Cinco de Mayo is a holiday celebrating a military victory in 1862 over the French forces under Napoleon III. While it’s not celebrated as excessively in Mexico, Mexican American citizens later claimed the holiday as a celebration of their Mexican heritage. Today, Cinco de Mayo alludes to the start of spring and outdoor drinking season with margaritas, imported cervezas and patio parties at Mexican restaurants.
Whether you’re looking for a Mexican gastropub for happy hour or an authentic taqueria for takeout tacos, here are some spots to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with mouthwatering food, refreshing drinks and great atmospheres.
Agave
A Lewes and Rehoboth favorite, Agave offers the perfect menu to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Try the stacked tomatillo enchilada and pomegranate margarita for the holiday.
19178 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth | 462-4283
137 2nd Street, Lewes | 645-1232
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Añejo Mexican Grill and Tequila Bar
Añejo is a great stop for Mexican bar fare in Trolley Square. Enjoy empanadas, tacos and enchiladas as well as snacks like mozzarella sticks, Bavarian pretzels with queso and Mama’s Fritas. Añejo is one of the best choices for variety in Mexican beer and tequila selection, not to mention a variety of flavored margaritas and other tequila cocktails.
1717 Delaware Avenue, Wilmington | 655-5080
Big Chill Surf Cantina
Big Chill celebrates Cinco de Mayo with a “Cinco Days of Cinco” celebration. From May 1-5, enjoy $6 margaritas, live music performances, DJs, tacos and plenty of beachside fun.
19406 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach | 727-5568
Del Pez
Del Pez Mexican gastropub is a top local spot for tequila cocktails, creative dips like flavored guacamole and Mexican-inspired entrees. For a Cinco de Mayo brunch, Del Pez patrons can enjoy a breakfast burrito, chicken and waffles with jalapeno-infused honey and street corn, tacos and more. After 3 p.m., enjoy all your Mexican entree favorites.
400 Justison Street, Wilmington
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El Camino Mexican Kitchen
Enjoy food, games, music, drink and food specials, raffles and more during El Camino’s “Cinco de Drinko” party. Drink specials run throughout the weekend from May 3-5. Plus, look forward to an outdoor bar, raffles, a DJ and more.
3559 Silverside Road, Wilmington | 543-4245
El Diablo
With multiple locations, El Diablo’s menu delivers a variety of Tex-Mex classics. Try the burrito bowl or citrus-braised pork, or tuck into one of the many varieties of burritos. This is a great takeout option if you prefer to celebrate Cinco at home. Enjoy great customer service with a side of guacamole.
Multiple locations | Visit online to learn more
El Jefe Restaurant and Mexican Grill
Searching for scrumptious chile relleno? You’ve found the spot at El Jefe in Astro Plaza on Kirkwood Highway. Poblano pepper, stuffed with queso fresco, is deep-fried until golden and served in a crave-worthy red sauce. Another item to try is the tostada de ceviche—a crunchy tostada topped with lime-marinated red snapper, diced onions and tomatoes, finished with avocado and fresh jalapeños.
110 Astro Shopping Center, Newark | 894-9000
El Maya Mexican Grill
Save room for dessert at El Maya. Start with guacamole and nachos, then follow it up with Chile Vallarta or the La Deliciosa platter, which includes grilled steak, chicken and chorizo with rice, beans and tortillas. Finish up with the churro cup ice cream delight or the Mexican fried ice cream. If you’re looking for something a little more lively this Cinco de Mayo, El Maya hosts a DJ as well.
1300 Centerville Road, Wilmington | 384-7777
El Pique
El Pique opened first in Wilmington and now has a New Castle location that is just as good. Tuck into a delicious lamb stew or cozy up to tostadas topped with queso fresco and crema. If you’re feeling adventurous and hungry, try the Pambazo, a house specialty sandwich dunked in guajillo salsa and filled with spicy chorizo and potatoes.
319 S. Dupont Highway, New Castle | 276-8834
La Sierra
You know when you have to walk through a small grocery to get to the restaurant, it is going to be great Mexican food. In the mood for freshly made tamales? Try this location in Selbyville. They’re steamed in corn husks with masa stuffed with chicken. The prices can’t be beat and patrons rave about the authenticity and quality.
58 B W. Church Street, Selbyville | 436-4446
La Tolteca
This family favorite has been successful for years because it offers great food and service. Try the sizzling fajitas with beef and shrimp or stop by for brunch chilaquiles. Handcrafted margaritas and horchata round out the menu. If chorizo is your thing, try the chori-fries topped with queso blanco and pico. Food and drink specials for Cinco start on May 1, with live music, giveaways and plenty of patio fun.
4147 Concord Pike, Wilmington | 778-4646
304 Buckley Mill Road, Greenville | 476-8683
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Mariachi
This feels like coming home to a warm kitchen with your mama at the stove. Owner Yolanda Pineda specializes in Mexican, Salvadorean and Spanish flavors. If you like tamales, you must try these. Other favorites on the menu are the seafood enchiladas and the Plato Verde with cheese enchiladas in a bright tomatillo sauce, along with rice, beans and guacamole. The eatery also serves a great Saturday and Sunday brunch. If you’re ready to celebrate Cinco De Mayo but aren’t into margaritas, this Rehoboth Beach restaurant offers an extensive list of mojitos.
