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We couldn't get out to sample all of them, but take comfort in the fact that we had more margaritas than any two people ever should have to drink over two weeks in April.

In fact, our lime-to-blood ratio had to have been off the charts. We're sure that one more margarita could have required extensive treatment for "Lime" disease, but we knew when to say when.

Using a combination of reader suggestions and our Lizard intuition, we set out to find the best margaritas in town. If you've ever ordered a margarita, you know they can be about as different as snowflakes in a snow storm. The same basic ingredients apply — tequila, triple sec and margarita mix — but somehow they all end up tasting completely different.

Find out how we rated 10 margaritas in Dayton.

Abuelo's
2420 N Fairfield Road
Dayton, OH
45431

(937) 426-0570, www.abuelos.com

Appearance: This fine specimen looked exactly like the picture on the table when the server brought it, and really, when does that ever happen? Sophisticated yet understated, this drink knows it doesn't have to put on a show to impress.

Taste: Fruity and refreshing, this is a perfect back-porch/hot-day beverage with strong, bold flavors but nothing overpowering.

Potency (1 to 10): 8

Flavor: Savory and balanced, this margarita is actually better than the Patron hand-shaken margarita that sells for $8.95 at Abuelo's. A great choice and a great value.

Overall rating (1 to 10): 8

Cost: $4.95 for the 14 oz. La Grandeza Margarita

Worth it? Yes

Adobe Gila's
Adobe Dayton,
78 Plum St., Kettering
(937) 458-0330, www.adobegilas.com

Appearance: Served in a flimsy plastic cup, first impressions are that it looks cheap.

Taste: Flat with no high or low notes. Like watery OJ mixed with a splash of tequila. In this case, first impressions proved to be true.

Potency (1 to 10): 4

Flavor: Imagine a drink loaded with ice that has been sitting undisturbed in the hot sun for a really long time ...

Overall rating (1 to 10): 4

Cost: $4.75 for their signature Gila Rita billed as tequila, triple sec and fresh orange juice

Worth it? A resounding no, but every Monday the margaritas are 99 cents and 14 oz. domestic drafts are $1 with the purchase of a meal, which could be a good deal depending on which bartender you get.

El Meson
903 E. Dixie Drive, West Carrollton
(937) 859-8229, www.elmeson.net

Appearance: Served up in a heavy glistening glass with a good mix of ice, this is the way a margarita should look.

Taste: Full, well-rounded fresh flavor of sweet lime that obviously did not come from a mix.

Potency (1 to 10): 7 ... strong enough to make a point, but not overwhelmingly

Flavor: Fresh, tart lime flavor that gives a nice twist to a margarita recipe

Overall rating (1 to 10): 9

Cost: $7 for the Meson Margarita

Worth it? It's pricey, but you know what you're going to get and you also know it won't disappoint. Worth it.

Elsa's
3618 Linden Ave., Dayton
(937) 252-9635
1216 E. Stroop Road, Kettering
(937) 294-9210
6318 Far Hills Ave., Kettering
(937) 439-3897

Appearance: Served in a nontraditional rocks glass, this is one dressed down drink.

Taste: Kapow! That's rocket fuel that burns in a good way.

Potency (1 to 10): 9.5

Flavor: See taste ... this is one of the best margaritas we've had. A treat that packs a whopping punch from beginning to end.

Overall rating (1 to 10): 9

Cost: $6.50 for Elsa's legendary Bad Juan margarita

Worth it? The Bad Juan's actually a really, really good Juan. This is one not to miss.

Laredos Cantina and Grill
1020 Miamisburg Centerville Road, Centerville
(937) 610-3456

Appearance: Standard, garnished simply with a lime. Order the larger 16 oz. portion for a better presentation.

Taste: Good balance of tart and sweet with the liquor hiding in the background — always there but never in your face about it.

Potency (1 to 10): 8

Flavor: Salty and not thanks to the rim, the Grand Marnier and lime counters the amount of salt nicely.

Overall rating (1 to 10): 8

Cost: $4.75 for the regular Texas Margarita

Worth it? Yes

Las Piramides
101 W. Franklin St., Centerville
(937) 291-0900
6290 Chambersburg Road, Huber Heights
(937) 235-8634
3908 Wilmington Pike, Kettering
(937) 294-5105

Appearance: One of the more disappointing looking margaritas we had. Served up in a well-worn acrylic cup that looked dirty, it didn't convey the refreshing message one hopes to get from their margarita.

Taste: The glass was warm when it came to the table and even the ice in the drink didn't keep it cool. A warm sugary-sweet concoction that went way too heavy on the sour mix.

Potency (1 to 10): 5

Flavor: An artificial mixed flavor that doesn't sit well.

Overall rating (1 to 10): 4

Cost: $4.99 for a 12 oz. margarita

Worth it? No

Longhorn Steakhouse
1921 Dorothy Lane, Moraine
(937) 293-2700, www.longhornsteakhouse.com
2710 Towne Drive, Beavercreek
(937) 431-8344, www.longhornsteakhouse.com

Appearance: Boasting an impressive nine margaritas on the menu in addition to specialty mixes like the Mango Heat Margarita popping up from time to time, this is a place that ostensibly knows its margaritas. They get HUGE stars for shaking it at the table and leaving the shaker half full after the glass was filled up. Nice presentation that left us with high expectations.

Taste: Need to lasso us some liquor in that drink ... no high or low notes. Billed as a blend of tequila, Grand Marnier, Cointreau, triple sec and orange juice, this is nothing more than sour lemonade.

Potency (1 to 10): 2

Flavor: Margarita flavored sugar water without the tequila.

Overall rating (1 to 10): 4

Cost: $7.99 for "The Perfect"

Worth it? Maybe. The manager remixed this for us and it was really good leading us to believe that our theory that the margarita is one of the most often poorly executed and interpreted drinks at the bar.

Los 3 Amigos
2801 S. Dixie Drive, Moraine
(937) 298-8821

Appearance: A standard presentation.

Taste: Refreshing and light, mixed with Grand Marnier that elevates it. Not much salt on the rim, so if you're all salt fan, might want to ask that the rim gets some TLC.

Potency (1 to 10): 7

Flavor: A zesty mix, the liquor is there but doesn't over power it. What a margarita should be.

Overall rating (1 to 10): 7

Cost: $5.50 for a 12 oz. "Los 3 Amigos" margarita

Worth it? Yes

Margarita Village
630 E. Dixie Drive, West Carrollton
(937) 384-0566

Appearance: An ordinary presentation that doesn't wow or offend.

Taste: Has a very harsh, sour syrupy bite to it.

Potency (1 to 10): 6

Flavor: Watery with a sour tart, unpleasant finish.

Overall rating (1 to 10): 4

Cost: $4.95 for a 12 oz. margarita

Worth it? No

Pepito's
3618 Wilmington Pike, Kettering
(937) 293-3777
2412 Catalpa Drive, Dayton
(937) 277-1476

Appearance: Served in a traditional glass with a classic margarita look.

Taste: Sour, sweet and smooth. A nice mix that packs a punch.

Potency (1 to 10): 8

Flavor: This is actually a margarita we would want to drink. It has a good kick while still maintaining its fun, fruity side.

Overall rating (1 to 10): 8

Cost: $5.50 for the classic margarita

Worth it? Yes

Do you agree with our ratings? Did we miss a really good margarita out there? Let us know