Cinco de Mayo: The Parties, The Chihuahua Races, The Lime Shortages

Cinco de Mayo: The Parties, The Chihuahua Races, The Lime Shortages

We all know that Cinco de Mayo is just an arbitrary holiday gringos picked to allow them to throw on their Party-City-bought sombreros and appropriate Mexican culture without too many consequences. But after all the debaucherous drinking and eating we can at least rest assured that Montezuma’s Revenge will be afflicting a fair share of sombreBros…..just kidding. Sort of.

Anyway, we can’t hate too much because we still love tequila and if there’s a day where margaritas are $2 and we can eat as many tacos as we want, count us in. Even if there is a crazy cartel-related lime shortage. 🙁

Since Cinco falls on a Monday this year, that means three days of sloppy decision-making.  If you’re looking for a history lesson on what Cinco de Mayo is really about, we recommend  this one. But if you DGAF and just want to party, check out our picks — click your city below to see what’s happening this weekend!

NYMIACHILA SF | PHX

New York
FOOD

We love to eat any time of year, but Cinco de Mayo is the time when restaurants and bars come up with special treats and deals for us. Here’s what some of our favorites have on deck:

GRAN ELECTRICA

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5 Front St.
Dumbo, Brooklyn, NY
718.852.2700
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This no frills spot gives people what they want; light and simple street food dishes and a pretty view of the Brooklyn Bridge. Grab a Batanga (that’s tequila, Mexican coke and hot sauce), and enjoy a weekend-long party with DJs spinning Latin tracks and margaritas flowing. Celebration takes place Saturday May 3rd & Sunday May 4th 11am-11pm // Monday May 5th 5:30pm-11pm.

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EMPELLON TAQUERIA AND COCINA

230 W 4th St New York, NY 10014
(212) 367-0999

Empellon Taqueria will be celebrating Cinco with Seis…courses, that is. Treat yourself to a range of mariscos, queso fundidos, unconventional tacos (with toppings like shortrib pastrami) and unlimited Margaritas, Beer and Sparkling Wine.

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mercadito

30 W. 24th St. between 5th & 6th Ave, New York, NY 10010
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Cafe El Presidente just opened to the public this week, but based on the preview we got of the Tacombi-helmed venue, this Mexican emporium will be a great place to down tacos, spiked horchata, and the best totopos we’ve had in NYC.

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mesa

225 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn & 114 Kenmare Street, NYC

NYC: info@esquinanyc.com
BKLYN: info@esquinabk.com
646.613.7100

La Esquina may not serve up the most authentic eats you can get in the city, but they make a strong margarita. Three should be enough to have you reenacting the battle of Puebla like a fool.

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HECHO EN DUMBO

chilaquiles-2

354 Bowery, New York, NY 10012
(212) 937-4245
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This Remezcla favorite will be serving margarita specials from 12-7pm on Monday, alongside Hojaldras de Mole Poblano (rabbit mole sandwiches).

PARTIES & EVENTS GUIDE

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We all know that Cinco de Mayo is just an arbitrary holiday gringos picked to allow them to throw on their Party-City-bought sombreros and appropriate Mexican culture without too many consequences. But after all the debaucherous drinking and eating we can at least rest assured that Montezuma’s Revenge will be afflicting a fair share of sombreBros…..just kidding. Sort of.

Anyway, we can’t hate too much because we still love tequila and if there’s a day where margaritas are $2 and we can eat as many tacos as we want, count us in. Even if there is a crazy cartel-related lime shortage. 🙁

Since Cinco falls on a Monday this year, that means three days of sloppy decision-making. If you’re looking for a history lesson on what Cinco de Mayo is really about, we recommend this one. But if you DGAF and just want to party, check out our picks — click your city below to see what’s happening this weekend!

NYMIACHILA SFPHX

Miami
FOOD

We love to eat any time of year, but Cinco de Mayo is the time when restaurants and bars come up with special treats and deals for us. Here’s what some of our favorites have on deck:

TACO BEACH SHACK

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334 Arizona St Hollywood, FL 33019
(954) 920-6523
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Taco Beach Shack in Hollywood Beach is throwing a Cinco extravaganza with almost every facet you need for a proper Mexican celebration: tequila, tacos, and mariachis…also some random family-friendly stuff like free pony rides and face painting, and an “appearance” by a donkey. Seems like a whole lot of WTF, which is not a bad way to approach the Cinco holiday in our book. The 2-Day Celebration — May 4th-5th from Noon-2AM — will also include a taco eating contest, $5 for 3 taco specials, and Corona girls giving away freebies.

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ROCCO’S TACO
mercadito

Several locations
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Rocco’s Taco takes Cinco de Mayo so seriously they have a countdown meter on their website (as of writing this we’re six days away, FYI). Last year they threw a medley of celebrations at all of their locations in the Fort Lauderdale/ Palm Beaches area with drink specials and giveaways, so stay tuned for this year’s offerings!

