Margarita and chips from Mixtitos. Photo by Leah Moet.
East Dallas restaurants are inviting neighbors to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with food and drink specials.
The holiday commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Though the Mexican army led by Ignacio Zaragoza was outnumbered, the French had retreated by the end of the day. Around 500 French died during the one-day battle, and less than 100 Mexicans were killed.
Learn more about the day and how it’s celebrated in Mexico and in the United States here. It’s not in East Dallas, but the Oak Cliff Cultural Center is hosting the annual Cinco de Mayo parade Saturday.
If you’re interested in celebrating, consider the following Cinco de Mayo events planned at East Dallas restaurants and bars:
Mixtitos Fusion Kitchen, which opened in July on Samuell Boulevard, will have an all-day happy hour. From 11 a.m.-9 p.m. get $5 margaritas (frozen or on the rocks) with a choice of lime, strawberry or mango.
Deep Ellum’s La Neta Cocina y Lounge has specials throughout the weekend. From noon until 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, La Neta is offering $9 tacos, margaritas and Patron shots, along with live music performances and a DJ.
Also in Deep Ellum, Vidorra is serving a Mexican Flag margarita flight and will have a live mariachi band 3-5 p.m. Friday. Starting at 10 p.m., there will be a DJ.
The Finch at Mockingbird Station is selling $5 margaritas all day Friday. It opens at 11 a.m.
On Henderson Avenue, Mayer’s Garden is making Los Altos margaritas and Palomas for $5. Dos Equis will cost $4, and there will be taco specials, too. A mariachi band battle is scheduled for 7-8:30 p.m. Friday.
Truck Yard has several events planned for Friday. The Lowest Greenville bar, which reopened in March after a renovation, kicks off the celebration with a little dog race at 6 p.m. Little luchador wrestling, featuring pint-sized wrestlers, will face off in a miniature wrestling ring 7-9 p.m. Throughout the day, enjoy Tex-Mex food trucks selling burritos, quesadillas, nachos and other items. And there will be drinks: double margaritas (which come with a free luchador mask while in stock), Texican beer buckets, orange ancho tequila shot and Mex Tex Mexican lager by Second Rodeo Brewing. Kids and adults can swing prize-filled piñatas.
Neighbors are invited to party “with Casamigos and Dos Equis” at Joe Leo Fine Tex-Mex after 5 p.m. Friday. Music will be provided by DJ Luv Ssik and mariachis.
