Dining Playbook: Where to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Boston

Cinco de Mayo is a holiday commemorating the date of the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla. In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has become a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage…usually a day that includes margaritas and a taco or two. Here are a few of Dining Playbook’s favorite places to get your Cinco fix.

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Border Cafe

Chances are, you’ve been to one of the Border Cafe locations, probably multiple times too. The first location opened in Harvard Square in 1987 and they’ve been pumping out great food ever since. Border Cafe uses the perfect combination of Mexican and Cajun flavors that make this restaurant familiar, yet exotic. So on May 5th, head to one of the several Massachusetts locations and grab a corn and black bean empanada.

Border Cafe: 32 Church St, Cambridge, MA 02138

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Papagayo

If you’re looking for some tequila on this Cinco de Mayo, Papagayo is the place to go. With more than 180 tequilas available, your options are endless. Their mouth watering margaritas pair perfectly with the fresh, hand hacked guacamole. But be careful… the guac is addicting, so you’ll want to make sure you save room for tacos! We suggest the Trailer Park Tacos, made with crispy chicken, chili con queso, shredded lettuce, and pico de gallo.

Papagayo: 331 Great River Rd, Somerville, MA 02145

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Poe’s Taco Room at Lower Depths

Chef Brian Poe is celebrating Cinco de Mayo by offering up the “Burrito de Mayo” special. For $15, grab a Fundito Beef Burrito plus one of their Mexican-style beers. What’s in the burrito? Grass-fed beef, jalapenos, jicama, spring onion salsa and a creamy fundito cheese sauce. Can you say ‘yum’?

Poe’s Taco Room at Lower Depths: 476 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA

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Anna’s Taqueria

Start your day of celebrating Cinco de Mayo early with the help of Anna’s Taqueria. Fill up with your choice of eggs, sausage, potatoes, beans and your favorite fixin’s as a breakfast burrito, taco or Mexican Bowl. When lunch and dinner times come around, spice up your go-to order with Anna’sChicken Ranchero, Steak Roja or Chile Verde or go a little more authentic with Al Pastor or Lengua as your protein.

Anna’s Taqueria: Seven locations throughout Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Somerville and Newton

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Margaritas Mexican Restaurants

Ending a week of Counting down to Cinco, Margaritas Mexican Restaurants celebrates the big day with $5 all-you-can-eat nachos and $5 Regular House Margaritas before 4PM! Want to take home some complimentary Cinco swag? Just order one of Margaritas’ seasonal cocktails – Sweet Tea-quila, Classic Cadillac, Mexican Sunrise, or the Sangria Swirl (blanco or rojo) – that is served in a limited edition Cinco de Mayo pint glass for you to remember the day (while supplies last)! Select locations will also host live music, DJs, tent parties, giveaways and more for a day full of fiesta time.

Margaritas Mexican Restaurants: Locations in Medford, Revere, Waltham, Weymouth, Lexington and Framingham