HHH Favorites: Margaritas

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Or if you're my sister, Happy Birthday! I've always thought Sarah is lucky to have her birthday coincide with Cinco de Mayo, but that may be because I'm a big fan of tequila and guacamole and it's double the excuse to indulge.

Ready for a margarita? Here are a few of our favorites around Portland:

Por Que No?

Why not? Seriously, give me a good reason why you would not go here for a margarita, and probably a taco or two. Choose between a classic Margarita ($9 for a pint) or go with their Pomegranate Margarita. There is typically a margarita of the day as well with whatever fresh juice they're serving up. The only downside is that $9 is a bit steep when you plan on having two... or three.

Xico

This year Cinco de Mayo falls on Xico's "Margarita Monday" which features a $5 Happy Margarita with tequila, lime juice, and triple sec. If you're there for happy hour (5-6:30pm M-F), I would also recommend the Sonoran Hot Dog ($6) to share with bacon, salsa verde, refritos, cotija, crema, lime, and pico de gallo on top of a Nathan's frank. So good!

Elephants Deli

Elephants recently changed their happy hour to 3-6pm (it used be 5-7pm) and switched up their food offerings too, but don't worry, their Three Citrus Margarita ($7 on hh) is still featured on the bar menu. If you're looking for something a little smaller and a little stronger though, go for the Million Dollar Margarita. 

La Taq

Little sister to Podnah's Pit next door, La Taq serves Tex Mex favorites like Queso Fundido and puffy tacos as well as a killer House Margarita ($8). Or, if you want to switch it up a bit, try the Zanahorita ($9) a margarita made with carrot juice and a little cumin. 

Prefer homemade? Check out some of our margarita recipes:

• Strawberry & Black Pepper Margarita
• Corona Margaritas 
• Three Citrus Margarita
• Cranberry Margaritas

Cheers!

Honeys Heart: Xico, tenderBAR, Ava Genes, Burning Love, & Hale Pele

We've been major slackers lately. Sorry, guys. So here's a few things we're really into right now cuz lists are fun and easy for us and you.

1. Xico

Kel and I went to happy hour/dinner here with her parents last week and it's kind of embarrassing how much we talked about it the day after... and every day since. Obsessed, basically. Everything was good but we especially liked the $5 happy hour Sonoran Hot Dog and the Sopaipillas, both savory and sweet.


2. tenderBAR

We're pretty mad we didn't think of this idea. Cocktail catering plus custom bottled cocktails- so smart! Kel sampled some of their cocktails at a recent event and loved both their Cold Blood, made with tequila, honey, and blood orange, and their Gin Gin Pina, made with gin, pineapple, and ginger bubbly.


3. Ava Genes 

Kel and Adam had a date night here last week and can't wait to go back to sample more of their delicious (but pricey) food and drinks. Recommended: Fresh Sheep's Cheese & Nettles bruschetta and Lamb Ragu & Chicories pasta.


4. Burning Love

Let's be real, the best part of The Bachelor/The Bachorette is making fun of it. And having a good excuse to drink wine on a Monday night. (If you don't agree, this is why we aren't friends.) If you love doing both those things, pretty sure you'll enjoy Burning Love too. New webisodes every Thursday and Friday.


5. Hale Pele

Nothing cures the winter blues like drinking a gigantic tiki drink in an aptly kitsched-out bar. Favorite drink so far: Missionary's Downfall (above), made with rum, mint, peach, and pineapple. But get the Jet Pilot if you're a fan of fire, cinnamon and sitting shotgun (no driving after one of these!).