14 Wilmington Avenue, Rehoboth Beach | 227-0115
Oaxaca Bar & Grill
Oaxaca is a newcomer to Historic New Castle’s Delaware Street, housed in the building that was once Booth House Tavern. The Mexican restaurant and margarita bar has impressed New Castle residents with delicious guacamole, sizzling fajitas and mouthwatering margaritas in a variety of flavors.
222 Delaware Street, New Castle | 544-6576
Roja & Verde Taqueria
This new spot in Newark impresses with delightful tacos, tamales and tostadas with fresh-pressed tortillas, mortar-and-pestle guacamole and more. It’s a great spot for a quick taco or to grab carryout to enjoy at home with friends and family.
60 North College Avenue, Newark | 449-7589
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Santa Fe Mexican Grill
When it comes to specialty margaritas, Mexican-inspired entrees and a great bar atmosphere, Santa Fe is a top spot for Cinco de Mayo. Whether you hit the Wilmington or Newark location, there’s sure to be plenty of Cinco de Mayo fun.
190 East Main Street, Newark | 369-2500
2000 Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilmington | 482-1954
Tacos Chabelita
If you are anywhere near Laurel, stop into Tacos Chabelita on Sussex Highway. This diamond-in-the-rough taco shop celebrates 10 years in business this year. Try the chorizo, chicken or barbacoa tacos topped with plenty of fresh cilantro and a variety of sauces. On Cinco de Mayo, enjoy $2 off food items like quesadillas, burritos and chimichangas. Plus, sip on $20 beer buckets, $3.99 margaritas and more.
30661 Sussex Highway, Laurel | 875-4100
Taco Reho
With locations in Rehoboth Beach and Middletown, this Cali-inspired taco spot serves up terrific Cinco vibes. Enjoy creative cocktails, massive burritos, burrito bowls, tacos, nachos and more.
18784 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach
100 Sandhill Drive, Middletown
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Taqueria Atexcac
Don’t let the tricky turn or the outside experience fool you. Inside, a treasure of Mexican flavors awaits! Start with the chicken enchiladas to be treated to a delicious mole sauce. Enjoy great service as you try traditional dishes prepared with cactus and chorizo. The fajitas are fab and the mushroom quesadilla is a standout; be sure to sample all the house-made sauces.
50 Marrows Road, Newark | 368-1538
Taqueria Los Compadres
While it might not look like much from the outside, step inside and you’ll find delicious steak chilaquiles, a Mexican traditional breakfast with tortilla chips simmered in sauce and topped with crema, queso fresco, onion and steak. If you are here for tacos, try the Tacos al Compadre with cheese and barbacoa or, if you are in the mood for adventure, go for the beef cheek tacos. Wash it all down with house-made horchata, a milky rice drink flavored with cinnamon.
2675 Kirkwood Highway, Newark | 368-8289
Taqueria Los Primos
If you are looking to try elote—traditional grilled Mexican street corn—stop by this location near Prices Corner, Wilmington. Other hits to try are the tacos, which are served with a full tray of condiments in molcajetes, traditional mortar often carved from volcanic stone. The eatery offers lengua (beef tongue) tacos as well as tripa (intestine), in addition to traditional al pastor and steak.
3322 Old Capitol Trail, Wilmington | 998-5969
Tio Taco + Tequila Bar
The Christiana newcomer is the perfect spot to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. With plenty of margarita flavors to choose from, unique and delicious tequila cocktails and a menu full of Mexican-style favorites, you can’t go wrong. Get things started with chips and guac or the Elote de Calle. Try the chimichanga for a crispy fried tortilla stuffed with blackened chicken, rice and beans, melted cheese and topped with pico de gallo and cilantro crema.
325 Christiana Mall Space 1325, Newark | 391-7563
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Two Stones Pub
While a pub might not spring to mind when you’re craving tacos, Two Stones doesn’t let that impede them. They host Taco Tuesday and have several types of tacos on their daily menu. Try the Carolina pork tacos with a side of smashed avocado and pico. Be sure to enjoy a craft beer while you are here. Two Stones has multiple locations, and all are great for a Cinco de Mayo visit.
2502 Foulk Road, Wilmington | 439-3231
1203 Christiana Road Newark | 294-1890
840 Kohl Avenue, Middletown | 378-8199
300 Lantana Drive, Hockessin | 239-2200
Rivera Taco Express II
Get a trio of tacos, nachos and tortas at the location near Fox Run Shopping Center, Bear. Walk up to order and take your taco-y goodness home to enjoy. Dive right in at one of the picnic tables or from the comfort of your car if you can’t wait.
1969 Pulaski Highway, Bear | 365-6620
Related: 14 Places to Celebrate National Margarita Day in Delaware
