Margarita mission

Photo by ANN MARIE LONG | Laker Weekly

On a mission to find the best margarita on the lake, the Parrotheads (above), a group bonded by a love of singer Jimmy Buffett and all things tropical, recently loaded a bus in Roanoke and headed to Smith Mountain Lake. The first stop of the five restaurants on the schedule was Mango's, followed by Jake's Place, The Landing, Waller's Waterfront and Johnathans. The margaritas were judged on presentation and taste.

Babs Allen, Parrothead president, said the group enjoyed the company and experience at all of the restaurants, but Jake's Place was declared the winner. "Jake's margarita had a unique mixture of mango and special jerk spice seasonings. Although look and taste were the only factors, we were made to feel very welcome at the great places we visited," said Allen.

Of the 150 members of the group, which also participates in charitable functions, 48 participated in the margarita challenge. Accepting a plaque from Jay Furick (at left, in white), event chairman for the Parrotheads, for having the winning margarita were (from left) Mike Gordon, general manager; Allen; Tom Gordon, owner; Jay Ouellette, chef; and David Krumm, bartender.

For information, contact Allen at 588-8750 or Parrotheads@phbr.org, www.phbrc.org.