best margarita? (Austin, Cactus, Mart: live, restaurants, store)

[faithr]

Hi guys,

Where do you think you can get the best margarita? I am interested in a margarita on the rocks- not frozen and not from a mix.

Thanks!!

[Vegasgirl]

I don't know about the best margarita from a restaurant or bar in Austin but th best one I have found down the grocery store aisle is Margarita King. They are really yummy!

[Trainwreck20]

There are a lot of opinions on this, I am sure, and I don't get out for ritas like I used to, so I am not sure which are good or not anymore. For me, the key was always using real, fresh-squeezed lime juice. There were individual bartenders (who have long since gone one to better things) who could take the same exact ingredients and somehow make a rita way better than the next person. I think the ratio of Tequila/Triple sec/Lime is somehow the determining factor.

As for real lime juice, I know that La Morada (a little place off of Parmer and MoPac by HEB) uses the real stuff. The tex-mex food is not bad or anything special, but their burger is great..go figure .

There are several places that make Mexican Martinis, which are basically bastardized top shelf ritas. Some of these are VERY good, but, again, a matter of personal preference. The Cedar Door used to make excellent ones, but have not been there much since they moved downtown. Trudy's makes theirs with a little orange juice and I think some olive juice. I used to cut the orange juice and have them made with Herradura Silver . In most ritas (or MMs), I find it pointless to go to the real expensive tequila, but a step up from the well grade is usually worthwhile.

I have not really put it to the test, but the Iron Cactus is SUPPOSED to have a great variety of tequila...I would hope they make a good margarita.

[faithr]

Thanks..
We are only in town for 3 nights so I am interested in restaurants-

thanks for replies..

[Trainwreck20]

Don't know what kind of restaurant you are looking for, but decks make ritas taste much better . Maudies on 360, Chuys up north, El Arroyo downtownish, Cedar Door (but no food). Stay away from Baby Acupulcos, they are nasty and strong, esp. the purple ones (used to have everclear in them, may still have it).

[car957]

Trudy's Mexican Martini - be sure to order it with Herradura Silver. Very smooth and silky but can put you under the table. They limit you to two of them for a reason.

Maude's also makes a fine margarita and has excellent food - try the Strait Plate.

[jwb123]

Rio Grande in RR and Hutto boast that they have won some Austin Margarita Award... might be citysearch.com award, or something.

They are good margaritas!

[faithr]

Thanks everyone!
Great tips and i agree with the fresh lime juice. That is the key.
I used to be married to a bartender, in another life, probably because he made such a good margarita. I also can't discern one tequila from the next, although my bf thinks that he can (he is an economist- come on) but I hate sweet and hate mixes. It would be great if the place also had great tex-mex..