America is the land of many ideals: long commutes, amber waves of grain, student loans, purple mountain majesties. Another notable hallmark is the liquor licenses that allow you to order beer, wine and spirits to-go.
Dear reader, as you may be aware by now, it has been a rough few weeks for me, (see chipping tooth while reviewing Clayton’s and facing Village Pizzeria as someone who is lactose intolerant) so I figured this week I would pump the breaks and lay off the masochistic column ideas and follow my heart all the way to a mobile margarita.
The last (and only) experience I have had with ordering alcohol to-go was at a drive through Mexican restaurant. After ordering a California burrito I was faced with a Trojan horse question, simply too good to be true.
“Do you want anything to drink with that? Soda, agua fresca, beer?”
The voice, like the Wizard of Oz, boomed at me through the grated metal box. I winced, looking for the green curtain.
“A beer… like a beer beer? I’ll take one,” I replied, partly ready to have an undercover cop cuff me upon pulling up to the cashier window, and partly humiliated by my juvenile response.
See, at the time of ordering I was not yet aware that a business could procure a license allowing for this sale to happen legally. So when I found out that Blanco Cocina + Cantina does a margarita to-go, I knew I had to redeem myself.
Upon approaching the restaurant, I immediately noticed the giant walk-up window. It was flanked by signs reading Order to-go. Easy enough. The to-go menu was notably slimmer than their dine-in menu, featuring only tacos, burritos and margaritas. I ordered one crispy shell group beef taco, one fried fish taco and a blended spiced mango margarita.
Seated outside the restaurant with some other patrons, I wondered if we were all here for the same thing. After waiting long enough for me to contemplate how I got to ordering a margarita to-go on a Tuesday at 11 a.m., I received my meal.
I, obviously, started with the margarita, enjoying the outdoor seating area. A rush of sticky sweet mango syrup, pulverized ice and tajin hit my tastebuds all at once. My chipped tooth buzzed at the temperature shift. I made a note to schedule an appointment, but only after I finished a heavenly cocktail.
The food was less awe-inducing, and, as far as Mexican cuisine goes, remarkably Americanized. The crispy shell ground beef taco had shredded lettuce, tomato, sour cream and shredded cheese. Need I say more? It was a perfectly fine taco, but one for $7 seemed unfortunate. The fried fish taco was marginally more inspirational, with avocado cilantro lime slaw, chipotle crema, cotija cheese and pico de gallo.
But we know I was never here for the tacos, and I returned to my North Star, happily sipping down the mixture, the condensation and syrup leaving my hands gummy. Not only was it a novelty item, given its portability, it was a delicious margarita, priced similarly to competitors. It came in a run-of-the-mill clear plastic cup, sealed shut with a this contains alcohol sticker.
While I wasn’t blown away by the cost or presentation of the food, I enjoyed my pseudo-rebellious outing and was pleased with my experience, happy to have dodged any medical emergencies or run-ins with the law.
I think it is important to mention here that under no circumstance should you drive under the influence; enjoy to-go alcohol responsibly. Out of an abundance of caution I feel I should make it very clear that in both of these instances, I did not drink and drive. Be a good neighbor, be safe!
Alcohol to-go gained popularity over COVID-19, and has become a staple under California Senate Bill 389. If a restaurant has the correct licensure (type 41, 47, or 45), they can sell sealed liquor bottles or cocktails to-go.
The Coronado location of Blanco Cocina + Cantina is situated on Orange Avenue and is open seven days a week.
