Cinco de Mayo Roundup: Where to Eat and Drink as the 5th of May Approaches

With Cinco de Mayo just a week away, we over at Foobooz Headquarters decided we could no longer put off going through the folder we had marked, “Cinco de Mayo: Deal With Later,” in our emails. So here it is you tequila and guacamole guzzling heathens: your guide to Philly’s Cinco de Mayo.

Cinco de Mayo Street Festival at El Rey: The Stephen Starr restaurant is hosting its first ever, all-day (5/5, 2pm-10pm) street festival, featuring Mexican street food (think tacos, quesadillas, nachos, corn, margaritas and agua fresca), live mariachi music, piñatas and giveaways. The festival will be on the 2000 block of Ranstead Street.

Cinco de Gogatsu at Yakitori Boy: We were skeptical too, but the Japanese-Mexican fusion menu looks pretty sweet. You can get Japanese Salmon Skin or Pork Tacos or Teriyaki chicken empanadas, and wash them down with a Voodoo Margarita or a “Crouching Tiger Shooter” (tequila, lychee liqueur and Tabasco).

Two Days of Cinco de Mayo Fun at Los Camaradas: On Saturday, May 2nd the new Graduate Hospital neighborhood bar is kicking off Cinco De Mayo with $5 margaritas and food specials inside that run from 2 pm to 7pm. There will also be live music, activities for the kids, including a face painter, magician, lawn games and giveaways at Julian Abele park. On the 5th, there will be $5 margaritas all day.

5 Days of Cinco de Mayo at Lolita: The only way to do this one is to break it down by day. Friday (May 1): $25 per person tequila tasting and seafood platter. Saturday (May 2): Boozy Brunch featuring 2 courses and unlimited margaritas for $45 a person. Sunday (May 3): 3 course and 3 beer pairing BBQ Beer Dinner for $40 a person. Monday (May 4): Margarita Monday! All day, house margaritas are just $5, Blood Orange Margaritas are $6, and Watermelon Mint Margaritas are $7. Tuesday (Cinco de Mayo!): 3-5 pm: $6 blood orange margaritas + 1/2 priced nachos + 2 for $5 chicken tacos, 10pm-12am: Carnitas taco + shot of tequila + can of Tecate for $10.

Specials at Distrito (on May 5, all day long): at the Moorestown, NJ location: $5 Feliz Margaritas, 2 tacos for $5, Patron Girls featuring the “Patron Perfect Margarita” and Face Painter from 5-7 pm. At  the Philadelphia location: $5 margaritas, $3 draft beers, $2 Tecates, $5 City-Wides (a shot of tequila and a Model Especial), DJ at 6pm and Corona Girls on site with giveaways and a raffle.

Taco Monday at Alla Spina: Chef Julie Kline is celebrating Cinco de Mayo a day early with taco and drink specials from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Crispy fish, braised shortrib, smoked chicken and black bean tacos will be available (3 to an order) for $5 to $7. This will be the only option served at Alla Spina on Monday.

Taco Tuesday at El Poquito: El Poquito is inaugurating its new 100-seat patio dining area and Taco Tuesday deal, with $4 Americano tacos, $4 Mushroom tacos, and $5 Shrimp tacos, on Cinco De Mayo. Additionally, the restaurant will open at 11:30 am and have live music starting at 3 pm. Drink deals include $5 margaritas and beer-garitas (y’know, that hangover in a glass that consists of an inverted bottle of Dos Equis in a frozen margarita), $2 Mexican beers and $10 Mexican Beer “Buckets.”

Deals at Bar Volvér: BarVolvér will be open from 5pm-8pm, offering $6 Volver City-Wides (a Mexican Bloody Mary and a shot of Mezcal), $5 Pacificos, and $12 Milagro Tequila Tasting Flights.

Barbacoa Pop-Up at Taproom on 19th: From 6pm onwards, Chef Martinez and Ben Miller from South Philly Barbacoa will be preparing slow-cooked lamb and pancita steamed in maguey leaves, alongside fresh tortillas, consomme and salsas. Tacos and consommé will be $3.

5 deals for 5 days at Cantina Dos Segundos: From May 1- May 5 you can get $3 Tecate, $4 Dos Equis, $5 Sangria, $6 watermelon margaritas, and $7 Milagro Margaritas.

Cinco de Mayo Party at Pub and Kitchen: Pub and Kitchen is staying mum on the details of their first ever Cinco de Mayo party, but according to their Instagram, rumor has it there will be sweet T-Shirts.

8-course Cooking Battle at Balboa: Alex Garfinkel (AG Catering) and Yehuda Sichel (Abe Fisher) will go head-to-head in a competition to cook the best Mexican inspired Cinco de Mayo dinner. The menu includes, Spicy Shrimp Tamale, Puffed Shrimp Chip, Hamachi Crudo, Crispy Pork Press, Chicken Noodle Soup, Grilled Fish Tacos, Corned Beef Tongue Tacos, Canella Beignets, and Tres Leches. Tickets are $85 and include all 8 courses plus drink pairings (it’s also BYO though, because it can be and it’s Cinco de Mayo). Tickets available here.

Cinco de Mayo at Cafe Ynez: Cafe Ynez is offering Cochinita Pibil (three pork tacos) in fresh corn tortillas with Habanero peppers, red salsa, and onions for $10 (which comes with a complimentary shot of tequila). You can also BYO tequila and make your own margaritas with their fresh juice mixers for $10. Follow them on social media to get a secret word for $2 off your mixer!

Cinco Days De Cinco De Mayo at Lucha Cartel: Now through May 5th, house margaritas and sangria is $5, draft beers are half-price. And then on Cinco de Mayo itself, there will also be $3 DOS Equis Drafts and $5 Food Specials.

Cinco de Mayo Week at Matyson: This week’s tasting menu is dedicated to Cinco de Mayo with dishes like chicken tamales and ancho rubbed Kobe Asada. Dinner is $55 per person and available through Thursday.

Pig Roast Block Party at Jose Pistola’s: The definition of pop-up, this pig roast was announced at 11 am. It starts at noon.

Helm Collaborates with Loco Pez for a Special Taco: The chef owners of Helm have come up with a special pork cheek, dirty rice, ramp chimichurri taco. Get an order of three for $14.