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 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 specials like $4 Modelo and $6 margaritas, live music performances, DJs, tacos, and plenty of beachside fun. The big fiesta will take place on Saturday, May 3 with a full lineup of live performances, a mechanical bull contest, Taco Reho food truck, and much more.
19406 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach | 727-5568
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Casa Kahlo Mexican Grill & Bar
This newcomer to the Newark Shopping Center has quickly become a hotspot for Mexican fare, impressive cocktails, late-night dining, and weekend fun. On Cinco de Mayo, tables are sure to fill quickly, so reserve online to guarantee a spot.
230 East Main Street, Newark | 444-5104
Del Pez
Del Pez Mexican gastropub is a top local spot for tequila cocktails, creative dips like flavored guacamole, and Mexican-inspired entrees. With locations in Wilmington and Newark, it’s a convenient option in New Castle County.
400 Justison Street, Wilmington | 691-7974
501 Grove Lane, Newark | 273-3788
El Camino Mexican Kitchen
Enjoy food, games, music, drink and food specials, raffles, and more during El Camino’s Cinco party. Drink specials run throughout the weekend from May 2-5. Plus, look forward to an outdoor bar, raffles, and a DJ on Monday.
3559 Silverside Road, Wilmington | 543-4245
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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 and 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
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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 start on May 1, with live music, giveaways and plenty of patio fun planned for Cinco de Mayo.
4147 Concord Pike, Wilmington | 778-4646
304 Buckley Mill Road, Greenville | 476-8683
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 also offers an extensive list of mojitos.
14 Wilmington Avenue, Rehoboth Beach | 227-0115
Rancho Azteca Mexican Restaurant & Bar
Rancho Azteca is a newcomer to Historic New Castle’s Delaware Street. The Mexican restaurant and bar has impressed New Castle residents with delicious guacamole and queso, sizzling fajitas, street tacos, and mouthwatering margaritas in a variety of flavors. Throughout Cinco de Mayo weekend, enjoy $6 house margaritas, $5 tequila sunrises, $8 palomas, and much more.
222 Delaware Street, New Castle | 544-6576
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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.
30661 Sussex Highway, Laurel | 875-4100
Taco Reho
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
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 location of Tio Taco + Tequila is the perfect spot to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Enjoy live music outside from 2-10 p.m. With plenty of margarita flavors, 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 pico de gallo and cilantro crema on top.
325 Christiana Mall Space 1325, Newark | 391-7563
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