Best Margarita in Charlotte

A few weeks ago, I set out on a quest to find the best margarita in Charlotte. Armed with my ID (you’re never too old to be carded!) and my designated driver (thanks, Jay), I set out on an adventure. Now, please know, if you’re over the age of 22, you know that a margarita crawl in one afternoon is completely unreasonable and down right foolish. But never the less, I had a plan and was optimistic. We visited a total of six restaurants and traveled from Charlotte to Belmont to Cornelius to Fort Mill, SC to Waverly to Indian Trail.

Upon arrival at each location, I asked to speak with the manager on duty and shared I was in search of my favorite margarita. Each time, the manager would smile and their eyes would sparkle at the hint of a challenge. They asked what the parameters were and my reply was always the same: rocks, no salt, and definitely no artificial mystery mixes. Each manager nodded confidently and returned to discuss my request with the bartender. Moments later, I was presented with a glorious margarita adorned with sliced oranges, limes and, on one occasion, a pineapple.

Now, before we go much further, I want to dispel any thoughts of drunkenness on my part. I took a leisurely six hours to accomplish my margarita search, ate frequently and limited myself to three small sips of each beverage, chased by an unsweet tea or water. All six margaritas were tasty, but only one could be crowned as the best Margarita in Charlotte (at least for me).

So, the rankings began, and a clear margarita winner emerged that day. The Improper Pig at Rea Farms was my favorite. A simple margarita with top shelf tequila, a splash of orange, lime juice and simple syrup. This refreshing and balanced beverage was not too sweet, not too sour and had just the right amount of tequila. Perfection (at least for me)!

If you haven’t visited The Improper Pig at Rea Farms in Waverly, you definitely need to check out their fabulous drink and food menus. Along with great service (Thanks, Bryce!), the smoked tofu (mine) and the smoked brisket and chicken (Jay’s) were tasty. And, the twice baked jalapeños, collard greens, and banana pudding were amazing. Here’s to my favorite margarita in the Queen City. Cheers!