Finding 'Tequila' West of the Ashley

While there are a plethora of similar Mexican restaurants in the Lowcountry (La Hacienda, La Carreta, Rio Grande, El Dorado, etc.), despite their similar menus, and the fact they all pretty much offer the same inexpensive food — these places tend to develop identities of their own according to geography.

As someone who grew up in Hanahan, the La Hacienda on Rivers Avenue is a great place to run into old high school buddies, for example.

Likewise, the Senor Tequila located on Ashley River Road in West Ashley has long been a favorite for locals, not only for Mexican food but the house specialty, margaritas.

On some nights, the tables in the "bar area" (formerly the smoking section) are filled with baskets of nachos and salsa, but also bright colored margaritas in huge glasses, straws and smiles aplenty.

On Friday and Saturday nights in particular, West of the Ashley River often becomes south of the border.

Your basic margarita at Senor Tequila comes in 12 ounce, 27 ounce. 46 ounce (those things are huge!) and pitchers. They also offer "Texas margaritas," where Grand Marnier is added to the basic margarita mix, as well as specialty drinks like the "Sunshine Margarita" (a splash of peach schnapps) and the "Ultimate Margarita" (a splash of orange juice).

Senor Tequila's also offers daiquiris and a variety of different tequila shots (ranging from $5 to $8) and, of course, beer and the usual spirits. But the margaritas remain "numero uno" with most customers looking for more than just food.

The line between restaurant and bar is sometimes not clearly defined, and to emphasize Senor Tequila's food menu over margaritas and the like, would be to ignore at least half of the place's appeal.

And like many other Mexican restaurants across the Lowcountry, and indeed the United States, West Ashley's little piece of Mexico is a great place for not only enjoying spicy food, but seeing old friends at the local cantina.