It’s that time of year again – Cinco de Mayo! Not to be confused with Mexico’s Independence Day (which is actually celebrated on September 16th), Cinco de Mayo—or the fifth of May—commemorates the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War (1861-1867). It has become a beloved American celebration of all things Mexican, including delicious food and alcoholic drinks.

Many Philadelphia restaurants celebrate the holiday by offering discounts and specials on Mexican food and drinks. Here are just some of the deals that can be found on May 5th, 2015.

Lolita Philly

Lolita, a Mexican street food-inspired restaurant with a full liquor license owned by restaurateurs Chef Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran, will not be outdone. They are not just celebrating ONE day, but FIVE days of Cinco de Mayo festivities. Lolita is located at 106 S. 13th Street in Center City.

Friday, May 1 – Tequila Tasting & Seafood Platter

• Two tequilas (Tequila Fortaleza Blanco and El Tesora Anejo) prepared with a fresh seafood platter, which includes: “Back to Life” Seafood Cocktail;  Crab & Avocado Salad;  Sangrita Oyster Shooters;  and Peel & Eat Shrimp. $25 per person, not including tax or gratuity.

Saturday, May 2 – Boozy Brunch

• Two courses with unlimited Blood Orange and House Margaritas, Beer and Sparkling Wine.
  • First Course:
    • Guacamole and Two Salsas.
  • Second Course (Choose One of the Following):
    • Hanger Steak with pickled ramp chimichurri, sunny side up egg, crispy potatoes and chipotle ketchup.
    • Braised Short Rib Chilaquiles with fried farm egg, black beans and smashed avocado.
    • Crispy Mahi Fish Tacos with cabbage slaw, chipotle mayonesa, salsa verde and served with crispy jalapeño home fries.
    • Hazelnut-Ricotta French Toast with canela, ancho chile and dark chocolate.
    • Huevo Rancheros with crispy tostadas, queso mixto, refried beans, pico de gallo, fried egg and avocado.
• Two Seatings: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• $45 per person, not including tax or gratuity and entire table must participate.

Sunday, May 3 – BBQ Beer Dinner

• Three-course, BBQ-inspired beer dinner.
  • First Course (Choose a Guacamole for the Table to Share):
    • Traditional with shaved radish and jicama.
    • Spring Peas with smoked bacon and cotija.
    • Green Mango with chipotle and pepitas.
    • Paired with an Ommegang Glimmerglass Saison.
  • Second Course:
    • Tamarind- Morita BBQ Baby Back Ribs with pickled mango salsa and salty peanuts.
    • Paired with an Allagash Dubbel.
  • Third Course:
    • Mexican Mixed Grill: Grilled Skirt Steak & Ramp Chimichurri;  Shrimp Alambre & Roasted Pepper Rajas;  and Grilled Achiote Chicken Breast…
    • Served with: Mexican Street Style Corn;  Chorizo & Potatoes;  Buttermilk Slaw;  Horseradish Crema;  Salsa Cruda;  and Warm Corn Tortillas.
    • Paired with a Dogfish Head Aprihop.
• $40 per person, not including tax or gratuity.

Monday, May 4 – Margarita Monday

• Available all day:
  • $5 House Margaritas
  • $6 Blood Orange Margaritas
  • $7 Watermelon Mint Margaritas

Tuesday, May 5 – Cinco de Mayo (Open 12 noon to 12 midnight)

• Extended happy hours and food & drink specials.
• From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.:
  • $6 Blood Orange Margaritas; Half-priced Nachos;  and Two Fried Chicken Tacos for for $5.
• From 10 p.m. to Midnight:
  • “Mexico City Wide,” featuring a Tecate, tequila (Lolita’s choice of tequila) and a Carnitas taco for $10.

Garces Group Restaurants

 Bar Volvér is open for Cinco de Mayo from 5pm – 8pm

• $6 Volver City-Wides: Michelada [Mexican Bloody Mary] and a shot of Mezcal
• $5 Pacificos
• $12 Milagro Tequila Tasting Flights
• Dance to DJ Christian Martinez
• The Distrito Taco Truck will be parked on Spruce Street!
• View the menu here.

Distrito Philadelphia starts the party at 11:30am includes the following ALL DAY specials:

• $5 Select Margaritas
• $3 Select Draft Beers
• $2 Tecates
• $5 “Mexican-Style” City Wides [A Shot of Tequila and A Modelo Epsecial]
• DJ starts at 6:00pm
• Corona girls will be on-site with plenty of giveaways, including a raffle for a grand-prize!

Distrito Moorestown, NJ will also have an all-day party for Cinco de Mayo.

• $5 Feliz Margaritas
• 2 special pork tacos for $5
• Face Painter from 5pm-7pm
• Patron Girls featuring featuring the “Patron Perfect Margarita” will be on site from 5pm-7pm!

Cantina los Caballitos

May the 4th Be With You
Star Wars fans and tequila lovers unite at Cantina Los Caballitos’ simultaneous celebration of Cinco de Mayo and Star Wars Day on May 4, 2015.

Drink specials will include:

• “Darth Vadorade” El Mayor Blanco, Pomegranate, Blood Orange, Passion Fruit,
  Chile de Arbol
• “Storm Trooper” Mount Gay, Agave, Guanabana, Ginger Beer

Our intergalactic food specials will include:

• “Chewbacca’s Vaca Frita” Tacos- crispy beef, onions, cilantro
• “The Deep Fryer Strikes Back”- pork carnitas, chorizo, bacon, rajas, and chihuahua cheese chimichanga
• “Princess 7 Leia” Dip- refried beans, pico de gallo, guacamole, chilis
• “Jabba the Gut” Tacos- braised tripe

Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope and Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back will be projected late night in the bar starting around 10PM.

Cinco de Mayo at Cantina los Caballitos

On Tuesday May 5, Cantina los Caballitos welcomes you to join its Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Cantina will offer specialty cocktails for the fiesta, as well as food specials that will make your mouth water. Cantina los Caballitos will be featuring all your favorite Mexican beers and margaritas. The large patio supplies plenty of outdoor seating, so bring all your friends to enjoy the prizes, pinatas, and giveaways. Get there early and stay late to chow down on some Mexican grub and sip on some sangria.

Lucha Cartel

Cinco Days De Cinco De Mayo – now through Tuesday – at Lucha Cartel, 207 Chestnut Street.

• $5 House Margs y Sangrias & 1/2 Price Drafts!
• $3 Dos Equis Drafts & $5 Food Specials

Jose Pistola’s

Jose Pistola’s, 263 S. 15th Street, will be hosting a block party throwdown for the ages with a delicious whole roast pig. There will be beer.

Xochitl

Xochitl, 408 S. 2nd Street (Between Pine St. & Lombard St.), will have food and drink specials on Tuesday, May 5th starting at 4pm.

• Al Pastor Style Roast Pork
• Mexico City Style Fajitas
• $2 Tecate
• $3 Corona Light
• $6 House Margaritas
• $8 Flavored Margaritas

Know of any other Cinco de Mayo celebrations? Let us know and we’ll add it to the list!