Try these authentic Mexican restaurants around Indianapolis for Cinco de Mayo
We know you know: Cinco de Mayo means enjoying Mexican food and probably a few margaritas.
Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo — which means May 5 in Spanish — is not Mexico's independence day. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely victory over the French forces of Napoleon III on May 5, 1862, at the Battle of Puebla.
Mexican food is always popular, but particularly so on Cinco de Mayo. And while there are plenty of places serving the cuisine, folks are increasingly interested in foods as true to those prepared in the country as possible.
Check out these places for some of the most authentic Mexican dishes in the Indianapolis area.
Agave Bar & Grill
31 E. Main St., Carmel
317-844-5551
8800 North St., Fishers
317-489-6686
Street tacos with juicy steak and house salsa are the move here. Drinkwise, you can opt for a margarita for $10 or go all out with the $150 Millionaire margarita of Grand Manier Cuvee Louis Alexandre, Gran Patron Piedra Tequila agave nectar and lime juice.
Carniceria Guanajuato
1269 Oliver Ave., Indianapolis
3110 Shadeland Ave., Indianapolis
5210 W. Pike Plaza Rd., Indianapolis
317-490-5060
There's a massive food menu from breakfast ($6.99 for eggs with ham) to meat tables that serve six (54.99) but the seafood cocktails stand out at these cavernous restaurants located inside of supermarkets. Go for shrimp and octopus for $11.99 each, or shrimp, octopus and oysters for $12.99.
Festiva
1217 E. 16th St., Indianapolis
317-635-4444
Festivaindy.com
Among the dishes defining this popular restaurant are its semi-boneless half-chicken with tamarind glaze ($19), and a cilantro-marinated grilled skirt steak ($23), served with roasted onions and jalapenos and rajas con papas (roasted Yukon gold potatoes with chipotle sour cream).
La Margarita
1043 Virginia Ave., Indianapolis
317- 384-1457
Chicken en chipotle and shrimp en chipotle ($15) are among house specialties.
La Piedad
6524 Cornell Ave., Indianapolis
317-475-0988
Grab a spot indoors or on the patio and try the arroz con pollo, grilled chicken over rice and topped with cheese sauce ($7.25).
Lindo Mexico
997 E. County Line Rd., Greenwood
317-859-1336
405 Sagamore Parkway South, Lafayette
765-447-0383
The Chimichangas de Camaron, filled with shrimp, onions and bell peppers and smothered with cheese sauce ($13.99) is worth any Cinco de Mayo wait time.
Paco’s Taqueria
4390 N. Keystone Ave., Indianapolis
317-377-4132
5202 E. Thompson Rd., Indianapolis
317-986-4958
Opt for the birria taco, with braised meat inside of a corn tortilla that's pan-fried in birria fat and filled with cilantro, onion and chihuahua cheese. Also at the East Thompson Road location, and coming soon to Keystone, they carve slow-roasted, marinated meat from the spit for al pastor tacos.
Samano’s Mexican Food
14126 Bergen Blvd., Noblesville
317-900-7814
8594 E. 116th St., Fishers
317-567-4175
https://www.samanosmexicanfood.com/
The bacon-wrapped burrito, Adrian's Buritto, is the popular pick here. But there's also the Gringo Special, a quesadilla of grilled marinated pork, steak, bacon, ham and pineapple ($9).
Taqueria El Maguey
5629 W. 38th St., Indianapolis
317-280-8650
Not to miss dishes include the Seven Seas soup with shrimp, tilapia, squid, crab legs and mussels ($18.99) and deep-fried quesadilla with the choice of steak, seasoned pork, Mexican sausage, shrimp, beef tongue or beef gut ($11.99-12.99).
The Tamale Place
5226 Rockville Rd., Indianapolis
317-248-9771
Tamales are the call at this restaurant, coming in at more than a half a pound for $4.25 each. Try the popular beef with red sauce.
Know of a restaurant that should be on the list? Let us know!
Contact IndyStar reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cheryl.jackson@indystar.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on Twitter: @cherylvjackson.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Mexican restaurants in Indianapolis perfect for Cinco de Mayo
