Texas's Other Deep Freeze: The Frozen Margarita

February 22 marks National Margarita Day (why not?), and the city that produced the frozen margarita machine is celebrating. Fifty years ago, in 1971, Dallas restaurateur Mariano Martinez invented the frozen margarita machine, forever freezing in time the city's claim to America's favorite cocktail.

Fifty years after revolutionizing the American food and beverage industry, the original machine sits in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History?next to Julia Child's kitchen.

"When the idea of this first came to me, my goal wasn't to be an inventor; I just wanted to keep the doors of my restaurant open and my patrons and employees happy," said Martinez. "Now, I do feel an immense joy that so many people have been able to come together and create memories around this cocktail. To think that I had a hand in that delights me."

This video was created pre-COVID-19

Inspired by Mariano's genius invention, the city's visitor's bureau launched the Margarita Mile in 2018. Today, visitors to Dallas can enjoy five decades of heritage and innovation and pay homage to this invention on the Margarita Mile – a self-guided trail of Dallas' best and brightest margaritas, conveniently collected in a colorful app.

"We are proud that Mariano's historic invention calls Dallas home," said Mark Thompson, chief marketing officer for VisitDallas. "The Margarita Mile is a fantastic way for visitors and locals to celebrate the city's history while experiencing the depth and breadth of Dallas' dining scene. Every day in Dallas is National Margarita Day!"

Here's a look at some of our favorite frozen margaritas in Dallas.