Cocktail enthusiasts rejoice! This coming Tuesday, February 22, is National Margarita Day. On this hallowed occasion, boozers across the country come together to honor a near century-old blend of tequila, triple sec, and lime. Here are five of the best local spots in New Orleans where you yourself can observe the holiday.
With locations in Metairie and Harahan, Carreta's Grill has been offering authentic Mexican cuisine since 1999. Alongside their selection of delicious food fare, Carreta's also has a selection of world-famous margaritas made daily with fresh ingredients and premium tequila brands. Whether it be strawberry, mango, frozen, or on the rocks, their margarita blends are among the most refreshing that the Greater New Orleans area has to offer. Multiple Locations, carretasgrillrestaurant.co
For over 15 years, the Felipe's franchise has been a consistent choice for anyone looking for quality food and drinks made from scratch. Each of their three conveniently-located New Orleans spots provide a comfortable atmosphere to eat, as well as a fully-equipped bar serving drinks all day. Stop by between 3 and 6 p.m. for their happy hour menu offering $5 margaritas, frozen or house-made. To celebrate National Margarita Day, Felipe's will be offering two for one margaritas all day long on February 22. Multiple Locations, felipestaqueria.com
Located on Freret Street, within walking distance of Loyola and Tulane's Uptown campus, Mr. Tequila Bar & Grill is a hip new spot with an emphasis on good Tex Mex cuisine and a wide selection of cocktails—the base ingredient of which you could probably guess. With over 25 different varieties of tequila to choose from, Mr. Tequila more than earns its name. It has a handful of inspired margarita selections to choose from as well, with pitcher options suited for larger parties or those with tolerances that surpass the norm. 5018 Freret St., 504-766-9660, mrtequilanola.com
A key aspect of the Chilangos Bar & Grill's mission statement is their dedication to authenticity as they define it, not the typical Tex Mex fare but instead a fusion of indigenous Mesoamerican cooking with European and Spanish elements. Their cocktail menu also offers a number of flavorful libations to choose from. Among the usual house and classic margarita options is Chilango's one of a kind Blue Moscato Margarita, made from Mia Moscato and the aptly-named Moctezuma Tequila. 1506 S. Carrolton Ave., 504-766-9949, facebook.com/chilangosgrillnola
Nestled in the heart of the French Market, El Gato Negro prides itself on its use of traditional recipes sourced from Western Mexico's Michoacán state, as well as it's unique spin on the margarita. Using top shelf liquors, El Gato Negro offers a number of different takes on the quintessential cocktail: muddled pineapple and cilantro, carrot and lime juice, and spicy serrano with cranberry pairings to name just a few. For those with lavish tastes, there are the ultra-premium margaritas: El Rey and El Jefe Supremo, aptly named and priced at $225 and $65 respectively. Multiple Locations, elgatonegronola.com
