Nine places to indulge in Cinco de Mayo specials
What Cinco de Mayo is all about: Commemorating the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France during the Battle of Puebla at the time of the Franco-Mexican War. Oddly, History.com describes this day as “a relatively minor holiday in Mexico” that has exploded in the US as “a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations.”
As we well know in Charlotte, Cinco de Mayo is hugely about parties. And margaritas. A few places to track down some fun on Thursday, May 5:
Stop by the parking lot party at Ru Ru’s Tacos + Tequila
Specials: $5 Friend Zone Margaritas, $3 drafts, $3 cans.
What else to expect: Live music by Late Night Special, an appearance by the Charlotte Hornets Honeybees and the arrival of The King of Pops Charlotte to sell RuRu’s Friend Zone Margarita pops.
6 -10 p.m., 715 Providence Road
Invite yourself to the Hot Taco and South End Station Block Party
Starting at 4 p.m., Hot Taco is throwing a traditional Cinco de Mayo party at South End Station (with Slate Charlotte, All American Pub and Oak Room).
Specials: Such as $5 El Jimador, $5 Margaritas, $7 Herradura Margaritas and $10 Herradura flights at Hot Taco.
What else to expect: A fiesta with Mexican food, Mariachis and piñatas.
200 E Bland St.
Start the party early at Paco’s Tacos & Tequila
Specials: Since Paco’s Tacos patrons have been celebrating since Sunday, let’s start with May 4: $7 Chi Chi’s (1800 Coconut Blue Agave Tequila with house-made sour mix and pineapple juice). On the actual Cinco de Mayo: 50-cent Coronitas while supplies last, $2 Coronas/Corona Lights, $8 Merry Mexritas, $5 Margaritas with No Name.
Open 11 a.m.-10 p.m., 6401 Morrison Blvd, Ste. 8A
Get drinks and swag at Cabo Fish Taco
Specials: $3 Margaritaville shots, $5 house margaritas with Jose Cuervo, $8 specialty margaritas with Espolon Silver called The Three Amigos.
What else to expect: Giveaways Thursday, Friday and Saturday, featuring swag from Espolon Silver and Jose Cuervo.
Open: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. on Thursday and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday/Saturday, 3201 N. Davidson St.
Dig into a taco bar at Maverick Rock Taco
Specials: $10 taco bar and drink specials featuring Dos Equis, Tecate, Corona, tequila and, of course, margaritas.
What else to expect: Live music on the patio from 5-9 p.m., DJ from 10 p.m.-1 a.m., donkeys (!) from 5:30-7:30 p.m., photo booth, giant beer pong and corn hole.
Music starts at 5 p.m., 1513 Montford Dr.
Join the patio party at Chuy’s
Specials: $3 Coronas, $8.75 for new Mexican martinis
What else to expect: Live music, an outside bar and an appearance by Corona Girls handing out swag. (Oh, and the party has kept the place open later in the past… is that a challenge?)
Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m., 4310 Sharon Road
Party all day at Vida Vida
Specials: All-day drink features including $3 Corona/Corona Light cans, $3 Modelo cans, $5 Espolon tequila shots, $5 Cinco Margaritas, $7 Espolon Margaritas.
210 E Trade St.
Stock up on some essentials at Cantina 1511
Specials: $5 house margaritas, $2.50 12oz Dos Equis drafts, $5 nachos.
Have drinks outside at Three Amigos
Specials: $3 margaritas (small), $2.50 Presidente beers.
2917 A Central Ave.
And a very merry Cinco de Mayo to you all.
Photos: Jarrad Henderson/Charlotte Observer, Clayton Hanson
This story was originally published May 3, 2016 at 11:00 PM with the headline "Nine places to indulge in Cinco de Mayo specials."