Cinco de Mayo is coming up, and it’s one of Santa Cruz’s favorite days to party and celebrate with our neighbors south of the border. Our town is full of some fabulous Mexican restaurants and other places that will make sure your celebration is a memorable one. Here are five picks to enjoy beer, great food, dancing and maybe a shot or two of tequila!
The Crow’s Nest upstairs bar will be celebrating with a night of food specials and dancing. Happy Hour starts at 3:30 p.m. The bar menu is delicious—classy bar food at great prices. And on Cinco de Mayo after 6 p.m., there will be a $6.95 special with your choice of a Tuscan Chicken Sandwich, Aloha Burger or Fish Tacos accompanied by the famous salad bar. Then at 8:30 p.m., the party really gets going with the Caribbean dance music of Broken English.
Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.
This popular restaurant and cantina has a fun day planned with a visit by the Hornitos Girls, who will raffle off gifts from Hornitos Tequila. There will also be a “shot bar” where you can get your favorite tequila. Radio station KDON “Morning Madhouse” DJs Showbiz and Sam Diggedy will entertain the crowd, and a Mariachi band should liven things up even more. And don’t forget the fresh and tasty food that El Palomar is known for, including the Especiales del Mar, combo plates and unique dishes such as seared ahi tuna salad.
Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.
Each year, Acapulco packs them in for a fun Cinco de Mayo celebration, and this one won’t be any different—except maybe even better! Acapulco server Marlaina Ward said, “This is a great party, and a lot of people bring the whole family. People come in dancing, and they dance on the way to their table. It’s really a fun time.” The restaurant will have lunch and dinner specials that day, as well as $3 Corona and Pacific beers. At night, the “Corona Girls” and “Shot Girls” will make the rounds with gifts and tequila. And from 7-10 p.m., the Vinny Johnson Band will perform.
Be sure to stop in at Tampico on Cinco de Mayo and enjoy the fun atmosphere and delicious Mexican food. Tampico will serve from its regular menu that includes Mexican specialties made with prawns, rock shrimp, sizzling fajitas and chile relleno. It also offers a late-night menu that will keep you partying 'til the wee hours: jalapeno poppers, shrimp quesadilla and even a hamburger and fries.
This taqueria is always a favorite with Santa Cruzans, and for Cinco de Mayo, you can enjoy a menu that includes delicious meat, fish and vegetarian choices. You’ll find all your Mexican favorites—tacos, burritos, enchiladas, tostadas and a kids menu as well. Eat in the restaurant or, if you’re partying at home, get your order to go!
