Here's Your Austin Cinco De Mayo Guide

AUSTIN, TX — While many revelers don't really know what they're celebrating today, Cinco de Mayo has become something of a major day of partying across the country. Just like party animals celebrate St. Patrick's Day in America despite geographic distance from Ireland, so, too has the Mexican holiday observe on May 5 emerged as a day to luxuriate in adult beverages with wild abandon.

But back to the not-really-knowing-what-they're-celebrating thing. First: The day has nothing to do with mayonnaise. But seriously, the day doesn't commemorate Mexican Independence Day as some mistakenly believe. Mexican Independence Day is actually celebrated on Sept. 16 (it's referred in the vernacular simply as el diez y seis or the 16th), and dates to 1810.

Instead, Cinco de Mayo is observed to commemorate the Mexican Army's implausible victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Given the formidable forces of France against what amounted to rag-tag (but determined) Mexican forces, the milestone continues to resonate powerfully by the cognoscenti.

In the U.S., the Cinco de Mayo observance has morphed into more of a broader celebration of the Mexican-American culture.

Related story: Austin Weekend Guide: Cinco De Mayo Edition

But anyway, that's not you called. Throughout Austin today, Cinco de Mayo celebrations abound. From the fancy to the low-key, here are some of the best ones:

EMMER & RYE

51 Rainey St #110, Austin, TX 78701

Cayman Jack and the popular Emmer & Rye restaurant have joined forces for one night only to throw what organizers are billing as "the ultimate Cinco de Mayo fiesta." Lucky patrons will be treated to complimentary pairings of Cayman Jack margaritas and limited-edition Red Snapper Ceviche. The Red Snapper Ceviche, the event’s signature dish, was created by owner and chef, Kevin Fink, to complement the flavors of Cayman Jack margaritas, organizers explained. Handcrafted with 100 percent blue agave nectar from Mexico, pure cane sugar and organic limes, Cayman Jack margaritas are a premium prepared cocktail combining authentic flavor with the perfect balance of refreshment and flavor, according to its makers. As for the ceviche, it's a unique take on the seafood cocktail staple — a new twist on an old classic, you might say — consisting of mole verde, benne seed and cilantro. And, on this day only, guests will be able to taste both items all for free, courtesy of Cayman Jack. This is an event for those 21 years and up, given the alcohol (served on a first come, first serve basis) that will be available. The event will be conducted by and for the benefit of Surfrider, a nonprofit organization. The fun will take place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cayman Jack is available at select grocery, convenience and liquor stores in the Austin area. To find Cayman Jack in your area after the Cinco de Mayo sampling, visit www.CaymanJack.com/Locations.

HOUNDSTOOTH COFFEE

In what doubles as its eighth anniversary celebration, Houndstooth Coffee will be hosting its own take on a Cinco de Mayo party at their East Austin café on Saturday, May 5, from 6 p.m. until midnight. Houndstooth Coffee has partnered with their neighbors, Creative Action, for the party, and $2 from each margarita and $1 from each beer sold will benefit Creative Action's program, Cooking for Campbell, organizers said. Houndstooth Coffee will also match the total amount raised for the night.

Houndstooth Coffee opened its first café and thus launched the brand on May 5, 2010, on North Lamar in Austin. The brand now has six cafés — three each in Austin and Dallas — along with a sister cocktail bar, Jettison, and coffee roastery, TWEED, both located in Dallas. Houndstooth's East Austin café located on East MLK Jr. Boulevard is the newest and the first cafe for the brand to offer cocktails and late evening hours, officials noted.

Photo of the solo margarita by Brandon LaJoie, courtesy of Houndstooth Coffee

Sorry to get off track again, but a word (or several) on Cooking for Campbell are warranted here. It's Creative Action's initiative to help raise funds for their Spark Schools program at L. L. Campbell Elementary Media & Performing Arts Institute. Spark Schools was created to address pressing needs facing low-income schools in Central Texas — under-enrollment, rapid teacher turnover, lagging student performance, through arts-based interventions that improve test scores, enrollment, morale and the like. Area businesses will partner with Creative Action to select a day where a portion of proceeds will benefit the program at Campbell.

