Cinco De Mayo 2024: Where to score all-you-can-eat tacos, free tequila shots in Pensacola
Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner, this year falling on Sunday, May 5. Whether you’re looking for all you-can-eat tacos, free tequila shots, mariachi music or even the chance to pet a miniature donkey, here are the top places we found in the Pensacola area to celebrate.
What is Cinco de Mayo?
The Franco-Mexican War began after Mexico defaulted on debt payments to European governments. With the country in financial ruin, France seized on the opportunity to carve an empire out of Mexican territory.
Cinco de Mayo is the celebration of a single battle during the Franco-Mexican War — the Battle of Puebla. The battle, which occurred over 50 years after the Mexican Revolution, took place in a small town in east-central Mexico called Puebla de Los Angeles.
French General Charles Latrille de Lorencez attacked the town with 6,000 troops, outnumbering the fortified Mexican forces three-to-one. After a little more than a day of fighting, Latrille de Lorencez retreated, losing nearly 500 soldiers; Mexico lost fewer than 100. The battle represented a symbolic victory for the Mexican government, according to History.com, though the war didn’t end for another five years.
Translating to "the fifth of May," Cinco de Mayo is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, but in the United States has evolved into a commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations, according to History.com.
Cinco de Mayo 2024 in Pensacola: 11 places to celebrate
Mama’s Tacos of Pensacola
Where is it? 2256 E. Olive Road
When is it? Starting at 11 a.m.
Why should I stop by? Mama’s Tacos, formerly known as Papa's Tacos, is throwing a party to remember combining Cinco de Mayo with its two-year anniversary celebration. The party will offer great food, cocktails and live music all day with performances from “Bad Juju" and “The Six Piece Suits.”
Alga Beer Co.
Where is it? 2435 N. 12 Ave.
When is it? Starting at 11 a.m.
Why should I stop by? Alga is releasing a special Mexican lager named “El Sur” to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with food offerings from the hot new birria truck Birrieria Spot and fan-favorite burger truck Brown Bagger to dig into. There will also be cheladas, a refreshing Mexican beer cocktail, and a special appearance from a "very small" mini donkey for petting.
Coastal County Brewing Company
Where is it? 3041 E. Olive Road
When is it? 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4-9 p.m.
Why should I stop by? “Things are about to get a little loco…” the Coastal County event page writes. Coastal will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo in two phases: First, with an Eggs & Kegs Brunch Buffet and later that night with a party.
The Eggs & Kegs event will start the morning off strong with a Cinco de Mayo twist on brunch favorites including fiesta scrambled eggs, queso grits, smoked pork carnitas, churro pancakes, Papas Con Chorizo, Mexican fruit salad, tres leches overnight oats and warm flour tortillas. Buffet tickets are $50 per person and include two free drink tickets. There will be a variety of margarita-inspired specialty brews, ciders, sours and seltzers offered throughout the day. Tickets can be purchased on the Coastal County website.
Energy will carry over into the Cinco de Mayo party which starts at 4 p.m. in the beer garden. The tap room will be decorated as a taqueria with mariachi music playing over the speakers. This event will not be ticketed, and guests can purchase special beverages like the fan-favorite Mexican Chocolate Cake Imperial Stout and Pickle-ada Bloody Mary Sour. Lonestar Kitchens 2 Go will be serving up Tex Mex cuisine from 4-9 p.m. including seafood nachos and shrimp quesadillas.
Cactus Flower Café
Where is it? 3425 N. 12 Ave.
When is it? 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Why should I stop by? While Cactus Flower is typically closed on Sundays, it will be opening its doors for an extra-special Cinco de Mayo fiesta full of food and drink specials. Cactus Flower will be serving up a special brunch menu from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. alongside its normal menu, and its lunch and dinner menu the rest of the evening. During brunch, guests can indulge in bottomless regular mimosas for $15 or specialty mimosas for $18. Both Saturday and Sunday, you can even get a free shot of Herradura tequila with every entrée along with $4 top shelf margarita specials.
