The area's Mexican-American restaurants will welcome their two busiest dining days of the year just four days apart. Cinco de Mayo falls on Thursday, May 5 this year and Mother's Day follows on Sunday, May 8. The eateries—, , , and —will offer an array of traditional south of the border dishes and beverages and some will also provide music and merriment.
On Cinco de Mayo at 3 Jalapenos, manager Allan Pfannschmidt says that the special of the night will be Taco Carbon (marinated skirt steak with tomato, onion and cilantro in a soft flour tortilla). Approximately 100 different margaritas to suit anyone's taste will be available on both Cinco de Mayo and Mother's Day. The Mommy's Margarita—made with fresh fruit—is particularly meaningful on Sunday. A wide selection of seafood offered on both days will include Hauchinango a la Veracruzana (red snapper). Open from 11:30 a.m-10 p.m. on Cinco de Mayo and noon-10 p.m. on Mother's Day.
Chef/partner Juan Lepe plans to cook three special dishes Mexican-style for Cinco de Mayo—all three come with a free house drink or a glass of house wine plus soup or salad. The dishes are:
- Pan roasted salmon with tequila and pineapple salsa ($25).
- Cornmeal and chipotle crusted tilapia with catcus salad, pinto beans and tomatillo salsa ($23).
- Blackened ribeye steak with red beans, Spanish rice and pico de gallo ($25).
Special beverage discounts on Cinco de Mayo include half-price off on Mexican beers at the bar and half-price off for pitchers of sangrias, margaritas and mojitos at the tables. On Mother's Day, a complimentary drink will be offered at brunch such as a Bloody Mary, mimosa or champagne. Mother's Day specials will include:
- Lobster and shrimp salad (brunch and dinner).
- Shrimp Orecchiette (brunch and dinner).
- Roast half duckling (available at dinner only).
Also keep in mind that the most popular appetizer served here is two stuffed halves of peppers. The red-pepper half has ground beef, olive, onion, carrot, and roasted pepper; the green-pepper half has goat cheese, almond, vinegar, garlic, and roasted pepper. Open on Cinco de Mayo from 5-10 p.m. The hours for Mother's Day are 11 a.m.-3 p.m. for brunch and 3-9 p.m. for dinner.
On Cinco de Mayo, owner/partner Rich Perez says Tequila Sunrise will offer, “bar specials and giveaways all night long." Corona beer by the bottle will cost $3 at the bar from 5-7 p.m. and Sauza (tequila) shots will sell for $3 from 10 p.m.- midnight at the bar. The menu for both nights includes Mariscada en Salsa Verdeo Roja (seafood stew) priced at $28 and Paella for two (shellfish, chicken and rice) at $28 per person—this requires 25 minutes for cooking. On Mother’s Day at Tequila Sunrise, moms will receive roses and a mariachi band will provide musical entertainment.
Gusani Loco plans to serve its regular menu on Cinco de Mayo which includes red snapper Veracruz, tilapia en salsa verde, salmon al Ajillo, charbroiled New York steak and Mariscada Sergio (shrimp, scallops, clams, crab legs, calamari, roasted catcus, pepper salsa, garlic, and wine with rice). It had not yet been decided if special dishes would be offered for Mother's Day when this story was posted. The hours of operation for both holidays are noon-11 p.m.
The main attraction at this eatery on Cinco de Mayo will be its Mariachi Fajita—a combination of salmon, tilapia, and shrimp. La Herradura will be open on Cinco de Mayo from 11 a.m.-midnight and on Mother's Day from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. It will serve its regular menu on both days.
Cinco de Mayo celebrates the victory of the Mexican militia in a battle at Puebla with a larger and better-equipped French army; Cinco de Mayo is sometimes confused with Mexican Independence Day which is September 16.
Years after Puebla earned a place on May 5, 1862 in Mexico’s military history, it became known for its outstanding food; many authentic and acclaimed recipes can be traced back to Puebla chefs.
