700 Baybrook Mall, Friendswood, TX 77002
Spicy Pineapple
Gloria’s Top Shelf
Gloria’s Signature
The Three Amigos
Fresh Guava
After months of #TakeoutMargaritas trying to support local businesses in Texas, we decided to try Gloria’s Latin Cuisine at the Baybrook Mall. The recommendation for Gloria’s Friendswood in the Baybrook Mall came to us in May. The online margarita menu was interesting, and when calling to confirm outdoor seating was available, we learned masks were required to enter the restaurant and when walking around the restaurant. These precautions helped to finalize our decision to try eating at the restaurant rather than using the available take out service. We donned our masks and walked to the restaurant entrance, opened the first door, saw the hand sanitizer and wipes, washed our hands, and entered the restaurant.
Since early March, we were careful to avoid any unnecessary exposure to the coronavirus. The Great Margarita Hunt map displays blue margarita glasses for all of the takeout meals and margaritas we have tried the past three months. Tonight was the first time we felt comfortable enough to pass through the doors of a restaurant. We could see that Gloria’s is doing it right – masks required when not at the table, a digital menu, all employees wear masks, and the hand cleaner by the door. We were so comfortable that we asked for a table…..wait for it…..INSIDE!
The décor is upscale and looks like some of the places we have visited that offer a trendy environment with margaritas that require technical skills and exotic ingredients but don’t match up to the house margarita at our local restaurant. I was skeptical as we placed our order for a spicy pineapple margarita and Gloria’s top-shelf on the rocks.
The spicy pineapple is an attractive drink, a mix of silver tequila, lime, pineapple chipotle, and Cointreau. The margarita is garnished nicely with red peppers on top. Gloria’s Top Shelf works well with Maestro Dobel Reposado Tequila, Cointreau, fresh-squeezed lime juice, and agave nectar. The large round slice of lime that came on top of the drink is a nice touch.
After waiting months to enjoy a fresh margarita inside a restaurant, Gloria’s Top Shelf was worth the wait. It receives a rating of four and a half margarita glasses. The spicy pineapple was good at three and a half margarita glasses.
Next round, we tried Gloria’s Signature Margarita frozen with a swirl of Grand Marnier on top, and the waiter recommended The Three Amigos a drink that is no longer on the menu. Gloria’s Signature Margarita is good. The Three Amigos uses Maestro Dobel, Patron, and Don Julio silver with fresh lime juice and agave. It was strong and tasty. You can drink more than one Three Amigos when you have a driver and plan to nap after eating. Both Gloria’s Signature and the Three Amigos received a rating of three and a half margarita glasses.
Before we share the last margarita of the evening, we must mention the food. Gloria’s offered one of the best meals we have enjoyed this year. We tried two different combination entrees, both included enchiladas. You know you have quality food ingredients when something simple is delicious. The chicken tostada is now on the list of the best things eaten in a restaurant this year.
