The flan was a lovely balance of creamy and firm, its velvety custard spiked with nutmeg. Swayed by another diner urging us to try the housemade desserts, we ordered Flan and a slice of Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie. Our orders were out in a flash, so hot we could hardly touch the pretty yellow plates decorated with green triangles. We chose one of the day”s specials, Merida Enchiladas, and a Carne Asada Super Burrito with beans, rice, cheese, beef, sour cream and guacamole. The flour tortilla was a little chewy but otherwise our quesadilla was quite tasty. They paired perfectly with our good-sized Quesadilla appetizer enclosing sliced jalapeños, olives and tomatoes and topped with sour cream and sweetly mild guacamole. The 14-ounce Herradura Silver margaritas were exquisite, tangy with fresh-squeezed lime juice and pink-tinged by earthy pomegranate juice.

Our drink order was briefly misplaced but when the mega-margaritas arrived, all was forgiven. We had ringside seats to watch the staff deftly whipping up margaritas and pouring them into colorful, oversized glasses. Two spaces opened up at the bar and we took them, placing orders for on-the-rocks Pomegranate Margaritas and dipping crisp tortilla chips into very fresh, spicy housemade salsa. Tortilla Flats is busy nearly every night so just relax and hum “Anticipation” as you wait. We crept through rush-hour traffic to Soquel, found the last parking spot in the big lot behind the restaurant and stood in line behind a dozen people waiting for a table. And not just any margaritas would do - we wanted authentic ones made with fresh juice and good tequila.

SOQUEL - My friend CeCe and I were on a margarita quest last week.

Tortilla flats restaurant menu