CALIFORNIA — Cinco de Mayo falls this year on a Friday — commemorating Mexico’s May 5 victory over the French Empire in 1862.
For those who like to celebrate like there’s no mañana, we’ve rounded up some hot spots with restaurant specials and entertainment.
Subscribe
Peruse the guide to find the fiestas near you. Need visual inspiration? Check out the photo show at the top of this post.
And if you know of other neighborhood joints with stand-out deals, share with readers in the comments.
And Happy Cinco de Mayo, from Patch!
—————–
ACAPULCO RESTAURANT Y CANTINA: Kick off Cinco de Mayo at 3 p.m. with build-your-own-taco bar (steak, chicken, carnitas & al pastor) & drink deals. Live entertainment starts 4 p.m. Extra bonus: Cinco de Mayo patrons receive bounce-back card for hangover breakfast — Come back the next day for free breakfast entrée with purchase of breakfast entrée. Details. See locales in Glendale, Costa Mesa, Downey & Long Beach.
————
AGUA CALIENTE CASINO: Cinco de Mayo events run over the weekend with food & drink specials, entertainment, concert, comedy show & Lucha Libre Mexicana: Viva La Lucha. Info here. Locales in Cathedral City, Palm Springs & Rancho Mirage.
————
BAR LOUIE: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with $7 Dos Sauza margaritas during happy hour, or try new Rock & Rita. Pair with 50% off such bar bites as trio dips & chips and chicken quesadillas. Website. Locations here in Downey, Northridge, Tustin.
——–
BARRIO SF: Head to Ghirardelli Square May 5 for Cinco de Mayo party (11 a.m. – 10 p.m.) featuring mariachi band (4 p.m.-8 p.m.), free tequila/mezcal tastings (1 p.m.-5 pm.), raffle & swag giveaways, margarita booth, food & drink specials. Website. At 900 North Point, San Francisco.
———
BARRIO STAR: This Banker’s Hill eatery, specializing in “modern Mexican Soul Food,” is prepped for Cinco de Mayo with Happy Hour drink & food specials ( 3 p.m. -5 p.m.), & live music (5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.). Menu highlights: tacos a la carte; Barrio cucumbers; & Tres Leches Cake with strawberries. Website. At 2706 5th Ave., San Diego.
———
BJ’S RESTAURANT & BREWHOUSE: BJ’s CureVeza, Mexican-style lager, launches May 4 to raise money for The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, part of 25-year partnership. Offered through June 28, the beer “features hints of lime & salt.” For every pint brewed, the chain donates 25 cents to the nonprofit. Pair on Cinco de Mayo with mahi mahi or shrimp tacos, loaded nachos & Sriracha queso dip. Website. Locales found here statewide.
————
BLACK ANGUS STEAKHOUSE: Gear up for all-day, Cinco de Mayo happy hour Friday with such tasty, drink & food specials as Messy Michelada ($8.50), chili-lime chicken bites ($11.99), steakhouse bacon cheeseburger ($15.99), loaded potato skins ($7) or $5 off Wagon Wheel Sampler Platter. See restaurants statewide in Brentwood, San Jose, San Lorenzo, Chula Vista, El Cajon, Escondido, Buena Park, Fountain Valley, Santa Ana, Burbank, Lakewood, Lancaster, Northridge, Torrance, Ventura, Whittier, Montclair, Ontario, San Bernardino, Temecula.
———-
CAVANA AT LUMA HOTEL SF: Enjoy Cinco de Mayo, May 5, at Latin-American roof-top oasis, with cocktails, street tacos made with housemade masa & tortillas, entertainment & sweeping views of SF skyline. With lively Latin tunes from DJ Jerry Soza. Bring your friends and family! Details/reservations. At 100 Channel St., 17th Floor, San Francisco.
