Cinco de Mayo 2024 LA & OC Celebrations

Join Downtown Santa Monica (DTSM, Inc.) and celebrate Cinco de Mayo on the 1200 block of the Third Street Promenade on Sunday, May 5 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Attendees will enjoy performances by UCLA’s Mariachi de Uclatlán, Academia de Danza BFFM and recording artist Danny Muñoz. Guests will also enjoy outdoor dining from local favorites including Casa Martin, Cabo Cantina, 1212 and Ugo Trattoria.

1200 block of Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Catalina Museum for Art & History | Avalon, Catalina Island

Join art and culture enthusiasts for the biggest celebration of Mexican heritage and pride on Catalina Island, as Catalina Museum presents its annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration on Sunday, May 5 from 6 to 9 p.m.! Enjoy live music by island favorites Sin Frontera, captivating traditional dance performances by Ballet Folklorico Quetzal, and savor popular Mexican dishes from local food vendors. Engage in an exciting art project and raise a toast with margaritas, wine, beer and more. Come together with the community to honor the spirit of Cinco de Mayo.

Catalina Museum for Art & History

217 Metropole Avenue, Avalon, CA 90704

Descanso I Costa Mesa

Descanso Restaurant invites you to a Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 4-5. Enjoy a fiesta brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with dishes like Heuvos con Bistec and Francesca Toast, plus $32 Margarita Pitchers and bottomless Bloody Marias. On May 5th only, get complimentary Chef Angulo’s Mango Morita Chile Chicken Wings with $10 margaritas and $5 Modelo drafts. For those without reservations, the Street Taco Lounge is available for walk-ins, featuring gourmet tacos and specialty margaritas. Live music on May 4 at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m., and May 5 at 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. Join the modern taqueria for the ultimate modern Mexican fiesta!

Address: 1555 Adams Ave #103, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Phone: (714) 486-3798

Miguel’s Jr. I Orange County & Inland Empire

In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, Miguel’s Jr., the beloved family-owned California Mexican quick-service restaurant in OC and IE, is offering their iconic Bean, Rice & Cheese and Bean & Cheese Burritos for only $1.99 all day. Available at all Miguel’s Jr. locations, patrons can enjoy these flavorful options through dine-in, take-out, drive-thru, online ordering, or delivery.

San Pedro Fish Market | San Pedro, Long Beach and Wilmington

Discover a Cinco de Mayo fiesta at San Pedro Market’s three locations across SoCal! At San Pedro Fish Market Long Beach, indulge in the flavors of Grilled Shrimp or Baja Tacos Plates and enjoy a refreshing 16oz Draft Beer for just $4. Over at the Landing located in San Pedro, CA, entice your taste buds with Rockfish or Shrimp Tacos Plates and savor on $4 draft beers. In Wilmington, feast on any Two Tacos or Taco Plate and delight in a 16oz draft beer for just $4. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in style with this irresistible offer available at all locations!

2ND & PCH

Shop over 20 local businesses and enjoy entertainment at the Cinco de Mayo Unidos Vendor Market on Sunday, May 5th from 12 – 5 pm. The curated open-air market celebrates the holiday with folklórico dancers, a mariachi band, photo opportunities, drinks by Beachwood Brewing and special crafts for visitors to shop.

E 2nd St & Pacific Coast Hwy Long Beach, CA 90803

Captain Dave’s I Dana Point Harbor

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with friends and family on an unforgettable 2-hour cruise in picturesque Dana Point Harbor. On the main deck, you will enjoy a delicious catered lunch with tacos, margaritas and panoramic views of the beautiful harbor. Head upstairs to the second deck to enjoy the sunshine, refreshing ocean breeze and stunning sights while live mariachi musicians play.

24440 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, CA 92629

949-577-8403

Descanso Restaurant Celebrates 5th Anniversary

Descanso Restaurant in Costa Mesa, is celebrating five years on Thursday, November 16, and is inviting the community to join in a day of festivities with live music, all-day drink specials, featured menu items, giveaways and more. The first concept of its kind, Descanso’s unique and award-winning Plancha dining experience catapulted the Mexican eatery to the top of Orange County’s dining scene shortly after opening in the fall of 2018. To commemorate the occasion, Descanso Executive Chef Jose Angulo and Mixologist Krys Modawell will introduce new menu items that will be featured throughout the month of November.

“Five years ago we started Descanso with the idea of bringing people together to commune over great food and a memorable experience,” said Rob Arellano, Owner of Descanso, SoCal’s only full-service Mexican restaurant known for preparing authentic cuisine a la minute in front of the guest on a traditional Plancha. “We’re thrilled to celebrate this milestone with our community, and we look forward to our most exciting year yet as we prepare to expand to Los Angeles in 2024.”

