fiesta.
MEET YOUR MARGARITA ENTHUSIASTS
Caley Breese, Community Editor:
Caley loves margaritas almost as much as she loves spilling salsa on herself (which she did at every restaurant).
Cate Reynolds, Entertainment Editor:
Cate likes the rim of her margarita glass to match her attitude: extra salty.
Broadneck Grill & Cantina, Cape St. Claire and Edgewater
With locations in both Edgewater and Cape St. Claire, Broadneck Grill & Cantina offers customers two great places to enjoy a cold drink. Their happy hour specials can’t be beat! Unwind at the end of the day with a $4 margarita and $5 appetizer. On Cinco de Mayo, Broadneck will be hosting a fundraiser fiesta for Cystic Fibrosis. Get a good night’s rest! The party begins at 8 a.m.
Cate: If you like your margs on the sweeter side, Broadneck is the place for you. I had my margarita on the rocks and it was so delicious. Not to mention, the tortilla chips were amazing. I probably ate a whole bowl by myself. Their music selection added to the experience. I was definitely singing along to some classics and embarrassing Caley. I also enjoyed when Caley spilled salsa on her white shirt.
Caley: A favorite of mine (their taco platter with zesty ground beef is amazing), Broadneck Grill & Cantina serves a sweeter yet still delish marg. I opted for a frozen margarita here and it did not disappoint (although I enjoyed it too much and got a brain freeze). The music the restaurant was playing was jivin’, which was a nice addition to our experience. The only sad part was when I spilled salsa on my white shirt. :(
Jalapeños, Annapolis
Tucked away within the Forest Plaza strip mall, Jalapeños is home to the authentic Spanish and Mexican cuisine you’ve been searching for. While this restaurant has an elegant ambiance, it also remains casual and relaxed. During their happy hour, Jalapeños offers over 40 tapas and appetizers, as well as endless libations to choose from. Try their fresh, handmade guacamole, which is served in a traditional molcajete!
Cate: First off, the decor of Jalapeños is awesome. The atmosphere was really upbeat and welcoming. The margaritas definitely had a kick to them, which I had absolutely no problem with. We opted to have some guacamole with our drinks, and we were not disappointed. The guacamole was so, so good. We finished it in seconds.
Caley: I love this place! I got a classic house margarita with salt on the rim, and it was very tasty and refreshing. I liked that it was served in a non-traditional margarita glass—it was a bit narrower than the regular marg glass that I’m used to. The guacamole was the bee’s knees. Seriously. It was so fresh and delicious, and the chips they serve with it are thick, and everything complemented each other amazingly. I didn’t spill salsa on myself this time...only because we didn’t order any.
Querétaro, Gambrills
Brought to you by the owners of Mi Casita in Crofton and Rinconcito Mexicano in Odenton, Querétaro offers everything from a simple, classic margarita on the rocks to an extensive lunch and dinner menu, which features several vegetarian-friendly options. Located in Waugh Chapel Towne Centre, guests can dine al fresco and bask in the fresh summer air, or feast inside for a quieter, relaxing dining experience.
Caley: A friendly server, spicy salsa, and a strong frozen margarita made the Querétaro experience well worth it. We were able to dine outside on a warm evening and people-watch the busy street of Waugh Chapel—always a favorite pastime. Their frozen margarita has a thicker consistency and was superb. The only problem? I spilled salsa on myself again.
Cate: I love Querétaro! We were lucky enough to visit on a warmer evening and were able to dine outside. If the weather is nice, I highly recommend sitting outside. The frozen margarita was top notch. It was blended to perfection. I ordered a quesadilla with a side of guacamole and it was super tasty. It was the perfect dish to compliment my wonderful margarita. Caley spilled salsa on herself again, which was almost as enjoyable as my margarita.
El Jefe Mexican Kitchen and Tequila Bar, Stevensville
Walking into El Jefe truly feels like walking into a fiesta! With a vibrant and brightly colored interior, and a happy hour that lasts practically all day (11 a.m.-7 p.m.), El Jefe is the perfect place for a Cinco de Mayo Celebration. Their menu is filled with classic Mexican dishes that pair perfectly with an ice-cold margarita.
