Soft-Serve Margaritas Have Arrived in Columbus
Here's who jumped on the boozy ice cream trend first, plus Maison Skalli adds a second location.
Soft-Serve Margs Become a Boon for AJ’s Tacos
By Bethia Woolf
Food trends spread rapidly in the era of TikTok, and the viral trend of the moment is soft-serve margaritas, which have now reached Columbus.
This national margarita mania, which USA Today reported on March 20, has people driving across state lines to try the coveted treat, which blends soft-serve ice cream and alcohol.
First to market in Columbus was AJ’s Tacos, located at 3307 Sullivant Ave. Owner Rachael Aguirre spotted the frozen treat on TikTok and wanted to try one. Not wanting to drive to Cleveland, the closest city where the margs were trending, she decided to bring the boozy dessert to Columbus instead. She told her husband, Agustin, not to check their bank account as she purchased a soft-serve machine.
Rachael’s gamble paid off. She says that the machine paid for itself on the first day.
In the three weeks since adding them to the menu, the family-run restaurant has served thousands of soft-serve margaritas. There was pent-up demand from customers who had been searching for the drinks locally. AJ’s initially served the treats in margarita glasses but switched to plastic cups to keep pace with demand. The restaurant even temporarily shut down its food truck to manage the viral wave.
AJ’s has also purchased a second machine to handle weekend crowds and to offer kid-friendly (non-alcoholic) soft serve during the week.
The soft serve uses a vegan base, similar to Dole Whip, and is available in rotating daily flavors. The most popular so far are mango, pineapple and strawberry, though some non-traditional margarita flavors, like cherry, have made an appearance. The tequila is pre-mixed into the base; you can taste the alcohol, but it isn’t overpowering. Customers can add an extra shot of tequila for more kick, with Tajín and chamoy available as optional toppings.
You might be thinking: Haven’t frozen margaritas been around forever? Yes, since 1971, but traditional frozen margaritas have an ICEE-like, slushy texture. Meanwhile, soft-serve margaritas are creamier and meant to be eaten, primarily with a spoon. Rachael notes another advantage: Unlike the ICEE version, the soft-serve variety is far less likely to cause brain freeze.
Rachael says the margaritas have drawn many first-time customers to AJ’s, which opened its first brick-and-mortar in the Hilltop last November. People are coming for the soft serve but staying to try the food. AJ’s is known for its birria, which the Aguirres started serving when they launched their first truck in 2020. Rachael and Agustin know the soft-serve margarita craze won’t last forever, but they hope that customers who discovered them through the margaritas will become regulars now that they’ve experienced the food as well.
Other Columbus restaurants are already jumping on the fad; soft-serve margaritas have been spotted at Terra Mezcal on Route 161. Soon, they may be ubiquitous wherever tacos and ’ritas are sold.
Find It
AJ’s Tacos
3307 Sullivant Ave., Hilltop
Maison Skalli Set to Open in the Short North
Beloved Moroccan bakery and brunch spot Maison Skalli is bringing its flavors from Dublin to the Short North with a second location, set to open by April 12 at 662 N. High St. in the former Kilwins space. (Follow Maison Skalli on Instagram for an announcement about the opening.)
The cafe has built a following for its traditional Moroccan breakfasts, sophisticated brunch offerings, and an impressive lineup of housemade croissants and pastries—including a standout croissant filled with pistachio cream. Guests can also expect Moroccan mint tea and a full menu of coffee drinks.—Bethia Woolf
From the Archive
Notes
Around the Columbus Food & Drink Scene
The latest tasting menu from Veritas (11 W. Gay St.) is cheaper than a round-the-world trip but offers a chance to experience reimagined street foods from around the globe. Countries featured include Belgium, Egypt, France, Peru, Vietnam and many others. The “Around the World Experience” (see menu) will run April through June.
Tickets are still available for Columbus Food Adventures’ April Supper Club, featuring six courses prepared by Ray Ray’s Pit BBQ founder James Anderson. Diners can expect elevated twists on country cooking with global influences. The dinner takes place at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 15. Snag your seats here.
Pink Pistachio Cafe will celebrate its grand opening starting at 3 p.m. Friday, April 10, at 1072 Dublin Road in Grandview. Founded in Somerset, New Jersey, the cafe specializes in coffee, tea and halal breakfast and lunch fare.
The sports bar and restaurant Draft Day has shuttered after less than a year. The property at 1130 Dublin Road (formerly Smokehouse Brewing Co.) is for sale. It is listed at $2 million.
love this Bethia! I just sent you a dm request here on Substack in the “requests” tab of the “chat” section -Chef Harrison :)