Cinco De Mayo 2022: 20-Plus Food & Drinks Specials In California

CALIFORNIA — Throughout California, Mexican food is practically a daily staple for locals.

And for those looking to toast Cinco de Mayo, with steals, deals and specials, there are ample opportunities at eateries around the Golden State.

Cinco de Mayo this year falls on Thursday, May 5 — an annual celebration commemorating Mexico's 1862 victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla.

Check our annual dining guide to see what some Mexican restaurants near you are offering. Or scroll through the photo slideshow at the top of this post to check out the delectable dishes.

If you know other neighborhood places with Cinco-worthy offerings, share with Patch readers in the comments section.

Olé to the day!

--------

ACAPULCO: Celebrate with $3 tacos — chicken, steak or carnitas. Festive margaritas also will be served. Locations in Costa Mesa, Downey, Glendale & Long Beach.

-----------

APPLEBEE'S: Toast the day with $5 springtime sip special - the "Rock & Berry Rita," a strawberry margarita featuring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s ultra-premium Teremana Blanco Tequila. Info. Location finder here.

--------

BAR LOUIE: Cinco de Mayo specials include $3 off the limited-time Tostada Burger & $5 Cinco Ritas. The Tostada Burger features burger, mashed black beans, grilled jalapeños, cheddar, crispy tostada, guacamole, lettuce, pico de gallo & Hotter Than Hellion crema on brioche bun. Locations in Northridge Fashion Center, The Promenade at Downey & The District in Tustin.

----------

BUBBA GUMP SHRIMP CO.: It's "Shrimp'n and Sip'n" time, with family-style dinners (Cajun & garlic peel ‘n’ eat shrimp, fried shrimp, coconut shrimp, tempura shrimp, garlic bread, corn, fries), Baja ceviche, Key Lime pie, plus jalapeno mango margaritas. Details. Find locales statewide.

---------

CHRONIC TACOS: Participating locations are featuring all-day, May 5-only, Cinco de Mayo deal: $5.55 for 2 Taco Plates with drink purchase. Available in-store, online or via app. One per customer; price may vary by site. Excludes fish, shrimp, steak & Beyond Beef. Info here. And on Saturday, May 7 in Menifee, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at 27559 Newport Road, new store's grand opening to include meet-and-greet with Jackass legend Wee Man, free tacos to first 50 in line, plus 15% off pricing all day & more. (Details in flyer included in photo slideshow at top of this post.) Locations throughout California.

----------

DEL TACO: A Cinco de Mayo, BOGO deal offered for rewards members. Buy one "Epic Burrito," and get one free when ordering via app or at deltaco.com. Rewards members can choose from such "Epic" burrto options as Loaded Queso, Fresh Guacamole, Cali Bacon, Crispy Chicken & Guac or Beyond Fresh Guacamole. The deal is Thursday, May 5, for those with Del Yeah! Rewards registration. One offer per guest & not valid with other discounts, coupons or third-party delivery. And don't miss latest "under $2 menu" & Poppers drinks back for a limited time in Purple Pear Lemonade Poppers & Purple Pear Sprite Poppers. Find nearest locale here.

----------

EL POLLO LOCO: The fire-grilled chicken chain teams up with Tapatío to ring in Cinco de Mayo. Diners on May 5 can score free, custom El Pollo Loco x Tapatío bottle with orders placed on restaurant app or website. (Offer is for digital orders only & not available ordering in restaurants.) Giveaways via El Pollo Loco Instagram to be given out every five minutes for five hours straight, beginning at 12 p.m. Also offered May 5: two premium tacos for $5. Register for Loco Rewards to participate. Locations listed here.

------------

EL TORITO: Specials usually reserved for Taco Tuesdays will be offered May 5, with $3 chicken, steak or carnitas tacos. Locations throughout the state.

----------

MAS VEGGIES: The vegan taqueria is hosting a Cinco de Mayo BOGO deal. Buy one burrito using code CINCO & get one free on May 5. Plant-based Mexican menu options include Chickin’ Tinga, Smokey Mushroom & Crispy Baja Fish. Offer is not valid through third-party delivery services & cannot be combined with other offers. Website here. Find locations statewide.

-------------

MIGUEL'S JR.: Bean, rice & cheese and bean & cheese burritos will be $1.99 all day on Cinco de Mayo. For an extra kick, try limited-time Fiery Habanero menu, featuring housemade Fiery Habanero Hot Sauce that adds more flavor—and heat. Website. Order for dine-in, take-out, drive-thru, online ordering or delivery. Find restaurants in Orange County & Inland Empire.

-----------

ON THE BORDER MEXICAN GRILL & CANTINA: Toast May 5 with $3 draft beer specials and $5 bar bites — plus $5 Grande House Margaritas. Top off your marg with Grand Marnier Meltdowns® for 40 cents. Details here. Find California locations.

-----------

PEI WEI ASIAN KITCHEN: Ideally timed for your Cinco fests, Mongolian Chicken Nachos, a creation from celebrity Chef Jet Tila, are back for $6.95 through May 8. The dish combines Pei Wei's Mongolian sauce, crispy wonton chips, chicken, Sriracha mayo, cilantro & scallions. Links here for ordering. Locations here.

