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.

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.

Where to eat Frozen margarita in Dallas

4 editor picks for Frozen margarita in Dallas, ranked by editorial score. All Dallas signature dishes · Frozen margarita across every city.

  • Mia's Tex-Mex

    Order Brisket tacos, the dish that earned Mia's citywide loyalty. Cheese enchiladas with chili con carne.

    Operating since 1981, Mia's serves the brisket tacos that became a Dallas archetype.

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  • Herrera's Cafe

    Order Cheese enchiladas with chili gravy. The combination plate is the reason regulars drive across the city.

    An Oak Cliff Tex-Mex hole-in-the-wall on W Illinois Avenue, serving loyal customers since 1949.

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  • El Fenix

    Order Cheese enchiladas with chili gravy. The combination plate that opened in 1918.

    Founded 1918 by Mike Martinez, El Fenix is the oldest Tex-Mex chain in the US, credited with formalising the enchilada-chili-gravy combination plate Dallas.

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  • Mariano's Hacienda Ranch

    Order The frozen margarita, made from the tradition of the 1971 original machine invention.

    Mariano Martinez invented the frozen margarita machine on May 11, 1971 at his original East Dallas restaurant.

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Book food experiences in Dallas

Dallas Margs, Wine & Foodie Experience★ 5.0 (57)

Viator · 3 h

Dallas Margs, Wine & Foodie Experience

One-of-a-kind walking tour along historic Main Street in Grapevine, Texas that includes great food, wine and other spirits from local specialty restaurants and shops, ...

fromUSD 133 Check dates

See all 346 food experiences in Dallas

Make it at home

Serves 25 minBeginner

Ingredients

  • 90ml blanco tequila (100% agave)
  • 45ml triple sec or Cointreau
  • 60ml fresh lime juice
  • 15ml simple syrup (adjust to taste)
  • 2 cups ice
  • Coarse salt for the rim
  • Lime wedge for garnish

Method

  1. Run a lime wedge around the rim of two glasses and dip in coarse salt.
  2. Combine tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and simple syrup in a blender with ice.
  3. Blend on high until smooth and the consistency of a slushie.
  4. Pour into the prepared glasses. Garnish with a lime wedge.
  5. Taste; add more simple syrup if too tart, more lime if too sweet.

Editor tip. Fresh lime juice is not negotiable. Bottled produces a flat, bitter margarita. Pre-squeeze and refrigerate; it keeps 24 hours without losing brightness.