A Vibrant Culinary Experience at Viva Margarita - Hazlet, NJ
â â â â â 5/5 Stars
Nestled in the heart of Hazlet, New Jersey, Viva Margarita delivers an exceptional Mexican dining experience that captivates both the palate and the soul. From the moment you step inside, the warm, inviting atmosphere sets the stage for an unforgettable meal filled with authentic flavors and impeccable hospitality.
The Culinary Journey
Kids Quesadillas - These delightfully crispy, golden-brown tortillas were perfectly crafted for young diners..
Viva Berry - This refreshing, vibrant cocktail burst with the essence of fresh, juicy berries.
Jalapeño Margarita - Bold and electrifying, this spectacular margarita delivered the perfect kick of heat from fresh jalapeños. The spicy warmth was beautifully tempered by smooth, premium tequila and zesty lime, creating a thrilling, memorable drink that tingled pleasantly on the tongue.
Habanero Sunrise - Visually stunning and tantalizingly fiery, this gorgeous cocktail featured layers of brilliant orange and red hues reminiscent of a blazing sunset. The habaneroâs intense heat was masterfully balanced with tropical sweetness, creating a daring, exotic drink for the adventurous palate.
Corn on the Cob - This magnificent side dish showcased sweet, tender kernels that practically burst with flavor. Perfectly charred and generously slathered with creamy, tangy sauce and sprinkled with aromatic spices, each bite was pure, smoky perfection.
Enchilada - These heavenly, sauce-drenched tortillas were stuffed with savory, well-seasoned filling and smothered in rich, velvety enchilada sauce. The melted cheese on top created a luscious, indulgent layer that complemented the tender, flavorful interior beautifully.
Mixed Vegetables - Far from ordinary, this colorful medley featured crisp, fresh vegetables that were perfectly sautéed to maintain their natural crunch. Seasoned with aromatic herbs and spices, each vegetable maintained its distinct flavor while contributing to a harmonious, nutritious ensemble.
Chimi Mixvegetales - This creative, inventive chimichanga was packed with a delightful mixture of seasoned vegetables, all wrapped in a golden, crispy tortilla shell. The contrast between the crunchy exterior and the tender, flavorful vegetable filling was absolutely divine.
Coco Rico - This tropical, creamy delight transported taste buds straight to paradise. Rich coconut flavors melded seamlessly with smooth, luxurious textures, creating a dessert-like beverage that was both refreshing and indulgent.
Tableside Guacamole - Witnessing the theatrical preparation of this fresh, chunky guacamole was entertainment in itself. Made with perfectly ripe avocados, zesty lime, aromatic cilantro, and just the right amount of jalapeño heat, this creamy, restaurant-quality dip was absolutely phenomenal.
VolcĂĄn Chocolate - This dramatic, molten dessert was a true showstopper. The warm, decadent chocolate cake oozed rich, velvety chocolate sauce that cascaded beautifully down the sides, creating a heavenly, indulgent finale to the meal.
Tres Leches - The crowning jewel of desserts, this incredibly moist, spongy cake was perfectly soaked in three types of milk. Light, airy, and impossibly creamy, each forkful melted effortlessly on the tongue, delivering pure, unadulterated bliss.
Service Excellence
The exceptional staff at Viva Margarita consistently delivered outstanding, attentive service throughout the evening. Final Thoughts
Viva Margarita stands as a shining beacon of authentic Mexican cuisine in Hazlet. With its masterfully crafted dishes, creative cocktails, and unparalleled service, this restaurant has earned its place as a must-visit destination. Whether youâre seeking a family-friendly meal or a romantic evening out, Viva Margarita delivers an extraordinary culinary adventure that will leave you planning your next visit before youâve even...
   Read moreMy first visit to Viva Margarita was with my son. When we walked into the foyer, I was pleased to see some dia de los muertos (Day of the dead) decor. It immediately brought on a feel of fun and welcome. As we entered the restaurant, I smiled when I saw the various other festive decor items as well as the wall colors. The hostess sat us in a back corner in the main room. I noticed the ceiling needed a bit of TLC. The waitress came to take our drink order and, per our request, gave us more time to come up with our food orders. Despite there being several empty tables, between the loud music and the waitressâ heavy accident, giving our food order was a little arduous. Additionally, the wait for the food seemed long, especially considering the restaurant was not full. The food was very good and priced fairly, albeit nothing to jump up and down for joy over. Our billâs total was $49. This was for two entrees and two unsweetened iced teas. A nearby Mexican restaurant generally costs $40 for the same and, in my humble opinion, the same quality food but better service. The topper was in paying. I put a $100 bill in the bill fold. The waitress came back (same time later) and said, âWe donât have exact change so we charged you $50. Is that ok with you?â She opened the bill fold to show me that the $100 bill had been changed in to 5 $10 bills. A bit dumbfounded, I was silent for a few seconds before explaining this was not ok with me. I asked for my $100 back and exclaimed I would pay with my credit card. When the waitress returned, the bill fold had 10 $10 bills in it. I checked the bill to ensure there was not a credit card fee before handing it back with my credit card. That ended that experience. My thoughts later were: 1. The manager should have come to the table to explain the situation rather than send the waitress. 2. They shouldâve charge me less, not more, to compensate for their lack of change. 3. While some said I shouldâve simply tipped less, I didnât feel the waitress should be âpunishedâ for something that was not her fault.
My second visit to Viva Margarita was with my BF. This was a different, but sadly not better experience. This time, the restaurant was packed, and although the music was not as loud, the restaurant commotion was very loud. The ceilings are low and there is nothing that can buffer the acoustics. For this experience, I will simply list the issues: It was too loud. The service was very slow I asked for napkins 3 times from two people Our appetizer was brought out but we didnât have plates. We were already done eating the appetizer, and the entrees had already arrived when I inquired not once, but twice as to the whereabouts of our iced teas. The food was good, but nothing to rave about.
I will not...
   Read moreMy family and I decided to try this restaurant. Boy what a mistake. The Service sucks, We got seated right away but We waited 15 minutes for someone to come over to our table. We had to ask a manager to send someone over to take our drink order. Waited for refills, once they finally brought a refill, they left the empty glasses on our table. We placed our order for food. We waited 40 minutes to have the food delivered. All of our meals were wrong. My daughter asked for steak tacos she got chicken, she asked for double portion of rice and no beans. They brought rice and refried beans. I asked for ground beef I got shredded pork. My husbandâs wings were so burnt. My son got carne asada hard tacos, there was three small flour tacos. They definitely didnât fill him. My mother ordered steak and shrimp fajitas and she received chicken and shrimp fajitas. The street corn was so tiny. I asked the food runner if he can lower the air conditioner, it was blowing on us and he said sorry no speak English and walked away. I went into the ladies room, there was no toilet paper in the stalls. No soap in the soap dispensers. There was hand soap bottle on the counter along with a roll of paper towel. So brand new restaurant and the paper towel dispenser didnât work ? Hmmm. I asked our server why there are so many people walking around and only one server going up to the tables? She said the others are in training. I definitely will not be back to this restaurant. Not sure why people are giving this place a...
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