San Francisco Restaurants Celebrate Cinco de Mayo With Drink and Dinner Specials

Cinco de Mayo, the celebration of a historic battle during the Franco-Mexican War, has in recent decades evolved into a holiday celebrated by folks of all cultures (not unlike, perhaps, the March 17 celebrations intended to honor the death of Ireland’s patron saint), frequently at Mexican restaurants and bars. In fact, some local restaurants say that May 5 is typically one of their busiest days of the year.

But not this year, as May 5 will still put the Bay Area 26 days from the end of its current shelter-in-place order, which was first enacted on March 16 to slow the spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19). However, just because your favorite Mexican spot’s dining room is dark doesn’t mean that the holiday is out of reach — it just means that, as with every other aspect of pandemic life, it has to be celebrated at home, with takeout or delivery. Here’s a guide to specials at some of the Bay Area’s biggest Cinco de Mayo destinations...and this year, you won’t even have to take an Uber to get safely home when you’re done with the celebration.

Celia’s by the Beach has been closed by the pandemic, but they’re reopening on May 5 to serve takeout margaritas out of one of their windows. Hours are noon–9:00 p.m.

El Techo de Lolinda has temporarily shuttered its rooftop for the pandemic, and recently kicked off takeout from Barvale (661 Divisadero). On Cinco de Mayo get Caviar delivery for $5 off with code E3HKEW.

Flores has an $80 Cinco de Mayo family pack that serves four,and includes guac, ensalada verde, carnitas plato, fried plantains, and a pitcher of margs. It’s only available for takeout and can be ordered by calling 415-796-2926. Caviar delivery of the rest of their menu is $5 off with the code T0PYFG, and if you stop by and buy a gift card of $75 or more, they’ll throw in two free margaritas on Tuesday.

The Little Chihuahua is slinging taco kits on May 4–5 from all three of its locations, a deal that for $40 feeds two with all the taco fixings you can imagine, guacamole and chips, rice and beans, salad, and cookies.

Mastro’s Steakhouse, the Union Square location of the glitzy chain, says that on May 5 only, it’s offering a two person meal deal that includes 16 ounces of marinated prime steak, six flour tortillas, Mastro’s avocado salsa, pickled onions, tajin mayonnaise, and Cotija cheese. It’s $45. Call 415-363-9539 or order online for delivery here.

Perbacco’s Yucatan-born executive sous chef, Toby Nah and Barbacco’s Mexico City-born chef de cuisine Jesus Escobar have created a taco kit that includes carne asada, carnitas, and chicken in mole, with rice, beans, guacamole, three types of salsa, tortillas, tortilla chips, and corn on the cob. They’re also selling margaritas by the pint ($15) or quart ($30). Call 415-955-0663 by end-of-day on May 4 to pre-order for pickup on May 5.

The Sunset Reservoir Brewing Company is offering a liter of margaritas for $44, and as they say that there are 10 margaritas in a liter (which, how is this not a question on the SATs?), which works out to $4 per drink. Call 415-571-8452 to order; delivery is via GrubHub and Postmates.