Caley: As soon as we entered this restaurant, my mood lifted. It’s very lively inside with vibrant colors, and incredibly cheerful! The chips they served were thinner, but sooo good. They paired well with the spicy salsa and the queso, which was topped with chorizo sausage. I ordered another frozen marg because they’re my fav and it was exceptional. Yes, I spilled salsa on myself. Do you even have to ask?
Cate: This place was fun. It was upbeat and colorful, and everyone was so friendly. I had their classic margarita on the rocks. They did not skimp on the salted rim, which I definitely appreciated. The drink was sweet and refreshing. The queso topped with chorizo sausage was phenomenal. So cheesy, so delicious. Caley has to buy an entirely new wardrobe because everything she owns is now stained with salsa.
Vida Taco Bar, Downtown Annapolis & Severna Park
If you’re looking for a fresh, farm-to-taco meal, accompanied by a handcrafted margarita, then look no further! Vida Taco Bar’s menu includes an array of delicious artisan tacos, tasty shareable appetizers (try the guacamole!), and an impressive libations list that includes beautifully garnished cocktails. Whether you choose to dine in historic Downtown Annapolis or opt to visit Severna Park’s location and indulge on their patio, Vida offers a friendly atmosphere where you can catch up with friends, relax, and enjoy yourself.
Cate: Okay, honestly, I could’ve just stared at this margarita all day. It was so pretty. Everything about the presentation at Vida Taco Bar was amazing. And, let me tell you, it all tasted as good as it looked. The margarita was crisp and refreshing (perfect for an abnormally warm spring day). The guacamole was creamy and fresh, and the large portion made it perfect for sharing. No salsa was ordered; therefore, no salsa was spilled.
Caley: Two words: holy guacamole! I loved everything about Vida Taco Bar—from the way they serve their water (in a cool old el Jimador tequila bottle) to their carefully-crafted Vida margarita to the indulgent crispy tortilla chips and decadent guacamole, which was topped with scallions and queso fresco. The margarita was incredibly fresh and served in a unique way. It had a refreshingly sweet and savory taste—like Cate mentioned, perfect for a (really) warm spring day. No clothes were ruined by salsa here.
Have you ever wondered where to find the best margarita in the area? Two of our editors set out on an epic mission to find our readers the tastiest margs around. The task wasn’t easy, but we at What’s Up? take our assignments very seriously. We spent over two weeks drinking our way through the Greater Annapolis area to find you, our valued reader, the best place to have your own little Cinco de Mayo fiesta.
MEET YOUR MARGARITA ENTHUSIASTS
Caley Breese, Community Editor:
Caley loves margaritas almost as much as she loves spilling salsa on herself (which she did at every restaurant).
Cate Reynolds, Entertainment Editor:
Cate likes the rim of her margarita glass to match her attitude: extra salty.
With locations in both Edgewater and Cape St. Claire, Broadneck Grill & Cantina offers customers two great places to enjoy a cold drink. Their happy hour specials can’t be beat! Unwind at the end of the day with a $4 margarita and $5 appetizer. On Cinco de Mayo, Broadneck will be hosting a fundraiser fiesta for Cystic Fibrosis. Get a good night’s rest! The party begins at 8 a.m.
Cate: If you like your margs on the sweeter side, Broadneck is the place for you. I had my margarita on the rocks and it was so delicious. Not to mention, the tortilla chips were amazing. I probably ate a whole bowl by myself. Their music selection added to the experience. I was definitely singing along to some classics and embarrassing Caley. I also enjoyed when Caley spilled salsa on her white shirt.
Caley: A favorite of mine (their taco platter with zesty ground beef is amazing), Broadneck Grill & Cantina serves a sweeter yet still delish marg. I opted for a frozen margarita here and it did not disappoint (although I enjoyed it too much and got a brain freeze). The music the restaurant was playing was jivin’, which was a nice addition to our experience. The only sad part was when I spilled salsa on my white shirt. :(
Tucked away within the Forest Plaza strip mall, Jalapeños is home to the authentic Spanish and Mexican cuisine you’ve been searching for. While this restaurant has an elegant ambiance, it also remains casual and relaxed. During their happy hour, Jalapeños offers over 40 tapas and appetizers, as well as endless libations to choose from. Try their fresh, handmade guacamole, which is served in a traditional molcajete!
