Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Chicago with these Specials

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo in Chicago typically brings thoughts of satisfying tacos and gulping down margaritas, which is a great start. In addition to the traditional celebration dishes that many of us are accustom to, you can also indulge in American cuisine that has a Mexican twist to it– or you can go all out and experience a multi-course Mexican meal with drink parings. Cinco de Mayo essentially kicks off spring in Chicago; round up your friends and find a patio, mow tacos and refreshing margaritas!

Cinco de Mayo Specials in Chicago

 

Cantina Laredo

508 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 955-0014
CantinaLaredo.com

Cantina Laredo, located in the heart of River North, will hold a Cinco de Mayo celebration on Thursday, May 5. The annual fifth of May fiesta will feature modern Mexican cuisine and margaritas from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. In addition to Cantina Laredo’s extensive margarita menu, two special ‘ritas will be offered for the occasion: Cinco ‘Rita, a smooth mix of Silver Cabo Wabo, Hornitos, Cazadores, Herradura, Giro and Cointreau Orange Liqueur, lime juice and agave nectar ($11.50); and Verde Infusion ‘Rita, made with Cucumber-infused Montelobos Mezcal with Milagro Silver, fresh lime juice and agave nectar ($12).

Prefer to celebrate with a cerveza? In addition to a bevy of Mexican brews, guests may enjoy pints of Sierra Nevada Otra Ves for $6 each. Chef Hector Rivera’s lunch, dinner and lounge menus (featuring table-side guacamole, ceviche, tacos, fajitas, enchiladas, postres and more) will be offered all day.
For table reservations, call or visit their website.

Clark Street Dog

3040 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657
(312) 281-6690
ClarkStDog.com

$4.59 to $6.59 food & drink specials.
Chicagoans can celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Clark Street Dog and Bar and enjoy a special Queso Burger featuring a seasoned grilled quarter pound burger served with shredded lettuce, homemade pico de gallo and queso Chihuahua served on a grilled split top bun for $4.59 (make it a double for $6.59). Modelo and Corona bottles will also be available for $6 each.

Commonwealth

2000 W. Roscoe Street, Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 697-7965
CommonwealthChicago.com

$5 to $6 drink specials
Guests who visit Commonwealth on Cinco de Mayo will enjoy $6 margaritas, $6 Mexican Mules and $5 Dos Equis tallboys. Guests can pair their beverages with Commonwealth’s Queso Fundido (roasted poblano, chorizo, Chihuahua cheese, served with tortillas, $10).

Division Ale House

1942 W. Division St., Chicago, IL 60622
(773)384-6886
DivisionAleHouse.com

The Wicker Park bar celebrates Cinco with $3 tacos, free mariachi music and $4 cerveza.
The Division Ale House hosts a Cinco de Mayo fiesta featuring a live Mariachi Monumental de Mexico performance. The popular mariachi band, who has performed at events such as the Mariachi & Folklorico Festival at Millennium Park and Hispanic Heritage Night at U.S. Cellular Field, will perform at Division Ale House at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 5.

In lieu of the daily deals, the bar features $3 tacos including the al Pastor, braised guajillo-rubbed pork butt with onions, cilantro and grilled pineapple; the Pollo Asado, achiote-marinated chicken with Manchego cheese, cilantro and avocado-sour cream; and theBarbacoa, braised habanero-rubbed beef, Oaxaca cheese, cilantro and pico de gallo (all tacos served with smoked tomatillo salsa). Drink deals include $4 Tocayo Hominy White Ale drafts, $4 Corona bottles and $4 Modelo Especial bottles. Free prizes and giveaways throughout the night, including Corona and Modelo wearables. The bar is open from 4 p.m.-2 a.m. on May 5 and the kitchen is open until midnight.

Flagship

1622 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 281-3805
FlagshipChicago.com

$3 to $5 drink specials
In celebration of Cinco de Mayo on Thursday, May 5, Flagship will feature $3 Blue Moon Drafts, $4 Modelo Drafts and $5 Tijuana Sweet Heat Margaritas.

Guests can opt to pair their drinks with Mexican-inspired menu items like Baja Fish Tacos (three mini corn tortillas filled with beer battered spicy tilapia, baja slaw, avocado lime crema, pico de gallo, green onions and cilantro; $9) or the Mexican Burger (8 oz. ground beef patty, chorizo, guacamole, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, pico de gallo, crispy tortilla strips on a jalapeno ciabatta, $12).

