A restaurant has broken the Guinness World Records for having the largest tequila collection on the planet — and it’s not in Mexico.
Meximod, which opened in Metuchen, New Jersey, last November, boasts the world’s largest collection of agave spirits, a claim Guinness World Records adjudicators confirmed at a gala on July 24.
The restaurant will offer more than 1,000 agave-based spirits. TJ Pingitore, senior vice president of LeMalt Hospitality Group, spoke to Fox News Digital in December about the restaurant’s opening.
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With Metuchen having won national awards, including a recent 2023 Great American Main Street award, Pingitore’s team was inspired to break the world record.
The central New Jersey town is also known as the hometown of Kavi Sharma, the 2023 American Girl Doll of the Year.
From left, Guinness World Records team members Carey Smith and Mackenzie Berry, Meximod owner Saurabh Abrol, Guinness adjudicators Andy Glass and TJ Pingitore. (Meximod)
“When I’m in the square, [with] “Our flagship operation here is about to open, and we wanted to do something really special, not only for the community here, but also for tequila lovers across the United States,” Pingitore said.
“And we decided to try and break the world record for most tequila drinks. [and] This is mezcal that is legal all over the world.”
In December, Mayor Jonathan Bush praised Meximode’s launch to Fox News Digital.
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“The opening of Meximode marks another exciting investment in a city that has become one of the culinary epicenters of Central New Jersey,” the mayor said. “We’re thrilled to welcome Meximode to our award-winning downtown.”
Customers can walk into Metuchen’s restaurants to find the tequila that suits their tastes, with agave offerings offering spicy or smoky flavors, Pingitore said.
Customers can stop by any Meximod location in central New Jersey to find the agave liquor that matches their preferred taste profile. (Meximodo by LeMalt Hospitality Group/Design by Celano Group)
“When you break down the tequila library, you get a smoky flavor. [and] “Mild,” he said.
“We’re looking at whether it’s tequila, mezcal or their derivatives in the world of agave spirits.”
“All our bartenders are trained to suggest flavor profiles on the spot,” he says.
“There are about 20 to 25 people. [liquors] Something hotter or more pungent like jalapeno or habanero. [tequilas] Some you’ll know, some you won’t know, but there are small batch spirits you won’t know, that are just as interesting and we invite you to come and discover them.”
Meximodo has more than 1,000 bottles of tequila and mezcal in its library, but Pingitore said El Tesoro and Tequila Ocho are his favorites.
The senior executive also told Fox News Digital that neither of Meximode’s two rivals for the world record are based in Mexico.
The two facilities are in Las Vegas and London.
“The previous world record was around 600 bottles, and we have over 1,000 bottles,” Pingitore said, “so we broke that record.”
“The pollo con mole is the best. It’s our chicken.”
Meximodo also boasts an extensive menu featuring dishes that the team developed during their visits to different villages in Mexico.
Many of the tequilas pair well with the dishes on the menu.
Meximodo founder Saurabh Abrol (far left) with team members in Mexico. (Meximodo by LeMalt Hospitality Group/Design by Celano Group)
“The pollo con mole is amazing. It’s our chicken. The mole pairs really well with our mild flavors and it adds a little bit of smoky flavor that really pairs well,” Pingitore said.
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“And our barbacoa is served two different ways and is delicious.”
One of MexiModo’s most popular dishes is pollo con mole, which pairs well with tequila, Pingitore said. (Meximodo by LeMalt Hospitality Group/Design by Celano Group)
“Whether you serve it in a taco or as an entree, it’s delicious in any form with a smokier shot of tequila,” he added.
“We’ll say something in a smoky place. [side] Or even mezcal.”
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The restaurant’s unique tequila selection has garnered attention from local media, even earning it the title of “Most Colorful New Restaurant” from NJ.com.
Members of the Meximodo team traveled to Mexico to develop the restaurant’s menu. (Meximodo by LeMalt Hospitality Group/Design by Celano Group)
“My new favorite Mexican restaurant!” one reviewer wrote on Google.
“From the moment we walked in, everything was beautifully decorated and we could tell a lot of love had gone into this place.”
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The same reviewer said, “I’m not normally a fan of guacamole, but their pineapple mango guacamole was amazing. I especially loved the street-style cone and the creative cocktails. I’ll definitely come back to try other items on the menu!”
