La Hacienda Margarita: A Taste of History

Mariano Martinez, a high school dropout with a passion for entrepreneurship, had a dream of opening his own business. And in 1971, he made that dream a reality by opening Mariano's Hacienda restaurant in East Dallas, Texas. Little did he know that this humble establishment would become famous for serving the world's first frozen margarita.

The story begins with Martinez's innovative solution to the problem of consistency in his margaritas. His bartenders were struggling to keep up with the growing demand, resulting in some drinks being perfect while others melted down. Inspired by a morning visit to 7-Eleven for a cup of coffee, Martinez tinkered with an old soft-serve ice cream machine and, voila! The world's first frozen margarita machine was born.

The Slurpee machine may have sparked the idea, but it was Martinez's determination that brought his vision to life. With $500 in hand and a small business loan, he opened Mariano's Hacienda restaurant and began serving his signature frozen margaritas. The response was overwhelming, with guests raving about the drink except for one detail: consistency.

Fast forward to today, and La Hacienda Margarita has become an iconic staple of Mexican cuisine in Little Rock, Arkansas. Born in Hot Springs, Arkansas in 1988, La Hacienda opened its Little Rock location in 1996 and has been serving up authentic Mexican recipes with pride ever since.

So what sets La Hacienda apart from other restaurants? For starters, their food is prepared daily by the Alvarez Family using only family recipes that can't be found anywhere else. Fresh vegetables are chopped daily in-house, handmade tortillas are made from pure corn flour, and desserts are baked homemade style with freshly prepared ingredients.

When you visit La Hacienda, you're not just getting a meal - you're experiencing a taste of history. And with their commitment to using only the finest fresh ingredients and authentic Mexican recipes, it's no wonder why this restaurant has been a Little Rock favorite for years.

Whether you're a local or just visiting, La Hacienda Margarita is a must-try experience. With its rich history, delicious food, and warm hospitality, you'll leave feeling like you've stumbled upon a little piece of Mexico in the heart of Arkansas. So come on down, raise your glass high to Mariano Martinez's legacy, and taste the history for yourself!

La hacienda margarita