Cinco de Mayo goes down on Tuesday, and plenty of bars and restaurants celebrate with food and drink deals, all-you-can-eat tacos, and tequila-fueled parties.
Free tequila tasting at Fuego Cocina y Tequileria
2800 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington
Sip free tequila to determine the best at Fuego’s Tequila Throwdown. Complimentary samples include Casamigos, Tres Agaves, Patron, and Milagro; guests vote for their favorite, and the winner will be used in bar’s El Perfecto margarita for the remainde of the year. Other specials include $5 cocktails from 11:30 to 7, and the regular Taco Tuesday promo ($5 tacos) from 4 to 7.
When: Tuesday from 3:30 to 7.
All-day brunch at El Chucho
3313 11th St., NW
Drop by this Columbia Heights Mexican for an all-day brunch, including dishes like chorizo enchiladas with eggs and a morning burrito. Look for other drink and food specials as well.
When: Tuesday, 11:30 to close.
Wagyu tamales at BLT Steak
1625 I St., NW
Chef Will Artley draws from his Mexican roots for blackboard specials at BLT Steak, creating special dishes such as wagyu tamales, mole-sauced heritage pork loin, and wild halibut with rellenos and corn sabayon. The bar will pour special cocktails for pairing, and offer Mezcal flights.
When: Tuesday through Saturday, May 9.
Tacos to-go from Taco Bamba
2190 Pimmit Dr., Falls Church
Hosting a party of your own? Chef Victor Albisu’s taqueria offers take-home packages that include a whole roast pork shoulder cooked in the traditional Mayan cochinita pibil style—soaked in an achiote-orange marinade, wrapped in banana leaves, and slow-roasted—alongside tortillas and toppings. The meal is $125, and serves ten to 12 guests; 72 hour-advance orders required. Email cgonzalez@tacobambarestaurant.com.
When: May 2 through May 5 (72 hours notice required).
All-you-can-eat tacos and dancing at El Centro D.F.
1819 14th St., NW; 1218 Wisconsin Ave., NW
Richard Sandoval’s sister Mexican eateries offer a $20 cash-only buffet with bottomless tacos, guacamole, and tequila-infused gelato, alongside $5 drink deals. DJs spin tunes all day, so you can dance off a big meal.
When: Tuesday, noon to 11.
Latin/Asian buffet at Masa 14
1825 14th St., NW
Guests can pile their plates with sweet plantains, pork buns, spicy tofu tacos, and more Latin-Asian fare for $20 at the door of this Cinco party. In addition to the buffet, a variety of drinks like margaritas, tequila infusions, and beer go for $5. A DJ spins tunes for all-day fun.
When: Tuesday, noon to close.
Lobster tostadas at Tico
1926 14th St., NW
This hopping 14th Street joint whips up special dishes like lobster tostadas with avocado mousse and mushroom-manchego quesadillas. Festive cocktails include a tart tamarind-agua fresca or a sharable Paloma porron with tequila and grapefruit soda. Items are priced individually.
When: Tuesday, 4 to close.
Free snacks and margarita specials at Zengo and Toro Toro
Zengo: 781 7th St., NW; Toro Toro: 1300 I St., NW
Take a break from work at 3 on Tuesday to enjoy complimentary snacks and $5 drinks deals at two of restaurateur Richard Sandoval’s downtown eateries. The tunes get started a little later at these spots, with a DJ turning tables from 7 to close.
When: Tuesday, starting at 3.
Cheap beer and tacos at Fishnet
1819 Seventh St., NW
The Shaw eatery celebrates its one-year anniversary on Tuesday with a Cinco-themed party. Mexican beers go for $2.50, fish tacos are $8, and Maryland crab cakes are $10, among other food and drink specials.
When: Tueday, open to close.
Shareable platters at Lauriol Plaza
1835 18th St., NW
The popular AdMo Mexican celebrates the holiday with drink and food specials, like shareable parilla platters of steak and chicken fajitas, pork ribs, and shrimp (prices and sizes vary, starting at $59.90 for four guests).
When: Tuesday, open to close.
Outdoor fiesta at Vinoteca
1940 11th St., NW
Barman Horus Alvarez concocts two special margaritas, which can be sipped on the front patio or outdoor plaza: one with cinnamon-infused tequila and a spicy salt rim, and another with Mezcal and ginger beer. More specials include $5 Tecates and shot-beer combos for $11.
Pre-fixe menus at Rosa Mexicano
575 7th St., NW; 153 Waterfront St., Oxon Hill (National Harbor)
A $30 three-course menu at upscale Mexican chain Rosa Mexicano includes dishes like beer-battered baja fish tacos and chile relleno with goat cheese and chayote squash. Pitchers of margaritas and red and white sangrias are also available.
When: May 1 through May 5.
$4 frozen margs at Fish Taco
7945 MacArthur Blvd., Cabin John
Head to this Cabin John taqueria for specials like $4 frozen prickly pear margaritas, and elote (grilled corn rolled in charred corn mayo, cheeses, and chili powder) for $2. There’s also a creative riff on micheladas, made with a local jalapeño—infused IPA, mushroom soy, and tomato juice.
When: Tuesday, open to close
Margarita-glazed doughnuts at Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken
1308 G St., NW
Combine the best of both worlds—fried dough and margaritas—at Astro, which makes a unique doughnut for the holiday made with strawberry margarita glaze ($2.95).
When: Tuesday, open to close
