The Best Margaritas in Farmers Branch were discovered by guest contributor: Jennifer Simonson

The margarita. That iconic tart-lime tequila drink is one of the nation’s most beloved cocktails. No one know for sure who invented the drink, but legend has it that Dallas socialite Margarita Sames mixed a batch up in 1948 for a house party, one of her guests added it to the bar menu at his hotels, and the rest is history.

Since that infamous day (we are going to go ahead and believe that theory since she was a neighbor), margaritas have become the number one selling cocktail in America. They are so popular in fact that they have their own holiday.

This year National Margarita Day – February 22 – falls on a Friday, giving you even more reason the celebrate. From rocks to frozen, salted or not, we picked five neighborhood hotspots with the tastiest margaritas in Farmers Branch.

Saltgrass Steak House  is a Texas original through-and-through. Along with paying homage to historic trail drives, longhorns, and Texas-sized portions, the restaurant celebrates two of Texas’ most loved beverages – beer and margaritas.

When you can’t decide between a frosty margarita or an ice-cold beer, order Saltgrass’ signature drink – the Coronarita. A six-ounce Corona bottle is overturned into a frozen margarita. It is THE drink for indecisive drinkers.  Some people might ask, why would you want to add beer to a margarita. The short answer: because it is delicious.

Nuevo Leon Mex Mex Restaurant is a Farmers Branch neighborhood restaurant does not consider itself Tex-Mex as many Dallas-area Mexican restaurants do, but Mex-Mex. They serve authentic dishes like charcoal-grilled steaks and savory “guisos” from the Mexican regions of Guanajuato and Monterrey. The food wins local awards, but the margaritas are where it is at.

In addition to the traditional house margarita, the top shelf margarita and the Nuevo Leon Unlimited (it is like a top, top shelf margarita), they have nontraditional margaritas. Strawberry Margaritas, Peach Margaritas and Sangritas – a traditional margarita with a splash of sangria wine – round out the list for those who like their cocktails on the fruity side.

Looking for a sophisticated twist on the margarita? Try the Margatini –  Don Julio Silver, Cointreau Liqueur and sweet and sour mixed together then served in a salt-rimmed martini glass.  If you stop by during Happy Hour (from 5 pm – 7 pm) house margaritas are $3.95.

If you are looking to watch your favorite sport team while enjoying an out-of-this-world margarita, head to the Hunter’s Lounge at the Omni Hotel. They are not technically a sports bar, but they have enough flat screen TVs tuned to local games to make it feel like one. They also have of the best margarita games in town.

Take the next step in agave drinks and try their Smoky Margarita. Bartenders mix lime juice, Grand Mariner with mezcal – tequila’s smoky-tasting younger brother – for this surprisingly refreshing margarita.

USA Today lists Cuquita’s Restaurant  as one of the best Tex-Mex restaurants in the country while Texas Monthly voted it top five Mexican restaurants in Texas. The restaurant is celebrated for its generous portions of mole, chilaquiles, and milanesa, however, its frozen margaritas do not go unnoticed.

Margarita purists generally look down on the frozen margarita, but if they were to get their hands on Cuquita’s pale-green slushie goodness they might rethink their “rocks only” policy. The sunny yellow walls decorated with hanging garlic cloves and a giant Aztec calendar provide a warm atmosphere to enjoy while you sip on your margarita.

Margaritas and patios go together like salt and tequila. If we are lucky enough to have warm weather on National Margarita day, head to The Victoria Restaurant  and grab a table on their huge patio. This gem of a restaurant is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby Dart Station. This spacious neighborhood favorite serves authentic Mexican food and legendary strong margaritas. For those who do not waste valuable stomach room with liquids, they serve shots of frozen margaritas complete with a salted rim and slice of lime.

Discover more restaurants in the Farmers Branch area that will put you right in the middle of the culinary action. The city is easily accessible and serviced by the DART green line, with the Farmers Branch Station located at 12800 Denton Road, across from the Children’s Health StarCenter.