QUENTIN ROUX / Staff

Kaitlin Tipton is a hostess at Nacho Mama's in the Marco Walk food court on Marco Island. Nightlife observer Michelle Vignari finds the place to her liking.

STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

Tell us about it

• What would you add to this story? Tell us what we missed.
• Do you have photos from this event? Documents we need to see? Share with us.
• Upload photos & videos
• More ways to get your stuff online and in the paper.

More Latest Stories

• You Review Food: Reg Valentinuzzi
• You Review Movie: John Augustine
• Rod Mackenzie, taking music by storm

Share and Enjoy [?]

Due to Fay’s lovely presence in Southwest Florida, the official “start” of this column has been pushed back a week, but hopefully you’ll find it worth the wait!

With that being said, I have chosen to start with Nacho Mama’s. Located in the newly renovated Marco Walk Plaza, at 599 South Collier Blvd. “Nachos,” as my friends and I have come to call it, features after hours festivities of all kinds.

Some examples are nights of live entertainment — that can be enjoyed inside and outside the restaurant — great drink specials — every night they offer seven uniquely flavored margaritas — and a full menu until midnight!

They are generally open until 1 a.m. daily, but are more than willing to stay open later, based on a judgment call, if patrons are still in the restaurant, averaging out to 1:30 a.m. on weekends.

Their biggest holidays are Cinco de Mayo, which I had the pleasure of celebrating at Nachos myself this year, and St. Patrick’s Day.

If you’re looking for the busiest night of the week, you can find it on Saturday, according to owner Eric Phillips.

Live entertainment can be found two nights a week, with a DJ on a third night, all from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. year round. Every Thursday night is “Ladies Night” with great specials for all the ladies of Marco and surrounding areas. For example, $3 house margaritas are offered, $1 drafts, $2 all bottled beers, $3 well drinks and $2.75 house wines. Gentlemen of Marco, your benefit of course being all the lovely ladies that will be in attendance. DJ Mike will be spinning music for all.

Friday night features the musical stylings of Michael Courtney and the local live band Dig Dive accents Saturday nights.

On nights when there is not live entertainment or a DJ, happy hour is on from 10 p.m. to midnight with food specials in house ranging from $1-soft or crisp tacos with the option of beef, chicken, pork or veggie; 50-cent chicken wings, 10 minimum and $1 extra for blue cheese and celery. Drinks specials offered are $1 drafts, $2 bottles, $6 pitchers (all domestic), $3.50 small house margaritas, and $3.50 well drinks.

Per owner Eric Phillips, “The entertainment and drink specials we offer after hours are definitely added benefits to staying open late. We offer an indoor/outdoor atmosphere with music filling the courtyard. We like to create a good mood and atmosphere for the people of Marco.”

Nacho Mama’s offers exactly that. From a pool table, gaming machines, flat screen TV’s and a full bar featuring 15 premium types of Tequila, they have all the makings of creating a fine evening out.

---

Michelle has been with the advertising department of the Marco Eagle and Naples Daily News since early 2006. She is currently residing on Marco Island and commuting to Florida Gulf Coast University where she is a marketing major. In her free time she enjoys playing tennis, relaxing on the beach, travelling and spending time with her family and friends.