Toledo has a rich cultural background that spans a wide range of ethnicities, but on May 5 each year, it’s all about recognizing our Mexican populace. Commemorating Mexico’s liberation from France in the year 1862, Cinco de Mayo stands as a proud accomplishment that echos throughout history… and it’s one hell of a party.
Find south of the border flavor up north at some of these locales.
The Attic on Adams
Sip fresh juice margaritas and special drafts from Five Rabbits Brewery. Munch of chicken and vegetarian enchiladas. Make sure to keep your ear to the ground— the Milagro Tequila girls will stop by to pass out free shots. 5pm-11am. 1701 Adams St., 419-243-5450. Facebook event.
Arturo’s Fritz & Alfredo’s
Sweet or salty, take your pick. Get the jumbo margarita and select from over ten different flavors to ring in the Mexican holiday. 11am-11pm, Friday-Saturday, May 5. 1007 S. McCord Rd., 419-729-9775. Arturosfritzandalfredos.com
Casa Barron’s Mexican Restaurant
Watch the taco eating contest and enjoy sales on all imported beers for the whole month of May. 209 Louisiana Ave., 419-874-5361. casabarron.com
Carmel’s Mexican Restaurant
Party it up with the Corona girls and Carmel’s Crew during their Cinco de Mayo bash. Drink and food specials available all night long, including buckets of domestic and imported beers. Play games to win fun prizes. 11:30am-11pm, Friday, May 5; Noon-11pm, Saturday, May 6. 2947 Tremainsville Rd., 419-474-1414. carmelsmexicanrestaurant.com
Cinco de Mayo Bar and Grill
Guests can take half-off all menu items and live entertainment from two locations on Cinco de Mayo. 11am-11pm. 304 E. Alexis Rd., 419-478-7530 & 7011 Airport Highway, Holland. 419-866-8229. 5demayotoledo.com
Cinco de Mayo Amigos Cantina
Every day is a party at this Central Ave. Mexican cantina. Enjoy fresh food, a unique menu and a family-friendly atmosphere to prep for May 5th’s festivities. Stop in for happy hour to get $1 off jumbo margaritas from 3-6pm daily. 11am-11pm. 6975 W. Central Ave., 419-517-9829. Cincodemayoamigoswest.com
Cocina de Carlos
Head to either Perrysburg or Waterville for food and drink specials. After 5pm, the first 100 customers will enjoy give-aways from Patron, Jose Cuervo and Corona. Perrysburg: 27072 Carronade Dr., 419-872-0200. Waterville: 205 Farnsworth Rd., 419-878-0261. cocinadecarlos.com
Carlos’ Poco Loco
Downtown’s hottest new restaurant for Latin flavors will party all day. DJ’s will spin outside from 4pm to midnight, at 4pm Mexican Dollettes (dancers in the street) will perform, with another performance at 6pm (weather permitting). iHeart Radio will stream live from 4-6pm. The Jose Cuervo ladies will stop by from 5-7pm. After 5pm, the first 100 customers will enjoy give-aways. from Patron, Jose Cuervo and Corona. 1809 Adams St., 419-214-1655. cocinadecarlos.com
Cycle de Mayo
Celebrate Bike Month and Cinco de Mayo during the First Friday art walk in the Red Bird Arts District. 5-11pm. Main Street, Downtown Sylvania. 419-885-8381. Redbirdarts.org Free
Cinco de Mayo at Cilantro’s
The Zapata family, who formerly ran the popular Taco Gringo food truck, will open their new sit-down restaurant for a Cinco de Mayo celebration. More details will be announced closer to the event. 329 Huron St., 567-277-5548. facebook.com/cilantros329
El Camino Real
Prep for the party early by visiting the expansive pantio at the restaurant our readers declared Best Mexican Restaurant for Best of Toledo. DJs will play on Cinco de Mayo from 5pm-9pm. 2500 W. Sylvania Ave., 419-472-0700. elcaminorealtoledo.com
El Nuevo Vallarta
Opening at 3pm on Cinco de Mayo, El Nuevo Vallarta will be offering food specials allday. 4-10pm, Friday-Saturday. 4709 Douglas Rd., 419-474-5414. facebook.com/elnuevovallarta
El Salto
This Mexican eatery gears up for Cinco de Mayo with authentic dishes, a friendly atmosphere and fantastic cocktails at both locations. 11am-10pm, Monday-Thursday. 11am-10:30pm, Friday-Saturday. Noon-9pm, Sunday. Catch them in Sylvania (5817 Monroe St., 419-824-0049) or in Maumee (219 Golden Gate Plz., 419-887-0211). facebook.com/salties
El Tipico Restaurant
Serving up authentic Mexican cuisine since 1968. 11am-3pm, 5-9pm. Friday, May 5 & Saturday, May 6.1444 South Ave., 419-382-0661.
