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The Perfect Margarita

I'm on the hunt for the perfect margarita.

So far the best one I've had was at Plaza Azteca (I've only tried 4 places).  At the moment I'm focusing my efforts in the Philadelphia area.  But I plan to try margaritas elsewhere in the world in the future.  What the heck... maybe I'll just travel the world trying margaritas!  I've got time after all... I'm 32... no kids... no significant other... soooo it's just smooth sailing and margaritas here on out on the horizon for me as far as I can see!

One of these days I'll try a margarita that will just absolutely blow my mind.  And you bet I'm going to post about it here.  I'll write a full review on this mind blowing margarita for sure.  I imagine the Philadelphia margarita scene isn't the absolute best in the world... So I definitely think I want to start traveling just to try and review margaritas in other cities.

Maybe try the south west or something.  I feel like they would have good margaritas in Texas.  Or New Mexico.  Or maybe Southern California or something.

In the past couple weeks I've tried a few places around me to start my journey for the perfect margarita.

Here's my current "favorites" list since I've started my margarita journey:

1. Plaza Azteca, Plymouth Meeting - Frozen.  They put a lime in it and the glass is nice and big.  Also on Monday's they have a 5 dollar house one!

2. Bahama Breeze, King of Prussia - This one was one the rocks.  I liked it but din't love it.  I got the extras though from the shake up thing.  A little extra margarita goes a long way.

3. Matador, Wayne - Another on the rocks.  It was good... but there was no lime.  Where's the lime!  I like fruit in my drinks.  Limes, lemons... cherries... strawberries... whatever.  Just throw some fruit in there!

4. Uncle Julios, Plymouth Meeting - This was my least favorite.  Don't get me wrong it was good.  Honestly I haven't had a bad one yet... but... it just seemed kind of watered down.  Or like it was made from a prepackaged mix.  Though this really has nothing to do with the actual contents  of the drink itself, I feel like it should factor into the experience... I didn't like the glass it came in, and the bar tender was a bit like, annoyed that he had to make me a drink.  I'm going to be factoring that into my search for the perfect margarita.

I'm all about the whole experience.  I'm all about the drink itself, the taste, the ingredients, how it is prepared, the demeanor of the bar tender, the type of glass it's served in.  If it comes in just a regular plain beer pint glass, that will be points off for sure....

Ok those are the four places I've had margaritas recently (or at the best ones worth mentioning).  I'm looking for more places to try.  Maybe places that aren't known for margaritas... but have great ones.  Maybe places that have great ones and everyone knows about it.  The more frilly and over the top and decorative the glass the better.  If anyone has any suggestions for me let me know!  Right now I'm sticking with the Philadelphia... or PA/NJ/DE area.

I can't decide if I like frozen or on the rocks better.  I feel like I prefer the frozen one.  But I want it made from scratch and not just some mix packet.

I usually go with salt.  Although if I'm getting a second one... I'll go without salt because it's too much salt to have two in a row.  I'm not a deer.  I don't need a salt lick.

I think I'm going to have to come up with a whole entire check list and point system for judging the margarita.  So far I have...

• Presentation - Glass, does it come with fun decorative things?  Or is it served in something else off beat?  I found out that Plaza Azteca has them in pumpkins for the month of October!  I'm going to go back and try one ASAP.  I'll post an Instagram when I do.
• Serve - The serve, just like in tennis has to have good from.  Is the bartender disgruntled and annoyed or are they happy to make you the drink of your choice?  Do they just kind of put it in front of you and walk away, or do they have some cheerful words as they ease it on top of a napkin?  The Bahama Breeze server was delightful.  This guy Peter was like... here you go sir... let me know if there is anything else I can help you with!  We laughed, we joked.  It was great.  Full 10 on the serve for him.  The Matador serve was sour.  He just wasn't in the mood to be there, you could tell.  He was annoyed that you even sat down.  He was ready to check out.  Which is fine.  Maybe he just had a bad day.  Totally cool.  But, it just means less points.
• The margarita itself - Taste.  Does it wow me as soon as I take that first sip?  Is it TOO strong?  Not strong enough?  Too over powering with the sugar... is there more salt than a side walk in the winter?  Or not enough salt?  Do I do that little head nod as I'm slurping on the first little sip and then go "Oh yeah.  Wow!  That's good!"  And then the bartender with their little drying washcloth is wiping out a freshly washed margarita glass and nodding back, proud that he's given you a proper margarita experience.  A tear wells up in the corner of his eye, he's so joyful inside because you've got that warm fuzzy feeling of an ice cold margarita in your tummy.
• The extras - How's the ambiance of the place?  Do they give you complimentary chips and salsa?  Are they playing great music.  How's the view?

Home work for the reader, or just some food for thought:  Where's the best margarita you've ever had?  What do you like?  On the rocks or frozen?  With or without salt?  I recently learned that you can ask for custom tequila... I had no idea!  Do you ask for custom tequila?

My standard is a happy hour house, frozen, add a lime, and salt.  Toss in some chips and guac and I'm in my happy place.