Spring has sprung, and that means that Spring Break is right around the corner. While many folks will be heading out of town for some well-deserved rest and relaxation, others will be enjoying a “staycation” right here in the DFW metroplex. Staying at home doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t have fun with friends and family, though—especially if you host the ultimate Tex-Mex Spring Break Extravaganza! Here are our tips for pulling it off:
Read up on Margarita Recipes
Nothing can quite beat a margarita as the ultimate beverage companion for Tex-Mex food. Beer’s great and all (and a little easier to distribute), but there’s something about margaritas that screams “Fiesta!” So, plan to serve some homemade “margs” to your guests. And don’t feel like you need to stick to the traditional recipe! Fruity margaritas, virgin (non-alcoholic) margaritas, and spicy margaritas can all make for a refreshing change of pace. You don’t have to be a card-carrying mixologist to whip up some of the best beverages that your guests have ever had—you just need an adventurous spirit!
Get Ready to Grill
In Texas, spring is prime time for outdoor grilling: it’s essentially the “sweet spot” between the chill of winter and the oppressive heat of summer. Thus, your spring break party might be the perfect time to dust off the ‘ol barbecue and do some backyard cooking. Fajitas are an obvious choice, especially since they lend themselves well to buffet-style serving (which allows your guests to pick and choose the toppings that they’d like). Grilled quesadillas can be surprisingly good, too, and they’ll likely be a hit with the younger guests at your party. We’re not going to settle the “charcoal grilling versus gas grilling” debate anytime soon, but we can probably all agree that grilling is a great way to prepare Tex-Mex entrées!
Offer Appetizers
Speaking of quesadillas, don’t spend so much time thinking about your main course that you neglect appetizers. While it’s true that you don’t want your guests to “fill up” on snacks before the main course, hungry people—especially hungry young people—tend to get dissatisfied with a party the longer they’re made to wait for food. Don’t be afraid, then, to offer chips and salsa, queso, guacamole, jalapeño poppers, quesadillas, or even elote. This will give folks something to munch on while they wait for the main course. Also, if the unthinkable happens and something goes wrong with the said main course, it will buy you some time to come up with an alternative plan!
Take it to the Table
There’s an old saying that goes, “Laws are like sausages. It’s better not to see them being made.” Fortunately, no one ever said that you shouldn’t watch guacamole being made—and that’s why most Tex-Mex restaurants have tableside guacamole on their menus! Preparing guacamole right in front of your guests is one way to inspire admiration and assure them that they’re getting the fresh stuff—not some gunk out of a plastic container. Just please be sure to peruse our guide to avoiding “avocado hand” first, lest your party go down in history as, “That one time [your name] tried to make guacamole and wound up in the Emergency Room.”
Call a Caterer
Now, if you love the idea of throwing a Tex-Mex party but reading this post has left you feeling anxious or stressed out, then don’t despair. There’s a simple way to pull off a great event without having to cook anything: simply call your nearest Mattito’s location and make catering arrangements. If you provide the venue, then we’ll provide all the great food your guests could want. We’ll even throw in disposable plates and utensils, making for exceptionally easy cleanup. Having your party catered will leave you free to focus on entertaining, socializing, and whipping up enough homemade margaritas to make an elephant tipsy!
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A trip to an exotic locale is a fun way to spend your Spring Break, but it’s definitely not your only option. Great food, fun people, and a party atmosphere are all you need to have an awesome time—and you can find that whether you spend your vacation in Panama City or Las Colinas. So if you’ll be in town, why not grab your friends and throw the best Tex-Mex party ever? We’ll be happy to help any way that we can!
