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Mariano’s is one of the most historically important names in Dallas Tex-Mex history. Founder Mariano Martinez opened his first restaurant in Dallas in 1971 and developed the world’s first commercial frozen margarita machine after being inspired by a 7-Eleven Slurpee machine. The original machine is now in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
This matchbook lists three Mariano’s locations:
Old Town — 691-3888
Arlington — 469-1771
Downtown — 742-2521
It also advertises catering at [phone removed by ].
Period Dallas telephone directories document this exact combination of locations and phone numbers in 1982, helping date the matchbook to approximately c.1982–1987. By the late 1980s, the Arlington telephone number had changed.
The cover features Mariano’s colorful “Viva Mexico” design, while the inside promotes lunch, happy hour, dinner and private parties.
Original matches remain present.
Condition shows some age-related flaws, including light staining/spotting, handling wear and minor cover discoloration. Please review all photographs carefully.
An excellent piece of Dallas restaurant, Tex-Mex, cocktail and frozen-margarita history from one of the city’s most historically significant restaurant families.
