Cinco De Mayo Restaurant Specials 2023: Where To Celebrate SF Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, CA — Cinco de Mayo falls this year on a Friday — commemorating Mexico’s May 5 victory over the French Empire in 1862.

For those who like to celebrate like there's no mañana, we've rounded up some SF Bay Area hot spots with restaurant specials and entertainment.

Peruse the guide to find the fiestas near you. Need visual inspiration? Check out the photo show at the top of this post.

And if you know of other neighborhood joints with stand-out deals, share with readers in the comments.

And Happy Cinco de Mayo, from Patch!

-------------

BARRIO SF: Head to Ghirardelli Square May 5 for Cinco de Mayo party (11 a.m. - 10 p.m.) featuring mariachi band (4 p.m.-8 p.m.), free tequila/mezcal tastings (1 p.m.-5 pm.), raffle & swag giveaways, margarita booth, food & drink specials. Website. At 900 North Point, San Francisco.

---------

BJ'S RESTAURANT & BREWHOUSE: BJ's CureVeza, Mexican-style lager, launches May 4 to raise money for The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, part of 25-year partnership. Offered through June 28, the beer "features hints of lime & salt." For every pint brewed, the chain donates 25 cents to the nonprofit. Pair on Cinco de Mayo with mahi mahi or shrimp tacos, loaded nachos & Sriracha queso dip. Website. Locales found here regionwide.

------------

BLACK ANGUS STEAKHOUSE: Gear up for all-day, Cinco de Mayo happy hour Friday with such tasty, drink & food specials as Messy Michelada ($8.50), chili-lime chicken bites ($11.99), steakhouse bacon cheeseburger ($15.99), loaded potato skins ($7) or $5 off Wagon Wheel Sampler Platter. See restaurants in Brentwood, San Jose, San Lorenzo.

----------

CAVANA AT LUMA HOTEL SF: Enjoy Cinco de Mayo, May 5, at Latin-American roof-top oasis, with cocktails, street tacos made with housemade masa & tortillas, entertainment & sweeping views of SF skyline. With lively Latin tunes from DJ Jerry Soza. Bring your friends and family! Details/reservations. At 100 Channel St., 17th Floor, San Francisco.

--------

CHEVYS FRESH MEX: Join May 5th fiesta with build-your-own-taco bar, featuring steak, chicken, carnitas & barbacoa, starting at 3 p.m. Live entertainment begins 4 p.m. Plus drink specials of house margaritas (12 oz. for $9 or 16 oz. for $12) & Cadillac Margaritas (12 oz. for $11.50 & 16 oz. for $15), or imported beer & tequila shots. Info. Find sites in South San Francisco, Vallejo, Emeryville, Santa Rosa & Union City.

-----------

CHIPOTLE: RSVP May 1-5 to ‘Time To Finally Try Chipotle’ event for BOGO deal. How it works: Create event on Partiful & invite Chipotle newbie friends. Include #ChipotlePartyPromo in description & add @Chipotle on Instagram with link to Partiful event. Every day May 1-5, the chain will RSVP to first 20 Partiful events sent & will drop 1 BOGO code per RSVP’d guest (up to 25 BOGO codes per event). Details. Also throughout week, get $0 delivery with promo code CINCO23. Locales statewide.

--------

COLIBRI MEXICAN BISTRO: On May 5, grab your friends & come on down for Cinco de Mayo Colibri-style. Corn hole Patron Giant Jenga will take over patio while Bacardi runs numerous promos & merch handouts during lunch & dinner. Happy hour-style menu features Colibri Margarita, Mojito, La Paloma & Don Quixote, all with Bacardi infusion, plus Mexican fare. Reservations here, but walk-ins encouraged. At historic Presidio Officers’ Club, 50 Moraga Ave, San Francisco.

-------

DOG HAUS: Perfectly timed for Cinco de Mayo, the CA-based chain with gourmet hot dogs, burgers & sausages launches limited-time, Mexican-inspired Pork Al Pastor Sausage — with pineapple sweetness & kick from chiles & Mexican oregano. Offered on bun, in King's Hawaiian rolls, as corn dog & in burritos. $1 donated to No Kid Hungry from each sold. Website. Locations found here statewide.

------------

EL POLLO LOCO: Limited-time, fan-fave Shredded Beef Birria is back through June 28, in three choices - tacos, burritos & quesadillas. And on Cinco de Mayo, Loco Rewards members can score BOGO deal: A free Crunchy Birria Taco with purchase of any Shredded Beef Birria entrée. Valid Friday, May 5 only. Details. See restaurants in SF Bay Area.

-----------

EL TORITO: Grab the gang May 5 for chain's biggest event of the year with margarita, beer, shot & taco specials, plus live music (beginning 4 p.m.). Build-your-own-taco bar (steak, chicken, carnitas & al pastor) starts 3 p.m. Extra perk: Cinco de Mayo guests will score bounce-back card with for hangover breakfast — Come back & visit the next day for free breakfast entrée with purchase of a breakfast entrée. Details. Find locations in Milpitas, Monterey, San Leandro.

------------

RED LOBSTER: Say ole with $5 Cinco Rita on May 5 - specialty cocktail made with Sauza Gold Tequila, Triple Sec, sour & margarita mixes. Pair perfectly with the new Lobster & Shrimp Tacos. See restaurants in SF Bay Area.

------------

ROUND TABLE PIZZA: Cinco de Mayo deal runs May 5-7: $10 off any two large or extra large pizzas at menu price. Valid at participating locations for dine-in, carry-out & delivery. Location finder here statewide.

----------

RUBIO'S: Cinco De Mayo deal! Rewards members can take $20 off orders of $100 or more May 5. Coupon info here. Plus, $3 beers that day & no coupon required. Website. At participating locations. Site finder here for California.

-----------

7-ELEVEN: 7Rewards members can hail Cinco de Mayo with tasty, mini-taco deal —10 mini tacos for $2! The tacos come with spicy filling of shredded beef, green chiles, jalapeño peppers, cilantro & spices in miniature crispy, corn tortillas. Offered through May 5. 7Rewards info here. At participating stores statewide.

---------

TELEFERIC BARCELONA: On May 5, Chef Oscar Cabeza will serve up Calamari Tacos ($15/two tacos) — classic taco with fried squid, yuzu aioli & handmade, squid-ink tortillas. Signature sangrias, too! Website. See locations in Los Gatos, Palo Alto & Walnut Creek.

---------

THE MADRIGAL: The restaurant turns into cantina to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, May 5 (9 p.m. - 12 a.m.). Special beverage menu features margaritas, sangrias & Mezcal creations, while food menu redesigned with Mexican cuisine for in-person dining & to-go. Also planned: DJ, host guest giveaways, photo booth & tasting experience. Reservations. At 100 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco.

---------

TIA MARGARITA MEXICAN RESTAURANT: The SF Richmond-neighborhood locale just celebrated its 60th anniversary! Swing by Friday May 5, opening at 3 p.m.,for legendary, freshly-squeezed lime margaritas — a recipe unchanged since 1963 — plus such Mexican fare as carne asada, fajitas, enchiladas, tamales, tacos, burritos & more. Reservations. At 300 19th Ave., San Francisco.

----------

FOR MOM'S DAY DINING: Mother’s Day Brunch & Dinner Guide 2023: CA Restaurant Specials

-------

ALSO SEE: CA County Fairs 2023 Guide: Where To Find The Fun In California