Housemade Margaritas in RTP
Forget the frozen-machine margarita. At La Taqueria by Katsuji, every margarita is made fresh, in-house, with real citrus — the same "simple, bold" philosophy Chef Katsuji Tanabe brings to the tacos. Stop by Boxyard RTP in Durham for margaritas any day of the week, with a two-for-one deal that makes it an easy call whether you're coming from a shift in Research Triangle Park, Raleigh, Cary, or Morrisville.
What's Traditionally in a Margarita?
A classic margarita is built from three things: tequila, an orange liqueur like triple sec or Cointreau, and fresh lime juice, usually served over ice with a salt rim. That's it — no neon-green mix, no premade sour. The whole drink lives or dies on the quality of those three ingredients, which is exactly why so many margaritas taste flat: cheap tequila and bottled sour mix can't hide behind much.
At La Taqueria, we keep that same three-part backbone but build around it — starting with the tequila and lime, then layering in fresh produce instead of leaning on syrup. It's why the margaritas here taste noticeably brighter than what you'd get from a well-drink at a typical bar.
The House Margarita — Hibiscus Lime
Our signature is the "House Margarita" — Hibiscus Lime: fresh lime juice and a house hibiscus (jamaica) infusion instead of a straight citrus-and-triple-sec pour. The hibiscus brings a tart, floral edge and a deep red color, so the drink reads bright and a little tannic rather than straightforwardly sweet. It's become one of the most-ordered drinks on the menu, and it holds up equally well next to a heavier protein like suadero or something lighter like our sweet potato tacos.
Margarita vs. Mezcalina — What's the Difference?
If you're standing at the counter trying to decide, here's the short version: a margarita is built on tequila, and a mezcalina is built on mezcal. Both spirits come from agave, but tequila is almost always made from one type of agave (blue Weber) and distilled for a cleaner, brighter profile, while mezcal can be made from a wider range of agave varieties and is typically cooked over an open flame or in earthen pits, which is where its signature smokiness comes from.
Practically speaking: a margarita is the more familiar, citrus-forward choice — a safe bet if you already know you like tequila cocktails. A mezcalina is the move if you want something smokier and a little more unexpected, especially paired with fruit like passion fruit or mango. Neither is "better" — they're just different directions from the same agave family, and we make both in-house for exactly that reason.
Two-for-One, Every Day
Margaritas at La Taqueria run two-for-one, every day, at $12 — no specific happy-hour window to catch, no gimmicks. It's one of the more consistent margarita deals in RTP, and it's easy to make a habit of stopping in after work from anywhere in the Triangle.
What to Pair a Margarita With
A margarita's acidity and salt cut through richer, fattier food, which is why it works so well with tacos in particular. A few pairings worth trying:
-
Suadero: Slow-cooked, fatty beef needs something bright to cut through it — the lime in the House Margarita does exactly that.
-
Chorizo Tacos: The salt-forward, spiced pork plays well against the margarita's citrus, and the cucumber keeps things from tasting too heavy together.
-
Pollo Pibil: Citrus-and-achiote chicken pairs naturally with a citrus-based cocktail — it's a more subtle match, but a reliable one.
-
NC Sweet Potato Tacos: The sweetness of the sweet potato balances nicely against the margarita's saltier, more acidic edge — a good pairing if you want something on the lighter side.
If you're ordering for the table and can't agree on one taco, a round of margaritas is a safe bridge between all four proteins — it won't clash with any of them the way a heavier cocktail might.
A Good Fit for RTP Happy Hour
Two-for-one margaritas, every day, make this an easy stop after work for anyone in Research Triangle Park, Durham, Raleigh, Cary, or Morrisville — no need to time it around a specific happy-hour window like you would elsewhere in the Triangle.
FAQ
margaritas-rtp