mariano's. >> reporter: it was an overnight success. >> people came from all over north texas and they heard about the machine. that machine saved me from going out of business. >> reporter: today, martinezatop an empmpe of a half dozen restaurants over north texas. with 600 employees. >> look at how beautiful this is. >> reporter: a very loil clientele. >> cheers to mariano's. >> it's great. >> reporter: and one honor he couldn't evenn fathom. his invention is now in the smithsonian. mariano and his wife of 38 years, wanda, now split tim between texas and the california coast. >> we just kind of window shop. >> reporter: we spent a day with them bar hopping. what to order was never a question. >> here are your margaritas. >> life's good. >> reporter: especially after a few margaritas. >> well, that makes it better. life's great. >> reporter: you still have traditionalists who say the best margarita is one on the rocks. what do you say to them? >> i agree with them. i'm one of those. >> reporter: wait a minute, the guy came up with the margarita machine and he drinks them on the rocks? >> right. my tastes have evolved. >> reporter: and so has his life. you know, people always talk about