Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Greenville: Our guide of events and food and drink specials

Cinco de Mayo is days away and many Greenville restaurants are honoring the celebration with a menu of Mexican-inspired dishes.

But before munching out on tacos and burritos or sipping on a margarita, realize May 5 or Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican day of celebration, which observes when the Mexican army defeated France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War of 1862. The event known as the "Battle of Puebla Day" has evolved into a celebration of Mexican heritage with traditional and an infusion of cultural dishes.

One of the best parts of the day is it gives people another excuse to dine out. Many will visit cantinas which offer more of a Mexican-American style menu, while traditional Mexican Restaurants offer conventional and historic Mexican dishes.

Below is a list of events and restaurants to visit in Greenville on Friday, May 5:

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Cantinflas owner Ruben Montalvo, owner of Mexican restaurant Cantinflas on South Main Street in Greenville, before a previous Cinco de Mayo at his restaurant.
Cantinflas owner Ruben Montalvo, owner of Mexican restaurant Cantinflas on South Main Street in Greenville, before a previous Cinco de Mayo at his restaurant.

Greenville Cinco de Mayo events

  • Bohemian Bull, 3620 Pelham Road — Soul Legit Trio will perform their dance/party routine at Bohemian Bull at 5 p.m.

  • Run In, 1301 E. Washington St. — A 5k distance run along the Swamp Rabbit Trail, organized and led by Upstate Running Club and Without Limits Team, afterward raffling off a free pair of shoes and dining at Willy Tacos.

  • UFC Gym, 2435 E. North St. — Free workout with a taco and churro truck, alongside ice bath and kid activities, beginning at 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.

  • Ibiza Nightlife, 50 Woods Lake Road. — Binomio de oro de America en Greenville will feature the sounds of Jose Cruz on Sunday, May 7, doors open at 9 p.m., only ages 21 and older will be permitted.

Top cantinas to visit for Cinco de Mayo in Greenville

  • Willy Taco Feed & Seed, 217 Laurens Road. — Patagonia steak — $5/each

  • Cantina 76, 103 N. Main St. — Jalepeño shrimp — $4/each

  • Tipsy Taco, 15 Conestee Ave. — Kahuna Tuna — $6.50/each

  • Candado Tacos, 1025 Woodruff Road. — Dutch Dragon (plant-based)

  • ASADA, 903 Wade Hampton Blvd. — Carnita burrito — $9.50/each

  • On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, 74 Beacon Drive — Southwest chicken tacos — $11.49

  • Holly Mōlli Mexican Fusion, 11 S. Main St. — Cochinita Tacos — $10.99/per three

  • Comal 864, 1112 Woodside Ave. — Birria Grilled Cheese — $14.00

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Dayna Lee-Márquez of the Comal 864 restaurant in Greenville. Dayna Lee-Márquez, of the Comal 864 restaurant in Greenville, SC is a semifinalists for the 2023 James Beard Awards Best Chef: Southeast (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, WV)
Dayna Lee-Márquez of the Comal 864 restaurant in Greenville. Dayna Lee-Márquez, of the Comal 864 restaurant in Greenville, SC is a semifinalists for the 2023 James Beard Awards Best Chef: Southeast (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, WV)

Top Traditional Mexican Restaurants to Visit for Cinco de Mayo in Greenville

  • El Tejano Mexican Restaurant, 38 Ray E. Talley Court. — La Changa — $8.05

  • Viva Villia Mexican Grill, 203 N. Main St. (Mauldin) — Shrimp fajitas — $8.99

  • Panaderia La Estrella, 635 NE Main St. — Cualquier carne burrito — $6.99

  • El Jalisco, 107 E. Butler Road (Mauldin) — $1.25 margarita special (weekday)

  • La Parrilla Mexican Restaurant, 1 Market Point Drive — Chimichanga — $12.75

  • Tequilana Mexican Restaurant, 785 E Butler Road (Mauldin) — Pechuga de Mole — $10.95

  • Las Meras Tortas, 6119 White Horse Road — Cubana torta — $7.50

  • Uncle Bertos, 100 Batesville Road Site A — chorizo and eggs — $11.99

  • Nazario's Mexican Restaurant, 400 Saluda Dam Road — Mango shrimp tacos — $10.25

  • Taqueria 4 Tacos Locos, 3400 Augusta Road — Chorizo tacos — $2.00/each

  • Sabroso Mexican Grille, 1860 Woodruff Road — Veracruz fish — $12.99

  • Fonda Rosalinda, 1124 Pleasantburg Drive. — Chicken tacos — $11.50

  • Cantinflas Mexican and Vegetarian Cuisine, 10 S. Main St. — Soy meatballs — $16.99

– A.J. Jackson covers the food & dining scene, along with arts, entertainment and more for The Greenville News and Anderson Independent Mail. Contact him by email at ajackson@gannett.com, and follow him on Twitter @ajhappened.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Greenville: Events, food and drink specials