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

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA — 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 San Diego-area 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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BARRIO STAR: This Banker’s Hill eatery, specializing in "modern Mexican Soul Food," is prepped for Cinco de Mayo with Happy Hour drink & food specials ( 3 p.m. -5 p.m.), & live music (5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.). Menu highlights: tacos a la carte; Barrio cucumbers; & Tres Leches Cake with strawberries. Website. At 2706 5th Ave., San Diego.

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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 found 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 in Chula Vista, El Cajon, Escondido.

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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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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: Encinitas, La Mesa, Pacific Beach, Sorrento Valley & San Diego.

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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 in San Diego County.

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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 location in La Mesa.

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FAIRMONT GRAND DEL MAR: Weekend of Cinco de Mayo events include tequila tastings, tequila-pairing dinner & Saturday-Sunday Baja-style brunches. Info. At 5300 Grand Del Mar Court, San Diego.

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KIMPTON ALMA SAN DIEGO: The hotel's newly opened, rooftop dining venue, Leave of Absence, will mark May 5 with drink specials, including: Don Fulano Tastes - $10; Specialty Margs - $10; & Modelo beer - $6. Menu offers wood-fired flatbreads, papas bravas, shishito peppers & crudites with tahini verde. Reservations. At 1047 5th Ave., San Diego.

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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 in San Diego.

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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. Location here - newly opened in San Diego.

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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 in San Diego region.

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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 SD.

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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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TACALIENTE: Hillcrest eatery, which recently took over the space previously occupied by Lalos Tacos, to celebrate its first Cinco de Mayo with all-day specials —two $5 hard-shell tacos, three fish tacos $5, $5 Mulitas, $5 Elote, $5 beers & $5 Micheladas. Info. At 1266 University Ave., San Diego.

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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 here in La Jolla & San Diego.

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

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