El Vaquero
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at one of the three El Vaquero locations across the city. 11am-10:30pm. Secor: 3302 Secor Rd., 419-536-0471. Perrysburg: 26611 N. Dixie Hwy., The Docks: 24 Main St., 419-690-8330. Vaquerorestaurant.com
Georgjz419 Fun Food & Spirits
Enjoy tequila and tacos with friends as salsa music keeps the beat. $1 tacos and $3 Modelo or margs. 2pm-1am. 1205 Adams St., 419-842-4477. Facebook event.
Hollywood Casino
Go all in for a full day of fun, dancing and food for the Hollywood Casino’s second annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration on Friday, May 5. Shake your hips and learn Latin Dance during one of two lessons, held from noon-2pm and 4-6pm. Fill up at the build your own nacho bar from noon-6pm. Snap a selfie with the “Most Interesting Man in the World” in the H Lounge, and visit the Dos Equis Girls as the pass out swag and gifts from 1-5pm. Enjoy Latin dance and performances from 6pm to 2am, with a performance by Ballet Folklorico Renacidos from 6-7pm, followed by Explosivo (7-8pm), Grupo Vicio (8:15-9:45pm), La Traizion (10:15pm-12:15am) and DJ X-Ray and DK ARSI until 2am. 1968 Miami St., 419-661-5200. hollywoodcasinotoledo.com
Mi Hacienda Mexican Restaurant
Want a more chill environment? Enjoy traditional Mexican cuisine with the family during a quiet, low-key evening. 11am-11pm, Friday, May 5; 12-10:30pm, Saturday, May 6. 3302 Glanzman Rd., 419-380-0411. facebook.com/mihaciendatoledo
La Fiesta Restaurante
This Maumee eatery prides itself on fresh food and a family-friendly atmosphere. 11am-11pm. 406 S. Reynolds Rd., Maumee. 419-897-9222. Lafiestarestaurante.com
Limones Mexican Restaurant
Dance to tunes spun by a DJ during their tent party. Pitchers of margaritas (any flavor) are only $10 all night. Happy hour will run all day and they’ll be selling special edition Cinco de Mayo shirts for only $14. 11am-10pm, Friday-Saturday, May 5. 5122 Heatherdowns Blvd., 567-318-5373. limonesrestaurant.com
Loma Linda’s Restaurant – Boasting a large patio, this party-ready Swanton restaurant has served up margarita and authentic food since 1955. 11am-midnight. 10400 Airport Hwy., Swanton. 419-865-5455. toledostripletreat.com
Los Dos Gallos
Put your party shoes on and dance right into Cinco de Mayo weekend celebration with live music by DJ Tony Rio mixing it up in the Glass City, 6-11pm. Latin dancing this Saturday with DJ Gina Green. $5/cover. Domestic and imported drink specials available, including their famous Micheladas cocktail and $4 shots of Johnny Vegas and Tequila Sunrise. 11am-10pm, Friday, May 5 & 11am-1am, Saturday, May 6. 5327 Reynolds Rd., 419-531-5312. facebook.com/losdosgallosohio
San Marcos Restaurant
Dedicated to serving authentic Mexican cuisine, San Marcos has four locations across the city. Make sure to visit their Broadway location to visit the Mexican market that sells cheeses, meats and produce. 235 Broadway St., 419-244-2373. 719 Galena St., 419-720-0041.2060 W. Laskey Rd., 419-851-0051. 1045 S. Reynolds Rd., 419-385-2441. sanmarcosmexicanrestaurants.com
Sofia Quintero Art & Cultural Center’s 10th Annual Entre Amigos Dinner Fundraiser
Support NW Ohio’s regional Latino organization during their 10th annual Entre Amigos (Among Friends) Dinner, held on Cinco de Mayo. Celebrity waiters, including Anita Lopez (Lucas County Auditor) and Viviana Hurtado (WTOL anchor), will help as guests enjoy a Mexican buffet, cash bar, raffle prizes and more. Local Latino artists Alberto Marin and David Cuatlacuatl will show their work, and Latin Recording Artist “Izaya Burciaga Live” and his band will play at 9pm. Cash bar on site. For the dinner, two times are available: 5pm and 7pm. $25/pre-sale, $10/children 10 and younger. For the dance, tickets are available at the door at 9pm for $5 per person. 5–11pm. Friday, May 5. At the newly remodeled Nana’s Kitchen and Event Center, 1225 Broadway St., 419-241-1655.
Ventura’s Mexican Restaurant
Cinco de Mayo drink specials include all Mexican beers just $2.50 on Cinco de Mayo. 11am-Midnight. 7742 W. Bancroft St. 419-841-7523. toledostripletreat.com