High Noon Saloon

1560 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60622
773-227-9339
HighNoonChicago.com

High Noon Saloon hosts a Cinco de Mayo party featuring a live Mariachi Monumental deMexico performance. The popular mariachi band, who has performed at many high-profile events from Hispanic Heritage Night at U.S. Cellular Field to Noches éne•bé•a at the United Center (part of the National Basketball Association’s Latin nights program), will perform at High Noon Saloon at 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 5.

In addition to the free mariachi music, the saloon offers all-day features such as $4 Modelo Especial drafts, $5 Casa Noble tequila shots and $8 margaritas (includes all six signature margaritas with options such as strawberry and cucumber-jalapeno). The event includes Modelo branded gear giveaways from wearables to beer koozies. The normal Thursday specials will not be offered on Cinco de Mayo. The full Tex-Mex menu will be on offer from 4-11 p.m. (prices vary) and the bar is open from 4 p.m.-2 a.m. on May 5.

Nana

3267 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60608
312-929-2486
NanaOrganic.com

The seasonally-minded Bridgeport restaurant offers a $35 four-course dinner with
four cocktail pairings on Thursday, May 5. In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, executive chef Jeremy Kiens prepares a special multi-course Mexican meal with courses such as Kingfish Ceviche with avocado and yucca chips; Cochinita Pibil with zucchini ribbons and pea basil cream; and Chicken Rouladewith housemade chicken sausage stuffing, Aztec grits and fire-roasted tomato salsa. Owner/beverage director Omar Solis creates handcrafted seasonal cocktails to pair with each course.

The Cinco de Mayo dinner begins at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 5. The four-course meal with four pairings is priced $35 per person. Reservations are required by calling 312-929-2486. Reservations will be accepted through 6 p.m. on May 5 (space permitting).

CINCO DE MAYO MENU
First: Kingfish Ceviche
Avocado, yucca chips

Second: Chicken Roulade
Housemade chicken sausage stuffing, Aztec grits, fire-roasted tomato salsa

Third: Cochinita Pibil
(traditional slow-roasted Mexican pork dish)
Zucchini ribbons, pea basil cream

Fourth: Margarita Curd
(creamy spread of citrus juice, sugar, butter and eggs)
Cake croutons, seasonal berries

FARMERS AND PRODUCERS
Vegetables: Nichols Farm & Orchard (Marengo, Illinois) and Spence Farm (Livingston, Illinois)
Seasonal Berries: Mick Klug Farms (St. Joseph, Michigan)
Meat: Slagel Family Farm (Fairbury, Illinois)
Grits: Stewards of the Land (Fairbury, Illinois)

Stretch Bar & Grill

3485 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 755-3980
TheStretchChicago.com

$2 to $20 specials
Chicagoans who celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Stretch before the Cubs vs. Nationals game at 7:05 p.m. will have an opportunity to take photos with a miniature donkey beginning at 6 p.m.

Guests will also enjoy $2 tacos, $3 Corona and Corona Light bottles, $3 Dos Equis drafts and $8 32-ounce Margaritas as well as Cubs game day specials including $20 buckets of Miller Lite and Coors Light, $15 buckets of Rolling Rock and $5 shots of Fireball and Dr. McGillicuddy’s.

Tavern on Little Fort

4128 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 360-1869
LittleFortTavern.com

$2 to $6 food & drink specials
Guests who visit Tavern on Little Fort on Cinco de Mayo will enjoy specials including $6 margaritas, $6 Mexican Mules, $5 Dos Equis tallboys and $2 tacos.

Tuscany Taylor

1014 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 829-1990
TuscanyChicago.com

$5 margaritas and $5 pizzas
Guests who dine at Tuscany on Taylor on Cinco de Mayo will enjoy $5 margaritas and $5 pizzas during lunch or dinner.
$5 pizza selections will include:
Margherita
Tomatoes, mozzarella, basil chiffonade, evoo
Speck
Gorgonzola, smoked prosciutto, mozzarella
Funghi E Taleggio
Caramelized mushrooms, taleggio cheese, arugula, truffle oil
Affumicata
Smoked mozzarella, apple bacon, tomatoes, caramelized onion
Regina
Tuscan sausage, tomatoes, roasted pepper, mushroom