Playa Grande
If you want to understand Mexican food and drink in one sitting, start with three things: a properly made margarita, a good pour of tequila and the traditional dishes that were made to go with them. This guide covers all three, with what to order at Playa Grande Tacos & Tequila in Menomonee Falls.
Quick answer
A margarita is a cocktail of tequila, lime juice and an orange liqueur such as triple sec or Cointreau, served with a salted or chile rim. Tequila is a spirit made from blue Weber agave, produced in a designated region centered on the state of Jalisco. Traditional Mexican food pairs best with these drinks through acidity, salt and heat: lime cuts richness, salt sharpens flavor and sweet fruit softens chile.
Margaritas: the classic and the from-scratch version
The margarita's origin story is disputed. Several people and bars claim to have invented it in the 1930s and 1940s, and no account has been settled. What is not in doubt is the formula: tequila, lime, orange liqueur. Everything else is technique and ingredients.
What separates a great margarita
- Fresh lime and real fruit: bottled sour mix tastes flat. From-scratch drinks taste bright.
- Balance: sour, sweet and spirit should be even, with no one flavor shouting.
- The rim: salt, tajín or a chile rim adds contrast.
- Good tequila: see the next section.
Margaritas at Playa Grande
Playa Grande's margaritas are handcrafted and made from scratch. The restaurant's house margaritas are $10 for a medium and $14 for a large, and daiquiris are $9, in eleven flavors: strawberry, blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, watermelon, prickly pear, peach, passion fruit, mango, pineapple and piña colada. An extra flavor is $1.50. Owner Sebastian Valencia also highlights flavors you may not see elsewhere, such as cucumber, spicy pineapple and guava. Read the full breakdown in Margaritas & Daiquiris: All 11 Flavors, Sizes and Prices and Handcrafted Margaritas in Menomonee Falls.
Signature drinks beyond the margarita
The bar also serves eight signature drinks from $13 to $19, many in sculpted tiki mugs shaped like a cobra, octopus, fish or pineapple, including Blue Lagoon, Beso de Cobra, Playa Norte, Captain Agave and Horchata Loca. See every signature drink explained.
Tequila 101
Tequila is made from the blue Weber agave plant. By law, tequila can only be produced in designated regions of Mexico, mainly in Jalisco, and the best bottles say "100% de agave" on the label, which means no added sugars from other sources.
The aging categories
- Blanco (silver): unaged or aged less than two months. Peppery, citrusy and the cleanest agave flavor. Best for margaritas.
- Reposado: aged two months to under a year in oak. Smoother, with light vanilla and caramel. Great in cocktails or sipped.
- Añejo: aged one to three years. Rich, oaky and warm. A sipping tequila.
- Extra añejo: aged three years or more. Deep and complex, often treated like a fine whiskey.
How to drink it
- Sip it neat in a small glass to taste the agave, with a lime wedge and salt on the side if you like.
- Skip the shot-and-wince habit with good tequila; sipping is the traditional way to enjoy quality bottles.
- Mix it: blanco or reposado for margaritas, añejo for sipping.
Ask the team about today's tequila selection. Learn more in Tequila 101: Blanco, Reposado, Añejo.
Traditional Mexican food at Playa Grande
The kitchen makes its food from scratch, with more than 100 dishes in total. These are the traditional dishes worth knowing, all from our menu:
- Birria and Quesibirria ($16.99): three soft tacos stuffed with the restaurant's beef birria, served with cilantro, onions, lime and homemade sauce, with a side of its own broth for dipping. Read our birria guide.
- Carnitas ($14.99): chunks of seasoned slow-braised pork with rice, beans, guacamole and tortillas.
- Chile Verde ($14.99): carnitas cooked in green sauce.
- Chile Relleno Dinner ($15.99): two chile rellenos topped with grilled shrimp and chorizo.
- Menudo ($16.99): a classic Mexican soup with its meat, herbs and spices, served with onion, cilantro, lime and tortilla chips.
- Caldo 7 Mares ($18.99): a seafood soup with crab legs, shrimp, fish, squid, octopus and mussels.
- Flautas ($13.99): four rolled corn tortillas filled with birria or shredded chicken, fried crisp.
- Esquites ($5.50): street corn with mayonnaise, parmesan, butter and tajín.
- Fajitas and molcajete: sizzling plates for the table. See our fajitas guide.
- Enchiladas, tortas and tacos: the everyday classics, with a long list of fillings.
Dessert
Finish with churros ($6.99, cinnamon sugar with chocolate sauce and whipped cream), flan ($5.99) or fried ice cream ($6.99).
Pairing guide: what to drink with what
| Dish | Pair with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Birria / quesibirria | Michelada or a blanco margarita | Acid and salt cut through rich beef |
| Carnitas / chile verde | Lime or pineapple margarita | Bright fruit balances slow-cooked pork |
| Fajitas | Beso de Cobra or a mango margarita | Juicy tropical flavors suit grilled meat |
| Ceviche, aguachile, shrimp | Cucumber or Blue Lagoon | Cool citrus loves seafood |
| Mexican sushi | Cucumber margarita | Cooling against chile and cream |
| Churros / flan | Café Loco or Horchata Loca | Dessert in a glass |
| Any dish, no alcohol | Agua fresca | Light, fruity and refreshing |
Plan your visit
Playa Grande is at W186N9515 Bancroft Dr, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051, in the strip with Great Clips and Chinatown Kitchen, near Culver's and Chick-fil-A. Lunch specials run Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. See hours and directions, the drinks menu, or order pickup online. Parties of more than 6 have a 15% gratuity added.
Must be 21+ to order alcohol; please drink responsibly. Prices come from the restaurant's printed menu and Signature Drinks sheet and can change.