The problem isn't finding place to celebrate Cinco de Mayo on Tuesday -- the problem is trying to decide which one.
Several area restaurants and bars are pulling out all the stops to celebrate Mexican Independence Day. Here's some options:
- Carnivale (702 W. Fulton St) is celebrating 5/5 with 5 special deals, including $5 guacamole, 5 specialty margaritas, $5 valet, $5 Mexican Beers and 5 Mexican food specials.
- Cinco Division Street continues Tuesday at The Original Mother's (26 West Division) beginning at 7 pm. Catch performances by Blink-182 tribute band, Blank 281, and the evening's headliner, Smoking Popes. Tickets are available online at www.ticketweb.com or at the door, based on space availability. Also, $4.50 Corona and Corona Light and $5 shots of Sauza Tequila will be featured all day and night.
- A Cinco del Soul party will be held at the Society for Arts (1112 N Milwaukee Ave.) Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 at the door. Your ticket price includes food, drinks and music, along with complimentary valet. Proceeds benefit Youth Technology Corps (YTC), a Chicago-based non-profit organization that addresses the lack of access to basic technology for teens in our inner city communities. Click here for ticket information.
- Nacional 27 is offering an all-inclusive party package on Tuesday from 6 - 9 p.m. The $27 package includes renowkened mixologist Adam Seger's Sangria (White, Red, Guava, Passionfruit) and Five Citrus Cazuelas, passed tapas and entertainment provided by DJ George Perez. A cash bar will begin at 9 pm, but margaritas, cazuelas and sangria will be on special for $5.
- Head north for Cinco de Mayo on the Square with Logan Square's Dunlays restaurant and bar. Sip $2 Pacificos and $5 Margaritas while enjoying Mexican-themed specials, such as Fish Tacos $12, Steak Tacos $10, Guacamole and Chips $8 and Ceviche $9. Or enjoy their regular Tuesday special -- 20 wine bottles for $20.
- Lincoln Park's John Barleycorn will host a Cinco de Mayo celebration featuring an all-you-can-eat buffet from 7-10 p.m. and $4 Dos Equis bottles all night. The $12.95 buffet includes Mexican eats such as chilaquiles, tamales, enchiladas, steak fajitas, chocolate-stuffed churros and more. The regular menu, which includes a handful of a la carte Mexican dishes such as grilled chicken and cheese quesadillas, beer-battered fish tacos and meaty chili-topped nachos, will also be offered.
- Why not celebrate a Mexican holiday in Japan? Kohan Japanese Restaurant (730 W Maxwell St.) is offering all day drink specials and themed signature rolls. Corona bottles are $3 and Mai Tai's $5. Specialty Cinco rolls include the Mexico City, Sombrero Roll and the La Bamba, all for $14.
- Timothy O'Toole's Irish Pub (622 N. Fairbanks Court) is celebrating Cinco "O' Mayo" with $4 Dos Equis draft beers and $18 Corona/Corona Light/Pacifico Mix N' Match buckets which include chips and salsa.
- Wheaton's Arrowhead Restaurant and Bar is featuring Hispanic cuisine and beverages specials all day long. The drinks and food specials all have a $5 theme, including a 5-flavored margarita bar, and a $5 all you can eat taco bar with five filling choices.
