My friends and I were in search of a margarita in the afternoon sun, and we decided to try out Tequila Jacks. It has that chain restaurant vibe, like a Chili’s or TGI Friday’s, but upon asking, I found out that it’s a solo Long Beach locale. The outside patio was incredibly inviting in the late afternoon. We scored a table right at the edge overlooking the boats bobbing like apples in Rainbow Harbor. It really is a pretty view.
Daniel ordered a frozen lime margarita, and Nancy got a mango margarita on the rocks in a 20 ounce schooner with an extra shot of tequila. The thought of 20 ounces of sugary mix wasn’t all that appetizing to me, but they only offer that gargantuan size. I was craving a tumbler of high quality tequila with some fresh lime and a touch of mixer. The schooner size sounded like a belly bomb, so I went for El Jimador Anejo on the rocks with extra lime. They have an impressive tequila menu with more than 100 options.
I was excited about an Anejo tequila, all smoky and come-hither with its Mexican cowboy mannerisms. However, the El Jimador was underwhelming, and I probably should have gone with a tequila shot over the $10 price range if I wanted to be blown away.
The usual sidekicks of chips and salsa were brought over to start us out. We ordered the tableside guacamole fresco and the queso fundido con chorizo. Our server brought over a large tray with a couple of fetchingly green avocados, chopped onion, garlic, tomato, cilantro, jalapenos, lime, salt, pepper, and other spices. She asked us if we liked it spicy and mashed up all of the deliciousness in the stone bowl. This is a thoroughly entertaining presentation, and the fresh-as-it-gets guacamole can be made however you fancy.
The queso con chorizo came out in all its melted Monterey jack cheese glory with warm flour tortillas folded tenderly. We scraped the gewy goodness of the cheese dip and delectably seasoned chorizo onto the tortillas. I was a happy food wrangler.
The appetizers were a wonderful commencement to our meal; I only wish we’d quit while we were ahead.
Nancy ordered a taco salad with chicken. It arrived in the accustomed fried flour tortilla bowl. It looked normal, but as she started to tuck in, she noticed the chicken had the distinct taste and texture as if it had been boiled. She said the salad was boring and that she felt like she was eating a taco salad at Disneyland (which I thought was a perfect description).
I ordered the shrimp enchiladas topped with a tomatillo cream sauce and Monterey jack cheese. It came with corn pudding, rice, and I got it with black beans. The rice, beans and enchiladas were so mind-boggling bland it was borderline obscene, like a khaki pants convention. They tasted like nothing. It was staggering how uninspired the seasonings were. The little melon ball serving of corn pudding however was delicious. It stood alone, the Lone Ranger of gratifying taste surrounded by a mob of lack-luster food.
It’s a shame. Where is a good place to sit by the ocean and enjoy a margarita and some good Mexican food in the sun in Long Beach? Let me know. If you happen to wind up at Tequila Jacks, just stick to the appetizers and let that be that.
Tequila Jacks is located at 407 Shoreline Village Dr., (562) 628-0454
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