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.
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. Order in person or over the phone from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. 716 Dexter St., Central Falls, 401-753-1671, laherradurataqueriamexicana.negocio.site
Go solo on the “fajitas party,” made with your choice of chicken, steak or shrimp or invite friends for an evening of sharing the taco platter, a make-your-own taco setup best paired with Don Jose’s fresh and flavorful margaritas. For an extra bonus, check out the restaurant’s heated outdoor patio. Open from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. 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 Molotes de Plátano en Mole Poblano, plantain dumplings filled with black beans and queso blanco served with a spicy mole, or a sauce made with fruits, nuts and chili peppers. Order everything from small plates to shareable bites to mains and wash it all down with no-nonsense, spirited old fashions and negronis. Open 4 to 9 p.m. at 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. Open 12 to 8 p.m. 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. Both locations are open 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. 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. Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 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. Open 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. 51 Miller St., Warren, 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. 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. 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. Not only do the craft cocktails pack a serious punch but so do the menus. Begin with raw citrus seared scallops with charred habanero, onion, tomatoes and microgreens. 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. Visit from 4 to 10 p.m. or stay a little longer for Dolores’ late night menu which is available until 11:30 p.m. 100 Hope St., Providence, 401-409-2075, dolorespvd.com
All patrons who show up to OZ Tacos and Tequila wearing a traditional mexican sombrero on Cinco de Mayo will receive a free margarita. Enjoy $5 appetizers and cocktails during Oz’s “wicked happy hour” from 5 to 7 p.m. 200 Front St., Lincoln, 401-475-4017, oztacostequila.com
For live music and margaritas galore, visit Kimi’s Bar this Cinco de Mayo. DJ-X will be spinning tracks while owner Kimi Rich slings shots of tequila. Need we say more? The party goes from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. 373 Washington St., Providence, kimis.bar
