Cinco De Mayo 2021: Where To Celebrate In Orange County

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — Cinco de Mayo this year falls on a Wednesday, May 5, 2021— so a big olé to a reason to celebrate mid-week with tasty Mexican dishes and drinks in Orange County.

Need some celebration inspiration? Patch has you covered with nearby, to-go and on-site dining specials.

We know this list is just the tip of the iceberg for shout-out-worthy, Mexican restaurants and taquerias throughout O.C. Know of other Cinco stand-outs? Share with fellow Patch readers in the comment section.

• FOR MORE FESTIVE FUN: 2 Margaritas To Transform Your Cinco De Mayo

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A RESTAURANT: Chef Roberto is crafting a Mexican menu for Cinco de Mayo from May 4-6— a three day special for diners. Reservations here. A Restaurant is at 3334 W. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach.

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APPLEBEE'S: Springtime = Tequila Time for the month of May, with $5 Strawberry Daq-A-Ritas (half-margarita, half-daiquiri made with 1800 Reposado Tequila, Bacardi, strawberry and margarita mix) and the new, $5 Tipsy Shark (a Pacific-inspired margarita with 1800 Reposado Tequila, blue curacao, pineapple juice, and margarita mix topped with a gummy shark). Details here.

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BLAZE PIZZA: Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, the chain launches a partnership with Tajín Clásico Seasoning that includes a Chipotle Ranch Chicken Pizza (with chipotle ranch, grilled chicken, fire roasted corn Tajín), available through June 9. On May 5, Blaze will give away more than 50,000 mini bottles of Tajín at restaurants nationwide with any pizza order, while supplies last. Info here. Find locations here.
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BUBBA GUMP SHRIMP CO.: Step on in May 5 for "Five Fried Shrimp and Fries" for $5 and $6 Frozen Margaritas. Súper! See here for details. Locations in Anaheim, Hollywood, Long Beach, Monterey, San Francisco and Santa Monica.

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CATALINA ISLAND MUSEUM: An in-person, Cinco de Mayo celebration is planned May 5 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. outside in Catalina Island Museum's open-air plaza. Entertainment, a taco bar from Coyote Joe's and kids' piñata craft planned. Info here. The museum is at 217 Metropole Ave., Avalon.

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CHA CHA'S LATIN KITCHEN: Putting modern twists on classics, the restaurants are featuring lobster tacos (maseca-dusted lobster tail, cabbage, pico de gallo, avocado and chipotle aioli) and homemade chicken mole enchiladas (chicken simmered with Doña Maria mole in corn tortillas), plus festive sips from the bar. Menu here. Reservations advised. Go here to book. Locations in Brea and Irvine.

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CHRONIC TACOS: Celebrate Cinco De Mayo all day Wednesday, May 5 with a two-taco plate for $5 with drink purchase. Pick from al pastor, pollo asado, carnitas or fajita veggies, then add favorite toppings. Promotion excludes, fish, shrimp, steak and beyond beef. The offer is available in store or via online ordering and Chronic Tacos app. Find eateries here in Riverside, Los Angeles and Orange counties.

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DEL TACO: Get a "Crunchtada" free with $3 purchase using the offer in the Del Taco app on May 5. The Mexican pizza-ish Crunchtada offers toppings stacked on top of a large, 6-1/2-inch, freshly fried tortilla. Details here. Del Taco location finder here.
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DESCANSO MEXICAN RESTAURANT: Cinco de Mayo happy hour meets Wine Wednesday specials all day at the Costa Mesa eatery. Live music begins at 7 p.m. The modern taqueria specializes in authentic Mexican flavors and recipes. Don't miss the new spring margarita ... the WATERMELONRITA. Make reservations at 714.486.3798 or online. Descanso is at 1555 Adams Ave., Costa Mesa.

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EL TORITO GRILL: The Brea locale will celebrate Wednesday from 3 p.m. to close with $3 tacos for dine-in patrons. Also planned are satellite drink stations, with hand-crafted specialty drinks, and live music. Info. The restaurant is at 555 Pointe Drive, Brea.

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EL POLLO LOCO: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with five tacos for the price of two: When you buy two Tacos al Carbon on May 5, the restaurant will give you three more free. And, as an added bonus, order them online for a free, 5-ounce Tapatío bottle, while supplies last. Details here. Find locations here.

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HERMOSA TAQUERIA: The Tustin taqueria is serving hand-crafted margaritas and house-made salsas. Specials include tortilla soup, guacamole + chips, plus two-taco combo or burrito with bottomless margs, for $22 per person. For more info, call 657-660-5361 or visit this link. Located at Union Market Tustin, 2493 Park Ave., Tustin.

