For nearly a decade, Matt Griffin has brought his flavor and style to Bethany Beach. Matteo’s Salso Loco boasts nine years serving the beach community with its Mexican dining, but now they’ve got something else to show off: the fifth-best margarita in the entire country.
Coastal Point • Ryan Saxton
Matt Griffin and server Natalie proudly display the ingredients in Matteo’s Salsa Loco’s highly-regarded margarita.Each year, representatives from the private group TopMargarita.com travel the nation in search of the best margarita, judging both chain and independent restaurants on a variety of platforms. According to the site, in order to qualify for contention, the authentic tequila-based cocktails must be a regular item menu, the tequila must be consistent with the kind regularly used in the creation of the drink and it must cost less than $15.
In 2006, they made a stop in Bethany Beach, to Griffin’s establishment, and were very satisfied with what they found. Matteo’s Salsa Loco was ranked ninth in the country in the independent category. Independent margaritas are those found in non-chain or franchise establishments, or those with no more than three locations under the same banner, though restaurants and bars may share the same owner.
The judges returned again in 2007 to an even more impressive drink, Griffin’s “Tres-a-rita,” which earned fifth place on the list, just behind restaurants and bars in California and Florida, well-known for their tropic appeal. With a balanced combination of Patron Citronge, Tres Generationes and Grand Marnier, and the classic salted rim, the Tres-a-rita has become one of the restaurant’s best sellers.
“It’s my favorite margarita and one of my favorite to make,” said Griffin, who prides himself on a variety of recipes and concoctions. “We joke that if you drink tres, you’ll see tracers,” he added. “They’re pretty strong, but everyone can’t get over how good they taste.” Others top margaritas on the list range from New York City, the Grand Cayman Islands and even Chalfont, Pa.
The growing list has even started to step overseas, as a restaurant in Chijmes, Singapore, moves its way into the No. 8 spot. TopMargaritas.com’s recent move into a worldwide spectrum gives Griffin a little more to pride himself on. Not only is Matteo’s the only Top 10 restaurant to qualify from Delmarva, but they’re one of the few on the entire East Coast. California holds four places on the list in the independent category. As for the chain and franchise competition, it is led off by Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, followed by Ritz Carlton.
“It’s really a big honor to be recognized among all the other places,” said Griffin. He was unaware that his placing on the list had even improved last year, until a customer stopped in, wanting to try the fifth-best margarita available.
“It’s really brought customers in,” he said. “It definitely helps get our name out there. People are starting to hear about us.”
Margarita fans can stop in today to try the “Tres-a-rita,” a world-wide sensation. Matteo’s Salsa Loco is located at 210-C Garfield Parkway, in Bethany Beach, beside the Blue Crab restaurant.