Location: 1999 W 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6J 1M7
Phone: (604) 734-7117
Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11:30 am – 10 pm
Fri-Sat 11:30 am – 11 pm
Website: http://www.lasmargaritas.com/
Hints:
- Small parking in back
- Street parking on side
- Patio
- Cantinas style (but not really)
Las Margaritas
Las Margaritas is a true Mexican restaurant, with that name it claimed to have Vancouver’s best salsa and margaritas, as well as the largest tequila selection in B.C. But that’s not what we’re here for tonight, at least not the drinks. I’m dining tonight with a group of friends to celebrate my belated birthday. My girlfriend and I were the latest to arrive, so we didn’t get to see how long we had to wait for a table (even though we’ve made reservations). Despite that, service was rather slow on a week night and the restaurant was not even packed.
Fiesta Platter
To start, we ordered the Fiesta platter. A sampling of Las Margaritas favourites: Guacamole, jalapeño poppers, chicken wings, cheese quesadillas, chicken taquitos and mini chimis. Served with sweet jalapeño salsa, chipotle dip and
sour cream. My favourite would have been the chicken taquitos, it’s a crispy corn tortilla rolled with seasoned chicken then deep-fried and served with fresh guacamole. They were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside! I wish the platter could have been bigger. For 8 people, this was barely enough.
Crab Enchiladas
I had the Crab Enchiladas. It’s two soft corn tortillas filled with a mixture of rock crab, sautéed mushrooms, onions, cilantro and white wine. Covered with a cilantro/pesto cream sauce and a sprinkling of cheese. Served with rice and
house salad. I could barely taste the crab in there, but whatever it was, it was pretty good! I especially liked the salad’s dressing! It was a little warm for a salad but the dressing was a little sweet, and I liked it.
Chicken and Steak Fajitas
Flour Tortillas
My girlfriend had the Fajitas, which was a pretty big portioned dish. It was a selection between grilled sirloin steak, grilled chicken breast or sauteed prawns. We ordered the steak and chicken, however, first order was messed up with prawns and steak. The Fajitas was mixed with green peppers, red peppers, and sliced onions, sauteed and brought on a sizzling hot skillet. Served with refried beans, lettuce, fresh guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo and warm flour tortillas. I liked the fact you can make your own fajita rather than have it made. The skillet was good, the peppers brought out all the flavours and the meat was sweet and juicy. No doubt one of their most famous dishes.
I did not have the privilege to share what my friends had but they delightedly shared a snapshot of it!
Pollo Chipotle
My friend “M” had a Pollo Chipotle which is two boneless breasts of chicken grilled, then topped with chipotle cream sauce, mushrooms and feta cheese. Served with house salad and black beans.
Tacos
Two flour or corn tortillas, soft or hard shell. Filled with your choice of ground beef, chicken or roasted beef. Topped with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and taco sauce. Served with refried beans & Mexican rice.
Burrito
A large flour tortilla rolled with edam, cheddar, & mozzarella, cheese and your choice of chicken (covered
with amarilla sauce). Then topped with melted cheese & sour cream. Served with refried beans &
Mexican rice.
Deluxe Quesadilla
A large grilled flour tortilla filled with melted cheese, grilled chicken breast, sauteed vegetables and fresh cilantro. Served with sour cream, salsa, black beans and house salad.
L.A. Burrito
A large flour tortilla filled with your choice of ground beef, roasted beef or shredded chicken, beans, onions, cheese, pico de gallo, salsa, sour cream and guacamole. Served with house salad & Mexican rice.
And to end off the night, I was embarrassed once again. They didn’t make me stand on a chair or sang me their version of “Happy Birthday”, they just threw a huge Sombrero on my head. Don’t believe me?
The Sombrero
It wasn’t for a long time till my neck started hurting cause it’s one heavy hat! Anyhow, we all had fun!
Overall, Las Margaritas had quite decent Mexican food. It was better than Senor Froggy in Kamloops, but it also costed more. Las Margaritas isn’t a cheap Mexican restaurant like the chain restaurant Taco del mar. That being said, I haven’t been there to experience what it’s like. The service tonight was way too slow, even for a group of 8. (Btw, any group of 8+ they will automatically add a gratuity of 17% on the bill. The ambiance wasn’t too surprising, its got random pictures on its wall and signs here and there. After all, this is a cantina styled restaurant. It feels like your average pub/bar.
Would I come again? Probably not, with this price point. I would have much more selections to choose from. And also, not a major fan of Mexican food. I blame it on the beans.
