How to Make Ola Mexican Kitchen’s Punta Negra Margarita and Ola Burrito

This Tasty Combo Is Worth Making at Home!

Living in SoCal, the age-old question remains. What’s better—the taco shop on the corner or the elevated date-night Mexican restaurant? Honestly, it’s impossible to say. But it’s hard to argue that there’s a restaurant with a better view and food than Ola Mexican Kitchen in Huntington Beach. Sitting right above PCH, overlooking the pier and the ocean, Ola offers a menu of delicious Mexican cuisine (with the occasional twist) and refreshing, handcrafted cocktails. Follow along and learn the secrets of what makes their signature Ola Burrito and Punta Negra Margarita so special, but be warned that nobody can make it quite like Chef Jose Alfredo Amado.

Credit: Ed Visions

When Chef Amado was asked to be the mastermind behind the Ola menu before the restaurant opened in 2016, he was already a distinguished chef and was well prepared for the role. After years of learning to prepare different cuisines, from French to Italian to Japanese, Amado spent 18 years with McCormick and Schmick’s before joining Mahé owners Toby Reece and Tony Andrews.

Best Mexican Recipes Huntington Beach — Credit: Ed Visions

Vision

The vision behind Ola is a testament to Chef Amado’s ingenuity and a tribute to his traditional Mexican upbringing. Hearing him describe how his past influences his food, you can feel the passion behind every dish he creates. Running a Huntington Beach restaurant, he understands that visitors from all over the world come to dine in the city. Some dishes are 100% authentic, while others have a fusion twist, but every bite is made from scratch with care. Amado says, “I don’t believe in #10 cans. We even come up with the dressings on salads.”

Credit: Ed Visions

Excellence is everything. “In the restaurant business, there is no second chance,” Chef Amado confesses, “You have to exceed expectations the first time. We think about that from how we answer the phone to how we present each dessert.” On busy days, the thoughtful chef likes to sneak away from the kitchen for a moment, take a stroll by his favorite seats in the restaurant (by the windows, of course) and check in on guests.

Whether you’re dining at Ola in Huntington Beach or recreating the flavors at home, this staple dish is a must-try. Pair it with a to-die-for margarita from one of Huntington Beach’s favorite Mexican restaurants for the full experience.

The Ola Burrito

Credit: Ed Visions

When Chef Amado prepares the restaurant’s namesake burrito, its seeming simplicity is transformed by his dedication to perfecting every detail. Let’s start with what sets the Ola Burrito apart: the nopales. This cactus is a long-established Mexican standard that doesn’t make it into the local fare as much as it should. The burrito has two green peppers, the guajillo and pasilla, and the red onions come cooked. The refried black beans, cooked in lard, are as delicious as they are fragrant. And, of course, no top-notch burrito would be complete without Mexican rice and Chihuahua cheese.

Guests can choose any protein they want for this burrito, be it chicken, lobster, veggies, carnitas, shrimp or carne asada. The asada is Chef Amado’s favorite because it reminds him of childhood in Mexico and the flavors of home. He recalls memories of the smell of meat cooking over a wood fire on his family farm. This masterpiece is wrapped in a warm tortilla and covered, enchilada-style, in both green and red salsa.

Credit: Ed Visions

Ola Burrito Ingredients:

– Nopales
– Guajillo peppers
– Pasilla peppers
– Red onions
– Refried black beans
– Mexican rice
– Chihuahua cheese
– Asada
– Green salsa
– Red salsa
– Tortilla

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The Punta Negra Margarita

Credit: Ed Visions

Tequila makes everything better, and ordering the Punta Negra Margarita to go with the Ola Burrito is a surefire recipe for a good time. For this drink, the bartender muddles about three blackberries, adds a slice of jalapeno, and then adds Ola’s homemade sweet and sour.

Next, they add some pineapple juice, shake it, and pour it into a glass with a Tajin rim. This drink is particularly great because when pineapple juice is shaken, it gets frothy on top. The silver tequila, berry and jalapeño combine to create a well-balanced flavor profile.