Las Margaritas Grill earned three stars from me, but with a few minor tweaks, it could easily earn four.
We tried LMG for lunch today, after it had been open for about 8 weeks and had time to settle in. This small space was previously occupied by a "Pho" spot and the Las Margaritas folks have done a good job of converting the decor to Mexican. The space is clean and gets lot of lightt, and they've carved out a tiny bar section at the back of the "L" shaped rows of tables.
I ordered what the menu describes as their "most popular" Carne Asada burrito. The steak and other fillings were tasty, and it was accompanied by fresh guacamole and grilled onions on the side, which went really well with the asada. Nice looking presentation, nice portion size, and fairly priced at around $11.
We had the free chips and salsa and a free refill. A previous reviewer wondered whether the chips were "stale." I doubt it. Ours arrived fresh and hot, but the thicker tortilla used for the chips at LMG means if they aren't consumed quickly, they may come off as "hard," as the previous reviewer has described them.
So here are a few areas where Las Margaritas Grill could do better.
Lunch menu. There isn't one. Somewhat smaller portions (and lower prices) would be welcome at lunch time.
Drinks. The margaritas here seem to be all based on Cuervo Gold, including the premium pours, like their "Cadillac" margarita. It would be helpful to have at least a couple of options that use a 100% agave tequila and fresh-squeezed lime juice. For such a small restaurant, I think it would be smart for them to have a stronger cocktail program, and a bar food and "happy hour" menu.
Staffing. There was one hostess and only one waiter working the room, with a busy lunch crowd. They were both very friendly, but the pace of the service suffered from a waiter who was quite badly over-worked.
Online presence. More than two months after opening, I don't see any web site or Facebook page connected to Las Margaritas Grill. Since there is an (unrelated) regional chain of restaurants also called "Las Margaritas" a web search for this little restaurant can be confusing and/or frustrating. I like seeing menus online when I am making up my mind where to go, and I'm sure I'm not alone, so a simple web site that could be easily found would be a welcome tool.
With a few simple changes, Las Margaritas could become a very strong option for Mexican food in the Covington/Maple Valley area. I hope the owner(s) will put some energy into upping their game. But if you don't mind a weak bar, some service hiccups, and no lunch menu, you'll enjoy it well enough as is. read more