Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with this delicious homemade margarita mix.
Cinco de Mayo falls on a Taco Tuesday this year. That's both fun and fitting, a mashup of two decidedly Americanized celebrations of Mexican culture.
Cinco de Mayo, traditionally, commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely battle victory in Puebla in 1862. Folks from that area -- descendants of whom there are many in North Jersey -- celebrate that anniversary, but it's not a nationwide Mexican holiday like our festivities here might lead you to believe.
Indeed, today, Cinco de Mayo in the U.S. is a margarita-fueled celebration of Mexican culture, food and music. Mariachi bands play, tequila is drunk and plenty of traditional Mexican dishes are consumed.
Taco Tuesday, meanwhile, is a wholly American invention with an insane history and roots in New Jersey -- the folks at Gregory's Restaurant and Bar in Somers Point owned the trademark for the term for a couple decades and claim origination of the phrase.
In North Jersey, we have plenty of options to celebrate whether you're in it for the Puebla history, a boatload of tacos or just a good time (or all three). From lucha libre wrestling to mariachi bar crawls to the biggest Taco Tuesday celebrations you've ever seen, there's likely a bar or restaurant near you with a unique way to celebrate.
Festivities run through the weekend preceding Cinco de Mayo, so check dates before making plans.
Where to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in North Jersey
Lolita's Mexican Cantina, Westwood and North Bergen
Lolita's is hosting all-day Cinco de Mayo celebrations in its Westwood and Linden locations, with food, giveaways and great vibes. Head over about noon and grab some free T-shirts and promotional items, throw back some complimentary shots and listen to DJ sets. Buckets of beer are $35 and pails of Lolita's signature margarita are $24.
Go: 65 Old Hook Road, Westwood, 201-666-7998, and 8809 River Road, North Bergen, 201-943-6366; lolitasmexicancantina.com.
Hoboken Cinco de Mayo Crawl
Why go to uno bar for Cinco de Mayo when you can go to cinco? This festive bar crawl starts at The Hatter and continues onto Green Rock Tap & Grill, The Shannon, The Pig & Parrot and The Pig & Parrot Last Resort. Along the way you'll get a free taco, hear mariachi music (with a band that also travels between the bars) and get your choice of drink and food specials. Tickets are $12.99-$18.99.
Go: Start at The Hatter. 221 Washington St., Hoboken; pubcrawls.com/hoboken-cinco-de-mayo-weekend-pub-crawl.
Chevys Fresh Mex, Clifton and Linden
Both Chevys locations in North Jersey are hosting two days of festivities, the first on May 2, with a pre-Cinco de Mayo party. Stop by at 8 p.m. for a DJ set, drink specials and a shot wheel. Then on May 5, Chevys is celebrating with a mariachi band, drink specials, the shot wheel at Taco Tuesday deals starting at 3 p.m.
Go: 365 Route 3, Clifton, 973-777-6277, and 1150 S. Stiles St., Linden, 908-862-9800; chevys.com.
Doughboy Johnny's, Linden
The party that usually descends on Tequila Johnny's in Roselle is moving to sister restaurant Doughboy Johnny's in Linden this year. Visit this unique, lively, retro-chic spot with killer food for margarita and food specials like $10 margaritas and $3 empanadas.
Go: 1120 E. Saint George St., Linden; 908-925-2200, doughboyjohnny.com.
Meximodo, Jersey City and Metuchen
Meixmodo boasts the largest selection of agave spirits in the world, so it follows that their Cinco de Mayo celebrations would be a rip-roaring good time. From 4-11 p.m., sip on margaritas, dance to music, take advantage of some photo ops and leave with some giveaways and good memories. Maybe next Cinco, we'll be celebrating at Meximodo's forthcoming Parsippany location.
Go: 25 Christopher Columbus Dr., Jersey City, 201-377-3265, and 5 Pearl St., Metuchen, 732-395-7767; meximodo.com.
Franklin Social, Jersey City
While this classic bar will provide a festive environment for Cinco de Mayo, you can also help support a good cause while having a good time. Order La Llama Rose (Espolon reposado, Grand Marnier, grapefruit liqueur, lime, agave, spiced hibiscus and saline) from May 5-9, and a portion of the proceeds will go to Welcome Home Jersey City, which supports refugees and asylees adjust into new homes.
Go: 292 Barrow St., Jersey City; 201-413-1300, franklinsocial.com.
Cinco de Brunch Festival, Passaic
It's an afternoon and evening of festivities and good eats on May 3 at Fiestas. Activities include a mechanical bull, DJ sets, photo props and of course plenty of tequila and brunch dishes to keep you fueled for all the fun. Beer, bucket and bottle specials will also be offered.
Go: Fiestas. 115 President St., Passaic; 973-470-7198, fiestasnightclub.com.
Stay A While & Suavecito Cinco de Mayo, Englewood
On May 2 from 5-8 p.m., head to Pinspiration in Englewood for this mashup Cinco fiesta featuring Suavecita Tequila and Stay a While Cocktails. Street-style tacos, fresh churros and tequila-infused desserts are on the menu from It's Delicious, and your ticket ($55) includes three cocktails, food, access to chic photo areas and a special take-home gift.
Go: Pinspiration Englewood. 18-22 Engle St., Englewood; stayawhilecocktails.com/store/p/cinco-de-mayo-stay-a-while-experience-suavecito-x-stay-a-while.
Juancho's, Butler
Jauncho's all-you-can-eat brunches and family dining deals make it a favorite spot throughout the year for local diners, but it's upping the fun on Cinco de Mayo. Stop by for music, good vibes and some special "surprises" throughout the day.
Go: 98 Main Street, Butler; 973-291-4959, juanchosmexicanrestaurante.com.
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, Ridgefield Park
Food is merely a sidenote for the spectacle at this Ridgefield Park Cinco de Mayo celebration. At this ticketed, family-friendly event ($35 adults, $15 kids) on May 3, enjoy the thrills of lucha libre wrestling, listen to live mariachi and banda music and eat some festive fare from food vendors.
Go: Knights of Columbus. 106 Bergen Ave., Ridgefield Park; 201-397-3486, instagram.com/fuegolucha.
Cinco de Mayo Yappy Hour, Hoboken
Let's not leave the dogs out of the Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Stop by The Ale House in Hoboken on May 1 from 6-8:30 p.m. with your pooch for fresh-made "paw"-garitas, free dog sombreros and drinks for pet owners. A portion of the proceeds ($10 per ticket) benefit the Hoboken Rainbow Bridge Project, which supports folks whose pets have died.
Go: The Ale House. 1034 Willow Ave., Hoboken; doggieroadtrippin.com.
Bask46, Woodland Park
This bar, grill and pizzeria promises a celebration that "is not your average taco Tuesday." They're offering $10 margaritas, $5 pints, specials on top-shelf tequila, giveaways all day long and loud music.
Go: 1530 Route 46, Woodland Park; 973-256-2275, bask46.com.
Hackensack Tacos and Tequila Bar Crawl
May 2 should be a fun day along Main Street in Hackensack on May 2. A trolley will run back and forth along Main Street throughout the afternoon, taking people to participating venues, including Casual Habana, El Alazán, Noches de Colombia, SideBar Gastropub and The Whiskey Priest. There will be DJs and drink and food specials at each restaurant. Wristbands are $20.
Go: Main Street, Hackensack; eventbrite.com/e/hackensack-taco-tequila-bar-crawl-tickets-1985247711346.
Matt Cortina is a food reporter for NorthJersey.com/The Record. Reach him at mcortina@usatodayco.com.
