Updated 2/21/21
We're scoping out the best places to find the beverage of the hour — a margarita. This salt-rimmed sipper from heaven can be ordered on the rocks, flavored, virgin or frozen. Regardless of your preference, there are plenty of options in Toledo to quench your thirst. To help you decide, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite margarita spots in town. So, before happy hour rolls around, check these options out — the lime and tequila bevvies deserve to celebrated every day of the year.
El Vaquero
Photo courtesy of El Vaquero
This Ohio chain has one of the best happy hours around, boasting inexpensive sips from 4-8 p.m everyday. For that reason, the atmosphere is usually popping between these hours. Order a rainbow of margaritas for the table — flavored options include blue curacao, mango, watermelon, piña colada and pomegranate. You could also go the classic route with a jumbo patron skinny margarita, with fresh lime juice and agave nectar garnished with a lime.
Locations:
26611 Dixie Highway, Perrysburg, OH
24 Main St., Toledo, OH
3302 Secor Rd, Toledo, OH
1270 Stewart Rd, Monroe, MI
la fiesta
La Fiesta in Maumee is an authentic Mexican restaurant that uses only the freshest ingredients. They just revealed their new delicious Pina Margarita. Today's the perfect day to try it out! 1406 Reynolds Rd, Maumee, OH.
San Marcos Restaurant
Photos courtesy of the San Marcos Restaurant
The San Marcos Mexican Grocery Store is truly the only spot to go if you’re looking to cook authentic cuisine, offering fresh salsa, house-made tortillas, tamales and cheeses alongside pastries and produce. Plus, if you step through to the back of the store, you’ll find an incredibly colorful and welcoming restaurant! Enjoy enchiladas, burritos, tacos or whatever your heart desires, and make sure you accompany your choice with a margarita — they’re the best in town. The store has expanded now to include four locations, so pick the closest one and drink up. Salud!
Locations:
235 Broadway St, Toledo, OH
1045 S Reynolds Rd, Toledo, OH
2060 W Laskey Rd, Toledo, OH
719 Galena St, Toledo, OH
te'kela Mexican cocina y cantina
Te'kela knows their stuff when it comes to tequila — they have 30+ options arranged according to age. Try a flight then order yourself one of their fantastic margaritas!
Locations:
5147 S Main St, Sylvania, OH 43560
25481 N Dixie Highway, Perrysurg, OH
Arturo’s Fritz and Alfredo’s
Photos courtesy of Arturo’s Fritz and Alfredo’s
You don’t have to choose between German and Mexican cuisine if you choose this Holland staple. Arturo’s Fritz and Alfredo’s serves everything from schnitzel and spaetzle to tacos and tamales. Oh, and the margaritas are nothing to scoff at. They come in one size — jumbo — and there are 13 flavors to choose from, including unconventional options like watermelon, coconut, peach and grape (pictured). 1007 S McCord Rd, Holland, OH.
Cocina de Carlos 
Photo courtesy of Cocina de Carlos
Carlos Mendez runs this cozy cantina located in Perrysburg and Waterville. Stop in to get a taste of family recipes, including mama’s tortilla soup, shrimp cozumel and cactus picante. The restaurant keeps it simple when it comes to the margaritas, veering away from colorful syrups and sweet flavors. The house marg is created from silver tequila, lime, orange juice, triple sec and a luxurious splash of Grand Marnier. It comes frozen, but get it on the rocks with salt. Go ahead and order the pitcher — you’re going to want more than one of these.
Locations:
205 Farnsworth Rd, Waterville, OH
27072 Carronade Dr, Perrysburg, OH
El Nuevo Vallarta
Photos courtesy of Maria Meija and El Nuevo Vallarta
El Nuevo Vallarta has so much to offer in both the margarita options and their extensive menu. A fan favorite is the Special Dinner which is a huge portion containing a tamale, enchilada, taco, chalupa, and chile relleno for only $15.95! 4709 Douglas Rd, Toledo, OH.
La Fiesta
La Fiesta is located in Erie, Michigan, and the name certainly says it all — choosing to dine here is always a party. This family-owned restaurant has been around for decades, but certainly hasn't eased up on the quality of the food. During happy hour, you can grab a margarita for the low price of $3, and there are plenty of specials throughout the week. 11191 S. Telegraph Rd, Erie, MI.
Carmel’s With a Twist
Photos courtesy of Carmel’s Mexican Restaurant
The margaritas are truly the star of the show at Carmel’s. There are specials on the strong lime bevvies nearly every day of the week, and they are well worth the trek. On a sunny day, enjoy your drink of choice on the patio, and if you’re looking for something to munch, grab some shrimp rolls for the table — jumbo shrimp sautéed with garlic and onion, rolled in a flour tortilla, fried, and served with queso for dipping. 2947 Tremainsville Rd, Toledo, OH.
El Camino Real
Photos courtesy of El Camino Real
El Camino Real has a fantastic and celebratory atmosphere — especially on Taco Tuesday. At all three locations, the restaurant serves up steaming Mexican classics. Sit outside and sip a sweet frozen strawberry marg (or opt for a 60-ounce pitcher for $22).
Locations:
2500 W Sylvania Ave, Toledo, OH
2072 Woodville Rd, Oregon, OH
13625 Airport Highway, Swanton, OH
Loma Linda Restaurant
Loma Linda's opened to Toledo patrons back in 1955, making it the first authentic Mexican restaurant in the area. Since then, the iconic eatery has only continued to rise in popularity, remaining a hot spot for great food and great margaritas. Stop in to sip a marg in one of twelve flavors, ranging from classic to jalapeno. On Margarita Mondays, you can snag one for just $2.60! 10400 Airport Highway, Swanton, OH.
el salto
Located in Maumee's Golden Gate Plaza and on Monroe Street in Sylvania, El Salto is a longstanding staple in the area. They offer daily specials and mouth-watering margs.
Locations:
219 Golden Gate Plaza, Maumee, OH
5817 Monroe St, Sylvania, OH
Cheers!
Did your favorite margarita make the list? Let us know in the comments.