Margaritas, Memories, and Midwestern Mistakes: Our Love Affair with Chayo in Las Vegas
Katherine: My dad is a tequila connoisseur.
Kelsi: Not, like, “has opinions about Casamigos” connoisseur—like travels to international tequila conventions connoisseur.
Katherine: This man once dropped $300+ on a single rare bottle and called it “a good deal.”
Kelsi: I own jeans that cost $39. We are not the same.
So no, we are not tequila experts. But when it comes to margaritas? We’ve trained under the best.
Years of being served Katherine’s Dad’s signature, dangerously perfect margaritas means our standards are…unreasonably high. We’re talking perfect ratio, no mix nonsense, the kind of drink that makes your shoulders drop three inches and your inner monologue say, “Yessss.”
The First Sip That Took Us Home
We rolled into Chayo Mexican Kitchen + Tequila Bar, located on the LINQ Promenade in Las Vegas, not expecting a spiritual experience. But we ordered a round of margaritas—one of which, alarmingly, had very similar ingredients to Katherine’s dad’s recipe.
One sip. Immediate eye contact. Silent nod of mutual understanding.
Katherine: Is it…?
Kelsi: It is.
Katherine: It’s home.
For some people, “tastes like home” means apple pie. For Katherine? It’s a chilled, citrusy, tequila-kissed masterpiece that tastes like family barbecues, stories on the porch, and one too many rounds of “Just one more” with cousins.
These margs (and our other favorite margs on the Strip) are the closest we’ve ever come to Katherine Dad’s. And in all of Las Vegas, that’s saying something.
Let’s Taco ‘Bout the Food
We’ve hit Chayo for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and impromptu margarita missions. Here’s what we’ve sampled (and adored):
Loaded Nachos: We shared them. Sort of. In the way that two people say they’re sharing but actually race for the last chip. Loaded with queso, beans, jalapeños, and carnitas that deserve their own fan club.
Street-Style Tacos: Carnitas, carne asada, fish, chicken—you can’t go wrong. Pro tip: get the trio plate and thank us later.
Breakfast Burritos: We once wandered in at 10 a.m. and left wondering if we’d just experienced brunch enlightenment.
Chips + Guac: Yes, they’re technically a side. No, we’ve never not ordered them.
Everything we’ve tried has been so good that it’s become a running joke that we might start our own tequila church and make Chayo the headquarters.
Decor Vibes: Viva Las Vegas Meets Modern Fiesta
The interior feels like someone said, “What if tequila had a Pinterest board?” It’s colorful without being kitschy, industrial with hints of fiesta flair. Picture:
Floor-to-ceiling windows for people-watching on the Promenade.
A mechanical bull in the middle of the restaurant (yes, you can ride it, but margaritas first, decisions later).
Outdoor patio seating with prime LINQ Promenade views and heaters for those chilly desert nights.
Wall art, lights, and just the right amount of neon to remind you: yes, you’re still in Vegas, baby.
The Margarita Walk of Fame
Here’s where Chayo wins the whole game: to-go margaritas. You can walk in, order one, and stroll down the Strip like the cocktail-carrying, sun-soaked, day-drinking queen you were born to be.
Kelsi: We Midwestern girls forget this is legal. Every. Single. Time.
Katherine: The power it gives you. Unmatched.
You get the fresh-squeezed, top-shelf energy without the overpriced bottle service or sugar bomb regret.
Our go-to? The Chayo Margarita—a dangerously smooth blend of El Cristiano Reposado, Alma Finca orange liqueur, fresh lime, and agave. But here’s the move: ask them to make it with a blood orange.
It’s citrusy. It’s slightly smoky. It’s got that dramatic “I deserve this” vibe that hits especially hard when you’re three hours into a girls’ trip and your group chat is already demanding photo evidence. The blood orange adds this rich, tangy depth that makes it taste like sunshine with a secret.
Service, Staff, and Other Essentials
Let’s talk logistics:
Location: 3545 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 (LINQ Promenade)
Hours: Open daily, morning to late night. Yes, they do breakfast margs. Yes, we’ve tested this.
Service: Friendly, fast, and used to tourists who may or may not have already had two daiquiris before sitting down. Total pros.
Final Take: Should You Go to Chayo?
Kelsi: 10/10. No notes. Would drink again. And again.
Katherine: Always a must-stop. It’s not a Vegas trip without it.
If you’re a tequila nerd, a marg enthusiast, or just someone who wants great food, great vibes, and a very solid excuse to day drink in public—Chayo delivers.
And if you happen to have a dad who’s a tequila expert? Bring him. But tell him not to judge us when we order extra guac instead of aged agave. Priorities.