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HOPDODDY BURGER BAR: Mark the day with the Fajita Burger, a burger loaded with queso, shaved sirloin, peppers & onions, chicken patty, pico de gallo, lettuce and bean purée. Follow up with churro fries - fried, tossed in cinnamon sugar and drizzled with dark chocolate sauce. Info here. Locations in El Segundo, Playa Vista, Tustin and Fashion Island in Newport Beach.

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JIMMY JOHN'S: While not at ALL Cinco-de-Mayo-related, the sandwich chain does have a promo worth a mention as it applies May 5 and will save you some bucks. Get $5 off orders of $20 or more using promo code “5OFF20” before placing an order online or via Jimmy John’s App for pickup or contactless delivery. Info here. The deal runs through 13. Only available at participating locations. Find shops here.

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LAS BRISAS: Celebrate at the iconic, O.C. cliffside restaurant with White Shrimp and Crab Ceviche, nachos and Elote, along with Las Brisas’ margaritas and hand-crafted cocktails. Lunch and dinner menus available for dine-in, delivery and takeaway. See info here. Location: 361 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach.

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MIGUEL'S JR.: Happy Cinco de Mayo! Score Bean & Cheese or Bean, Rice & Cheese Burritos for $1.99 today, May 5, for Cinco de Mayo. Info here. Locations throughout Inland Empire and Orange counties.
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MOUNTAIN MIKE'S PIZZA: Timed perfectly for Cinco de Mayo, the family-style pizza chain adds its new Mini Churrs™ to menus — “cinnamony-sweet, ” bite-size churros that come in orders of 16 for $4.99. Location finder here.

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RUBIO'S: For Cinco celebrations, diners get 20% off orders of $75 or more with coupon code: MKTG1134 at checkout. The offer expires May 7. See coupon here. Find nearby Rubio's here.

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RODEO 39 PUBLIC MARKET: The Orange County site is hosting a free, comedy night on Cinco De Mayo at Bearded Tang Brewery. Featured comedians: Alfonso Ochoa; Ramon Hernandez; Robert Amador; Gabe Lube;and Frank Escalante. Info here. The laughs start at 8 p.m. At 12885 Beach Blvd., Stanton.

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SOL MEXICAN COCINA: An exclusive menu — just for Cinco de Mayo — is available for dine-in only from 3 p.m. to close in Newport Beach and Playa Vista. Also, the Newport Beach location will provide live music for guests. (To-go orders can be placed over the phone.) Menu highlights: Naked Guacamole with Hass avocado; Chorizo and Mushroom Con Queso; Taco Vampiro Asada; Taco Plates with the choice of two sides; and SOL’s specialty margaritas. Sites in Newport Beach and Playa Vista.

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SOLITA TACOS: A dine-in-only, Cinco de Mayo menu will be available May 5 from 3 p.m. to close, featuring appetizers, tacos, and margaritas, plus live music at both locations. Menu highlights: Ceviche Tropicale with raw fish, lime, serrano chiles, cucumber, tropical fruit, salsa fresca & avocado; Spicy Shrimp Tacos; Street Taco Plates with sides; and specialty drinks. To-go orders can be placed via the phone. Find info here. Solita is at 7631 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach and 24201 Valencia Blvd.in Valencia.

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TACOS 1986: Off The Menu is partnering with Tacos 1986 at two locations. Off The Menu members will receive a complimentary perron, flour tortilla wrapped around cheese, pinto beans and guacamole, filled with either carne asada or mushroom, and a Topo Chico Hard Seltzer. In Los Angeles, Tacos 1986, 7235 Beverly Blvd., 11 a.m.-2 p.m. for Off The Menu Members only. In Newport Beach, at The Helmsman, 2920 Newport Blvd., 5 p.m.-9 p.m. for Off The Menu Members and general public, with $5 dollar tacos for non-Off The Menu members. Pre-registration not available; members show apps to redeem taco and drink. If not an Off The Menu member use code 'taco' to get $10 off first month and celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Details here.

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TEREMANA TEQUILA: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and his small-batch tequila brand, Teremana, are running “Guac on the Rock” promo through May 5 to support local eateries. Restaurant diners, 21 and over, who purchase a Teremana cocktail with order of guacamole will be reimbursed up to $10—whether they dine in or take out. To redeem the deal, upload itemized receipt to guacontherock.com or by scanning the unique QR code. To locate participating restaurants, go to "Find Us" page at Teremana.com. For information and rules, visit guacontherock.com.

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WABA GRILL: Perfect for Cindo de Mayo is Waba Grill's "It's everything you AVO wanted!," free "Half-Ocado™" promo that runs through May. Every entrée purchase is eligible to receive a "true half of a beautiful, thick, perfectly ripe avocado," in partnership with Avocados From Mexico. Info here. Locales throughout the Southland listed here.

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ALSO SEE:

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• California's County Fair Guide: Where To Find The Fun In 2021