Where to Celebrate Cinco De Mayo in Rhode Island
Commemorate the Mexican Army's victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla with authentic cuisine, and maybe some tequila, too.
Tacos with cabbage slaw from Dolores. Photography by Angel Tucker.
Cinco de Mayo, or the fifth of May, is a holiday that commemorates the Mexican Army’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla, on May 5, 1862. Before you load up the tacos and tequila, take some time to learn about the Mexican holiday. Okay, now let’s dig in to the area’s more authentic taco (and more) options.
La Herradura Taqueria Mexicana
La herradura means horseshoe in Spanish, and it is a true good luck charm for eaters at this small taqueria in Central Falls. Tacos, burritos, tortas and tamales are stuffed with shredded beef, chicken, pork or more exotic choices like tripe or tongue. 716 Dexter St., Central Falls, 401-753-1671, laherradurataqueriamexicana.com
Go solo on the tamales steamed cooked and served in a husk stuffed with pork or chicken, or invite a friend for an evening of sharing the taco platter, the paella a la Mexicana best paired with Don Jose’s fresh and flavorful margaritas. For an extra bonus, check out the restaurant’s heated outdoor patio. 351 Atwells Ave., Providence, 401-454-8951, donjosetequilas.com
Tacos, burritos and quesadillas, oh my! Check out Tallulah’s Taqueria for all things Chicano street food including rice, beans, salsa, marinated meats and fresh lime in your choice of a taco, burrito, bowl or on top of nachos. Finish off your feast with cinnamon-dusted churros. 146 Ives St., Providence, 401-272-8226; 10 Sims Ave., Unit 109, Providence, 401-252-8226, tallulahstaqueria.com
Visit Chilangos for authentic preparations of Arrachera, peppercorn-rubbed flap steak served with cactus salad, guacamole and warm corn tortillas. Order everything from small plates to shareable bites to mains and wash it all down with some no-nonsense Grand Mayan tequila or Sombra mezcal. 447 Manton Ave., Providence, 401-383-4877, sites.google.com/view/chilangos
Try the Dynamite Burrito for mouthwatering bites of spicy ground beef, grilled peppers and onions, charred tomato citrus salsa, cheddar cheese, scallions, sour cream and coconut rice wrapped in one big flour tortilla. Or, opt to build your own taco with your choice of anything from Mahi Mahi to marinated steak. 459 Chapel St., Harrisville, 401-568-8226, thetacoshopri.com
If you’re looking to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a fresh cocktail, Condesa offers a comprehensive and innovative cocktail menu. Choose (or don’t) between a grapefruit paloma, a bourbon smash made with Bulleit Bourbon mixed with lemon, fresh berries, agave and mint or the spicy condesa; tequila mixed with lime and spiced muddled mango. As for the grub, you can’t go wrong with pollo maya, camarones a la diabla, tacoas barbacoa or tequila shrimp. 970 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, 401-349-3935; 721 Quaker Ln., West Warwick, 401-828-1005, condesarestaurant.com
Get the fiesta started with the restaurant’s signature homemade spicy queso dip and make sure to order an extra side of it to pair with your choice of burrito, street taco platter or fajitas. 70 Cliff St., East Greenwich, 401-886-1973, tios-gbg.com
The Square Peg has an awesome menu of tacos that are sure to get the party going. Start with an appetizer of bang bang shrimp tossed in a sweet chili sauce then go for the ahi tuna or street taco for sesame-crusted fish, sriracha mayo, or braised chicken, cilantro and chili-lime sauce. 51 Miller St., Warren, 401-215-3831, squarepegwarren.com
For a wide-ranging cocktail menu, a multi-page spirits list and a irresistible offering of everything from chorizo queso blanco to pork belly tacos with charred pineapple to a smoked pork chimichanga, visit Diego’s Barrio Cantina to make all your taco and tequila sueños come true. 116 Aquidneck Ave., Middletown, 401-619-1717, diegosmiddletown.com
For contemporary and regional Mexican cuisine from the Mixteca region of Puebla and Oaxaca visit Dolores in Providence’s East Side, or their new location in Track 15’s food hall. Not only do the craft cocktails pack a serious punch but so do the menus. Begin with nopalitos — a salad of salt-cured cactus, heirloom tomatoes, radish, serrano chiles, onion, cilantro, lime and queso fresco. For your main course, try the Mole Pistachio for fresh octopus cooked over a live fire served on a pistachio mole verde with a chorizo and potato gordita. 100 Hope St., Providence, 401-409-2075; 1 Union Station, Providence, dolorespvd.com
Choose between the sophisticated traditional counter and the alluring mermaid-esque bar, or get comfy at one of the many booths at the newly opened Sombra Eatery & Lounge in East Greenwich. Order tapas like taquitos de buffalo or camarones empanizados, then dig into a plate of chipotle sombra or carne asada. Finish the evening with a sweet combo of churros con helado or margarita cheesecake mousse. 50 Main St., East Greenwich, 401-398-0623, sombralounge.com.
