Margaritas

Although Oak Park Avenue may have changed around Margaritas since Rene Roman opened the original restaurant in 1988, the eatery's dedication to classic, home-style Mexican cooking never wavered. The chefs continue to use family recipes as they prepare hearty renditions of time-honored classics. This dedication to tradition is evident both in the presentation—they prepare tableside guacamole—and in the flavors of dishes such as shredded beef flautas, sizzling shrimp fajitas, and chicken simmered in rich mole sauce. Fittingly, Margaritas takes pride in its featured cocktail, which the staff prepares in traditional style or with flavors such as strawberry, guava, and pomegranate.

The decor similarly reflects the eatery's commitment to its deeply entrenched roots. Earthenware tiles line the floors, glowing lanterns hang from the ceiling, and potted plants speckle the space. Sunlight spills through the entryway's floor-to-ceiling windows, causing the dining room's yellow walls to glow even brighter during the day, much like a firefly who is a "morning firefly."