Perfect Plain Brewing Co. (and sister bars)
Where is it? 50 E. Garden St.
When is it? Hours vary
Why should I stop by? Sister businesses Perfect Plain Brewing Co., El Camino Tacos, Perennial Patio Bar and Garden & Grain are teaming up to deliver a party all day long with a margarita crawl, taco specials, tequila and margarita specials, live music and more. Crawlers are encouraged to ask their bartender for details about a margarita pass that will put you in the running to win a free keg party for 30 people. Each location has its own line-up of events and specials including:
Perfect Plain Brewing Co. - Karaoke from 2-6 p.m., a special Yachtside and tequila Happy Meal, $5 tequila shots and $5 12-ounce Yachtside beers.
Garden & Grain: Live music from Jordan Chase from 2-6 p.m., Marg-Mosa drink specials, $6 house margaritas and $5 tequila shots.
Perennial: DJ music from 2-6 p.m., Spanish Happy Meal, $6 house margaritas and $5 tequila shots.
La Barra Del Taco
Where is it? 3811 W. Navy Blvd.
When is it? 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Why should I stop by? La Barra Del Taco, known for its signature street tacos, is going all out to celebrate Cinco de Mayo this year. They will be offering free Jell-O shots, a mechanical bull, a live DJ, two-for-one margaritas, and food specials. “If life gives you lemons, ask for salt and tequila,” the restaurant’s event page states.
Agave
Where is it? 19 E. Intendencia St.
When is it? Starting at 11 a.m.
Why should I stop by? Agave is throwing a “Drinko De Mayo” celebration in the heart of downtown Pensacola offering tequila, games and specials. Agave will offer over 200 selections premium tequilas, a curated craft cocktail and margarita menu and a Mexican-inspired food menu with tacos, burritos or bowls. For those feeling lucky, there will also be a loteria from 1-3 p.m.
Emerald Republic Brewing
Where is it? 1414 West Government St.
When is it? Noon to 6 p.m.
Why should I stop by? Emerald Republic will be a one-stop-shop for Cinco de Mayo inspired alcohol including a free tequila sampling, new margaritas and two new Mexican lagers being released. Food wise, there will be a special elote pizza to complement the beverages that will be crafted by Short Fuse Pizza.
Taqueria Olgy’s
Where is it? 5222 N. W St.
When is it? 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Why should I stop by? Taco lovers, this one is for you. Taqueria Olgy’s is offering their homecooked, traditional tacos all-you-can-eat style for $30 including chicken, beef, pork and al pastor. In addition, they will be offering $2 margaritas all day, two for one Micheladas, and $30 ceviche charolazos.
Cactus Cantina
Where is it? 601 E. Gregory St. and 5121 N. 12 Ave.
When is it? 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Why should I stop by? Cactus Cantina is well-known across the Gulf Coast as a place to party, and each of Pensacola’s locations will offer specials to celebrate the occasion. At the Gregory Street location, the restaurant will be offering specials on margaritas and birria tacos along with half-priced nachos. At the 12th Avenue location, there will be margarita specials and a DJ.
Pedro’s Tacos & Tequila Bar
Where is it? Multiple locations
When is it? Hours vary
Why should I stop by? Pedro’s across the Pensacola area will be hosting different Cinco de Mayo specials, including face painting, bounce houses, live music and drink specials. While details have yet to be posted for each location, call the Pedro's closest to you to find out what’s in store for the big day:
Pedros Tacos & Tequila Bar - Pensacola: 850-332-7340
Pedros Tacos & Tequila Bar - Pace: 850-463-4491
Pedros Tacos & Tequila Bar - Gulf Breeze: 850-565-5223
Pedros Tacos & Tequila Bar - Perdido Key: 850-492-1701
PNJ reporter Brandon Girod contributed to this story.
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This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Cinco De May 2024: Over a dozen must-try restaurants, bars in Pensacola
