5 New Restaurants To Celebrate Cinco De Mayo In New Jersey

NEW JERSEY — Cinco de Mayo is Friday, and several restaurants in New Jersey have recently opened up which offer a place to celebrate and enjoy Mexican cuisine and drinks.

Patch gathered a list of five newly-opening or -expanding restaurants (plus two bonus additions) with a Mexican or Latin American menu around the Garden State.

The holiday has now become more popular in the U.S. than in Mexico, and is largely associated with celebrating Mexican-American culture, heritage, and cuisine.

Cinco de Mayo literally means “fifth of May.” It was on that date in 1862 that a small number of Mexican forces, led by Ignacio Zaragoza, had a major victory against Napoleon III’s French Empire.

The Mexican victory at the Battle of Puebla was a major symbolic victory for anti-French forces in the Second Franco-Mexican War, per The History Channel.

Here’s our round-up of new Mexican eateries in the Garden State. The list also includes a taco truck in Hoboken which is in a new location and a Peruvian spot which recently opened in American Dream Mall.

Those restaurants which aren't open yet have other locations in nearby towns.

1: Central Taqueria, Morristown (Morris Co., Open Now)

Central Taqueria is dedicated to bringing the flavors of central Mexico to customers in a casual, familiar setting akin to old-school Mexican taco counters.

The restaurant's featured dish is "al pastor," which is pork marinated in spices for 12 hours before being roasted on a vertical spit. All salsas and tortillas here are also made from scratch. They offer "aguas frescas" and Mexican soft drinks.

Read more about this restaurant here. Address: 61 South Street, Morristown NJ

2: La Colina, Warren (Somerset Co., Open Now)

La Colina offers authentic Mexican cuisine and cocktails with head Chef Educardo Cabrera bringing flavorful dishes. Cabrera was born in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Some of the menu items include tacos, enchiladas, sushi burritos, and more.The lounge area also offers a variety of cocktails, draft beers, and wines from all over Mexico.

Read more about this restaurant here. Address: 51 Mt. Bethel Road, Warren, NJ

3: Latin Port, Metuchen (Middlesex Co., Open Now)

Latin Port opened in downtown Metuchen in April and brings a variety of flavors from Latin American countries.

Their menu features Mexican chicken Tinga, costillas (short rib), Cuban masitas, Costa Rican carne en salsa, Brazilian moqueca, Peruvian rostisado and more. Beverages include a variety of teas as well as natural juices and an aloe drink.

Read more about this restaurant here. Address: 333 Lake Ave., Metuchen NJ

4: Taco-Tastic, Brick (Ocean Co., Coming Soon)

Taco-Tastic, a family-owned Mexican restaurant based in Toms River, is expanding to Brick and hopes to open that location by summer.

They serve an array of Mexican food including fajitas, empanadas, nachos, quesadillas, and of course, tacos. Taco-Tastic also serves desserts.

Read more about this restaurant here. Address: locations currently open in Toms River (793 Fisher Blvd and 207 Main St.), Lanoka Harbor (344 Route 9), and Seaside Heights (1020 Ocean Terrace).

5: Mr. Cactus, Branchburg (Somerset Co., Coming Soon)

Mr. Cactus is expanding to a second location in Somerset County, with its original one in Hillsborough.

The family Mexican grill was started by Sergio and Adriana Jimenez, who came to New Jersey from Oaxaca, Mexico. Mr. Cactus offers a variety of dishes including seafood, tacos, quesadillas, burritos, desserts and soups. Beverages include shakes, natural juices, and horchata.

Read more about this restaurant here. Address: location currently open in Hillsborough, 378 S. Branch Road, Building 2 Suite 3, Hillsborough NJ.

Bonus: Tastebuds Taco, Hoboken (Hudson Co., Open Now)

The Hoboken-based taco truck had to move after a bike rack replaced their former spot, and have a new space just steps away.

Each Monday from 12-8 p.m., the chefs will be serving food at Number Eleven Food Store, a relatively new Asian fusion restaurant at 342 Garden St.

Meanwhile, the truck also has held popups at developments like 770 House on Taco Tuesday, and Park and Garden. Find out where else they're going on Instagram.

Read more about this restaurant here. Address: Varies, check social media linked above for updates.

Bonus: Jarana Peruvian Restaurant, East Rutherford (Bergen Co., Open Now)

Executive chef Jesus Delgado said he wants to "bring traditional Peruvian street food to America," so be prepared for authentic tastes at this restaurant. There are pisco sours, caipirinhas and handmade cocktails at the bar, pan-fried beef hearts (a delicacy in Peru) and Mazamorra Morada (purple corn pudding), just to name a few menu items. They also have a wine list, and there are lot of Chilean and South American wines.

Read more about this restaurant here. Address: American Dream Mall, Third Floor

Patch’s Alexis Tarrazi, Sarah Salvadore, Vianella Burns, Caren Lissner, Carly Baldwin, and Karen Wall contributed to this report.