Celebrate National Margarita Day at Guanajuato!

The middle of February is just about the time the winter blues can take over. Fortunately, there’s a holiday ready to clear those blues right up!

National Margarita Day is February 22, 2012, and Guanajuato Contemporary Mexican and Tequila Bar (73 Green Bay Rd., Glencoe, IL 60022; 847-242-0501) is just the place to celebrate. The north shore Mexican restaurant has everything anyone would need for the perfect Margarita Day celebration.

Chef/owner Margarita Challenger is known for making a perfect namesake margarita. Having just introduced their Valentine’s specialty, the Raspberry Margarita with Pink Tequila, the restaurant boasts the ability to offer customers custom-made concoctions to suit their tastes, using any of their more than 50 tequilas from which to choose. Guanajuato often offers margaritas in Mango, Super Fruit Acacia and Spicy Orange in addition to more classic margarita flavors.

From brand favorites like Patron, to celebrity favorites like Justin Timberlake’s Silver 901, to high-end choices like Asombroso Extra Anejo, Guanajuato knows tequila. Mixed with your favorite fruit on the rocks or blended, the ideal margarita is in your reach. You won’t be able to tell whether you’re in chilly Illinois or sunny Mexico.

Guanajuato is the perfect place to shake the winter blues and relax on a beach with a drink – even if it is imaginary. Happy Margarita Day!

Guanajuato Celebrates National Ice Cream Month

Have you been celebrating National Ice Cream Month this July? What better time to celebrate this delicious holiday than during one of the hottest months of the year! Can you believe this weather? Leading the celebration is Glencoe favorite, Guanajuato Contemporary Mexican
Restaurant & Tequila Bar (73 Green Bay Rd., Glencoe, Ill. 847-242-0501).

The restaurant’s namesake pays homage to its owner and chef Margarita Challenger’s hometown of Dolores Hidalgo, known for its unique ice cream flavors sold on every corner. The city’s central plaza is packed with vendors competing to win tourists’ attention with their ice cream. This authentic Mexican restaurant offers a plethora of unique flavors perfect for those long hot summer days. Escape the heat by treating yourself to two scoops of any flavor for $2.75 at Guanajuato 11 a.m. -10 p.m. daily.

Even the most persnickety ice cream connoisseurs won’t be able to resist these truly original flavors: Avocado, Cajeta (Mexican-style caramel), Cheese, Corn, Mole (Mexican-style chocolate), Pecan, Rum and Tequila. For those ice cream lovers who won’t stray from the classics, don’t worry—Guanajuato serves up Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry. There’s something for everyone at Guanajuato!

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Guanajuato in Glencoe, May 5

Cinco de Mayo has arrived at Guanajuato (Green Bay Rd., Glencoe, Ill.; 847-242-0909)! Celebrate this one-of-a-kind fiesta with authentic cuisine and festive specials!

For many Chicagoans, Cinco de Mayo is a great opportunity to enjoy special renditions of traditional Mexican dishes. Chef/Owner Margarita Challenger, born and raised in the state of Guanajuato, is celebrating her heritage by featuring a number of Cinco de Mayo specials including a Tropical Guacamole Basket, a wonderful mix of avocado, jicama, radishes, cucumber, jalapeno, cilantro and red onions, served on a flour tortilla basket with flour tortilla chips; and from the Mexican countryside of Puebla, Bistek Ranchero, a delicious steak stew cooked slowly in a tomato sauce with garlic, onions and potatoes, served with drunken beans and Mexican rice.

Mexican celebrations wouldn’t be complete without tequila and Guanajuato offers guests a selection of more than 40 tequilas including blanco, reposado, añejo and some extra special selections. Most of the tequilas are priced at $7-$9 per shot, but the best tequilas, which can be compared in quality to fine aged cognac, are priced from $15.50 to $71. These special tequilas are served in a snifter to bring out the best of the magnificent bouquet and can be savored by the shot or as an ingredient in a creative selection of specialty cocktails and margaritas.

Honoring their love of tequila, Guanajuato offers patrons a number of cocktails and margaritas including a Tamarind Margarita, a unique sweet and sour flavor with a hint of chili pepper spice, and their infamous Acai Margarita, made from acai, fresh lime juice, pomegranate juice, tequila, simple syrup and Citronge.       

So make your own mini maracas, don your widest brimmed  sombrero and cha cha your way to Guanajuato. With chef/owner Margarita Challenger hailing from Dolores Hidalgo, Mexico, Guanajuato offers patrons authentic and delicious options for Cinco de Mayo and everyday!

About Guanajuato

Guanajuato is a contemporary Mexican restaurant located at 73 Green Bay Rd. in Glencoe, Ill. The restaurant and bar is open for lunch and dinner 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days per week. For more information or to make a reservation, contact Guanajuato at (847) 242-0909 or online at www.myguanajuato.com.