It was a family affair at Las Margaritas Mexican Restaurant on Wednesday night. Mama Sue and Papa Mike joined Flash and me for some music and a meal. I’ve grown up going to Las Margaritas on Hixson Pike all my life. It’s a fiesta every time. 

We walked in out of the rain and the hostess greeted us with a big, smiling, “Hola!” Colorful piñatas hung from the ceiling and Latin music blared. The hostess sat the four of us at a table in front of the bar, which doubles as the stage every Wednesday night for the band Priscilla and Little Rickee.

The Latin music ceased and the band started to play as the server brought out the complimentary chips and salsa. Mama Sue, Papa Mike, Flash, and I didn’t even need to look over the menu. We know what we like as Las Mas.

Mama Sue and Flash both ordered the Steak Acapulco. It comes with ribeye steak prepared with cooked onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, and red wine; all topped with cheese and served with Mexican rice and refried beans for $10.75. Papa Mike went with the Flautas Mexicanas, which are corn tortillas stuffed with shredded chicken and topped with lettuce, sour cream, and tomatoes for $8.95. I chose my usual, Arroz con Pollo, a dish of grilled chicken on Mexican rice covered in queso cheese and cooked veggies for $10.50. 

We danced in our seats to the rock n’ roll of Priscilla and Little Rickee as we waited for our food. People poured in out of the rain, and pretty soon Las Margaritas was like a sold-out concert.

“Reminds me of the time I saw Skynyrd in Atlanta!” Mama Sue shouted while waving her arms to the music.

“This is nothing like the time we saw Skynard in Atlanta,” Papa Mike, the realist of the two, corrected.

But it was a fun time nevertheless.

“Hot plates!” the server warned as she placed our dinner before us. Flash must not have heard her over the music and grabbed his plate directly from the server’s hands. Prideful as he is about being manly, he didn’t react to the burn I know he felt, but I could see in his startled face that he wanted to shriek.

Fortunately, Flash forgot his pain once he started to eat his ribeye. The queso cheese blended tastefully with my chicken, veggies, and rice. Though Las Margaritas is more of a come-for-the-atmosphere type place rather than come-for-the-food, everyone was happy with their meal and shared around the table.

The band was still jamming out by the time we paid and left, to-go boxes in hand because Las Mas always gives generous portions.

“Adios!” The hostess called as we reentered the rain.

Rain or shine, Las Margaritas is always a fiesta.   

Location: 1101 Hixson Pike

Hours: M-Th 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., F-Sat 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.