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While Cinco de Mayo was just over a week ago, if you’re as big of a Mexican food fan as I am, you’re ready for another occasion to chow down on some authentic cuisine. After a long hard week at work and some questionable weather, what could be nicer than a weekend filled with margaritas, chips and guacamole? Not much, if you ask me.
While there are numerous Mexican food restaurants in southeast Michigan (including any and all Mexicantown restaurants, which everyone already knows about), here are a few where you can kick back this weekend and enjoy a margarita and some snacks with Mexican flair:
Armando’s, 4242 Vernor Hwy., Detroit, is one such restaurant located in Mexicantown. If you’re looking to shake off the week, order an original margarita, frozen or on the rocks. Perhaps you like to spice things up a bit, and if that’s the case, you can try a strawberry, melon or peach margarita as well. Half liters and liters are also available.
Santa Fe Margaritas are also on the menu, made with Gold Tequila, Triple Sec, sweet and sour and cranberry juice, served on the rocks.
Guacamole comes in small or large portions, and I think we all know what the correct answer to this question is. If you dine in, be sure to do so on the patio.
Mexican Fiesta II, 44401 Ford Rd., Canton, is one of my personal favorite Mexican restaurants around, and the original location resides in Dearborn Heights. Try the house Fiesta Rita, which is served on the rocks or frozen, with an upside down Coronita in it. Refreshing!
Daily specials are offered between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., including discounted regular margaritas and fruit margaritas on Tuesdays. If you don’t find yourself there until later in the week, never fear—raspberry margaritas are on special on Thursdays.
As for the chips and salsa, they hit the table as soon as you sit down, and if you’re like me, you plow through them at lightning speed. Don’t forget to order a side of guacamole to go with it!
El Nibble Nook, with locations in Livonia and Bloomfield, has been dishing up authentic Mexican food for over 60 years, and claims to have the best Mexican food and margaritas in the area. Not something you can just take anyone’s word for, right?
Fresh chips and salsa are served with your choice of classic medium, mild cilantro and onion or spicy hot salsa. Don’t forget to accompany those chips with a side of guacamole, which is made with fresh avocados, diced onion, spices and lemon.
Sagebrush Cantina, 28 S. Broadway St., Lake Orion, has been in operation for nearly 20 years, which means the margaritas (and everything else) here have had plenty of years to be perfected.
While there are countless mouthwatering entrees to choose from, what we’re here to discuss is the Guacamole Dip. It’s made with fresh avocados, diced tomatoes and spices and is served with crisp, homemade tortilla chips. And to think, you thought it couldn’t get any better than just the chips and salsa!
Isalita, 341 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor, has received numerous accolades in recent years, including one of “Metro Detroit’s Best New Restaurants” by the Detroit Free Press in 2013 and “Best Mexican Food” by Michigan Daily in 2015.
The margaritas speak for themselves. Try a Clasico (Silver tequila, Triple sec and lime juice), Super Clasico (El Jimador tequila, Grand Marnier and lime juice) or El Superior (Don Julio Reposado, Grand Marnier and lime juice). You can add fresh fruit to any of them, or choose house-infused tequila, which comes in flavors like habanero, serrano and cucumber. If it’s really a scorcher out, opt for the frozen Blood Orange Margarita, with Silver tequila, blood orange and fresh lime.
Isalita wins the jackpot for most creative guacamole options, including Traditional (with tomato, jalapeno, red onion, cojita cheese and optional lump crab meat), Mango (with mango, jicama and mint) and Truffle guacamole (black truffle, jalapeno, cilantro and huitlacoche vinaigrette). A salsa trio is also on the menu, which includes roja, verde and manzana.
Imperial, 22828 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, is a go-to for most of us in the Metro Detroit area who love Mexican food, street style.
You can order chips and salsa with one house-made salsa on the side, but it would be a terrible mistake to pass up the chips and salsa flight. It includes salsa verde, chipotle and roasted red pepper salsas, and choosing your favorite is next to impossible. Be smart and add a side of guacamole to your flight!
Oh, and there are margaritas. Lots of margaritas.
If you truly love tequila, don’t miss out on Tequila Mundo, taking place at the Royal Oak Farmers Market this Saturday, May 16! You’ll get your pick of over 50 different tequilas, served neat or as a handcrafted cocktail. Plus, there will be a variety of salsas to sample, from the likes of Chuck and Dave’s and Maria’s House Made Salsa.
Enjoy your margarita, salsa and guac this weekend, everyone. And if you have more than one margarita or two, be sure to order an entrée while you’re at it. Cheers!
