Cinco De Mayo Restaurant Specials 2023: Where To Celebrate In CA

CALIFORNIA — Cinco de Mayo falls this year on a Friday — commemorating Mexico’s May 5 victory over the French Empire in 1862.

For those who like to celebrate like there's no mañana, we've rounded up some hot spots with restaurant specials and entertainment.

Peruse the guide to find the fiestas near you. Need visual inspiration? Check out the photo show at the top of this post.

And if you know of other neighborhood joints with stand-out deals, share with readers in the comments.

And Happy Cinco de Mayo, from Patch!

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ACAPULCO RESTAURANT Y CANTINA: Kick off Cinco de Mayo at 3 p.m. with build-your-own-taco bar (steak, chicken, carnitas & al pastor) & drink deals. Live entertainment starts 4 p.m. Extra bonus: Cinco de Mayo patrons receive bounce-back card for hangover breakfast — Come back the next day for free breakfast entrée with purchase of breakfast entrée. Details. See locales in SoCal.

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AGUA CALIENTE CASINO: Cinco de Mayo events run over the weekend with food & drink specials, entertainment, concert, comedy show & Lucha Libre Mexicana: Viva La Lucha. Info here. Locales in Cathedral City, Palm Springs & Rancho Mirage.

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BAR LOUIE: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with $7 Dos Sauza margaritas during happy hour, or try new Rock & Rita. Pair with 50% off such bar bites as trio dips & chips and chicken quesadillas. Website. Locations here in Southern California.

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BJ'S RESTAURANT & BREWHOUSE: BJ's CureVeza, Mexican-style lager, launches May 4 to raise money for The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, part of 25-year partnership. Offered through June 28, the beer "features hints of lime & salt." For every pint brewed, the chain donates 25 cents to the nonprofit. Pair on Cinco de Mayo with mahi mahi or shrimp tacos, loaded nachos & Sriracha queso dip. Website. Locales here statewide.

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BLACK ANGUS STEAKHOUSE: Gear up for all-day, Cinco de Mayo happy hour Friday with such tasty, drink & food specials as Messy Michelada ($8.50), chili-lime chicken bites ($11.99), steakhouse bacon cheeseburger ($15.99), loaded potato skins ($7) or $5 off Wagon Wheel Sampler Platter. See restaurants statewide.

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CAVANA AT LUMA HOTEL SF: Enjoy Cinco de Mayo, May 5, at Latin-American roof-top oasis, with cocktails, street tacos made with housemade masa & tortillas, entertainment & sweeping views of SF skyline. With lively Latin tunes from DJ Jerry Soza. Bring your friends and family! Details/reservations. At 100 Channel St., 17th Floor, San Francisco.

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CHEVYS FRESH MEX: Join May 5th fiesta with build-your-own-taco bar, featuring steak, chicken, carnitas & barbacoa, starting at 3 p.m. Live entertainment begins 4 p.m. Plus drink specials of house margaritas (12 oz. for $9 or 16 oz. for $12) & Cadillac Margaritas (12 oz. for $11.50 & 16 oz. for $15), or imported beer & tequila shots. Info. Find sites statewide.

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CHIPOTLE: RSVP May 1-5 to ‘Time To Finally Try Chipotle’ event for BOGO deal. How it works: Create event on Partiful & invite Chipotle newbie friends. Include #ChipotlePartyPromo in description & add @Chipotle on Instagram with link to Partiful event. Every day May 1-5, the chain will RSVP to first 20 Partiful events sent & will drop 1 BOGO code per RSVP’d guest (up to 25 BOGO codes per event). Details. Also throughout week, get $0 delivery with promo code CINCO23. Locales statewide.

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CHRONIC TACOS: Cinco de Mayo freebie: Spend $20 & get $5 reward when using code CINCO in the app. Info. Locations throughout Greater L.A.

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CITY TACOS: Toast taco shop's nine-year anniversary of first location in North Park while marking Cinco de Mayo with "delicious & authentic tacos to our refreshing drinks ... everything you need to make this holiday a fiesta to remember!" Jam out with DJs at La Mesa, Encinitas & North Park sites. Menu favorites: Ahuevo Breakfast Taco (sunny-side egg, refried chorizo beans, pico de gallo, avocado & salsa); Mexicali (steak, onions, poblano peppers, asadero cheese, mashed potatoes, crema fresca & cotija cheese). Nearly all tacos are under $5. Details. Locations throughout SoCal.