——–
CHEVYS FRESH MEX: Join May 5th fiesta with build-your-own-taco bar, featuring steak, chicken, carnitas & barbacoa, starting at 3 p.m. Live entertainment begins 4 p.m. Plus drink specials of house margaritas (12 oz. for $9 or 16 oz. for $12) & Cadillac Margaritas (12 oz. for $11.50 & 16 oz. for $15), or imported beer & tequila shots. Info. Find sites statewide in South San Francisco, Vallejo, Emeryville, Santa Rosa & Union City.
———–
CHIPOTLE: RSVP May 1-5 to ‘Time To Finally Try Chipotle’ event for BOGO deal. How it works: Create event on Partiful & invite Chipotle newbie friends. Include #ChipotlePartyPromo in description & add @Chipotle on Instagram with link to Partiful event. Every day May 1-5, the chain will RSVP to first 20 Partiful events sent & will drop 1 BOGO code per RSVP’d guest (up to 25 BOGO codes per event). Details. Also throughout week, get $0 delivery with promo code CINCO23. Locales statewide.
——–
CHRONIC TACOS: Cinco de Mayo freebie: Spend $20 & get $5 reward when using code CINCO in the app. Info. Locations throughout Greater L.A.
——–
CITY TACOS: Toast taco shop’s nine-year anniversary of first location in North Park while marking Cinco de Mayo with “delicious & authentic tacos to our refreshing drinks … everything you need to make this holiday a fiesta to remember!” Jam out with DJs at La Mesa, Encinitas & North Park sites. Menu favorites: Ahuevo Breakfast Taco (sunny-side egg, refried chorizo beans, pico de gallo, avocado & salsa); Mexicali (steak, onions, poblano peppers, asadero cheese, mashed potatoes, crema fresca & cotija cheese). Nearly all tacos are under $5. Details. Locations: Encinitas, La Mesa, Pacific Beach, Sorrento Valley & San Diego.
———-
COLIBRI MEXICAN BISTRO: On May 5, grab your friends & come on down for Cinco de Mayo Colibri-style. Corn hole Patron Giant Jenga will take over patio while Bacardi runs numerous promos & merch handouts during lunch & dinner. Happy hour-style menu features Colibri Margarita, Mojito, La Paloma & Don Quixote, all with Bacardi infusion, plus Mexican fare. Reservations here, but walk-ins encouraged. At historic Presidio Officers’ Club, 50 Moraga Ave, San Francisco.
——-
DOG HAUS: Perfectly timed for Cinco de Mayo, the CA-based chain with gourmet hot dogs, burgers & sausages launches limited-time, Mexican-inspired Pork Al Pastor Sausage — with pineapple sweetness & kick from chiles & Mexican oregano. Offered on bun, in King’s Hawaiian rolls, as corn dog & in burritos. $1 donated to No Kid Hungry from each sold. Website. Locations found here statewide.
————
EL POLLO LOCO: Limited-time, fan-fave Shredded Beef Birria is back through June 28, in three choices – tacos, burritos & quesadillas. And on Cinco de Mayo, Loco Rewards members can score BOGO deal: A free Crunchy Birria Taco with purchase of any Shredded Beef Birria entrée. Valid Friday, May 5 only. Details. See restaurants statewide in Greater LA, the SF Bay Area, Inland Empire, Orange County, San Diego County.
———–
EL TORITO: Grab the gang May 5 for chain’s biggest event of the year with margarita, beer, shot & taco specials, plus live music (beginning 4 p.m.). Build-your-own-taco bar (steak, chicken, carnitas & al pastor) starts 3 p.m. Extra perk: Cinco de Mayo guests will score bounce-back card with for hangover breakfast — Come back & visit the next day for free breakfast entrée with purchase of a breakfast entrée. Details. Find locations statewide in Anaheim, Corona, Cypress, Dana Point, Hawthorne, Irvine, La Mesa, Laguna Hills, Lakewood, Long Beach, Marina del Rey, Milpitas, Monterey, Northridge, Ontario, Orange, Palmdale, Pasadena, Redondo Beach, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Leandro, Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, Torrance, Tustin, West Covina, Westminster, Woodland Hills, Yorba Linda.
