Cinco de Mayo is here! It's time to celebrate in style, Mexican Style. Enjoy margaritas, fine Mexican cooking, and fun events. Here is a list of some of the parties happening around town.
Los Angeles
Calle Tacos
From noon to 10 p.m., the recently opened Calle Tacos is bringing a mariachi band to complement its jalapeno margaritas and tacos, flautas, burritos, tortas and quesadillas. And a donkey, too -- why go to Tijuana when we have Hollywood, after all.
Casa Vega
This Mexican restaurant open since 1958 serves its usual standards on Saturday, but continues the holiday on Sunday with $5 "Bloody Marias" and "Absolut Marys" for a "Seis de Mayo" brunch (huevos rancheros, chilaquiles, etc.) beginning at 11:30.
El Chavo
From 4 p.m.-2 a.m., the restaurant where neon-colored sombreros adorn the ceiling hosts "Cinco de Chavo" with DJ Cyrano spinning cumbia and salsa on the patio, $5 margaritas until 9 p.m., and a $10 combo plate option -- three tacos, rice, beans, plus a margarita or beer. No cover charge, 21+ only.
La Parilla
La Parilla decorates for each holiday year-round, St. Patrick's Day to Independence Day, and Cinco de Mayo is absolutely no exception. Experience mexicanidad in all its frilly, sparkly, shiny glory, at either the East L.A. or downtown location. With handmade tortillas, too.
Read the full list of events in Los Angeles at the LA Weekly
Orange County
Cha Cha's Latin Kitchen in Brea is partying all-night on Cinco de Mayo. If you're looking for delicious Mexican food, amazing cocktails and live music, Cha Cha's is your place. The downtown Brea restaurant will have live music from 4 to 11 p.m., including a mariachi from 6-7 p.m. The restaurant is offering various May 5 specials, including a $10 grande house margarita. (Normal price: $14.95) Address: 110 W. Birch St. Brea.
Taco Asylumat the Camp does a hip take on tacos that turns tradition on its head. Fresh flour tortillas hold global ingredients from curried paneer to pork belly. The ghost chili pork is a favorite for its intense heat. Quality ingredients and trendy innovation will typically cost you - tacos are $5 or $6 each, and you'll still want to grab at least one pint of the great craft beers on tap. For Cinco de Mayo, the eatery is offering a great deal: Tacos will be $3, and Happy Hour prices will apply to beers all day. That's $3 draughts and $2 off cans, folks.Read our review.Address: 2937 S. Bristol St., Costa Mesa
Soho Food Truck makes one of my favorite tacos. The vegetarian contains perfectly seasoned veggies (spinach, bell peppers, onions, portabello mushrooms) topped with a palate pleasing chipotle sour cream sauce. The truck prepares its from-scratch tortillas inside its mobile unit. The fresh tortillas set this truck apart from the pack. Catch Soho partying from 6-10 p.m. at the Proof Bar in Santa Ana on Cinco De Mayo. Address: 215 N. Broadway Santa Ana.
Read the full list of places in Orange County at the OC Register
