While the origin of the margarita is heavily debated among historians, one thing we can all agree on is that it's a timeless and delicious cocktail. You can enjoy it on the rocks or frozen. With salt or sugar on the rim. Salty, sweet, or even spicy. No matter what your preferred style is, you're sure to find a pitcher-perfect match at one of our local Fairfax County restaurants.
With both National Margarita Day and Cinco de Mayo on the annual calendar, we've done your research to find a list of the best places for margaritas in Fairfax County. Salud!
Taco Rock
Alexandria
Taco Rock combines a love of rock 'n roll with traditional Mexican street tacos for a menu full of one-of-a-kind entrees and drinks. Guava, passion fruit, coconut, and even jalapeno peppers make appearances on their specialty margarita list. Plus, there's happy hour every day (yes, every day) from 4-7PM. $6 classic margaritas? Sign us up.
bartaco
Reston & Merrifield
The bartaco margarita takes a sweet twist on a classic by adding agave nectar to Libélula Joven tequila, triple sec, and lime juice. For those who love a little heat with their cocktails, you can request to make it spicy, too!
bartaco has two locations in Fairfax County: Mosaic and Reston Town Center.
Coyote Grille
Fairfax
There are over a DOZEN margaritas to choose from at Coyote Grille - and every single one sounds good. You can go fruity with pineapple, strawberry, melon, sour apple, and more. You can mix it up with the orange, lime, and cranberry flavors of Pink Cadillac. You can even go fiery with Chio's Margarita, featuring sweet blended jalapeño.
Uncle Julio's
Fairfax & Reston
You get the best of both worlds with Uncle Julio's beloved swirl margaritas, with alternating layers of both housemade sangria and frozen margarita. It's topped off with a lime and served in a large chilled mug for the ultimate dose of refreshment. If frozen margs and sangria aren't your thing, Uncle Julio's offers several other classic margaritas with "freshly-squeezed lime juice and 100% agave." Sounds like a win!
Uncle Julio's has two locations in Fairfax County: Reston Town Center and Fairfax Corner.
Rango's Tex-Mex Grill
Tysons
Speaking of swirly margaritas, Rango's Tex-Mex Grill is no stranger to mixing it up. Just look at that mango-lime-strawberry margarita - it's like a party in a glass! Go big or go home with their 27-ounce margaritas that are sure to make happy hour even happier.
Urbano Mosaic
Merrifield
If fruity flavors make your tastebuds swoon, Urbano Mosaic is the perfect place to get your margarita fix. On their menu, you'll find unique flavors like prickly pear, blackberry, pineapple, and more. They even whip up specialty flavors each season, like this fall-themed Pumpkin Margarita that was a hit during the holidays.
Mama Tigre
Oakton
Mama Tigre serves up "Mexican remixed" comfort cuisine with an array of exotic and complex spices from India. Aside from fan favorites like their tropical ceviche and carne asada, they have several delicious margaritas to choose from - including a 1-liter glass! The menu also has unconventional flavors such as blood orange with a smoky salt rim and a Mexican mule margarita. Sit in the bar section from 3-6:30pm Monday to Friday for $6 House Margaritas on happy hour.
Los Toltecos
Fairfax Station and Alexandria
Los Toltecos serves "truly authentic Mexican," and truly delicious margaritas. Their house margarita can be ordered with unique ingredients such as blue curacao, Presidente Mexican Brandy, Sauza Hornitos Reposado Tequila, and more. Plus, the food there is loved by both locals and visitors alike for its authentic taste and preparation.
Los Toltecos has two locations in Fairfax County: Fairfax Station and Alexandria.
Señor Tequilas
Fairfax
Image Courtesy Señor Tequilas
With a name like Señor Tequilas, would you expect anything other than amazing margaritas? This mainstay for authentic Mexican fare is also serving up 'ritas in a variety of sizes - from a 14 oz. glass to the 64 oz. ‘Big Mami’ glass! Of course, you'll find classic flavors such as strawberry, guava, passion fruit, mango, and more. But you can also try their Mangoneada, a frozen mango margarita with chamoy, Tajin, a mango lollipop, and a tamarind straw. Can't choose? No problem! You can pick up to three flavors, thanks to their Margarita Flight for $15.
Which local margarita spots do you think should be added to the list? Let us know in the comments! And remember: take life with a grain of salt, a slice of lime, and a really big margarita.