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DOG HAUS: Perfectly timed for Cinco de Mayo, the CA-based chain with gourmet hot dogs, burgers & sausages launches limited-time, Mexican-inspired Pork Al Pastor Sausage — with pineapple sweetness & kick from chiles & Mexican oregano. Offered on bun, in King's Hawaiian rolls, as corn dog & in burritos. $1 donated to No Kid Hungry from each sold. Website. Locations found here statewide.

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EL POLLO LOCO: Limited-time, fan-fave Shredded Beef Birria is back through June 28, in three choices - tacos, burritos & quesadillas. And on Cinco de Mayo, Loco Rewards members can score BOGO deal: A free Crunchy Birria Taco with purchase of any Shredded Beef Birria entrée. Valid Friday, May 5 only. Details. See restaurants statewide.

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EL TORITO: Grab the gang May 5 for chain's biggest event of the year with margarita, beer, shot & taco specials, plus live music (beginning 4 p.m.). Build-your-own-taco bar (steak, chicken, carnitas & al pastor) starts 3 p.m. Extra perk: Cinco de Mayo guests will score bounce-back card with for hangover breakfast — Come back & visit the next day for free breakfast entrée with purchase of a breakfast entrée. Details. Find locations statewide.

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MARCO'S PIZZA: Build your own "Mexican pizza" for Cinco de Mayo. Select from such toppings as ground beef, green peppers, black olives, onions, tomatoes, jalapenos & cheddar cheese for your custom masterpiece. For extra kick, dip garlic-flavored crust into side of jalapeno ranch. Website/order info. Find shops statewide.

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MIGUEL'S JR.: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Bean, Rice & Cheese Burrito and Bean & Cheese Burrito — both expertly rolled in hand-stretched flour tortilla — for just $1.99. Available open to close Friday for dine-in, take-out, online ordering & drive-thru. Plus, the chain's fan-favorite Fiery Habanero Menu is back for limited time. Info. Find locales throughout Orange County & Inland Empire.

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RANDY'S DONUTS: The iconic shop does "Cinco all Mayo" with the Cinco de Mango tajin premium donut (mango-filled, topped with mango & tajin flavored icing, with sprinkle of tajin) Available through May 31. Website. Locations here in SoCal.

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RED LOBSTER: Say ole with $5 Cinco Rita on May 5 - specialty cocktail made with Sauza Gold Tequila, Triple Sec, sour & margarita mixes. Pair perfectly with the new Lobster & Shrimp Tacos. See restaurants statewide.

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ROUND TABLE PIZZA: Cinco de Mayo deal runs May 5-7: $10 off any two large or extra large pizzas at menu price. Valid at participating locations for dine-in, carry-out & delivery. Location finder here statewide.

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RUBIO'S: Cinco De Mayo deal! Rewards members can take $20 off orders of $100 or more May 5. Coupon info here. Plus, $3 beers that day & no coupon required. Website. At participating locations. Site finder here for California.

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SEAWORLD SAN DIEGO: Spiced-up food, drinks & live entertainment kick off May 5 and run Fridays to Sundays through May 21. Different headliners will take the stage. Info here. At 500 SeaWorld Drive, San Diego.

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7-ELEVEN: 7Rewards members can hail Cinco de Mayo with tasty, mini-taco deal —10 mini tacos for $2! The tacos come with spicy filling of shredded beef, green chiles, jalapeño peppers, cilantro & spices in miniature crispy, corn tortillas. Offered through May 5. 7Rewards info here. At participating stores statewide.

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TELERIFIC BARCELONA: On May 5, Chef Oscar Cabeza will serve up Calamari Tacos ($15/two tacos) — classic taco with fried squid, yuzu aioli & handmade, squid-ink tortillas. Signature sangrias, too! Website. See locations statewide.

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TOCAYA MODERN MEXICAN: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Taco Tuesday pricing in honor of the Mexican holiday. Tacos starting at $2; select bites starting at $2; $3 Cervezas; $5 margaritas; $6 wine. Hours & alcohol participation may vary by locale. Details. Locations listed here statewide.

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FOR MOM'S DAY DINING: Mother’s Day Brunch & Dinner Guide 2023: CA Restaurant Specials

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ALSO SEE: CA County Fairs 2023 Guide: Where To Find The Fun In California