Tacos & cocktails at Lanea. Photo credit: Muse Media.
Cinco de Mayo is back. Thought the holiday is far more celebrated in the U.S. than in Mexico, hey, we’re here, so let’s raise a glass. Whether you’d like to watch a live stream of East LA’s own Los Lobos, make an amazing Mexican-inspired cocktail at home, or venture to a restaurant or bar, see below for information on 14 ways to enjoy this celebration of Mexican-American culture.
Food & Drink Deals
Lanea, the Santa Monica cocktail bar known for great Mexican food from Barba Kush in Boyle Heights, has an amazing Cinco de Mayo offer: $20 for all-you-can-eat street tacos, plus two Cazadores cocktails (margarita or SOCALienta margarita (with Thai chili, serrano pepper, habanero honey, pineapple,and citrus). There are limited tickets left so buy now!
Solita Tacos is offering live music at both locations — Huntington Beach and Valencia — from 3 p.m. to close on Cinco de Mayo. Standouts on the limited dine-in-only menu include Ceviche Tropicale, spicy shrimp tacos, and watermelon margaritas. More info here.
Hugo’s Tacos, located in Studio City, West Hollywood, and Atwater Village, has a couple of great Cinco de Mayo offers: margaritas are $5 all day, plus, get free chips and guacamole when you tag Hugo’s on your social media account (@Hugosrestaurant) and show it to your server. More info here.
Little Onion Mexican Restaurant has been serving traditional Mexican food in Santa Ana since 1964. On Cinco de Mayo, visit for $4 margaritas and $3 draft and bottle beers. More info here.
Photo courtesy of Optimist Botanicals.
Through May 5, get reimbursed for your order of guacamole when you purchase a Teramana Tequila cocktail. Find a restaurant serving Teramana here, then upload a photo of your receipt showing your purchase of the tequila and one order of guac. You’ll be reimbursed the price of the guacamole (up to $10) via Venmo.
A true donut icon, Randy’s Donuts launched their latest donut flavor – Mango Tajin – just in time for Cinco de Mayo. Inspired by the “spirit of the Mexican fruit cup,” Randy’s latest donut, both filled and topped with mango, along with tajin, will be available at all locations through the end of May.
Tocaya Organico is offering a to-go taco bar for four featuring your choice of two proteins and two quesos, along with black beans, corn tortillas, salsa, chipotle crema, cabbage, cilantro, onions, and cabbage for $54.95. If you dine in, get a margarita for $5.95 or a bottled beer for $2.95. More info here. Tocaya has locations in DTLA, Hollywood, Toluca Lake, the Westside, and more.
Acclaimed Venice cantina Nueva is celebrating Cinco de Mayo all day long, from noon to 11 pm. Nueva’s cocktail highlights include Setenta y Cinco (mezcal, hibiscus, champagne, and lemon) and the Cilantro and Nasturtium Frozen Margarita. Sink your teeth into vegan ceviche (made with hearts of palm), falafel tacos with cilantro lebne, or a pork belly chicharron taco.
Photo courtesy of Teremana Tequila.
Chicas Tacos, which I reviewed last year, opens its newest location inside the Venice location of Whole Foods on May 5.
Get five tacos al carbon for the price of two at El Pollo Loco today only. In addition, if you place your order online, you’ll get a free 5 oz. bottle of Tapatio. More details here.
Cocktail Recipes
Abasolo Press image courtesy of Abasolo Whiskey.
If you’d like to try a Mexican spirit that isn’t tequila or mezcal, Abasolo Whisky should be on your radar. The world’s first Mexican corn whisky, it’s made with non-GMO corn using an ancient technique that brings out deep flavors in the grain. Try the Abasolo Press, an easy-drinking mix of equal parts Absolo, ginger beer, and soda water garnished with a lemon twist. More info here.
Non-alcoholic cocktails are a growing trend for people who love cocktails but either don’t drink or are trying to moderate their consumption. Optimist Botanicals, distilled in Downtown LA, makes elegant zero-proof spirits, including ‘Smokey,’ an herbaceous/spicy blend reminiscent of mezcal. One great use of Smokey is in a Pina Serrano Margarita. Muddle 2-4 slices of serrano paper, then add 1 part Smokey, 2 oz. pineapple juice, ½ oz. lime juice, and ½ oz. simple syrup and shake. More info here.
Flecha Azul Tequila is an ultra-premium brand co-founded by Mexican-American PGA golfer Abraham Ancer and Mexican entrepreneur Aron Marquez. Hand-crafted in Jalisco, it makes a beautiful margarita variation, El Coco Carlos. Composed of 2 oz. Flecha Azul Reposado, 1 oz. coconut water, .75 oz. lime juice, and .5 oz agave syrup, simply add these ingredients to a cocktail shaker in which you’ve muddled an orange wedge and strain into a salted rocks glass. More info here.
Music
The most iconic of all Mexican-American bands, Los Lobos is livestreaming a show today at 6 p.m. from The Studio in East LA. 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 (or $55 for VIP) and can be purchased here.