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TALAVERA

mesa

2299 Ponce De Leon Blvd
Coral Gables, FL 33134 (305) 444-2955

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Talavera is one of the most talked about Mexican spots in Coral Gables, and the owners and chef have crafted the menu directly from their family recipes and regional dishes from Sonora to Puebla and beyond. They will make the Cinco de Mayo festivities last all weekend, from the 3rd to the 5th, where you can enjoy food specials, drinks, and live music all day and night.

PARTIES & EVENTS GUIDE

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evenge will be afflicting a fair share of sombreBros…..just kidding. Sort of.

Chicago

We all know that Cinco de Mayo is just an arbitrary holiday gringos picked to allow them to throw on their Party-City-bought sombreros and appropriate Mexican culture without too many consequences. But after all the debaucherous drinking and eating we can at least rest assured that Montezuma’s Revenge will be afflicting a fair share of sombreBros…..just kidding. Sort of.

Anyway, we can’t hate too much because we still love tequila and if there’s a day where margaritas are $2 and we can eat as many tacos as we want, count us in. Even if there is a crazy cartel-related lime shortage. 🙁

Since Cinco falls on a Monday this year, that means three days of sloppy decision-making. If you’re looking for a history lesson on what Cinco de Mayo is really about, we recommend this one. But if you DGAF and just want to party, check out our picks — click your city below to see what’s happening this weekend!

NYMIACHILA SFPHX

FOOD

We love to eat any time of year, but Cinco de Mayo is the time when restaurants and bars come up with special treats and deals for us. Here’s what some of our favorites have on deck:

LA PASADITA


N Ashland Ave
(773-278-2130)
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This place has been around for thirty years for a good reason. There are two locations on the same block, and both offer the same simple, stripped-down tacos — just a little meat,chopped onion, cilantro, andddd that’s about it. Still, sometimes simple is the best option, especially when the ingredients are as fresh as they are at La Pasadita. Their tacos are widely considered the best in the neighborhood, and among the best in the city.
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TACO JOINT URBAN TAQUERIA & CANTINA

1969 N Halsted St Chicago, IL 60614

(312) 951-2457
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Taco Joint will celebrate Cinco de Mayo with drink specials, live music and regional Mexican street fare. From Friday, May 2 to Monday, May 5, Taco Joint’s River North and Lincoln Park locations will offer $5 Herradura tequila cocktails, along with cans of Modelo Especial paired with a shot of Herradura tequila blanco for $5. If your can has a Taco Joint sticker on the bottom, you’ll receive a complimentary Taco Joint/Modelo t-shirt (why do people love free t-shirts so much?). On Monday, May 5, Taco Joint Margaritas will be offered for $5 each at both locations. In River North, a DJ will spin from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and alfresco seating will be offered on the Ontario Street sidewalk cafe.

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NUEVO LEON

1515 W 18th St Chicago, IL 60608

(312) 421-1517
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This spot is regularly voted one of the best Mexican eateries in the city – and its prices are also some of the best, considering the portion sizes. The regular menu includes pork chops, beef, enchiladas and tacos. Tortillas are house-made and melt around the yummy concoctions, and the tamales are tangy and perfect. This place is BYO & cash only, so if you’re thirsty stop and pick up some chelas first!

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DULCELANDIA

Several locations

This candy and piñata store traffics in nostalgia, offering Mexican dulces you don’t usually see in the States (think chili and tamarindo sweets, marshmallows in every color imaginable, peach-flavored ‘Pollito Asado’ lollipops, etc.) in addition to hundreds of artisan hand-made piñatas. Every year for Cinco de Mayo they also carry fake mustaches and Mexican flags – bc I guess people want to wear fake facial hair in the streets? Whatever floats your boat. Anyway, if you’ve decided to forgo the madness of bars and host your own Cinco de Mayo party, this place is the no brainer to stock up on any and everything you’ll need.

PARTIES & EVENTS GUIDE

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We all know that Cinco de Mayo is just an arbitrary holiday gringos picked to allow them to throw on their Party-City-bought sombreros and appropriate Mexican culture without too many consequences. But after all the debaucherous drinking and eating we can at least rest assured that Montezuma’s Revenge will be afflicting a fair share of sombreBros…..just kidding. Sort of.

Anyway, we can’t hate too much because we still love tequila and if there’s a day where margaritas are $2 and we can eat as many tacos as we want, count us in. Even if there is a crazy cartel-related lime shortage. 🙁

Since Cinco falls on a Monday this year, that means three days of sloppy decision-making. If you’re looking for a history lesson on what Cinco de Mayo is really about, we recommend this one. But if you DGAF and just want to party, check out our picks — click your city below to see what’s happening this weekend!

