May 2, 2012
Margaritas, Mexican food and maracas make for festive and delicious Cinco de Mayo celebrations in and around the city, including at Jose Garces' Distrito. (Photo courtesy Distrito)
Observed in the United States as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride, Cinco de Mayo, much like every other holiday, is welcomed with festive food, music and even more festive beverages on May 5.
Here we’ve roped in our tops picks for señors and señoritas to throw back brews, bites and everything blanco around the city for the boozy national fiesta.
• Distrito: Head to modern Mexi-resto Distrito in University City, where brunch bites and tequila sips kick off the day at 11 a.m. followed by live broadcasting w/ WMMR-FM and DJs spinning from 5-7 p.m. Enjoy $5 Cinco de Mayo margaritas and Distrito’s a la carte menu which rolls out until midnight.
• El Vez: Midtown Village celebrates the day with a neighborhood block party, festive nibs and live bands outside El Vez from noon until last sombrero standing. At 7 p.m. the party heads inside with DJs and more pitchers of tasty Pink Cadillacs.
• Iron Hill Brewery Media: Start the day with a special Mexican-inspired brunch at Iron Hill Brewery in Media. Indulge in chilaquiles, tres leches french toast and poached huevos ranchero from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and wash it all down with Chili-Mailbock pale lager infused with chili peppers for an extra punch.
• Cafe Con Chocolate: After a momentary shut-down in March, the Mexican-Japanese food fusion rarity opens on Cinco de Mayo with a special menu and live mariachi music to kick your heels to.
• Cantina Dos Segundos and Cantina Los Caballitos: The NoLibs and South Philly Cantinas party rock all day long with tacos and Tecates and their traditional watermelon margaritas, white blanco sangria and of course, shots of tequila for $5.55. Prizes will be awarded for best costumes, so creepy fake mustaches and maracas are encouraged.
• Trocadero: We’re scratching our heads over the connection between 80′s music and Mexican holidays, but the tribute band, The Legwarmers, gives us a reason to snap our fingers and spin in circles as they play the decade’s favorite tunes at the Trocadero, 9 p.m.
• Interstate Drafthouse: The Fishtown restaurant and watering hole heats things up as Chef Jennifer Zavala (from Bravo’s Top Chef) roasts a 100lb. porker for her specialty tacos alongside slews of pickles, BBQ sauce and corn on the cob. $3 select brews, $4 margs and $5 boilermakers complete the feast which lasts from 4 p.m. til close.
• South Laurel Hill: In the spirit of Cinco de Mayo, tour-takers will have the opportunity to head south of the Cemetery’s figurative border to explore the many hidden gems and little-known secrets of South Laurel Hill. This walking tour will be led by military historian and administrator of Findagrave.com, Russ Dodge. It will conclude with chips, salsa and refreshments.
• Matador: Head to Wayne for drink specials and giveaways all night. Get Dos Equis Lager and amber for $5, and authentic bites like Tamales, Chalupes and more.
May 5, 2011
The Dude Hates Cancer Leukemia and Lymphoma Society fundraiser is back for its sixth annual Philadelphia campaign, crushing cancer and raising funds at Triumph Brewery tonight from 6-9 p.m.
Triumph will be donating $1 to the cause for every beer sold during this happy hour; plus, they’re discounting drinks: $3 beers, $4 wine and $5 well drinks (including margaritas, so you can get your Cinco de Mayo on).
It gets better: there’s no cover charge, you get complimentary hors d’oeuvres, there will be a Wii Bowling contest and a Big Lebowski costume contest. And it’s all for a good cause.
The party is actually a registration event for The Dude Hates Cancer Charity Bowling Tournament coming up August 27 at North Bowl. Tonight is the first and best chance for teams to secure their slots for the tournament.
Evoke your inner Dude for an excellent cause; and the excellent food and drink specials don’t hurt either.
The Dude Hates Cancer
When: Tonight, May 5, 6-9 p.m.
Where: Triumph Brewery, 117 Chestnut Street
Cost: Free
More info: www.triumphbrewing.com
May 5, 2011
Philadelphia has no shortage of top-notch Mexican restaurants, many of which are celebrating today's Cinco de Mayo with festive fiestas. (Photos courtesy El Vez)
Get your margarita on today to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Philadelphia bars and restaurants, of both the Mexican variety and otherwise, are hosting fiestas that include irresistible drink specials, delicious snacks, spicy music and much more.
Check out a few top picks for where to celebrate, below:
• Cantina dos Segundos and Cantina Los Caballitos: The 5th annual Cinco de Mayo party (literally all day, from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.) includes watermelon margaritas, white sangria and an assortment of Mexican snacks. Get it all for the appropriately priced $5.55.
• Distrito: Nosh on tacos, guacamole, nachos and a Cinco de Mayo margarita, all specially priced from $5-7. DJ Lips will get the fiesta going, plus Distrito will also host a Tequila Tasting from 8 to 11 p.m. in the upstairs private dining room.
• El Rey: Leave it to Stephen Starr to hook you up with great drink and food specials; the casual eatery cousin of El Vez doesn’t take reservations so head there early. The “Uno, Dos, Tres, Quattro” happy hour features $1 tacos, $2 Tecates, $3 Coronas and $4 classic margaritas.
• El Vez: Stephen Starr’s original Mexican restaurant will have a DJ, specials, giveaways and a make-your-own T-shirt station.
• Xochitl: Executive Chef Lucio Palazzo will prepare and serve goodies specially crafted for the holiday. Thee tasty dishes are all priced under $10, and the classic Xochitl margarita, made with juiced-to-order limes, is just $6.
