Cinco de Mayo 2011: Where to Drink & Eat in the East Valley

Still searching for a spot to celebrate Cinco de Mayo? We’ve got you covered!

We’ve highlighted some of our favorite celebrations around the Valley to make your planning a little easier:

• Arriba Mexican Grill

Drink specials include $4 margaritas, $4 shots and $2 beer specials. Promotional giveaways are featured from Corona, Sauza and Budweiser. Dance to music performed by the Rhythm Edition.

• Cadillac Ranch | Tempe

A variety of $2 to $5 food specials, $2 Dos XX Beers, and $3 Cuervo Margaritas, $4 Milagro tequila shots and poppers, live music and DJ from 9 p.m. to close.

• Cinco de Mayo Festival & Chihuahua Races | Chandler | Saturday, May 7th  10am-7pm

Held at Downtown Chandler Public Library Courtyard: The annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration honors the Hispanic community’s many contributions to the City of Chandler. The festival also features the popular Chihuahua Races and the crowning of the King and Queen Chihuahua. In addition to the popular Chihuahua Races, the event will have two stages of entertainment, the Día de los Niños Health Fair, food vendors, and kids activities. Free Admission, Watching the races is also free. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Two Stages of Entertainment: Chihuahua Races & King and Queen Coronation. Information on Dia de Los Ninos can be found here:  English : Spanish (PDF)

• Los Dos Molinos | 11am | Price: $8.95-$11.95 food items, $2-$6 drinks

Five drink specials and five dinners, each served with rice and beans, are offered. Select from pinchos de carne adovada (pork marinated in red chile), chicken fajitas, carne asada burro, pollo adovada (chicken marinated in red chile) or adovada tamales. Bud Lite drafts are $2, Victoria beer is $3, mojitos and Micheladas are $5 and Milagro margaritas are $6.

• Salty Senorita | Mesa | Noon-2am | Price: $10.00

Live music will dominate each of location, with Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers scheduled to rock Old Town, Metalhead playing the Peoria location and Chuck E. Baby taking the stage in Mesa.

• San Felipes Cantina | Tempe

Thursday may 5th is Cinco de Drinko. Always the wildest Cinco de Mayo party in Phoenix. It’s food, drinking and dancing all day long at all 3 San Felipe’s Cantina locations. Grab a drink special with $3 house margaritas, $3 Dos Equis bottles and drafts from 11AM until 3PM.

• Sparky’s Old Town Creamery

Cool off with a spicy free scoop of dark chocolate raspberry-habanero ice cream with any purchase.

• Valle Luna | Chandler

Valle Luna Chandler will host Soul Persuasion, from 6 to 10 p.m., while a DJ will be spinning dance music inside. Valle Luna on Cave Creek Rd will be serving “Pepe’s famous street pork tacos,” and will have plenty for the kids, including face painting and balloons. Happy hour from from 3 to 7:30 p.m. at this location. Valle Luna on West Bell Road will feature an outdoor fiesta, with trivia and chili-eating contests, and live music from Nineball. $10, with free appetizer buffet.

• Z’Tejas Grill | 11am-10pm | Price: $4-$6 happy-hour specials, $2 Coronas, menu prices vary

Get Coronas for $2 throughout the day. Happy-hour specials, available from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., include grilled shrimp and guacamole tostada bites, Leo’s street tacos, or the grilled jumbo spinach-and-mushroom quesadilla. The new spring menu includes citrus-glazed mahi mahi and a chicken and goat-cheese salad.