It has been a few months since Magnolia’s Tacos & Tequila Bar, located at 14 E. Water Street, opened downtown. They were a hit from the start, but their rooftop patio just opened making this a new go-to for summer!
Upon entering, customers are enveloped in a sea of color, ranging from festive pillows on the benches, vases at the tables, and modern, southwest-style wall decor. You can choose to sit at the bar downstairs and watch the tequila being poured before your eyes, or opt for a cozy table upstairs and let the margaritas come to you!
In addition to the atmosphere, Magnolia’s has an impressive menu. From Chorizo Mac n Cheese, to salads and burritos, there is a dish for anyone that loves good Mexican cuisine. You can’t go wrong with the classic chips and guacamole to start, or if you’re feeling a little more adventurous, try the Carne Asada Cheese Fries. They are bursting with flavor and are definitely unlike any fries you’ve tasted before!
It’s no surprise, tacos are Magnolia’s specialty. There are over 10 different types of tacos on the menu, each with a wide variety of ingredients: chicken, seafood, beef, vegetables, and even eggs. I don’t know about anyone else, but for me, when it comes to tacos, choosing just one type is ridiculously hard. Luckily, Magnolia’s offers a taco combo that includes two tacos of your choice, cilantro lime rice or black beans, and a side of their tequila pickled jalapeños (they’re hot, but too good to leave on the plate).
After putting way too much thought into my taco choices, I decided on the Carne Asada and the Masa Crusted Shrimp tacos. The Carne Asada taco was topped with tomatillo salsa and pico de gallo, which paired perfectly with the beef. The Masa Crusted Shrimp was complemented by lime slaw and poblano avocado ranch. Both were completely different, but equally as flavorful, rich of ingredients, and delicious. For all you seafood lovers, I would highly recommend the Masa Crusted Shrimp. The shrimp had the perfect amount of breading, and all of the ingredients came together amazingly – I wish I hadn’t eaten it so fast so I could’ve savored the flavors. After tasting my choices and hearing what other diners had to say, I learned that choosing which type of tacos will never get easier. The good news is that you can’t go wrong with any of them.
Written by Alli Nolte, a senior at James Madison University & HDR marketing intern.