Chicken Enchiladas - with guajillo sauce, tomatillo sauce, melted 3 quesos, sour cream, queso fresco, red onion

Photo courtesy of Descanso Restaurant.

Join Descanso in celebrating five years of authentic Mexican flavors. Enjoy complimentary bites, half-off margaritas, beers, tequila flights and wine bottles. Vibe to live music on Descanso’s spacious patio and savor a rotating collection of special menu items and cocktails which will be featured through November 30.

Featured Anniversary Menu Items

Cocktail

Quinta Fiesta – Cazadores Blanco, crème de cassis, lime juice, ginger beer, morita chili salt rim, edible flower garnish, lime wheel.

November 12 -18

Lunch special

Hamachi En Leche de Tigre – sashimi grade hamachi, leche de tigre, pomegranate

Dinner Special

Braised Lamb Shank – butternut squash mash, black olive juice, gremolata

November 19-25

Lunch special

Chicken Enchiladas – with guajillo sauce, tomatillo sauce, melted 3 quesos, sour cream, queso fresco, red onion

Dinner special

Beef Cheek Agnolotti – slow braised beef cheeks, root vegetables, ancho chili beef reduction, black garlic, chanterelle mushrooms

November 26-30

Lunch special

Crispy Lobster Tacos – butter poached fresh Maine lobster, morita aioli, mango relish, red cabbage, crispy blue corn tortilla

Dinner special

Seared Sea Bass – pistachio crust, poblano sauce, garlic spinach

Descanso Restaurant is located at 1555 Adams Ave. Ste. 103, Costa Mesa, CA 92626.

Hours of operation are Monday from 3–9 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m., Friday from 11:30 a.m.–10:30 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m.–10:30 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Weekly happenings include Weekend Brunch from 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 3–6 p.m., Taquero Tuesdays in the Plancha Room from 5 p.m. to close, and Wine Wednesday with live music beginning at 6 p.m.For more information and to make a reservation visit DescansoRestaurant.com or call 714.486.3798.

Taco Tuesday Triumphs: The Emergence of a Nationwide Trend Post Trademark Removal

By Pamela Waitt

As spicy, tangy salsa drips over the brim of a crispy shell filled with mouthwatering fillings, one can only be grateful for the culinary marvel that is a taco. From food trucks to fine dining, tacos have stolen the hearts of millions across the nation. But one phenomenon has truly cemented tacos in American food culture: Taco Tuesday.

This beloved tradition involves restaurants and eateries offering discounted tacos or special taco-centric menus every Tuesday. It has gained such popularity that an estimated 30 million people across the United States partake in the weekly celebration. However, the celebration of Taco Tuesday has not always been an easy path.

Once hampered by trademark restrictions, the term “Taco Tuesday” was legally tethered to a Wyoming-based franchise, Taco John’s, who held the trademark since 1989. Any restaurant outside of this franchise using the term could potentially face legal action, making it a risky proposition to advertise their own Taco Tuesday promotions.

However, the tides have turned in favor of taco enthusiasts nationwide. Recent developments saw the removal of the restrictive “Taco Tuesday” trademark, opening up a new era of gastronomic opportunity.

The lifting of the trademark has seen an explosion in the number of restaurants embracing the Taco Tuesday tradition. According to recent data, close to 100,000 restaurants in the United States now serve Taco Tuesday promotions. From local diners to multinational chains, establishments of all sizes are jumping on the taco train, eager to offer their own unique spins on the tradition.

As more restaurants adopt the Taco Tuesday tradition, variety and innovation are flourishing. You’ll find fusion tacos, gourmet tacos, and vegetarian tacos now more than ever. The competition between establishments has driven the creation of unique and flavorful offerings, making the tradition even more exciting for consumers.

This surge in participation is not just good for business; it’s also impacting community dynamics. Restaurants are local gathering spots where friends and family convene every week, fostering a sense of community. Meanwhile, consumers are relishing the opportunity to try out different tacos each week, turning a simple dinner choice into an exciting break in the week.

With the trademark hurdle removed, the phenomenon of Taco Tuesday is set to grow exponentially. The tradition has turned into a win-win scenario for both consumers and restaurateurs. For diners, it’s an invitation to eat tacos and enjoy life on Tuesday. For restaurateurs, it’s an opportunity to showcase their culinary skills, attract a steady stream of customers, and partake in a nationwide trend.

The continued growth and success of Taco Tuesday are undeniable. With more restaurants than ever participating and millions of consumers joining in, this tradition promises to keep our Tuesdays exciting for many years to come. As the United States continues to embrace the culture of Taco Tuesday, we can only anticipate even more creativity, camaraderie, and, of course, irresistible tacos in the future. At TacoTuesday.com our goal is simple, to make a have a fun site for taco lovers to find restaurants, tacos, Taco Tuesdays and Happiness.