A Review Of The Tequila-Heavy Cocktail At This Local Watering Hole
No matter how much you think you know a place, or how many times you go there, it’s still good to take some tips from another local.
Case in point, margaritas at Ercoles in Manhattan Beach, CA.
That is something I had never previously considered until I was out with a long-time local who said something to the effect of “there’s so much tequila in them you can’t go wrong.”
Well, that sounded like a challenge, so in the name of research we headed there on a sunny but cool winter Sunday evening. And, with no surprise, I can happily report that his words were right on target.
I had always thought of Ercoles as a beer bar. It’s the oldest bar in Manhattan Beach, grills the best burgers in at least Southern California and probably the world, and is where old-timers, new-timers and us in-betweens go on a very regular basis. After midnight on weekends, it’s a singles scene of various age groups.
Because of all this, I’ve been in the place hundreds of times. And I’ve always had beer. Specifically, Stella Artois on draft. And when my buddy suggested the margarita, I realized that I never ever had a cocktail in Ercoles. It’s always been beer.
I was initially skeptical when I saw the bartender bring out a bottle of margarita mix. I HATE margaritas made with mix. They are usually terrible.
But then I watched the pour the tequila and triple sec. And he continued to pour the tequila and triple sec. Let’s just say it was very generous. The mix was like a floater. And by the way, isn’t this why we love dive bars to begin with, these super pours without some bean-counter type of stopper stopping the flow of the alcohol. And the fun.
It tasted fine and it took only one to start to get feeling in a great mood. That’s prefect for this very thirsty largely single beach community.
The price was $15 for two. And that included a $3 tip for the bartender.
Sometimes we get “beered out,” right? Even us beer drinkers need mixed drinks and wine on occasion.
And now, I’ve learned the potent margarita as Ercoles is a great alternative. This was the first time. But it won’t be the last time.
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