ENTERTAINMENT

Dining review: Margaritas is muy bien!

Will Watts
Correspondent

I was so full when I left. So very full.

Long before walking through the doors of Margaritas, I heard the good deeds of this beloved family who operate this popular Mexican eatery. So, I had some anxiety. What if I didn’t like it?! I was sure to be lynched, metaphorically speaking of course.

Thank goodness. It lived up to its stellar reputation.

Things got off to an appetizing start with the queso fundido, white cheese sauce sprinkled with Mexican chorizo, green onions and jalapenos. OMG! I was in heaven. I love this spicy Mexican sausage, especially in small doses; and cheese can do no wrong (except for pimento; which is so wrong).

The queso fundido and chips at Margaritas, Marco Island.
The tinga burrito at Margaritas, Marco Island.

For my main entrée, I ordered the tinga burrito; a specialty seasoned jerk chicken layered with beans, rice and cheese in a flour tortilla; with more cheese on the outside, ranchero sauce, sour cream and onions.

The burrito was huge and nearly impossible to finish. And while it was a flavor sensation that I would not change; fans of tinga – made from tomatoes, chipotle chilis in adobo – might be slightly disappointed as the chicken inside did not seem to have much, if any, of the seasoning. The overriding taste was the ranchero sauce on the outside – which counts; let’s just file this under not what I expected.

My partner in dine had the enchiladas suizas, two corn tortillas stuffed with chicken and covered with salsa verde, cotiga cheese, chives and cream.    

The enchiladas suizas at Margaritas, Marco Island.
The chips and salsa at Margaritas, Marco Island.

He cleaned his plate and gave the dish a hearty thumbs-up; however, he said he would have preferred onions to the chives. He also gave a short out to the well-seasoned light and fluffy rice.

The chips, salsa and pico de gallo were all fresh and plentiful. The service was exemplary. And the speed of the preparation, wow! Before we had more than a couple of chips, our fundido arrived; and before we could finish that; our entrees were ready.  

The decor pops and there is both indoor and outdoor dining. It’s also some of the best prices you’ll find on Marco Island.

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If you go

Margaritas

1069 N. Collier Blvd. Marco Island Fl, 34145

239-394-6555

www.margaritasontheisland.com