N.J. Mexican restaurant to be awarded world record for largest tequila collection

With over 1,000 bottles of tequila, Meximodo in Metuchen will soon officially be recognized as the eatery with the world’s largest agave spirits collection.

The Mexican cruise restaurant and bar is set to claim its title Wednesday — on National Tequila Day — as a Guinness World Record holder, officials said.

The collection, which ranges from small, family-owned brands to larger well-known ones, took months to gather and itemize, the establishment’s founders said.

Meximodo Cocina Mexicana & Tequila Bar opened in downtown Metuchen last November, offering Mexican cuisine and drinks in one space.

It’s a colorful 8,000 square-foot restaurant and bar with a tequila library, patio and upstairs private mezzanine. The restaurant’s chef, Antonio Carballo, who is from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and master mixologist Carlos Ruiz, lead the business in making the experience and food authentic and unique, they said.

By exploring the region in Mexico where tequila originated, Carballo, Ruiz and the Meximodo team were able to help grow Meximodo’s vast collection of tequilas and mezcals.

They toured local villages to source rare batches of tequilas and mezcals and expanded their knowledge of the spirits by seeing firsthand how agave plants were cultivated and distilled, Meximodo officials said.

When the restaurant realized its collection was becoming massive, the group applied for the Guinness World Records, said Saurabh Abrol, owner of Meximodo’s parent company, Le Malt Hospitality Group.

“As we built our tequila and mezcal list for Meximodo and saw the number of bottles increasing exponentially, we realized that we had the potential for a world record, and we made our submission for an Official Attempt,” Abrol said in a statement.

“We are thrilled to have Guinness World Records confirm this achievement,” he said.

The spirits are curated and organized like a library for guests. They are categorized and cross-referenced by brand, expression, region and specific taste, officials said.

However, the spirits are not just locked away in a display case; they are available to be poured and served. Both experienced and new indulgers can search through the emporium.

The eatery also often hosts dinner and tequila tasting events with the collections.

“Our research found several global contenders for this title, but Meximodo proved with absolute certainty that they have the most tequilas and mezcals at a bar-restaurant in the world, and we’re pleased that one of our official judges will be present to verify this record, and award the certificate on National Tequila Day,” Mackenzie Berry, a spokesperson for Guinness World Records said in a statement.

On July 24, at 3:30 p.m., Meximodo will be awarded the achievement at the plaza center in downtown Metuchen, across from the restaurant. A celebration with a DJ, giveaways and tequila tasting will take place afterward.

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Nyah Marshall may be reached at Nmarshall@njadvancemedia.com.