Margarita Island - Merritt Island — Restaurant in Merritt Island

Margarita Island 777 E. Merritt Island Causeway Merritt Island, FL 32952

1 Star

With a Tundra blocking the entrance and blaring Tejano music you feel like you are in a low rent cartel c-picture. However, they have two locations; neither is in Mexico (the other is in Flagler Beach).

Jordan was my server for the meal and is fantastic at her job. She was pleasant, polite, helpful and highly knowledgeable about the menu. I ordered some Fresh Traditional Guacamole, Ceviche Los Cabos and a medium rare Churrasco platter.

The complimentary chips and salsa were an omen of things to come. The chips were okay, but the salsa either came from a 5-gallon Sysco bucket or the worst recipe known to mankind. I didn't think it was possible to make salsa this bad, yet here we are. The Fresh Traditional Guacamole looked appetizing and it was made fresh on-site. However, it had way too much salt. I don't know what happened maybe the top of the salt shaker fell off. This made me sad as the avocados and tomatoes were so fresh and scrumptious. We could get trapped in an interminable discussion on what is and isn't “traditional,” but if this is, so much for “tradition.” Gladly turning my attention to the order of Ceviche Los Cabos, I dug my fork in and stuffed it in my maw. This was an absolute abomination. The shrimp was way past its prime, the giant celery chunks were wretched, avocado under ripe and this sloppy mess seemed prepared by the back up dishwasher.

Thankfully, this brings me to the last item for review, the Churrasco. Churrasco is Spanish for skirt-steak. Skirt steak is a relatively cheap cut of bovine, and as such, I was not expecting it to hit the palate like a filet mignon, but I didn't expect an old leather football, either. This had to be last month's steak. It was unseasoned and what I did manage to saw off had to be spit out after a decade of chewing (well, it SEEMED that long).

The Big Boy says, “The fresh guac is good enough to save this from a swill alert, but it's teetering...

I saw they had birria on their menu so I had to stop by. It was lunch, they were busy. The host kept playing with her hair. I walk up, she takes her hand runs it through her hair then starts playing with the ends. She seats me, about 10 mins later my server arrives. I order an unsweetened tea, their quesa birria and the island nachos. All the food arrived before the tea. The tea was warm with one dying ice cube left in the glass when it did arrive. I go to the restroom and the guy walking out had hands dripping with water. No working soap dispenser, nothing to dry your hands with and it wreaked of urine once you walk in. Water I think all over the floors. The birria tacos were made with a very fatty grizzly cut of meat. The taco shells honestly were just wet. Like they were steamed, then dipped in the consume and filled. They had no markings of being on a flat top at all. No crisp at all to them. The consume however was absolutely delicious. The nachos were very good and the shredded chicken was perfect. At this point my server came back to finally see how things were going as I was finished..I was ready for the check. So sanitation is def a concern, from the employee to the bathroom, the tacos were not good at all. The consume and the nachos were very good. If I want real good Mexican, however, I will go back to Mexicos Grill. It’s been perfect on four...

This was our first visit to Margarita Island in Merritt Island. We saw the high rating and decided to give it a shot, and man... We're extremely glad we did!

Our waiter Chris announced upon greeting us mentioned that it was their 1-year anniversary, and would we want a free shot of tequila! I've personally had some issues with Mexican Fire Water, so I passed. My wife decided to order a HUGE Margarita (which she was unable to finish) and I ordered a draft beer, which came in a HUGE mug!

Chips were fresh, and their salsa is probably the best I've had in Brevard county...

The meals came rather quickly and we were shocked how ridiculously huge the portions were... I had the Fajita Burrito which had Steak, Chicken and Shrimp, and was smothered in Queso and Fresh Guacamole... I could literally only eat less than half (I'm 6ft/250 and have a huge appetite). This was by far the greatest burrito I've ever had. My wife ordered the pork enchiladas rancheros and ate about half as well.

Upon arrival the music was absolutely blasting from the live DJ on the outdoor patio, people were dancing and having a great time on a wonderful, cool Friday night on the east coast of Central Florida... Inside the restaurant is very classy and upscale.

If I could give them higher than a 5-star rating I would, can't...