Family brings authentic Mexican food to the northern border
With the snow flying outside as a sign was hung announcing their opening, the kitchen heated up at the new Margaritas Mexican Grill.
The authentic Mexican restaurant took over the site of Barney’s Family Restaurant, which had occupied the Third Street building for many years.
Margaritas is a family-owned restaurant being managed by Ruben Barajas; the cook is his brother, Alvaro Barajas. The brothers have each been in the restaurant industry for many years in the Twin Cities area.
Their first goal is “to make good food people like,” Ruben said.
In addition, cleanliness and customer service are also top priorities for the first-time restaurateurs. He explained that in addition to daily cleaning, weekly deep-cleanings are paramount to the business’s success, noting that he wanted customers to feel comfortable eating their fresh-made food.
The menu includes a full line of typical Mexican restaurant fare, including a full compliment of tacos, burritos and other favorites. Ruben said some house specialties include the Margaritas special nachos, the Margaritas burrito and the fajita for two. And he also showed off a large margarita, the restaurant’s namesake beverage.
“There was no Mexican restaurant and we needed to get Mexican food up here,” he explained of the move to International Falls. “It’s a good place with friendly people.”
The restaurant opened Sunday at noon for lunch, and the crowd was quick to follow. Monday afternoon, a sign was lofted over the existing sign that let customers know Margaritas was officially open for business.
The restaurant is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