————
FAIRMONT GRAND DEL MAR: Weekend of Cinco de Mayo events include tequila tastings, tequila-pairing dinner & Saturday-Sunday Baja-style brunches. Info. At 5300 Grand Del Mar Court, San Diego.
———-
FUEGO AT HOTEL MAYA: The Latin-infused waterfront restaurant is planning a Cinco de Mayo fiesta with live entertainment from Grammy-winning Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea & official mariachi band of Disneyland, plus food & drink specials. Info/reservations. At 700 Queensway Drive, Long Beach.
————-
i|O ROOFTOP AT THE GODFREY HOTEL HOLLYWOOD: Celebrate at one of the largest rooftops in Hollywood with street tacos, specialty cocktails & live DJ. Free Admission. Details. At 1400 Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood/Los Angeles.
————-
KIMPTON ALMA SAN DIEGO: The hotel’s newly opened, rooftop dining venue, Leave of Absence, will mark May 5 with drink specials, including: Don Fulano Tastes – $10; Specialty Margs – $10; & Modelo beer – $6. Menu offers wood-fired flatbreads, papas bravas, shishito peppers & crudites with tahini verde. Reservations. At 1047 5th Ave., San Diego.
—————
LAS CAMPANAS AT THE MISSION INN HOTEL & SPA: Book now for Cinco de Mayo & enjoy al fresco dining, a remodeled cantina, authentic Mexican cuisine & more than 100 different tequilas. Reservations. At 3649 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside.
————–
MARCO’S PIZZA: Build your own “Mexican pizza” for Cinco de Mayo. Select from such toppings as ground beef, green peppers, black olives, onions, tomatoes, jalapenos & cheddar cheese for your custom masterpiece. For extra kick, dip garlic-flavored crust into side of jalapeno ranch. Website/order info. Find shops statewide in Inland Empire, San Diego, Greater LA.
———–
MIGUEL’S JR.: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Bean, Rice & Cheese Burrito and Bean & Cheese Burrito — both expertly rolled in hand-stretched flour tortilla — for just $1.99. Available open to close Friday for dine-in, take-out, online ordering & drive-thru. Plus, the chain’s fan-favorite Fiery Habanero Menu is back for limited time. Info. Find locales throughout Orange County & Inland Empire.
———–
PACIFIC PARK: Taco ’bout fun … Santa Monica Pier’s Ferris wheel will celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a variety of red, white & green colors, patterns and icons, along with a 90-feet-tall Mexican flag on Friday, May 5. Can’t be there in person? View online. Details. At 380 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica.
—————-
PACKING DISTRICT ANAHEIM: Songs, mariachis, tacos & more planned May 5 for Cinco de Mayo. Info. At South Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim.
———–
PORTSIDE VENTURA HARBOR: “Toned, Tacos & Tequila” is fun-filled evening of fitness, food & fun. Info. At 1196 Portside Drive, Ventura.
——–
RANDY’S DONUTS: The iconic shop does “Cinco all Mayo” with the Cinco de Mango tajin premium donut (mango-filled, topped with mango & tajin flavored icing, with sprinkle of tajin) Available through May 31. Website. Locations here.
—————
RED LOBSTER: Say ole with $5 Cinco Rita on May 5 – specialty cocktail made with Sauza Gold Tequila, Triple Sec, sour & margarita mixes. Pair perfectly with the new Lobster & Shrimp Tacos. See restaurants statewide in Inland Empire, San Diego region, SF Bay Area, OC, Greater LA.
————
ROUND TABLE PIZZA: Cinco de Mayo deal runs May 5-7: $10 off any two large or extra large pizzas at menu price. Valid at participating locations for dine-in, carry-out & delivery. Location finder here statewide.
———-
RUBIO’S: Cinco De Mayo deal! Rewards members can take $20 off orders of $100 or more May 5. Coupon info here. Plus, $3 beers that day & no coupon required. Website. At participating locations. Site finder here for CA restaurants.
