Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican Army’s victory over the French Empire and is celebrated every year on May 5th. These restaurants in New Jersey are bringing all the tacos, chips and salsa, and margaritas you could ask for.
Acapulco Mexican Restaurant and Bar
Raritan
The menu is based on Mexican street foods, like fresh hand-pressed tortillas made with heirloom corn, house-made crema, queso fresco, and spicy chorizo made on site. The cocktails add seasonal ingredients to tequila and mezcal made by small-batch and artisan distillers.
Bahama Breeze Island Grille
Cherry Hill, Paramus, Princeton, Toms River, Wayne, Woodbridge
In honor of the holiday, Bahama Breeze will be offering specially priced margaritas and outdoor block parties.
Blue Moon CafeÂ
Bronxville, Englewood, Wyckoff
Blue Moon wants you to “fiesta like there’s no manana” with live music and food specials.
Bubbakoo’s Burritos
Multiple Locations
Try one of their Killer Creations, like mango habanero grilled chicken tostada salad, Tongue Twister quesadilla, Silly Philly burrito or Nashville hot fries. Use code CINCO10 to receive 10% off all catering through May 5, so plan your fiesta.
Casa Luna Mexican Cuisine
Somerville
Some of their must-try Tex-Mex items include shrimp mojo de ajo, grilled chicken burrito mojado, birria fajita and chicken chimichangas.
Chevy’s Fresh MexÂ
Clifton, Linden
Fresh Mexican food is made from scratch daily, covering everything from enchiladas, tacos and fajitas to lots of margaritas. On May 3 in Clifton, the Red Bull DJ truck will pull up with live DJ music, interactive activities and giveaways. The Linden location will host an indoor party. On May 5, there will be more giveaways and DJ sets at both locations.
Chili’s
Multiple Locations
Try Tito’s Watermelon Spritz, Casamigos Marg or Tequila Trifecta margaritas. If you sign up for the rewards program, you can get free chips and salsa to snack on while you drink.
Chipotle Mexican GrillÂ
Multiple Locations
Order Burritos by the Box to kick off your Cinco de Mayo celebration, then mix and match your burrito builds or just let them pick out an assortment. Order 24 hours in advance!
La Cocinita de Manasquan
144 Main St., Manasquan
May 5 will be a great time to try their Mexican-style quesadillas, similar to empanadas – they are stuffed with potatoes and chorizo, and topped with pico de gallo, lettuce, and sour cream.
La Colina Mexican Cantina
51 Mt. Bethel Rd., Warren
2 S. Ave. W., Cranford
There’s a lively atmosphere here, with an impressive drink menu – more than 100 selections! Menu items include baked wings with cilantro ranch dressing, bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers, grilled shrimp and chorizo, carne asada topped with Flaming Hot Cheetos inside a burrito, and salmon tacos. The kid’s menu has chicken fingers, quesadillas, tacos and mozzarella sticks.
Dona Julia Mexican Restaurant
1308 Richmond Ave., Pt. Pleasant
Their Cinco de Mayo party will include birria tacos, made with short ribs, brisket, onions, cilantro and Oaxaca cheese; and the highly acclaimed new chicken tinga tacos.
Esquina Latina Restaurant & Lounge
New Brunswick
Party all day with Corona buckets, other draft beer buckets, tequila shot specials, food specials, a live DJ, a live saxophonist and other entertainment.
Estrella Azul
Manalapan; Bell Works in Holmdel
Our faves here include the spicy chorizo street tacos, the fried buffalo chicken burrito, the Americano twisted taco (which tastes like a Big Mac), and anything made al pastor (with pineapples).
Fat Cactus Mexican Cantina
New Brunswick, Parsippany
Order authentic and Tex-Mex style Mexican food such as Mexican shrimp ceviche, cactus salad, coconut shrimp waca tacos, 7-layer burrito dip, or roasted poblano and corn guacamole.
Kona Grill
Woodbridge
Though not an exclusive Mexican restaurant, you can still get shrimp tacos, cilantro lime chicken or a margarita rimmed with tangy Tajin.
The Mathis House
Toms River
A tearoom may not be your first thought for a fiesta, but you can experience a celebration that includes a Mexican buffet dinner and a 5-piece Mariachi band – but it’s on May 3.
Melissa’s Bakery
Bound Brook
The casual restaurant serves Mexican comfort food like cakes and pastries.
El Meson
Freehold Borough
Sit inside the themed restaurant or outside on the patio that is surrounded by a beautiful garden and treat yourself to fan faves like the black bean soup, fajita salad, burrito loco (with vegetables) and steak fajitas.
Meximodo Cocina Mexicana & Tequila Bar
Metuchen
Nothing says Mexican party more than tequila, and you’ll have your choice from a record-breaking number of selections. Dinner ranges from pomegranate and pine nut guacamole to coconut tiger’s milk ceviche to cauliflower tacos to Nayarit-style red snapper.
Mezcal: A Modern American Steakhouse
Old Bridge
This brand-new restaurant is known for its vibe dining: a menu of steaks complemented by high-flavor tacos, poblano peppers stuffed with spicy chicken diablo, guacamole, and chicken tinga tostada. On May 5, there will bea live DJ, liquor locker tastings, $10 Frozen Espresso Martinis, and $10 Frozen Avocado Margaritas. This will be the kickoff for Mezcal Monday, which will take place every Monday starting on May 5.
