Cinco de Mayo originated as a Mexican holiday to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla in 1862, where Mexicans, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, defeated the Second French Empire. This momentous day has become popular in the United States, as folks nation-wide have embraced it as a way to observe Mexican-American culture. It’s usually celebrated with all kinds of alcoholic drink specials, often in the form of specialty beers and margaritas, as well as excellent Mexican food specials, and even live music. We’ve done some digging to come up with area restaurants and bars that are offering Cinco de Mayo specials in Calhoun County for Friday, May 5, 2023.
Cinco de Mayo Takes Downtown Jacksonville by the Reins
There’s nothing like good business collaborations. Several businesses on Public Square in downtown Jacksonville have put their heads together to come up with some creative ideas for celebrating Cinco de Mayo. Most notable are the cross-over events happening at Heirloom Taco and Apothecary Draft House. Heirloom Taco will be offering a value menu of tacos and empanadas for only $1.99! They’ll also be selling $6 margaritas to thirsty customers.
Meanwhile, Heirloom Taco will also be operating a Fresh Taco Bar at the Apothecary Draft House on their back deck starting at 4 pm. The Draft House will also offer drink specials, and feature music and dancing. All their tables will be stocked with hand-crafted wooden table games, playing cards, and board games. And cornhole boards will be available, or enjoy a game of pool at their free table.
If you have a sugar craving that day, then be sure to stop by Mad Hatter Cupcakes to try one of the multiple recipes on their special Cinco de Mayo menu (also running May 6). That day, they will be offering 15% off to anyone who shows them a receipt from Heirloom Taco Friday or Saturday! Featured cupcakes: Churro, Lime Margarita, Strawberry Margarita, Chile Chocolate, Pinata, Chocolate Cream Cheese. Signature cupcakes: Lemon Cream Cheese, Birthday Bash, Strawberry Cream Cheese, Wedded Bliss, Red Velvet, Peanut Butter Madness. Friday, they’ll also have German Chocolate cupcakes for sale, and Bacon Maple ones on Saturday. And rounding out the action on Public Square, The Red Bird Coffee will have a cupcake pop up (as well as their signature coffee to take the edge off before you head home).
Meanwhile, down the road, Baja California Cantina and Grill will be offering discounts on their menu items Pollo Fundido and Chicken with Rice. For beverages, they’ll have Lime Margaritas, $3.99 for small and $7 for large. And there will be music courtesy of DJ The Sergeant to enjoy.
Party Hearty in Anniston and Oxford
There are plenty of other area restaurants having their own events. One restaurant popular with locals of Anniston is Margaronas Cantina Anniston, which is going all-out in its celebration of Cinco de Mayo. The restaurant will have an outdoor stand where they’ll be selling shirts, fruit cups, street corn, and more. If you’re wanting to dine in, they’ll be running discounts on their menu items: Rice Deluxe, Spaghetti, Chimichangas, and Taco Salad. And make sure to make a toast with either a small $4 or large $7 margarita, lime, or any other flavor of choice. They’ll also be offering a special on tequila shots.
The “twin” Los Arcos Mexican Restaurants are each offering their unique specials on Cinco de Mayo. Los Arcos Mexican Restaurant Anniston will be focused on drink specials with 16oz Margaritas at $5.75, a pitcher of Draft Beer at $9.99, and a pitcher of Margaritas at $16.99. Meanwhile, Los Arcos Mexican Restaurant Oxford will have both food and drink specials: Nachos with Beef or Shredded Chicken for $7.99, Taco Salad for $9.25, a Bottle of Beer for $3.25, and 16oz House Lime Margaritas for $8.50.
If live music is on your bucket list of must-haves this May 5, then you have a couple of great choices with legendary local band The Storydwellers playing at Rack and Roll Billiards from 9pm till Late Night and also serving up Brisket Tacos and Drink Specials Galore or The Peerless Saloon and Grill may be just the right choice, with solo acoustic performer Jerry Wolf picking a little guitar (and maybe a little banjo) from 6-9 pm. The restaurant and bar will be featuring street tacos on their menu and select drink specials.
If you’re in downtown Oxford, you should stop in at Hubbards Off Main for a Taco Bar to fill your tummy and Chile Lime Margaritas to wet your whistle.
If you’re a biker, it may be a day late, but certainly not a dollar short, to stop in at Hooligan Harley Davidson for their special Cinco De Mayo Bike Ride and Celebration. Arrive at 10 am to register for their ride, tour with them at 11 am, and upon return, they’ll be having Walking Tacos and Live Music till 4 pm.
There are many other area restaurants still ironing out the details of their specials (so didn’t make it to presses), but some that will have drink or food specials will include:
- Mangos Cantina and Grill, Oxford
- Mexico Lindo, Oxford
- Jalisco Taqueria and Grill, Oxford
- Los Mexicano Restaurante, Oxford
- Loco Mex Authentic Mexican Restaurant, Jacksonville
- Besitos Mexican Kitchen, Anniston
