Catrinas Mex Fish Bowl Margaritas: 'They're Not A Random Recipe'

JOLIET, IL — Jose Ortiz has done it again. In July, Joliet Patch profiled downtown Joliet's Catrinas Mex for creating the margarita Yard Sticks. The 24-ounce Yard Sticks remain a hit, but Ortiz is not resting on his laurels. He's busy in the trenches, behind the bar, working up his latest creation.

It's the fishbowl. It's 45 ounces of margarita on the rocks, and it's available in three flavors.

"They're pretty popular," Ortiz told Joliet Patch's editor Thursday afternoon. "I thought we would give it a try and then we'll come up with our next great idea."

Ortiz anticipates the margarita fish bowls will remain on the menu for another month or so.

"It was meant to be a special," he explained. "It's not a permanent item on the menu."

The Catrinas Mex fishbowls are available in spicy mango margarita, blueberry shark tank and the tropical sangria. The drink features a peach wine, fresh fruits and a citrus vodka.

"They're 45 ounces and just on the rocks," Ortiz said.

The spicy mango and the blueberry shark tank are each $21.99. The tropical Sangria is $25.99.

The fishbowls debuted last weekend at Catrinas Mex, the site of the former legendary Keg pizza restaurant at the corner of Jackson and Ottawa Streets.

The former Keg property had fallen on hard times and was vacant for nine years until Ortiz's family acquired the property a few years ago. After extensive renovations, this month marks Catrinas Mex's two-year anniversary.

The downtown Joliet restaurant is known for outstanding Mexican cuisine; Ortiz has worked to make sure Catrinas Mex gains more recognition for its quality of alcoholic drinks.

He said he decided to roll out the fishbowls because of the latest pandemic impacting Will and Kankakee County indoor restaurants and bars. For the past few weeks, none of the bars and indoor restaurants have been allowed to have indoor guests because of rising coronavirus figures.

To drum up more business during these difficult times for bars and restaurants, Ortiz unveiled the fishbowls.

"We were just waiting for the right time to use them," he explained. "We were always ready for a second (pandemic) shutdown."

Patch asked Ortiz which of three fish bowls is the best. He answered without hesitation.

"The Sangria," he said. "It is delicious."

To keep business afloat, Catrinas Mex also came up with its daily Will County Indoor Shutdown Specials. One is 10 percent off carryout, but you must ask for it; another is free chips with salsa for all DoorDash orders; another is $10 Yard Cups every day; another is a free welcome cocktail, but you must ask for it.

Ortiz said he's really proud that Catrinas Mex is starting to become recognized around the Joliet area for its drink specials.

"People get one appetizer and stay for hours drinking," he said. "As a bartender, when someone finishes to the last drink, nothing makes me happier."

Ortiz wanted people to know that the margarita fishbowls are something special.

"They're not a random recipe," he said. "Everything went through testing before we're putting it on the menu."

During the pandemic, Catrinas Mex is closed Monday and open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.

People can call in their orders for food - or Yard Sticks - or fishbowls. The restaurant phone is 815-714-2101. Catrinas Mex does have an outdoor patio for guests.

One more important note: Catrinas Mex is hiring and has several jobs open at the moment, in the kitchen, servers and bartenders. Applicants can call, email or message the Catrinas Mex Facebook page, Ortiz said.

"We're hiring," he emphasized. "Send an email, a Facebook message or just come in and apply in person."

Past Joliet Patch coverage of Catrinas Mex:

Margarita Yard Cups Make Catrinas Mex Popular Spot

Downtown Joliet's Hidden Gem

Olde Keg Finlly Reopens As Catrinas Mex: Authentic Mexican Cuisine