The blender invention that defined Tex-Mex bar service: tequila, lime, triple sec and ice churned to a frozen slush, with salt-rimmed glass. Matt's El Rancho runs the canonical Austin version.
Where to eat it: 3 restaurants across 1 city.
The frozen margarita machine was invented in 1971 by Mariano Martinez at Mariano's Mexican Cuisine in Dallas, adapting a soft-serve ice cream machine to churn tequila slush. The technology spread fast through Texas; Matt's El Rancho in Austin had a machine running by 1972. The Austin version uses Sauza Gold or 1800 reposado, lime juice, triple sec and simple syrup churned at sub-freezing temperatures. Joann's and Curra's run avocado margarita variants; the original frozen version remains a Travis County summer rite.
Tip from the editors. Fresh lime juice matters; bottled mix tastes like syrup and gives Austin frozens their bad reputation. Add a splash more lime if the slush tastes too sweet.
This is the TableJourney editorial recipe, modelled on the canonical bistro / counter version. The first place to try the dish in its city of origin is below.
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 tradition.
Signature: Bob Armstrong dip, Enchiladas with chili gravy, Frozen margarita
Order: Bob Armstrong dip, beef enchiladas with chili gravy, plus a frozen margarita on the side.
Tip: The 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, fajitas and frozen margaritas.
Order: Migas plate with a frozen margarita
Tip: The 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 rancheros famous.
Signature: Huevos rancheros, Migas, Chorizo and eggs
Order: Huevos rancheros plate with refried beans and a side flour tortilla.
Tip: The morning rush peaks at 8:30am; smoother before 7:30 or after 10. Cash and card both work fine.
More cities are in research. Want frozen margarita covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.