A blended mixture of tequila, triple sec and lime juice served in a salt-rimmed glass from machines that run all day in Tex-Mex restaurants. Dallas claims the 1971 invention of the machine-blended frozen margarita.
Where to eat it: 7 restaurants across 2 cities.
Dallas restaurateur Mariano Martinez claims to have invented the first frozen margarita machine in 1971 at his restaurant Mariano's, adapting a 7-Eleven Slurpee machine to dispense a pre-blended margarita. The machine is in the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History in Washington D.C. The frozen margarita subsequently spread from Dallas to every Tex-Mex restaurant in the United States.
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Tip from the editors. Fresh lime juice is not negotiable. Bottled produces a flat, bitter margarita. Pre-squeeze and refrigerate; it keeps 24 hours without losing brightness.
Matt's El Rancho in Austin is the Martinez family's South Lamar Tex-Mex room since 1952, home of the Bob Armstrong queso dip and a citywide birthday-dinner.
OrderBob Armstrong dip, beef enchiladas with chili gravy, plus a frozen margarita on the side.
TipThe patio under the oaks holds 200; arrive 5:30pm to dodge the 7-to-9 family wait.
Joann's Fine Foods in Austin is the Bunkhouse Group's Tex-Mex diner brunch at the Austin Motel on South Congress, a palapa-bar patio of migas.
OrderMigas plate with a frozen margarita
TipThe pool is members-only at Austin Motel but the diner patio is open to walk-in; arrive 9am Saturday for shade.
Cisco's in Austin is Rudy Cisneros's East 6th Tex-Mex breakfast counter since 1948, the room that ran the city's politician breakfasts and helped make huevos.
OrderHuevos rancheros plate with refried beans and a side flour tortilla.
TipThe morning rush peaks at 8:30am; smoother before 7:30 or after 10. Cash and card both work fine.
Mariano Martinez invented the frozen margarita machine on May 11, 1971 at his original East Dallas restaurant. Located in Lakewood. Priced at $$.
OrderThe frozen margarita, made from the tradition of the 1971 original machine invention.
TipThe history of the margarita machine is on the wall. The original machine is now in the Smithsonian, but the recipe continues here.
The oldest Tex-Mex restaurant in Dallas, operating since 1918. Open mon-thu 11am-9pm, fri-sat 11am-10pm, sun 11am-9pm. At 1601 McKinney Ave.
OrderCombo plate: enchiladas, tamale, taco; cheese dip; sopapillas
TipThe McKinney Ave location is the most accessible. The Tuesday special is the best value night. No reservations needed; the turnover is fast.
Herrera's Cafe on W Illinois Avenue has been serving Tex-Mex breakfast since 1949, making it the oldest continuous Tex-Mex brunch counter in Dallas.
OrderBreakfast tacos; huevos rancheros with house red salsa since 1949
TipCash preferred, card accepted. Go early; the line builds from 9am on weekends.
The brisket taco at Mia's costs around $6 individually, making it an affordable way to experience Dallas's most definitive Tex-Mex taco. Located in Uptown.
OrderTwo brisket tacos; house margarita (happy hour); rice and beans
TipHappy hour runs daily from 4-7pm with discounted margaritas. Two tacos and a drink is the sweet spot for a budget Mia's visit.
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