Margarita Island Mexican Kitchen & Bar, Ormond Beach

When you enter Margarita Island Kitchen & Bar in Ormond Beach, (one of four along the central east coast of Florida), you are presented with a lively, modern, and comfortable setting. Our group of four at prime-time 7 p.m. on a Friday night were greeted cheerily and seated immediately at a table with unique, comfortable chairs. They are made of heavy wood and rope, and may require the men in the group to dust off their chivalry and help their lady companions push their chair and get seated close enough to the table.

As the name suggests, a cold margarita is probably the best way to start perusing the extensive menu electronically presented on individual iPads. There are small, large and pitchers of margaritas available in 6 different flavors, frozen or with ice cubes and salt or sugar as the options around the rim. I’ve always loved a classic margarita with its salty sourness, and ordered mine frozen. Some restaurants feel they can get away with skimping on the tequila because of all the flavors in this cocktail favorite. I can assure you, the three of us who ordered margaritas can attest that this place gives a generous dose of tequila. Both your tongue and your brain confirm that. Luckily we had Dave, our dedicated designated driver, something I would strongly suggest to all who visit this place.

 Margarita Island’s list of beverages doesn’t stop with the margarita. They offer an impressive choice of other specialty cocktails, bottled and draft beers, and wine as well as soft drinks. 

We ordered the Ceviche for an appetizer, a dish our dinner companions had never previously experienced, but a staple by which the Mrs and I judge all Mexican restaurants. It was artfully presented and very tasty. Part of the “artful” presentation is the fact that they use  whole shrimp. Our favorite Ceviche recipes use chopped shrimp, chopped onion and tomato with generous amounts of fresh avocado slices as a garnish. It may sound like a petty difference, but it’s not. The whole shrimp don’t absorb the lime marinate as much diced shrimp which is fundamental to the dish.

I ordered the 3-dish combo, with a shredded chicken burrito, a cheese enchilada, and a steak soft-shell taco. The Mrs went with the shrimp fajitas, and across the table were orders of the trio fajitas, and steak tostadas.

Trio fajita guy made the comment that the steak was “stringy.” My shredded chicken burrito had plenty of chicken, but was absent of much else. I blame that on the fact that it was part of a combo and not one of their “signature” burritos which look and sound delicious. I was also a little surprised my cheese enchilada was not made with cheddar but was instead a cheese that tasted very close to melted mozzarella. The refried beans and rice were good and rounded off what was a generally pleasing and very filling portion. The two ladies both took home doggy bags which today should more accurately be called “doggy boxes.”

 Service was prompt and attentive. The service staff lost 1/10^th of a star on the timing. We hadn’t finished our appetizers before our entrees came. An extra 5 minutes would have made the difference. I get it that Americans eat fast and want everything ASAP, but not all Americans dine at that pace. Some of us want to linger a bit while we we eat and savor each course in its turn.

Would I go back? Yes, but I would certainly explore other items on their menu. Pricewise, it’s not the most expensive Mexican menu I’ve ever seen, but nether is it the least expensive. For example, the Ceviche came in at $18, (often around $13-$14), while my entire 3-dish combo was the same price. The total bill for the four of us was $152, or approximately  $38 per person.

Margarita Island Mexican Kitchen & Bar

24 Ocean Shore Blvd

Ormond Beach, FL 32176

Cocoa Butter Ben’s Best Bites Restaurant Review

4.8 Stars

Food: 4.6

Menu: 4.9

Sevice: 4.9

Quality / Price: 4.7

Price: $30- - $40 pp