Dining out: National Margarita Day and suburban restaurant weeks
OK, so it doesn’t feel like margarita weather, but National Margarita Day falls on Saturday this year, so you can raise a glass to warmer times. We also have a couple more suburban restaurant weeks where you can take advantage of special deals and menus.
National Margarita Day
Saturday, Feb. 22, is National Margarita Day. You can get one most anywhere — it is annually the most popular cocktail in the U.S., according to NielsenIQ Data — but Chili’s is taking the day to another level this year.
The Tex-Mex chain, which sold more than 25 million margs in 2024, of course has drink specials, but they also have a … TV special? Yep, the restaurant has teamed with Lifetime Network for a 15-minute “television event” called “I'll be Home for National Margarita Day,” starring Taye Diggs and Maria Menounos. The show premieres on the network at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, and will stream on mylifetime.com, the Lifetime app, YouTube, social and VOD platforms starting Thursday, Feb. 20, for a limited time.
You can get merch from the show in the restaurants, and on Saturday, Feb. 22, they’ll have $5 Tequila Trifecta margs and their StrawEddy margarita of the month for $6.
Many other restaurants are offering specials around the suburbs, too.
Bahama Breeze is offering classic margs on the rocks for $2.22 all day Saturday.
Chicago Culinary Kitchen in Palatine is celebrating with a frozen twist called the Piñarita Brainfreeze. The soft-serve marg blends Libélula tequila joven, Naranja orange liqueur, pineapple juice, lime juice, pineapple Jarritos and agave that is then topped with a Tajín, lime and spicy pineapple.
Fat Rosie’s is offering $6 margaritas all day Saturday, with six flavors from which to choose. Enjoy a classic de la casa, mango, hibiscus, guava, cucumber or strawberry jalapeño marg at their suburban locations in Lincolnshire, Lincolnwood, Naperville, Rosemont and Schaumburg.
On The Border is serving up its Grande House Margarita for $5 from now until Sunday, Feb. 23, at its restaurants in Algonquin, Naperville and Vernon Hills.
More restaurant weeks
A couple more suburbs have restaurant weeks starting this weekend.
Glen Ellyn’s restaurant week is actually 10 days, running Friday, Feb. 21, through Sunday, March 2.
Diners can enjoy prix fixe menus, chef specials and other deals at fire+wine, Made in Italy, a toda madre, Reserve 22, Five O Four Kitchen, Marinella Italian Restaurant, Blackberry Market, kō-zē, Marché, Ellyn’s Tap & Grill, Cabernet & Company, Main Street Pub, Shannon’s Irish Pub, A & G Sub Shop, Chocolaterie Stam, Two Hound Red Brewing Company and Bonita Bowl.
Seventeen restaurants will offer special menus or promotions as Woodridge hosts its first restaurant week Sunday, Feb. 23, through Saturday, March 1.
Offers include everything from prix fixe menus and hidden menu items to featured dishes, complimentary desserts with purchase, BOGO deals and percentage-off discounts when patrons mention “Woodridge Restaurant Week.”
Participating restaurants include: Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Clara’s, Ed’s Kitchen, El Burrito Loco, Ike & Oak Brewing Co., Legends Grill & Bar, Lima Fresca Taco & Tequila Bar, Los Arcos Mexican Grill & Bar, Nancy’s Pizzeria Woodridge, Nonnie’s Pizza Restaurant & Bar, Shanahan’s Food & Spirits, Skeleton Key Brewery, Steven’s Family Restaurant, Tapri Social, Unikoko Dessert & Bubble Tea, VIP Thai Cuisine and Yummi Wraps.
• Send dining events to rwest@dailyherald.com.