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 at Cielito. Photo by Jamie Coelho.
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 Mexican food) options.
The neighborhood Mexican spot serves chicken tinga, carne asada, adobo pork and veggie tacos and bowls with freshly made tomato and chili salsas and corn tortillas. Plus, there are many vegan options and torta sandwiches on special Talera bread. Called Casa Azul, which means “Blue House’ in Spanish, the restaurant is named after the home of Frida Kahlo, now a house and art museum in Mexico City. The restaurant owners, husband-and-wife-team Javier Soto and Alejandra Ruelas, are both from Mexico City, and Casa Azul was located near Ruelas’s childhood home. 840 Allens Ave., Providence, 401-414-7799, casaazulri.com
Cielito isn’t formal when it comes to dress or attitude — but its dishes are so complex and shimmer with so much heart that you’ll feel like dinner is an awakening. Try everything (including cocktails) but also leave room for dessert because the chocolate tres leches cake is good enough to celebrate your birthday every day of the year. 186 Union St., Providence, 401-563-7026, instagram.com/cielitomexicankitchen
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, tacos barbacoa or tequila shrimp. 970 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, 401-349-3935; 721 Quaker Ln., West Warwick, 401-828-1005, condesarestaurant.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
Diego’s in Newport is putting a twist on traditional tacos with options such as street tacos made with Oaxaca cheese, fresh slaw, pico de gallo, shaved radish, cilantro and your choice of main (chicken tinga, pulled pork, roasted veggies) with a side of Diego’s aioli; roasted beet and butternut squash on grilled blue corn tortillas; and Korean barbecue pork belly tacos topped with house pickled veggies and spicy kimchi and Cholula aioli. If you have a larger party in tow, pair your tacos with a shared side dish of Spanish rices and beans, shaved Brussels sprouts or chips and salsa. 11 Bowens Wharf, Newport, 401-619-2640, diegosnewport.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 carnitas or brisket tacos served with made-in-house heirloom corn tortillas with guacamole, salsa, cilantro, radish, onion, cilantro, lime and salsa roja, or opt for the beer-battered haddock or panko-crusted fried shrimp versions. 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
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 or 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
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 unusual choices like tripe or tongue. 716 Dexter St., Central Falls, 401-753-1671, laherradurataqueriamexicana.com
Trying to figure out where to take your kids for dinner? Maiz has become a family-friendly staple on the East Side and in South Kingstown — with everything from Mexican pizzas to enchiladas and micheladas. Everything (tortillas, salsa and stewed meats) is made in-house and can be packed up to go if the restaurant is full. 20 South Angell St., Providence, 401-522-3158; 58 High St., South Kingstown, 401-541-1396, hellocalaveras.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
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
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
With fourteen years of serving up comida deliciosa in Downtown Providence to back them up, you know these guys are the real deal. This household name promises to bestow your palate with “generations of flavors” with its house-made tortillas, bold salsas and signature classics like carne asada and mole poblano. But if you’re in it for the tacos, make sure you upgrade to the ‘supreme’ option, which features three corn tortillas topped with your choice of meat (chicken, beef, pork, carnitas or chorizo) lettuce, tomato, cheese and spicy or mild salsa, plus ad spicy or mild salsa, plus a hearty side of rice and beans. 129 Washington St., Providence, 401-369-7974, vivamexicocantinagrill.com