-----------

QDOBA: The fast-casual, Mexican chain offers free, hand-crafted guac & signature three-cheese queso with every entrée — every day. So keep that in mind on Cinco de Mayo! There are catering options, too. Website. Find restaurants in Culver City, Downtown L.A., Cal Poly in Pomona, Mission Valley, Valley Center and Chapman University in Orange.

----------

RANDY'S DONUTS: It’s the return of the Cinco de Mango Donuts! Beginning May 1, the all shops will start selling its Mango Tajin Donut ($3.35) — a mango marmalade-filled, raised doughnut topped with mango and tajin-flavored icing. Called an "instant favotie" last year, the doughnut is available throughout May. Website & order links here. Locations in SoCal.

-----------

RUBIO'S: On Cinco de Mayo, take $15 off orders of $75+ using code LSM519 at checkout. Or hang on for National Shrimp Day fest, Monday & Tuesday, May 9-10, when all shrimp entrées are $6.99 with purchase of drink. Enter coupon code TASTY with order via app, online at Rubios.com, or scan the coupon here. Shrimp entrées include such faves as Chipotle Honey Argentinian Shrimp bowl, burrito or two-taco plate, grilled Red Argentinian Shrimp, Salsa Verde Shrimp two-taco plate, Shrimp & Bacon burrito, or Mexican Street Corn bowl with grilled shrimp. Location finder here.

-----------

7-ELEVEN: Spice up your Cinco celebrations with the new, limited-time Mini Spicy Breakfast Empanadas, featuring sausage, egg, cheese, peppers & spices in flaky, buttery crust. Three empanadas & any-size coffee are $4 for 7Rewards members. Available at participating stores through May 24. Website here.

---------

SOL MEXICAN COCINA: An exclusive Cinco de Mayo menu offered May 5 for dine-in only, 3 p.m. to close, along with live music. Among offerings: Naked Guacamole (avocado, cilantro, lime, onion, serrano chiles & tomato); Chorizo & Mushroom Con Queso (epazote, cheese, serrano & scallions); Taco Vampiro Asada (double tortilla stuffed with carne asada, cheese, serranos, scallions, guacamole, pico de gallo, chipotle sauce & cotixa); Taco Plates with two sides — black beans, red rice, quinoa salad or spicy slaw. Locations in Irvine, Newport Beach & Playa Vista.

-------

SOLITA TACOS: To celebrate Cinco de Mayo, a limited, dine-in only menu will be served 3 p.m. to close, with such dishes as: Ceviche Tropicale (raw fish, lime, serrano chiles, cucumber, tropical fruit, salsa fresca & avocado); Spicy Shrimp Taco (shrimp marinated in sriracha & garlic, guacamole, salsa verde, mango salsa & lettuce); Street Taco Plates with two sides —rice, slaw, Yucatán-style refried black beans or spicy charro beans. Live music, too. Locations in Huntington Beach & Valencia.

------------

THE PIE HOLE: Mexican Chocolate lovers can enjoy the bake shop's Mexican Chocolate Pie, by the slice ($7.50), whole pie ($45) or "Pie Pint" (pint jar filled with classic ice-cream flavors, house made crumble & Mexican chocolate ganache, $15). Pies & pie pints available at all locations for in-store & online ordering, or nationwide delivery available via Goldbelly. Locations: Anaheim; Arts District L.A.; Hollywood; Orange; Pasadena; plus Gelson's in Del Mar, Pacific Beach & Santa Monica.

--------

TOCAYA MODERN MEXICAN: Cinco De Mayo 2022 offers feature $5 margaritas, $3 bottled beers, and $7 Casamigos Blanco margaritas for dine-in guests only. Find locations in La Jolla, Del Mar, Beverly Center LA, Century City, DTLA, El Segundo, Hollywood, Long Beach, Playa Vista, Santa Monica, Studio City, Toluca Lake, Venice, West Hollywood, Westwood.

-----------

TREJO'S TACOS: It's a Cinco de Mayo party May 5 as with one-day only special: For $2, diners can turn any tacos on the menu into a ‘Machete-Style’ taco, featuring burnt cheese-crusted tortillas & avocado slices. Also on the menu (at Hollywood cantina only): Strawberry Fantasy Jalapeno Margarita ($13) with strawberry Fanta soda, jalapeño, tequila blanco & lime. Locations on South Brea Avenue in Los Angeles, Cahuenga Boulevard in Hollywood, Santa Monica Boulevard in Santa Monica and at Original Farmers Market on West 3rd Street in L.A.

---------

WABA GRILL: A May deal — including Cinco de Mayo — offers every entrée purchase can be topped with free "Half-Ocado," the "true half of a beautiful, thick, perfectly ripe avocado," company says. Offer available all month long via WaBa Rewards App or WaBa Grill’s website, in-store or through delivery partners. Details. Find locations throughout Greater L.A.

-----------

ALSO SEE: The 'Guactail' Cocktail: Toast Cinco De Mayo With, Wait ... Guac-What?

----------

FOR UPCOMING MOTHER'S DAY DINING: Mother's Day Brunch & Dinner 2022: California Restaurant Specials