Celebrating Cinco de Mayo? Here are food, drink deals at Mexican restaurants near Peoria

Cinco de Mayo is almost here and the holiday has become quite the party in the United States.

There will be multiple celebrations to be had and many restaurants will offer drink and food specials just for the occasion.

Cinco de Mayo 2023: Looking for Mexican food? Check out these 26 Peoria-area restaurants

Here's what you need to know about Cinco de Mayo and the local restaurants offering deals:

When is Cinco de Mayo?

Cinco de Mayo, or May 5, lands on Friday this year.

What is Cinco de Mayo and the meaning behind it?

According to history.com, May 5 is a day of celebration, remembering the Mexican army’s Franco-Mexican War win over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

The holiday over the years has been well celebrated in the U.S., even more so than in Mexico. Cinco de Mayo is viewed as a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with significant Mexican-American populations. Some of the largest festivals offer parades, parties, mariachi music, Mexican folk dancing and traditional foods in cities across the U.S.

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Cinco de Mayo 2023 drink, food specials

Here's where you can find margarita deals and food specials around the Peoria area:

  • Applebee's: The restaurant chain will be offering $6 beers and cocktails, including a Modelo Especial draft for a limited time and a Tipsy Shark margaritas consisting of blue curaçao, passion fruit, pineapple, cherry, lime and 1800 Reposado tequila. Address: 3540 Court St., Pekin. Phone: (309) 353-3988.

  • Blue Margarita's: The restaurant will offer $4 16-ounce draft beers and $5 16-ounce margaritas. Address: 9010 N. Allen Road, Peoria. Phone: (309) 966-0783. Address: 661 N. Cummings Lane, Washington. Phone: (309) 481-5363.

  • Casa de Arte: The restaurant has quite a party planned beginning with $4 margaritas, as well as street tacos for sale. A DJ will be on tap from 5 to 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. to midnight. There will be live performances from 7 to 8 p.m. and a karaoke contest from 8 to 9 p.m. There will also be the First Friday Art Show. There is no cover charge for the event. Address: 1227 SW Adams St., Peoria. Phone: (309) 839-2442 or (309) 839-2535.

  • El Molcajete Mexican Restaurant: Enjoy $5.99 16-ounce margaritas and $11.99 32-ounce margaritas on Cinco de Mayo. Address: 226 N. Fourth St., Chillicothe. Phone: (309) 274-4213.

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  • Jalapenos: There will be giveaways of $100 cash prizes and $50 gift certificates to five winners on May 5 and five on May 6. Stop by and put your name in the draw box. Address: 4700 N. University St., Peoria. Phone: (309) 691-3599.

  • La Fiesta: The restaurant will offer specially crafted $18 margarita pitchers and have a live mariachi band from 5 to 9 p.m. Address: 837 W. Jackson St., Morton. Phone: (309) 263-7403.

  • Moe's Southwest Grill: Rewards members can score double points on Cinco de Mayo at participating stores. For those visiting the store, the first 50 guests on Cinco de Mayo will receive a free t-shirt. Bonus points will be added into accounts 24 to 48 hours after qualifying orders. Address: 130 Spinder Dr., East Peoria. Phone: (309) 698-6637. Address: 915 N. Elmwood Ave., Peoria. Phone: (309) 677-3280.

  • Taco John's: Patrons can claim a free meat and potato burrito Friday with any purchase. Address: 725 S. Main St., Creve Coeur. Phone: (309) 698-0027. Address: 2422 E. Washington St., East Peoria. Phone: (309) 699-7412.

  • Untamed Chef: Get a free taco when you buy a taco kit or save $2 on fresh-pressed margaritas. El Pastor tacos will be added for Cinco de Mayo from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Address: 7338 N. University St., Peoria. Phone: (309) 231-0906.

Chris Sims is a digital producer for the Journal Star. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Cinco de Mayo 2023: Food, drink specials around Peoria area