In honor of and preparation for Cinco de Mayo, I decided to go on a quest – a quest for the best margarita in town.

But before I began, I needed to answer some important questions. Of all the places in San Diego one can order a margarita, how would I narrow my options? What characteristics would I judge the margarita on? Would I spit out or swallow the worm (isn’t that the eternal question)?

I decided to bring into play the number five – it is Cinco de Mayo after all. Five bars. Five neighborhoods. Five characteristics (flavor, price, size, flare and atmosphere of bar) rated on a five-point scale. And, of course, with the help of five of my friends – I mean impartial judges.

I compiled the top five recommended places and consulted many “Best of” lists, and the “judges” and I decided to order a house margarita, on the rocks with salt at each place. Very scientific, I assure you.

So after a lazy Sunday, one stop on Monday and several Tylenols later, the results are in! Ladies and gentlemen, I present you with Urban Addict’s Best Margarita List!

Located in the heart of Old Town, the popular and award-winning Old Town Mexican Café is like going to grandma’s house – if grandma’s was a cozy, old Mexican bar. But instead of the normal milk and cookies at grandma’s, you’ll find chips and salsa a plenty, as well as the famous “Tortilla Ladies of Old Town” preparing more than 7,000 corn and flour tortillas daily. The café is 25 years old, and like old times, its margaritas are semi-sweet and the cheapest on our list – a budget-minded $4. The restaurant is definitely a family establishment, so bring your G-rated friends and out-of-town guests here for a good time. Arrive with plenty of time to spare if you want food and drinks; the café tends to have long waits on the weekends.

The Old Town Mexican Café is open 7-2 a.m. daily, and is located at 2489 San Diego Ave.

Kensington is the home of Ponce’s Mexican Restaurant, an open and airy establishment with a Spanish adobe feel. Beautiful portraits of Spanish women line the entire western side of the restaurant, while bull horns and suits of armor can be found on the remaining rust-colored walls. The bar portion of the restaurant is relatively small, but the welcoming staff makes your margarita experience the best it can be. Serving Sauza Blanco tequila instead of the usual bottom shelf found in a house margarita, Ponce’s margaritas come in 12-ounce, hand-blown glasses at $5.50 a pop. The Ken Cinema is across the street, so the next time you see a movie at the historic theater or are just in the area, hop over and order a margarita.

Ponce’s is open Monday through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and is located at 4050 Adams Ave.

Winner of the 2004 and 2005 Lamplighter Award for San Diego’s Best Mexican Cuisine, downtown’s Fred’s Mexican Café is definitely a choice locale for margaritas served with a side of entertainment. As soon as you walk in, you’re greeted by the large tiki bar and photos of “Tequila Club” members (of which I am a picture-less, but proud member). Fred’s is heavily decorated like a typical spring break hangout with murals of tequila bottles, mini statues of Mary the Virgin as well as Winnie the Pooh (which I found interesting), and blasting Top 40 music in the background. Their sweet-tasting margaritas are served in 20-ounce goblets, a nice size for the reasonable price of $6.25, and had a “good rim job” of salt (as one judge put it). For cheaper drinks, take advantage of their happy hour – $2.50 margaritas and $2 draft beers, Monday through Friday, from 4-7 p.m. Every fifth of the month is “Cinco de Fred,” where you can enjoy $1.50 margaritas and beers from 4 p.m. to close (it can get pretty crazy). After you’ve downed a few with your friends, test your skills on the two pool tables in the back.

Fred’s is open daily at 11 a.m. and closes between 1-2 a.m., and is located at 527 Fifth Ave.

Baja Betty’s in Hillcrest may have come in second place as far as the margaritas, but it’s number one in our hearts. The distinctive and playful artistry of 33 (Ben Brough) adorns the interior and invokes a sense of wonder, frivolity and adventure. Their pint-sized and potent margaritas serve Sauza Silver tequila, and ring in at $6 each. If you get a bit of the munchies, try snacking on their chips and salsa, and queso and guacamole dips. Baja Betty’s rambunctious and animated staff and bar-like atmosphere (usually pumping dance music), always keep the crowds lively and ready to party. Happy hour is Monday through Friday from 2-6 p.m., and boasts $3 Casa Margaritas, $4 Real Fruit Margaritas, $2.50 Tecate/Beer-of-the-Month and $3 appetizers and quesadillas (check www.bajabettyssd.com for daily specials).

Baja Betty’s is open daily at 11 a.m. (10 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays) and closes at midnight (1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturday), and is located at 1421 University Ave.

There are several reasons this bustling Pacific Beach restaurant/bar tops the list, and its delicious eye candy, in front of and behind the bar, was just one of them.

Gringo’s Cocina y Cantina is an upscale restaurant amid a plethora of beachy hangouts, and is stocked with more than 100 kinds of tequila. The cantina’s perfectly mixed 27-ounce margaritas rake in at a pricey but worthy $9 each (you can also order its cheaper and smaller 16-ounce sibling if you’re not as thirsty). The friendly staff and great service seem to attract regulars, which makes for a fun and relaxing atmosphere. Gringo’s happy hour is daily from 4-7 p.m., with $3 draft beers, house wine and margaritas (check www.gringoscantina.com for daily specials). Don’t forget to indulge in some delectable dishes while downing huge margaritas – the cantina’s do-it-yourself guacamole appetizer was a nice complement.

Gringo’s is open daily at 11 a.m., closes at 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays (the bar can stay open even later), and is located at 4474 Mission Blvd.

I’ll leave you with some of the immortal words of singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffet: “If life gives you limes, make margaritas.”