• Square 1682: In honor of Cinco de Mayo, Chef Guillermo Tellez will be offering Tostadas de Atun y Guacamole; Queso Fundido con Chorizo y Poblano Rajas; and Enchiladas de Pollo. Wash it all down with their famous Nectar Margarita.
A few more options, below.
May 4, 2011
Another sizzling Cinco de Mayo celebration! (Photo by M. McClellan for GPTMC)
Do you have plans for Cinco de Mayo yet? If not, gather some friends and make a date to head down to Pub & Kitchen tomorrow night, where they’ll be hosting a happy hour fundraiser. The event benefits Nest, a non-profit organization that works to provide support to female artisans all around the world. They do this through a combination of small interest-free loans, mentoring from established designers, and a marketplace in which to sell their crafts.
In addition to drink specials and light appetizers, the happy hour will also feature a global raffle and a small assortment of handcrafted items available for sale (all made by Nest loan recipients). There’s a cover charge of $25 that will be collected at the door that will go directly to helping women use the creative skills to move from poverty to self-sufficiency.
Nest Cinco de Mayo Happy Hour
When: Thursday, May 5, 6 – 9 p.m.
Where: Pub & Kitchen, 1946 Lombard Street
Cost: $25
More info: www.buildanest.com
May 2, 2011
On Cinco de Mayo, this Thursday, May 5, Xochitl is celebrating with a new menu of Mexican street food and specially priced margaritas.
Enjoy tasty dishes, all priced under $10, and the classic Xochitl margarita, made with juiced-to-order limes, for $6.
Executive Chef Lucio Palazzo will prepare and serve goodies specially crafted for the holiday, including Tostadas de Tinga, chipotle-braised chicken with crema, avocado and queso; Esquites, sweet corn with mayonnaise, chile and lime; Alhambres, pork belly skewers with salsa verde and pineapple; and Cemita, Milanese de pollo, avocado, queso, tomato, popalo and salsa chipotle.
Named one of the nation’s top 10 Mexican restaurants by Bon Appetit in March 2008, Xochitl combines comfort and style for the perfect celebratory ambience. But we had you at margarita, didn’t we?
Cinco de Mayo at Xochitl
Where: 408 S. 2nd Street
When: Thursday, May 5
Cost: Dishes are all under $10; margaritas are $6
More info: www.xochitlphilly.com
April 26, 2011
Enjoy Mexican snacks and sips all afternoon and night long. (Photo courtesy Distrito)
While the unofficial start of summer may be Memorial Day, everyone knows the celebrating starts on Cinco de Mayo. And where better to celebrate Mexico’s victory over the French (did you know that was the basis of the holiday?) than at Jose Garces’ Mexican hot spot Distrito.
The day starts downstairs with Mexican snacks like tacos, guacamole, nachos and a special Cinco de Mayo margarita, all specially priced from $5-7. DJ Lips will get the fiesta going, spinning everything from hip hop to classic rock to her own special mash-ups.
For those looking for a more intimate experience with their tequila, Distrito will host a Tequila Tasting from 8 to 11 p.m. in the upstairs private dining room. A limited number of guests (80) will delight in 10 varieties of tequila as well as passed dishes such as Atun Ceviche, Los Hongos Huaraches and Duck Barbacoa Quesadillas.
Still need a reason to skip out of work early on May 5? Did we mention the $5 margaritas?
Cinco de Mayo at Distrito
Where: 3945 Chestnut Street
When: 3 p.m. to 12 a.m. (Tequila Tasting from 8 to 11 p.m.)
Cost: Party is free, Tequila Tasting is $35 in advance; $45 at the door
More info: www.distritorestaurant.com
May 3, 2010
Inside Pub & Kitchen, Photo by M. McClellan
In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, Pub & Kitchen’s chef, Jonathan Adams, will be whipping up retro cookbook recipes from Diana Kennedy’s Cuisines of Mexico, first published in 1972.
The three course dinner, which is $35 per person, includes “Sopa de Tortilla, tortilla soup with pasilla chiles, epazote and chicken broth; Carne Clavetada, pot roasted brisket studded with almonds and bacon; and Cocada Imperial, coconut flan prepared imperial style.”
The special menu is only being served this Wednesday and reservations are required. Call now!
Pub & Kitchen
1946 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146-1411
(215) 545-0350
www.thepubandkitchen.com
May 5, 2009
Though I’m not Mexican, for the past several years, I have gone out to celebrate Cinco de Mayo at one of Philly’s Mexican watering holes. But Cinco de Mayo, or “May 5th”, is more than just a drinking holiday. It is a celebration in remembrance of the epic Battle of Puebla–which occurred in Puebla, Mexico on May 5th, 1862. On that day, the Mexican army defeated the French army even though they were outnumbered two to one. Cinco de Mayo has come to represent a day to celebrate Mexican heritage and enjoy Mexican culture. For me, this means food (and margaritas).
This Cinco de Mayo, I’ll be at one of my favorite spots, Cantina dos Segundos. Although their food is more of a modern twist on traditional Mexican dishes, “Dos” (as we like to call it) will definitely get you into the spirit of the holiday. They are throwing a party with some great deejays (Robotique DJs Billy W. and Darklord–spinning funky jams, disco beats and soul classics) as well as drinks specials, games and prizes.
I’ve been to Cinco de Mayo at the Cantina in South Philly, and if this party is half as fun, I might have to get rolled home in a wheelbarrow. If you stop by, look for me and say “hola”. I’ll be elbow deep in chips and salsa, looking for the bottom of my passion fruit margarita. Ole!
Cantina dos Segundo
931 N. 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA
Deejays being at 9pm
www.cantinadossegundos.com
