Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over the French in 1862, but the holiday has evolved into a celebration of Mexican culture here in the U.S. We’ve gathered the best deals of the day to help you fiesta your butt off, so long as you promise to leave your culturally appropriative garb and “Cinco de Drinko” jokes at home.
Mercadito
108 W. Kinzie St. 312-329-9555
Celebrate the holiday by trying the “hottest drink on earth” at Mercadito in River North. Book your reservation for a five-course prix fixe menu ($45) to get a taste of the ancho-infused Vato Loco, complete with flaming jalapeño … yes, actual fire. Bring a pen—you need to sign a waver before you’ll be allowed to take a sip. 3 p.m.-2 a.m.
Tio Luis Tacos
3856 S. Archer Ave. 773-843-0098
Go back to the holiday’s roots and celebrate with a traditional meal from an authentic Mexican restaurant. Head to Tio Luis Tacos with your friends and chow down on a tablazo loaded with three proteins (steak, pork and chicken), served with everything you need to make your own tacos. $39.95.
El Cid
2645 N. Kedzie Ave. 773-395-0505
Keep it simple, stupid. Head to El Cid in Logan Square for their “famous” house margarita for only $5. Down a couple of those bad boys and you’ll be good to go wherever the rest of your night may take you.
Brando’s Speakeasy with the Essaness Room
343 S. Dearborn St. 773-216-3213
Head to the South Loop for $4 palomas and free mini tacos. Yes, free. If you’re going to spend the better part of the day imbibing, free food is exactly the kind of fuel you need. 3 p.m.-2 a.m.
Cinco De Mayo Trolley Crawl More Top Picks External Monitors
1925 W. Cortland St. 773-489-0738
The Pioneer Tavern Group, the minds behind Frontier, Lotties Pub and The Pony Inn, will be hosting their annual Cinco de Mayo Trolley Crawl with rides between the three locations running every 30 minutes. You can pick the trolley up when the crawl kicks off at 7 p.m. from Lotties Pub. At all three locations, you can snag $3.50 Dos Equis, with each hosting their own specials as well. Load up on $3 tacos from Lotties or $2 walking tacos at The Pony before drowning in $7 margs and micheladas at Frontier.
Commonwealth Tavern
2000 W. Roscoe St. 773-697-7965
Nachos are great, but you know what’s better? Half-price nachos. Head to this Roscoe Village staple for half-price appetizers, as well as $4 Tecates, $5 Coronas and Corona Lights, $5 Dos Equis tallboys and $6 margaritas. 3-6 p.m.
The Owl
2521 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-235-5300
If you’re not looking to party too hard on Cinco de Mayo, head to The Owl for a low-key night of $5 Altos Reposado shots or an $8 combo of an Altos Reposado shot and a Modelo. But if you’re staying until their 4 a.m. closing time, be sure to pace yourself.
Roanoke
135 W. Madison St. 312-940-3760
Looking for some next level Mexican dishes? Head to Roanoke for $4 tequila shots and $7 margaritas while you devour their pollo de rostizado (a whole roasted Amish chicken marinated in adobada and served with housemade corn tortillas and Spanish rice) or the frijoles borracho (a pan-seared 18-ounce ribeye served with black beans, roasted poblanos and a salsa flight). 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Carnivale
702 W. Fulton Market 312-850-5505
Eat and drink to the sounds of a live mariachi band and the sights of traditional Chinelos dancers from 5-10 p.m. If you’re there for lunch, enjoy $3 tacos including crisp cod, chilorio pork shoulder, cecina steak and smoked pork belly tacos. There will also be a pig roast on the patio and a tequila flight available all day ($20) if you’re really ready to party. 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. for lunch specials. Other specials run all day.
Nana
3267 S. Halsted St. 312-929-2486
Keep it healthy—or at least organic—at Nana in Bridgeport. Drink your fill of $5 margaritas and palomas and enjoy dishes inspired by Mexican street food, including pozole, sweet corn tamales, tortas milanesa and carne asada. 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Tallboy Taco
325 W. Huron St. 312-488-4917
Head to Nacional 27 to enjoy Tallboy Taco’s $8 margaritas from 5-7 p.m. If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, sip on two new cocktails featuring Avion and Casamigos tequilas. Looking to really make a night of it? Take on an Avion tequila flight for $15. Enjoy live Latin music and DJ sets from 5 p.m.-2 a.m.
Cemitas Puebla
817 W. Fulton Market 312-455-9200
Head to Cemitas Puebla’s Fulton Market location for a back lot party, with a live DJ, drinks flowing freely and tacos prepared in the great outdoors. Margaritas will be $5 during the day and $3.50 after 8 p.m. with Mexican beers on deck for $4 all day. 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Blue Agave and Fernando’s Tequila Bar & Restaurant
Various locations 312-335-8900
If you’re not sure how you feel about tequila, head to Blue Agave in Gold Coast or River North or Fernando’s in Lakeview for a proper introduction, starting with various tequila tastings of Casa Noble, Avion, Patron and Don Julio. Dance to a live mariachi band, eat your weight in tacos and try their signature margaritas for the perfect Cinco de Mayo fiesta. 11 a.m-2 a.m.
Pilsen Cantina Crawl 2017
814 W. 18th St. 773-517-1616
Imbibe for a good cause with Pilsen Fest’s Pilsen Cantina Crawl 2017 starting at Yvolina’s Tamales. Visit 10 venues, enjoy live music, public art and eight craft tequila and mezcal cocktails. Test your luck with raffles and games while you take in all Pilsen has to offer. $35. Noon-6 p.m. Tickets: brownpapertickets.com
Bar Takito
201 N. Morgan St. 312-888-9485
Go big or go home at Bar Takito with $45 Jimador margarita pitchers, $18 buckets of Corona, Tecate, Modelo Especial and Pacifico, $36 Herradura Blanco Horse Shoe shot trays with six shots each or a $14 Cororita, a frozen margarita with Casa Nobel Crystal and a 7-ounce Coronita.
Tuco and Blondie
3358 N. Southport Ave. 773-327-8226
Get your “mexifun” on in Lakeview at Tuco and Blondie’s patio party. Brunch starts at 9 a.m. and features a buffet-style menu with the three main food groups: burritos, chilaquiles and enchiladas. The patio will feature a taco tent serving a la carte tacos with chips and guacamole.
Mity Nice Bar & Grill
835 N. Michigan Ave. 312-335-4745
Five is the magic number at Mity Nice. Get your hands on $5 margaritas and $5 green chili chicken nachos all day long. You can also take advantage of $3 local draft beers if tequila gets you in trouble.
Flaco’s Tacos
725 S. Dearborn St. 312-922-8226
Head to Flaco’s for any Mexican beer for $3 or the Cinco margarita for $6.25, made with the colors of the Mexican flag from cherry and lime swirls. You can also chow down on some spicy shrimp tacos for $4.45 or pork chile verde tacos for $3.95.
G&O More Top Picks Best Home Gym Equipment For Full Body Workouts
459 N. Ogden Ave. 312-888-3367
Switch it up from regular ol’ margaritas to $5 paloma cocktails at G&O. Fuel up with their $5 pulled chicken nachos of chihuahua cheese, avocado, pico de gallo and sriracha cream. Hungry yet?
Estrella Negra
2346 W. Fullerton Ave. 773-227-5993
More of a mezcal person? Head to this Wicker Park eatery for the unveiling of their newest cocktail, the Mezcal Mule. You can also stick to the traditional margs if that’s more your style, with $20 margarita carafes. Mexican beers will also be flowing freely with $20 buckets.
@shelbielbostedt | [email protected]
Photos: Margaritas 101
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