Cate: First off, the decor of Jalapeños is awesome. The atmosphere was really upbeat and welcoming. The margaritas definitely had a kick to them, which I had absolutely no problem with. We opted to have some guacamole with our drinks, and we were not disappointed. The guacamole was so, so good. We finished it in seconds.
Caley: I love this place! I got a classic house margarita with salt on the rim, and it was very tasty and refreshing. I liked that it was served in a non-traditional margarita glass—it was a bit narrower than the regular marg glass that I’m used to. The guacamole was the bee’s knees. Seriously. It was so fresh and delicious, and the chips they serve with it are thick, and everything complemented each other amazingly. I didn’t spill salsa on myself this time...only because we didn’t order any.
Brought to you by the owners of Mi Casita in Crofton and Rinconcito Mexicano in Odenton, Querétaro offers everything from a simple, classic margarita on the rocks to an extensive lunch and dinner menu, which features several vegetarian-friendly options. Located in Waugh Chapel Towne Centre, guests can dine al fresco and bask in the fresh summer air, or feast inside for a quieter, relaxing dining experience.
Caley: A friendly server, spicy salsa, and a strong frozen margarita made the Querétaro experience well worth it. We were able to dine outside on a warm evening and people-watch the busy street of Waugh Chapel—always a favorite pastime. Their frozen margarita has a thicker consistency and was superb. The only problem? I spilled salsa on myself again.
Cate: I love Querétaro! We were lucky enough to visit on a warmer evening and were able to dine outside. If the weather is nice, I highly recommend sitting outside. The frozen margarita was top notch. It was blended to perfection. I ordered a quesadilla with a side of guacamole and it was super tasty. It was the perfect dish to compliment my wonderful margarita. Caley spilled salsa on herself again, which was almost as enjoyable as my margarita.
Walking into El Jefe truly feels like walking into a fiesta! With a vibrant and brightly colored interior, and a happy hour that lasts practically all day (11 a.m.-7 p.m.), El Jefe is the perfect place for a Cinco de Mayo Celebration. Their menu is filled with classic Mexican dishes that pair perfectly with an ice-cold margarita.
Caley: As soon as we entered this restaurant, my mood lifted. It’s very lively inside with vibrant colors, and incredibly cheerful! The chips they served were thinner, but sooo good. They paired well with the spicy salsa and the queso, which was topped with chorizo sausage. I ordered another frozen marg because they’re my fav and it was exceptional. Yes, I spilled salsa on myself. Do you even have to ask?
Cate: This place was fun. It was upbeat and colorful, and everyone was so friendly. I had their classic margarita on the rocks. They did not skimp on the salted rim, which I definitely appreciated. The drink was sweet and refreshing. The queso topped with chorizo sausage was phenomenal. So cheesy, so delicious. Caley has to buy an entirely new wardrobe because everything she owns is now stained with salsa.
If you’re looking for a fresh, farm-to-taco meal, accompanied by a handcrafted margarita, then look no further! Vida Taco Bar’s menu includes an array of delicious artisan tacos, tasty shareable appetizers (try the guacamole!), and an impressive libations list that includes beautifully garnished cocktails. Whether you choose to dine in historic Downtown Annapolis or opt to visit Severna Park’s location and indulge on their patio, Vida offers a friendly atmosphere where you can catch up with friends, relax, and enjoy yourself.
Cate: Okay, honestly, I could’ve just stared at this margarita all day. It was so pretty. Everything about the presentation at Vida Taco Bar was amazing. And, let me tell you, it all tasted as good as it looked. The margarita was crisp and refreshing (perfect for an abnormally warm spring day). The guacamole was creamy and fresh, and the large portion made it perfect for sharing. No salsa was ordered; therefore, no salsa was spilled.
Caley: Two words: holy guacamole! I loved everything about Vida Taco Bar—from the way they serve their water (in a cool old el Jimador tequila bottle) to their carefully-crafted Vida margarita to the indulgent crispy tortilla chips and decadent guacamole, which was topped with scallions and queso fresco. The margarita was incredibly fresh and served in a unique way. It had a refreshingly sweet and savory taste—like Cate mentioned, perfect for a (really) warm spring day. No clothes were ruined by salsa here.
