‘Watts for Dinner’: Margaritas – New look, fresh menu, same great flavors!
Our next dining destination is Margaritas in Marco Town Center. Our last visit was September 2022, but we moved our return visit up because of some exciting new changes. The longtime Mexican restaurant has finished its interior remodel which is now as modern as the recent exterior redo. New menu items have also been added to the mix.
We started our adventure with the “Autumn Sangria” ($12). It’s described as a “refreshing seasonal sangria with fresh pears, apples, oranges and a hint of cinnamon to taste.”
It’s a big drink (16 oz) served in a small Mason jar. Our drinks were a tad bitter for our tastes, but we love the idea and the presentation. And you will too!
We didn’t set out to eat only appetizers. But that’s what happened. In addition to the amazing complimentary chips and salsa, we both ordered new items that came directly from the appetizer menu.
I selected the empanadas ($12.95). The dish is described as “masa turnovers filled with Mexican style shredded chicken breast, onion, tomatoes and Mexican seasoning.”
The empanadas are served over a bed of lettuce and topped with cream and queso with a side of salsa verde. Empanadas, whether wrapped in flour or corn, are a favorite of mine. But, yes, I am partial to corn. The presentation was top notch; served on a wooden platter with the restaurant’s name blazed into the corner.
The empanadas were amazing. You get two, and they’re like a mini chimichanga, crunchy on the outside and pure bliss on the inside. I highly recommend this dish.
My dining companion opted for the sopes ($11.95), another new menu item. The dish is described as a “corn masa cake with your choice of barbacoa, Tinga chicken or pork, topped with tomatillo salsa, lettuce, cream, cotija cheese and our homemade creamy Serrano salsa.”
Think of the cakes as thick and soft tostados. The texture is almost identical to the wrapping on the empanadas. For his meal, he opted for pork. This was less carnitas and more mild roasted pork, allowing for the salsa and the cream to stand out. I can and do highly recommend this dish as well.
There are many times when I order from the appetizer menu. I’m sure if you want the rice and beans, either of these dishes can be made into a platter for a slight upcharge. But we were saving room for dessert.
And it was a dessert for the records books, and our record third highly recommend of the night: “Kahlua Flan” ($8.95). It’s vanilla-bean flan topped with chocolate toffee, garnished with whip cream and strawberries.
The flan alone was one of the best I’ve ever had. It was like eating an unfired creme brûlée. OMG! And the toffee, amazing! The strawberries were fresh, the whipped cream was thick and delicious and swimming in Bailey’s and Kahlua. Since it was our first time with this dessert, we decided to order one and half it. But trust, a second was ordered.
There are so many new items we want to try, like the “Guac-and-Roll Tacos,” the “Keto Tacos” and ceviche.
From the floor to the ceiling, the entire interior has been redone. The bar has moved to the opposite side of the restaurant and now features four large screen TVs. The tables are new and there are more booths now.
And the walls feature beautiful giant murals by Goodland artist Tara O’Neil.
Some things haven’t changed. Great service with a smile and amazing food. And while I always enjoyed Margaritas, I’m so happy to see this new chapter. It’s a refresh done right! Happy eating!
More‘Watts for Dinner’: Fresh and fabulous at the Farmers Market
AndHey Marco Island, looking for a place to eat?
Prices indicate time of visit and may vary. This newspaper pays for all meals related to dining reviews. We do not solicit or accept free food.
If you go
Margarita’s
- Marco Town Center, 1069 N Collier Blvd., Marco Island
- 239-394-6555
- margaritasontheisland.com