NYMIACHILA SFPHX

Los Angeles
FOOD

We love to eat any time of year, but Cinco de Mayo is the time when restaurants and bars come up with special treats and deals for us. Here’s what some of our favorites have on deck:

LA CASITA MEXICANA

4030 East Gage Ave. Bell, CA 90201
(323) 773-1898

This place has been around for fifteen years for a reason. Chefs Jaime Martin del Campo and Ramiro Arvizu have a serious commitment to retaining authenticity and using only fresh, local, and seasonal produce. Plus they beat Bobby Flay in a chile relleno throwdown, for whatever that’s worth. Stop by on Cinco de Mayo for some Chile en nogada — an homage to the colors of the Mexican flag.

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ROCIO’S MOLE DE LOS DIOSES

8255 Sunland Blvd Sun Valley, CA 9135219321 Ventura Blvd Tarzana, CA 91356

Naming your restaurant “Rocio’s Mole of the Gods,” may seem like hubris, but not when it tastes like this. Chef Rocio Camacho was featured in LA Weekly’s People issue last year based on the attention her exquisite moles were garnering from foodies all over town — it’s widely regarded as Los Angeles’ best. Most places will be doing a tacos & margaritas special for Cinco de Mayo, but if you want a change of pace this is the place to come.

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EL CHAVO

cuevita

4441 W Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90027

(323) 664-0871

EL Chavo is a hidden gem on Sunset Blvd, and they will be celebrating for 3 days of “pato pandemonium” this year. Stop by for drink and taco specials, DJs, & more.
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GUELAGUETZA

3014 W Olympic Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90006
(213) 427-0608

Sometimes, regardless of specials and holiday menus, you just want really good Mexican food. And Guelaguetza in Koreatown is just that – many of the top food critics have named it the best Oaxacan restaurant in the country. Dig into the best moles and tlayudas, chiles rellenos, chalupas, and wash it down with mezcaladas and margaritas. Arriba!

PARTIES & EVENTS GUIDE

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We all know that Cinco de Mayo is just an arbitrary holiday gringos picked to allow them to throw on their Party-City-bought sombreros and appropriate Mexican culture without too many consequences. But after all the debaucherous drinking and eating we can at least rest assured that Montezuma’s Revenge will be afflicting a fair share of sombreBros…..just kidding. Sort of.

Anyway, we can’t hate too much because we still love tequila and if there’s a day where margaritas are $2 and we can eat as many tacos as we want, count us in. Even if there is a crazy cartel-related lime shortage. 🙁

Since Cinco falls on a Monday this year, that means three days of sloppy decision-making. If you’re looking for a history lesson on what Cinco de Mayo is really about, we recommend this one. But if you DGAF and just want to party, check out our picks — click your city below to see what’s happening this weekend!

NYMIACHILA SFPHX

San Francisco
FOOD

We love to eat any time of year, but Cinco de Mayo is the time when restaurants and bars come up with special treats and deals for us. Here’s what some of our favorites have on deck:

PAPALOTE

3409 24th St, San Francisco, CA
(415) 970-8815

Papalote Mexican Grill is hailed as the home to SF’s best burrito. Since you’ll probably already be drinking your way through the Mission District, stop by for a taquito or two. Guaranteed fresh food and their trademark Papalote Salsa will leave you wanting to buy them out of the stuff. Which luckily, you can! Salsa so good, even Abuela would approve.

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LA TAQUERIA

colibri

2889 Mission St San Francisco, CA 94110

(415) 285-7117

This beloved spot has been around for 30+ years, and it’s still one of our favorite places to get tacos and burritos in the Mission. There’s never a bad time to pop in, but when you’re tipsy from Cinco celebrations and looking for a burrito fans have called dubbed “massive missiles of yummy goodness,” this is a good bet.

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LATIN AMERICAN CLUB
regalito

3286 22nd Street (at Valencia Street)

San Francisco, California
(415)-647-2732
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This dark, piñata-filled dive bar has big, strong and cheap margaritas — everything you need for Cinco de Drinko. It’s the kind of kitsch meets dive meets hipster meets ratcheteria spot where you can make some bad decisions. But you know, the good kind of bad decisions.

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In the east bay, you can’t go wrong with Comal in Berkeley or Doña Tomás in Oakland. On a taqueria budget? Then head over to El Metate, or Nopalito.

PARTIES & EVENTS GUIDE

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We all know that Cinco de Mayo is just an arbitrary holiday gringos picked to allow them to throw on their Party-City-bought sombreros and appropriate Mexican culture without too many consequences. But after all the debaucherous drinking and eating we can at least rest assured that Montezuma’s Revenge will be afflicting a fair share of sombreBros…..just kidding. Sort of.

Anyway, we can’t hate too much because we still love tequila and if there’s a day where margaritas are $2 and we can eat as many tacos as we want, count us in. Even if there is a crazy cartel-related lime shortage. 🙁

Since Cinco falls on a Monday this year, that means three days of sloppy decision-making. If you’re looking for a history lesson on what Cinco de Mayo is really about, we recommend this one. But if you DGAF and just want to party, check out our picks — click your city below to see what’s happening this weekend!

NYMIACHILA SFPHX

Phoenix
PARTIES & EVENTS GUIDE

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rmz-phoenix