Question of the Day - 27 May 2007

As expected, this was evidently a subject close to many of your hearts and the responses came in thick and fast (like a great frozen margarita melting on a hot day). There were plenty of different suggestions, with Margaritaville (Flamingo), Garduño's (Palms), and the Tequila Bar (Bally's) all coming out as particular favorites. Here's what you said, with names provided (where available and when we didn't think it would get you in too much trouble).

• Regarding margarita's, I'm an enthusist and can offer two excellent options. Isla at the TI makes a margarita that uses fresh lime juice -- they actually have a juicer and squeeze a half lime into each glass to order. Outstanding. The Tequila Bar at Bally's has a 4-7 p.m. happy hour margarita that features Herradura Silver Tequila at 1/2 price. These are 2 solid options.
• The Coyote Cafe at MGM, which I think is no longer there [Ed: you think right], had absolutely the best margarita I've ever had. La Salsa Cantina, in the Forum Shops, still makes a darn fine one.
• Magaritas: After the first sip, they all taste the same. I'll take the ninety-nine centers at the Fremont. (Capt. Jack)
• Re: QoD 5/18/07. I'm from Texas and we certainly have tasted many margaritas from all over (as well as many different chili peppers). Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville cannot be topped. (Sherri)
• Best margaritas? Roberto at the Sports Bar at Caesars Palace. (D. Benson)
• Kuhunaville at Treasure Island has the best margaritas on the Strip, especially their giant frozen mango margaritas. Plus outstanding bartenders. (Kathey)
• Z Tejas on Paradise has by FAR the BEST margaritas in all of Las Vegas....Period! [Ed: Hate to disappoint you, but this one's been closed for over a year now. Might be worth checking out their other location in Summerlin -- 9560 W. Sahara, west of Fort Apache -- to see if they measure up.]
• We come to Vegas 2-3 times per year and as soon as we leave the airport, we always go to The Palms to eat the House Roast and drink top shelf margaritas at Garduño's. These are the best Margaritas anywhere. Two are way more than I should have, but are such are good start for a Vegas vacation. The POV coupon really helps too. (David, Stephenville, TX)
• The best magarita I've had on the Strip is the "Perfect Margarita" at Margaritaville. It's expensive at $8.00 but comes with a warning that this is their strongest drink. Here's the recipe:

  THE PERFECT MARGARITA

  1 oz Margaritaville® Gold Tequila .5 oz Margaritaville® Silver Tequila .5 oz Triple Sec .5 oz Orange Curacao .5 oz lime juice 2 lime wedges

• At the risk of not being able to get a seat at the bar, the bestest margarita my friend and I had was over at Harrah's bar inside the casino. Rob (the bartender) there makes the best Cadillac margaritas. Ever.
• My wife and I swear by the frozen margaritas at Margaritagrille or whatever the Mexican restaurant is called inside the Las Vegas Hilton [Ed: See below]. They're huge and are $8. But there is a happy hour everyday I believe from 4-6 p.m. or something like that, where at least once per visit to Vegas my wife and I each have one of our own and pay a total of $8, plus tip. We've tried to drink two each, but then walking becomes too much of a challenge.
• For as long as it lasts, the Mexican restaurant at the New Frontier offers a 16 oz slurpy margarita for $1.98 and a real one on the rocks for $2.98 -- made with sour mix, but tasty and generous. Tip well and the second one may be a double!
• Best margaritas? Try the Tequila Bar way at the back of Bally's. Mixed fresh and your choice of tequilas, or go for the happy hour special. One: very good; two: outstanding; three: how come the floor is tilting?! (Jim)
• Two places come to mind. One is the bar across thee street from the Riviera. I don't remember the name of the bar [Ed: Slots A Fun?]. The margaritas are frozen and they cost $1. The other is on Fremont Street. I don't know the name of the hotel [Ed: Grrr!], but it is the only one that has the "Wheel of Fortune" slots. Again, the frozen margarita is $1 and is great.

• Isla at TI has the best margaritas I have tasted.(Poker Ali)
• My favorite margarita is that little $1 one at Casino Royale from LVA's Top Ten Values. I'm not a really big drinker and it would probably take me a whole day to get through one of those yards. (And by then it would be all melty, like drinking warm Kool-Aid with a kick.) The $1 "tiny-rita" is just right for me!(Beth)
• There's a La Salsa Cantina on the Strip a couple doors down from M&M World (had one on way back to MBay over Easter). Also, I noticed that Slots-A-Fun advertised them for either $8.95 or $9.95 - I remember that because we were by there later the same day and I made a mental note for our trip in August. It's on the Circus Circus side of the building. Do a drive-by and you'll see it.

• Also, please tell the "men" at LVA that anything with tequila is not a frou-frou drink and it's quite acceptable to drink a frozen margarita - whether or not you're a Parrot Head or not. I'm 6'2" and 300 lbs and had no qualms at all about walking around carrying mine last trip - or any trip. A daquiri, yes, is a frou-frou drink and a no-no for men, but a margarita is certainly acceptable in any shape or form.

• By far the best margarita can be found at the Margarita Grille at the Las Vegas Hilton. Make sure Lancen or Arturo make it. And it has nothing to do with that frozen kid stuff. I am talking about a Cadillac margarita made with Tres Generaciones tequila, Cointreau and Grand Marnier, served on the rocks. The cost is about $12 +tip. Well worth it. Only need one!

• My vote for best margarita is at Garduño's (Palms) if I'm buying; at Mandalay Bay if I'm getting the free cocktails while gambling.

• I always have to have a margarita at the Tequilla Bar at Bally's. Lots of choices.

• Re: best margaritas - I got married on May 19 and we had our reception at Ricardo's, at Flamingo and Decatur, and comparing their margaritas versus the ones I've had on the strip, Ricardo's by far had the best. I loved the guava-flavored one.
• (Senor Butthead)

Late addition: "In 2004 I treated my dad to dinner at Paco's Bar and Grill in the Sahara. We ordered the Ultimate Margarita, which was high end tequila, Grand Marnier, and I think Curacao. We still rave about that drink to this day!" (Laura).