Moe’s Southwest GrillÂ
Multiple Locations
Create an epic Cinco de Mayo party by ordering burritos, a taco bar or chips & dip for all your amigos.
On the Border
New Brunswick, Toms River
You can order enchiladas, tostadas or dips with a seafood twist in addition to traditional tacos, burritos and salads that have a Tex-Mex twist. Endless Tacos are back: for $10 have your fill of chicken tinga or ground beef tacos.
Orale Mexican KitchenÂ
Hoboken, Jersey City, Morristown
If you’re looking for something a little fancier, head to Orale for authentic Mexican food. Their Barbecue Pork Nachos and Carolina Barbacoa Tacos are worth the trip.
Pachamama
Green Brook
This Latin restaurant has more than 100 margarita combinations. Sip your marg while you listen to music from a DJ.
Pancheros Mexican Grill
691 Rte. 130 North, Hamilton
1919 Rte. 35, Wall Twp.
You’ll get free chips & salsa with an entree purchase if you sign up for text alerts. Those chips can accompany an array of tacos, burritos, burrito bowls and quesadillas.
Pancho’s BurritosÂ
New Milford
The outdoor patio is open, so order some California-style Mexican cuisine while getting some sun. They have a “tremendous” offering of tequila. If meat isn’t your thing, new to the menu is the Tofurizo, which has crumbled tofu mixed with peppers, onions and spices.
Panela
Hoboken
The weekend full of “sabor” (flavor) includes drink specials and DJ beats. For the afterparty, visit their agave speakeasy, Perico.
El Pueblo Authentic Mexican Taqueria
North Cape May
Tacos, bowls, quesadillas, burritos, tortas: there are enough options here to keep you full all week! Protein choices include steak, pork, shrimp, sausage, fish and even tofu.
Pop’s Garage
Asbury Park
You won’t just get overstuffed burritos or Pop’s Cuban Corn here, you’ll also get sand, sun, surf, art, culture and community. The family serves clean, sustainable Mexican fare that they developed based on their travels to the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico.
Qdoba Mexican Eats
Multiple Locations
Cater your Cinco de Mayo party with Qdoba. From burrito bowls to nachos to tons of craveable toppings, they’ll make it a celebration to remember – especially if you try the new citrus lime shrimp.
Salted Lime Bar & Kitchen
Somerville
With a name like Salted Lime, how can the margaritas not be good? The menu has everything from peach and pork belly burnt ends to fried cassava root to 12-ounce grilled prime skirt steak to Peruvian rice to chorizo with mussels.
The Shepherd & The Knucklehead
1313 Willow Ave., Hoboken
There’s tons on the menu here, but for Cinco de Mayo their features are two tacos in a soft or crunchy shell, filled with Ahi tuna, steak fajita meat or chicken teriyaki. They are also known for their large selection of craft beers.
Shore Points BBQ
816 Arnold Ave., Pt. Pleasant Beach
Dine in or take out an assortment of tacos that have a coastal flair.
Taco Bell
Multiple Locations
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a Taco Party Pack! There are Crunchwrap Supremes, bean burritos, quesadillas and taco combinations to choose from, or you can build your box.Â
Tacos el Tio Mexican Grill & Bar
Egg Harbor Twp., Medford
The beautiful restaurant and bar are eye-catching, and so are the dishes. Some of the favorites here are churrasco steak, chimichangas and al pastor.
Tacos y Alitas
Jackson Twp.
This very popular food truck also has a home location where you can order tacos, alitas (chicken wings), burritos, quesadillas, and a variety of Mexican sodas.
Taco N’ Lime
Marlboro
The all-day menu starts off with Mexican street corn on the cob, chipotle chicken lettuce wraps, empanadas and shrimp ceviche; moves on to grilled chicken tequila lime salad or a spicy steak salad; dozens of taco choices; burritos, bowls, chimichangas, quesadillas and platters – truffle, tropical and Caribbean are popular flavors. Their burgers and handhelds have a Mexican twist, too.
Tacos TKO
Freehold Borough
This is the place to get traditional street tacos. There’s also a selection of quesadillas, tortas, bowls, burritos, flautas and huaraches – and variations of an avocado salad – to spice up your plate.
Tinga Fresh Mexican
Westfield
Start your fiesta with homemade soup like creamy black bean or chicken vegetable. Cater or dine in for tacos, burritos, quesadillas and wraps or sandwiches.
Tio Taco + Tequila Bar
Clifton, Edison, Marlboro, Newark
Margarita Mondays, Taco Tuesdays and Happy Hour at the Bar are big draws here. There is an array of Mexican dishes, plus crafted cocktails and of course, tequila.
Toro Loco Mexican Restaurant
South Orange
Kick off your meal with a daiquiri or frosted margarita, or imported Mexican beer. There’s an entire section of seafood appetizers, like nachos with refried beans and shrimp, marinated and sauteed octopus, an avocado stuffed with shrimp and crabmeat, and ceviche. There are other combo meals of burritos, chimichangas, enchiladas, tacos, tamales and tostadas.
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