Kansas City has an international reputation for its barbecue, but locals also know that the metro area has many outstanding Mexican and South American restaurants. One of the places to find the best Mexican cuisine is Southwest Boulevard, where a dozen or more Mexican restaurants can be found (which will be profiled in an upcoming Chuck Eats KC feature).
One of my favorite Mexican restaurants on the Boulevard is Margarita’s, a local institution that has been in business for 30 years. Margarita’s is also a favorite of Dining Companion #1 and the kid foodies that share thoughts with Chuck Eats KC. This blog’s kid consultants like Margarita’s so much, that they’ve requested a few birthday dinners there.
Margarita’s has five area locations, but their location on Southwest Boulevard has been a frequent dining stop for me and my friends over the years. I’ve also been to their Martin City location a couple of time.
Located midway along the Southwest Boulevard Mexican restaurant strip, at the bend of the road and under the shadow of I-35, this restaurant recently renovated. The inside still has the excellent layout, with two main dining rooms and the same bar near the front. The remodel freshened up the décor and theming. The back wall of the front room has a photo mural of the Kansas City Royals World Series victory celebration at Union Station. The rest of the restaurant is bright and cheerful. Seating includes booths and tables.
One of my favorite things about the vibe at Margarita’s on the Boulevard is that it always seems busy and packed. That adds to the energy of the place. The packed restaurant doesn’t seem to affect the service and the noise levels are very tolerable.
My favorite vegetarian dishes on their menu include spinach quesadillas, the #17 Chile Relleno entrée, the potato puffy tacos, the tostada, and the #9 Cozumel entrée (two pepper cheese & spinach enchiladas with rice and beans). The restaurant also has a vegetarian taco salad, other salads, and some new combinations which are vegetarian friendly. I’ve also created my own special diet combinations using sides from the A La Carte section of the menu.
Dining Companion #1 is a big fan of their chicken and potato puffy tacos and their pork tamales.
If I were to pick four things that set Margarita’s apart for me, I’d pick the potato puffy taco, the bean tostada, the spinach enchiladas, and the outstanding chips and salsa.
Dining Companions #1 and #2 and I keep a short list between of us of where to find good spinach enchiladas around Kansas City. Margarita’s is on that short list. We’d really like to see this style on more restaurant menus. I’d like to see more enchiladas with vegetarian and vegan friendly ingredients.
I understand that their chicken and pork entrees are pretty good. The restaurant has all of the standard formats for proteins (tacos, burritos, nachos, enchiladas, and taquitos). Some meat-centered entrees of note include the #14 Chicken Argentine (marinated chicken breast served on a bed of shredded lettuce & topped with their Margarita Dip), the #12 Chico (Mexican Chile), and the #11 Pescado (tilapia sauteed & topped with sweet mango salsa).
Margarita’s has an excellent set of daily food and drink specials. Lunch specials include the standard Taco Tuesday, but they also have “Cheesy Monday” (one chicken hard shell taco and get one free OR buy one cheese & onion enchilada & get one free), “Burrito Thursday”, and “Sizzlin’ Saturday” (fajitas). My favorite is “Super Sunday” which lets you choose from any of the other daily specials.
The restaurant has some of the best chips and salsa in the metro area. They even sell their salsa in most grocery stores. It’s my second favorite salsa for home use.
Margarita’s service has always been outstanding on my visits. Always prompt and fast. Never had any bad or off service of any kind.
Margarita’s is an affordable, delicious Mexican restaurant with options for everybody in your family. Very kid friendly. One of the cornerstones of Kansas City’s Mexican restaurant scene.
- Southwest Boulevard: 2829 SW Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108
- North Oak: 7013 North Oak Trafficway, Kansas City, MO 64118
- Lenexa: 7890 Quivira Road, Lenexa, KS 66216
- Liberty: 1910 Victory Drive, Liberty, MO 64068
- Martin City: 13401 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64145
Website: https://www.margaritasamigos.com/
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