Announcing our 2009 Winners!
| Rank | Independent Margaritas | Chain Margaritas | Your Favorites |
| 1 | Los Sarapes, Chalfont, PA With over fifty tequilas and a bar staff that knows how to use them, Los Sarapes returns to our top position. This year they introduced us to a margarita made from Corralejo Reposado that was exceptional. Trust the bartenders completely, they will not let you down. | Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville. Once again, Margaritaville stays #1. The "Uptown Top Shelf" with Cointreau and a Grand Marnier floater still delivers the highest quality you will find in a chain. | Matteo's Salsa Loco, Bethany Beach, DE."ABSOLUTELY the best margarita I have EVER had!!!" |
| 2 | Matteo's Salsa Loco, Bethany Beach, DE. Sipping a margarita at the beach, everyone's tequila dream. And yet, most tourist places disappoint with half-hearted efforts. Not Matteo's they focus on the Tres-arita (Tres Generationes and Grand Marnier) which has led to a consistent high quality margarita. A great stop on the way home from the beach. | Tequileria Okay, so you are in the airport waiting on that flight. You are angry with all the new airline regulations. Then you order a "Millionaires Margarita" with Gran Centenario Reposado and Cointreau and calm is restored. We've sampled these in Charlotte, Minnesota, and other places and found them consistently good. And you get to keep a shaker with the word "Millionaire" on it! | Cacao Lane, Ellicott City, MD "Unbelievably smooth and delicious, and above all FRESH!" |
| 3 | Consuelo's Mexican Bistro, Santana Row, San Jose, CA. Like Los Sarapes, great tequila bars have deep talent in the bar staff. Consuelo's, located in a tony part of San Jose, has great staff and their own simple syrup. Have their Cassadores Reposado out in el Jardin and watch the beautiful people envy your margarita. | PF Changs PF Changs has always had a nice bar, and they now have a consistently good margarita. We were very happy they kept the "Organic Agave Margarita" which is light and tasty. For those that are concerned they will be "to full" after a margarita for their great food, have no fear with this drink (in the right portion size as well). | Agave, Rehobeth Beach, DE "They informed me a lot about tequila. Go check them out". |
| 4 | The Lime, San Diego, CA - Nestled in the heart of the Gas Lamp district, is a tequila bar of exceptional quality. We recommend the Super Premium Margarita, made with Casa Vieja Silver and Grand Monarch Orange Liqueur. You will always have a great time in the bar. | Chilli's They have always been great to margarita drinkers. The house margarita is all you need. Match it with some nacho chips and you will be very happy. | The Lime, San Diego, CA "Best I've ever had" |
| 5 | Casa Azteca, Milpitas, CA Some days you just want a strong margarita. Those are the days you find this little bar and settle in at the counter. We ordered Patron Silver and Gran Marnier in our margarita and found a good pour. | Chevy's - The "Top Shelf" made from 1800 Reposado and Grand Marnier is a trusty standby. Made well, by a strong staff, it consistently delivers. And, for your wild side, we do recommend the Pomegranate for a change (see, we can loosen up as well). | Epazote's, Del Mar, CA "Awesome and with so many to choose from it's a great night for everyone." |
| 6 | Le Cafe Anglais, London, England Finally a decent margarita in London! While this is more of a martini bar, and we got our margarita shaken, not stirred, and chilled only in the shaker, with no ice, it was smooth and enjoyable. | Roys Roy's, like PF Chang, offers a light margarita served martini style (no ice). It's enjoyable and different, and goes well with the food. | Blue Goose Cantina, Plano, Texas "The best use of Cuervo and lime on the planet." |
| 7 | Blue Agave Club, Pleasanton, CA There is no better setting for a margarita than outside in the cool California evening at the Blue Agave. With a robust tequila bar and waiters who tell you what kind of margarita you are having, this is a great place to chill. | Ritz Carlton You would expect a hotel chain that promises great service to have a strong bar staff. You will not be disappointed when you order a margarita. Tequila's and styles vary by hotel, just make sure to order a 'Top Shelf" and impress the other top players of industry with your taste. | Beanies Mexican Restaurant, Port Washington, WI"You wouldn't believe such a great margarita could be found in a small town in Wisconsin." |
| 8 | Mustangs and Burros, Estancia La Jolla, CA Seated by the fireplace or up on a patio, you will be served a fine margarita. We had Herradura, Cointreau, and mix with Agave Nectar. The margarita should be declared the official drink of La Jolla. | Houllihan's We miss the margaritas they used to serve. Still, you can get a solid margarita here. | Margaritas, Waltham, Mass "I just love their mix" |
| 9 | Adobo Grill, Chicago, IL If you are going to put your name on a drink it better be good. The "Adobo" margarita lives up to the promise. Using Herradura Blanco, Gran Torres and mix (with the option of a floater of del Maguey Chichicapa) it lets you know you are in a town that's serious about drinking. | Gardunos Located in Arizona, these Mexican restaurants offer a nice "Top Shelf" with 1800 Anjeo and Gran Marnier. Fun atmosphere and good bartenders. | Pocos, Doylestown, PA "Great margaritas!" |
| 10 | Sam Seltzer's Steakhouse, Tampa, FL We have found that good bartenders usually hang out in nice steakhouses. Sam's is a case where, if you order a "top shelf" margarita, you will not be disappointed. | Mexico, Epcot Center, Disney World There you are, under the volcano, with the sounds of a mariachi band playing. No, it's not Margaritaville, you in are in the marketplace in Disney's Epcot Center world of Mexico. We like to sip a "Top Shelf" and then go on the Mexico boat ride - it's feels more of an adventure. | Los Sarapes, Chalfont, PA "These are the best margaritas I have ever had." |
