📍 321 Col Emilliana Zapata, Puerto Vallarta 48310, Mexico
☎ +52 322 222 9755
💵 $$-$$$
So I have to admit, I foolishly avoided this place on one of my first trips to Puerto Vallarta. I thought it was part of a larger chain (Margaritaville) and wanted authentic Mexican. A place where the locals frequented…not a “cookie cutter” spot.
After a long, hot day at the beach, we were looking for something to quench our thirst and, well, those margaritas just looked too tempting…
Upon arriving at our table and inspecting the menu, I realized this place was actually called Margarita Grill. Locals go there. They have authentic Mexican food. And it’s delicious!
Let’s start with the drinks. As indicated by the name, they have margaritas. Both frozen and on the rocks. They come in 11 flavours, ranging from the traditional lime to the exotic pineapple and ginger. My favourite one, however, is the cucumber. They come in three different sizes and I highly recommend the medium. You’ll get through the small too quickly and the large gets too warm by the end.
While you are sipping on this delicious beverage, your waiter will come by and make table side salsa, allowing you to choose the “heat” and something to snack on to help quell the hunger. The chips and salsa are complimentary, like bread would be in many American and Canadian restaurants.
If you like guacamole, get it here! Like the salsa, the guac is made tableside, ensuring its freshness. There are other restaurants in town that try and serve day old guacamole (you tell by the colour – the green is a bit darker) but is definitely not an issue at this establishment.
Now for the main course….
I have sampled a few of the dishes and my “go to” is the chicken molcajetes. It’s essentially a stew of chicken, peppers, onion, cheese, nopal and pineapple that you place in a tortilla. It’s not spicy but the sauce of the stew is spiced really well. I find that it’s good for two (or even three) people if you have been enjoying the tortilla chips earlier.
The atmosphere is also really fun. Often at night they have live music and the staff is really attentive and friendly. And most are bilingual too (which is helpful for a non-Spanish speaking Canadian)!
The place we once avoided over misconceptions has become one of our go to and favourite restaurants.
