Long-awaited Aqua Tequila restaurant opens in Manatee County. Take a look inside
Brightly colored flowers made of blown glass hang from the ceiling of a long-awaited Parrish restaurant.
Aqua Tequila, which was announced as a future Creekside Commons shopping plaza tenant in February 2024, recently opened to much fanfare. The restaurant, specializing in authentic Mexican cuisine, officially opened on President’s Day at 8950 U.S. 301 N. #133.
“Aqua Tequila was built on a love for bringing people together over great food, awesome drinks, and unforgettable moments,” the restaurant says on its website.
For the grand opening celebration, a mariachi band played to a packed restaurant. Diners have flocked the restaurant in the following days, including during midweek lunch hours with people filling the 15 inside tables, nine outside tables and 26 seats at the full-service bar.
“(President’s Day) was so crazy, but even the (next day and day after), we had a big amount,” assistant manager Melissa Camargo said about the crowds so far.
Aqua Tequila is part of a locally-owned family restaurant group. Other restaurants under its banner include Blue Tequila and Pink Tequila in North Port, Lime Tequila in Port Charlotte and Pineapple Tequila in Venice.
Aqua Tequila is the company’s first foray into Manatee County.
Aqua Tequila opens in Parrish
The menu features different types of nachos, fajitas, quesadillas, enchiladas, burritos, chimichangas.
“People love all of them,” Camargo said.
Fajitas come out sizzling hot during one lunch service, while diners can get a guacamole table service experience.
The guacamole cart rolls around table to table, offering a customizable guacamole service.
Mexican restaurant offers authentic cuisine
Aqua Tequila has an à la carte menu, with tostadas, chalupas and a few taco options. One of the taco choices are Mexican street tacos that have a soft corn tortilla stuffed with either steak, carnitas, chorizo, pastor or grilled chicken. Street taco toppings include cilantro and onions, and they are served with homemade hot sauce and lime.
One street taco costs $4.99, while a three-taco order costs $13.99.
Carne asada, ceviche, Molcajete, carnitas chili verde, pollo loco and pollo poblano are some other dishes on the menu.
Aqua Tequila also serves vegetarian dishes, and drinks such as margaritas, bottled beer, sangria and a full list of tequilas.
Fajitas, enchiladas, burritos, chimichangas, steak, pork and chicken dishes are priced less than $30 per entree.
All the decor, including an upside down tree dangling from the ceiling near the glass structure lights, is from Mexico, Camargo said.
Aqua Tequila’s hours of operation
The restaurant is open daily. Monday through Thursday, Aqua Tequila is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. It’s open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.
For more information, visit www.Aqua-Tequila.com.