Campbell is currently the most under-enrolled school in Austin ISD, where 88 percent of students qualify for free and reduced school lunch. Through an innovative partnership with the school, Austin ISD, and Creative Action, students in every grade level receive arts learning in their classrooms and after school. Since the program launched at Campbell, the school has seen improved test scores, family participation, student engagement in the classroom, attendance, and morale on campus. In other words, drink to your heart's content at this shindig, as a proceeds of drink sales benefit a very worthy cause.

MARKER 10

208 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704

Located inside the Hyatt Regency Austin, lakeside restaurant Marker 10 will stage a celebration merging Cinco de Mayo with the Kentucy Derby given that both events coincide chronologically this year. They've dubbed it the "Cinco de Derby," and a special cocktail menu will be featured. Explains Marker 10 manager Cortney Harding: “As the Kentucky Derby is famous for its Bourbon-infused cocktails, we wanted to take the popular Derby drinks and add a unique twist in order to celebrate the Cinco de Mayo holiday.”

The special “Cinco de Derby” cocktails will include a Bourbon Cherry Margarita featuring Maker’s Mark Bourbon, luxardo maraschino cherry juice, agave, lime juice and triple sec. It will also include a Tequila Julep which includes Tequila 512, mint, lime juice, and powdered sugar. Guests of Marker 10 can enjoy its newly updated patio which provides direct views of Lady Bird Lake and downtown Austin. The restaurant features a sushi bar with made-to-order options such as the California roll, a dragon roll and rainbow roll, as well as several locally-inspired options including the Hippie Hollow vegetarian roll, as well as the candied jalapeno and Texas brushfire rolls. Marker 10 also provides a wide variety of chef-created starters, salads, and entrees ranging from a Texas meat and cheese charcuterie plate, shrimp tempura salad, and Buffalo mac ‘n cheese to a chicken fajita cheesesteak, a Portobello and eggplant melt, braised short ribs, and more.

For more information on Hyatt Regency Austin and Marker 10, call (512) 477-1234, or click here.

FLEMING'S PRIME STEAKHOUSE & WINE BAR

If you really want to go nuts this Cinco de Mayo, you might head out to the upscale Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, 11600 Century Oaks Terrace. They've partnered with Tequila Herradura, an ultra-premium 100 percent agave tequila, and Baccarat, the world-renowned fine crystal manufacturer and offering a $100 Prime Margarita from May 4-6. That wasn't a typographical error. We're talking C-note here.

"It's crystal clear that revelers seeking a lavish Cinco de Mayo celebration will find it at Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar," officials said in a press release, demonstrating an ease with wordplay. The $100 Prime Margarita is handcrafted with ultimate premium liquors, including Tequila Herradura Selección Suprema and Grand Marnier Centenaire, officials said. The pricey beverage is served in Baccarat's uniquely designed Diamant Highball that guests will be able to take home in Baccarat's iconic red box.

Image courtesy of Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

APPLEBEE'S

Always a crowd favorite, Applebee’s® Neighborhood Grill + Bar takes on added appeal on Cinco De Mayo this year with not one, but two fantastic Neighborhood Drinks – the DOLLARITA™ and the new 2 DOLLAR DOS. Due to overwhelming popularity, April’s Neighborhood Drink, the $1 margarita famously known as the DOLLARITA™, will be available at participating Applebee’s through Saturday, May 5. Starting May 1, Applebee’s began pouring from the tap its May Neighborhood Drink, the $2 Dos Equis® a.k.a. 2 DOLLAR DOS, which guests can enjoy all month long at participating restaurants nationwide. The chain on Cinco de Mayo will have such offerings as premium drinks such as the Perfect Margarita and Mucho Sangria along with mouth-watering appetizers such as Salsa Verde Beef Nachos or Spicy Boneless Buffalo Bites. So head on over to your neighborhood Applebee's and enjoy the fiesta! For more information on the DOLLARITA, 2 DOLLAR DOS and other fan favorites from Applebee’s, view the online menu and stop by your neighborhood Applebee's restaurant.

>>> Top photo by Brandon LaJoie, courtesy of Houndstooth Coffee