Whether they're shaken or frozen, whether it's Cinco de Mayo or Cinco de Octubre, whether you prefer salt or no salt, nothing hits the spot like a margarita. We've ranked our five favorite margs around town—from the traditional to the creative—to make your next Taco Tuesday or a Saturday-night fiesta a delicious one.
5. Big Star Margarita at Big Star ($10)
West Town/Wicker Park
Unlike many taco spots, Big Star's focus is beer and bourbon, not tequila. But it still turns out a killer margarita. The signature Big Star marg ($10/glass or $40/pitcher) features blanco tequila, lime, Marie Brizard curaçao, and a touch of smoky Vida mezcal for a little extra flavor. Not feeling the mezcal? There's also a classic margarita for $9/glass or $36/pitcher. Order up some tacos and queso fundido, and you're in business.
4. Build-your-own margaritas at Del Toro ($9)
Pilsen
If you're a margarita control freak, Del Toro is the place to go: any tequila on their extensive list can be made into a marg for an extra $2. There are 15 standard and four seasonal flavor options, including the sweet-and-spicy Berry Jalapeño (with raspberry, blueberry, strawberry, jalapeño syrup, lime and Cointreau) and the Platano, made with fresh bananas. If you'd rather keep it simple, visit on Wednesdays, when the Del Toro Margarita (a classic marg made with their house tequila brand, Los 3 Garcias) goes for $6 all night long.
3. Pablo at Masa Azul ($10)
Logan Square
Masa Azul serves both a classic and a Cadillac margarita, but if you're interested in branching out, try the Pablo, a sweet and tropical combination of blanco tequila, coconut milk, citrus juice, toasted coconut and grated nutmeg. The menu at this modern Mexican spot is supremely affordable, with most items under $10—ensuring you'll have room in your budget for a few rounds.
2. Rosemary Margarita at Antique Taco/Antique Taco Chiquito ($8)
Wicker Park/The Loop
It might sound strange, but the combo of tequila, lime and orange juice, rosemary simple syrup and fresh rosemary is surprisingly addictive, with a gentle herbal quality that makes the citrus sing. It's also one of the most affordable margs in Chicago, with a big mason jar for $8 and a quart-sized carafe for $30. Pair it with an order of the famed chili cheese curds.
1. Big Nose Goes To Mexico at Mercadito ($15)
Near North Side/River North
With a basement lounge featuring a curated list of more than 80 mezcals, Meracdito knows its margs. So it's no surprise that this NYC transplant's clever bartenders have conceived the Big Nose Goes To Mexico, a margarita-gone-tiki that combines lime juice and both blanco and reposado tequila with guava, almond, and a hint of dark rum, before lighting the whole concoction on fire. If $15 is too steep, try visiting during happy hour (Tuesday-Friday, 4-6pm), when a rotating mezcal cocktail is just $8.