———–
SEAWORLD SAN DIEGO: Spiced-up food, drinks & live entertainment kick off May 5 and run Fridays to Sundays through May 21. Different headliners will take the stage. Info here. At 500 SeaWorld Drive, San Diego.
————–
7-ELEVEN: 7Rewards members can hail Cinco de Mayo with tasty, mini-taco deal —10 mini tacos for $2! The tacos come with spicy filling of shredded beef, green chiles, jalapeño peppers, cilantro & spices in miniature crispy, corn tortillas. Offered through May 5. 7Rewards info here. At participating stores statewide.
———
SKYBAR AT MONDRIAN LOS ANGELES: It’s an all-day Cinco de Mayo celebration May 5 ‘Dance Yourself Clean’ pool party, DJ sets, outdoor games & more. Details/reservations. At 8440 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood.
——–
SPOTLIGHT 29 CASINO: A free concert, “Amor Prohibido: A Tribute to Selena,” celebrating the life & music of beloved Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla, is set May 5 at 8 p.m. Plus, Cinco de Mayo food & drink specials will be served 10 a.m. – 12 a.m. Details. At 46200 Harrison Place, Coachella.
————
TACALIENTE: Hillcrest eatery, which recently took over the space previously occupied by Lalos Tacos, to celebrate its first Cinco de Mayo with all-day specials —two $5 hard-shell tacos, three fish tacos $5, $5 Mulitas, $5 Elote, $5 beers & $5 Micheladas. Info. At 1266 University Ave., San Diego.
———-
TALLULA’S: Cinco De Mayo fiesta planned with DJ, food, margarita stations, taco cart & more Friday May 5, 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. Takeout offers available, too. Info/reservations. At 118 Entrada Drive, Santa Monica.
———–
TELERIFIC BARCELONA: On May 5, Chef Oscar Cabeza will serve up Calamari Tacos ($15/two tacos) — classic taco with fried squid, yuzu aioli & handmade, squid-ink tortillas. Signature sangrias, too! Website. See locations in Los Angeles, Los Gatos, Palo Alto & Walnut Creek.
———
THE ABBEY FOOD & BAR: Celebrate May 5 with Mariachi Arcoiris, the world’s first and only LGBTQ mariachi band, plus “some of the best nachos, tacos and cocktails in town.” Details. At 692 North Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood.
———–
THE MADRIGAL: The restaurant turns into cantina to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, May 5 (9 p.m. – 12 a.m.). Special beverage menu features margaritas, sangrias & Mezcal creations, while food menu redesigned with Mexican cuisine for in-person dining & to-go. Also planned: DJ, host guest giveaways, photo booth & tasting experience. Reservations. At 100 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco.
———
THE VIV HOTEL: Top of The V’s exclusive rooftop pool is hosting a Cinco de Mayo pool party with drink specials & DJ. Details/reservations. At 1601 South Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim.
————-
TIA MARGARITA MEXICAN RESTAURANT: The SF Richmond-neighborhood locale just celebrated its 60th anniversary! Swing by Friday May 5, opening at 3 p.m.,for legendary, freshly-squeezed lime margaritas — a recipe unchanged since 1963 — plus such Mexican fare as carne asada, fajitas, enchiladas, tamales, tacos, burritos & more. Reservations. At 300 19th Ave., San Francisco.
———-
TOCAYA MODERN MEXICAN: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Taco Tuesday pricing in honor of the Mexican holiday. Tacos starting at $2; select bites starting at $2; $3 Cervezas; $5 margaritas; $6 wine. Hours & alcohol participation may vary by locale. Details. Locations listed here in El Segundo, La Jolla, San Diego, Beverly Center/Los Angeles, Long Beach, Century City, Playa Vista, DTLA, Hollywood, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Studio City, Toluca Lake, West Hollywood, Westwood, Venice.
————
FOR MOM’S DAY DINING: Mother’s Day Brunch & Dinner Guide 2023: CA Restaurant Specials
——-
ALSO SEE: CA County Fairs 2023 Guide: Where To Find The Fun In California
