Where to get free tacos, $1 margaritas and other deals for Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is more than just holiday time in Mexico.

May 5 has become a popular day for Americans to consume Mexican food, drinks and culture.

And there are deals to be had.

On Sunday, you can load up the plate with $2 tacos, drink up $1 margaritas and take advantage of other discounts. There are a few freebies, too, and some offers start early.

Brad Plothow, vice president of brand and communications for Womply, a small business software provider, said Cinco de Mayo is a huge sales day for taco shops and Mexican restaurants. The company analyzed sales at 42,000 local restaurants for 2018.

“Expect to encounter big crowds if you’re planning to visit your favorite Mexican restaurant or taco shop," Plothow said. "According to our data analysis, we expect Sunday to be one of the busiest days of the year at Mexican eateries.”

And if money is no object Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar has brought back its $100 Prime Margarita for the month. The drink features premium alcohol and is served in a diamond-cut Baccarat Crystal Tumbler, that you can take home as a memento.

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The deals

Participation can vary by location. To be on the safe side, always check with your closest location before heading out. Also, some will require you to have a restaurant's app or be signed up for emails.

7-Eleven: With 7NOW, 7-Eleven’s delivery service, select parts of the country, including New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, Dallas, Austin, Seattle, Chicago, Charlotte and more, can get free delivery on beer orders Sunday. Learn more about the service and how to get your first three deliveries for free at https://delivery.7-eleven.com.

Abuelo’s: Get a $5 Grande Mexican Draft Beer special and $6.95 Flag Margarita Sunday.

Applebee's: The $1 Neighborhood Drink of the Month, also available for Cinco de Mayo, is the Dollarita.

Bahama Breeze: This Cinco de Mayo deal lasts through May 31. Except for Mother's Day at participating locations, get $5 classic margaritas and $10 Create Your Own Premium Tequila and Rum Flights.

Bar Louie: From Friday through Sunday, locations are hosting Cabo de Mayo parties with two specialty tacos for $5 and $5 drink specials. The specials are available during Cabo de Mayo celebrations.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.: Get $1 tacos and $4 Corona Extras all day Sunday.

California Pizza Kitchen: Get $5 Fresh Agave Lime Margaritas Sunday at select locations.

California Tortilla: Make a purchase Friday through Sunday for Cinco de Mayo weekend and get a free taco coupon to redeem May 6-12.

Casa Ole: Through May 7, all-you-can-eat fajitas in chicken, beef or mixed are $15 at participating locations. One order per person, and this dine-in offer cannot be shared. Not valid with any other promotion.

Chili’s: Three beverages – the Tequila Trifecta, the Presidente Margarita and draft beer – are each $5 Sunday.

Chipotle: Get free DoorDash delivery on Chipotle orders $10 or more Sunday placed through the on-demand delivery service's website or app, the Chipotle app and Chipotle.com. No promo code is needed but the maximum order size for free delivery is $200, excluding tax.

Chopt: For Cinco de Mayo weekend, get 20% off the Mexican Caesar Salad online at www.choptsalad.com with promo code SaladCinco. Not valid in stores.

Chuy's: It's a three-day party. For Fiesta Friday, get $1 floaters. Sippin' Saturday has $1 floaters and $1 off Perfect Margaritas, and for Cinco de Mayo get the Saturday deals and $5 regular House Ritas, $8 Grande House Ritas and $5 queso or guacamole.

Cumberland Farms: Get a mobile coupon for $1 nachos Saturday and Sunday, while supplies last. To get the deal, text CHOS to 64827.

Del Taco: Get a free Beyond Taco, Beyond Avocado Taco or Del Taco Sunday with a $5 minimum purchase with an offer on the Del App. Download the app at www.deltaco.com/app.

Duffy's Sports Grill: The Florida-based chain has Cinco de Mayo deals Friday through Sunday. Get $3 Classic Margaritas, five for $15 Corona buckets, $9 Taco Trios and $4 Patron Silver shots.

Dunkin': Members of the DD Perks loyalty program get five-times the points – 25 points per dollar instead of the usual five points per dollar – on a medium or larger coffee or espresso beverage Sunday. Sign up for the program at www.ddperks.com.

El Fenix: Through Sunday, get eight-ounce margaritas for $1.

El Pollo Loco: Through Sunday, the chain has two Cinco de Mayo deals. Get $5 Street Corn Tostadas and $5 five-piece Fire-Grilled Chicken with coupons posted at www.elpolloloco.com/cincodemayo. Print or show the coupons, which are not available on online or app orders.

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: This one is a special, not a deal. Through May 31, get the limited $100 Prime Margarita. The drink is served in a diamond-cut Baccarat Crystal Tumbler, that you can take home as a memento.

The Greene Turtle: Get Endless Tacos in buffalo or grilled chicken for $9.99 now through June 2. Plus, on Cinco de Mayo, participating locations have a taco eating contest. Learn more at www.thegreeneturtle.com/Taco-Eating-Contest.

Hopdoddy Burger Bar: All margaritas are half off Friday through Sunday at all locations.

Hungry Howie’s: Through Sunday, get a one-topping large pizza for $5.55 at participating locations.

Hurricane Grill & Wings: Get $3 tacos, $3 tequila shots and $5 margaritas Sunday.

Krispy Kreme: Members of the chain's rewards program can get a dozen Original Glazed Doughnuts for $5 Sunday with their app or an email coupon. There is a limit of two redemptions at this price. Sign up at www.krispykreme.com/rewards

Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant: The chain’s Cinco de Mayo celebration runs Thursday through Sunday. Deals vary by location. Learn more at www.margs.com/cinco2019.

Moe’s Southwest Grill: On Friday and Saturday, Moe Rewards Members get double rewards points and on Sunday, the first 50 people in line before they open get a free Cinco shirt. Learn more at www.moes.com/cinco. Through Sunday, spend $10 or more ordering Moe’s through UberEats and get a free HomeWrecker burrito with coupon code FREEFIESTA.

On The Border: Get $5 Cinco Ritas and shot specials starting at $3 Sunday, May 5. Also through Cinco de Mayo, the chain has a Mango Loco Rita margarita, which is a mix of Monster Mango Loco, Grenadine and tequila. For Sunday delivery orders through Grubhub, get $5 off $25 or more with promo code CINCOOFFOTB.

Schlotzsky's: Get a medium drink, bag of chips and Fiesta Chicken Sandwich for $5 Sunday. No coupon or app needed and available at all locations.

Taco Bell: This isn't a specific Cinco de Mayo offer, but through May 11, get one free small Mountain Dew Baja Blast Zero Sugar with any online or app purchase. Or through May 11, get a free grilled breakfast burrito with any online or app purchase. And through June 9 at 2:59 ET, get 15% off one Party Pack. Sign up for offers at www.tacobell.com/register.

Taco Cabana: The Texas-based chain has daily $5 specials leading up to Cinco de Mayo, including a Chicken Flauta Combo Wednesday, two Brisket Tacos Thursday, classic nachos Friday and a six-pack of $5 Flautas Saturday. Sunday there's an all-day happy hour.

Taco John's: Through Sunday, get five beef soft-shell tacos for $5. In some markets, the deal is five for $5.55.

TGI Fridays: Get $5 Fridays 'Ritas, $5 Patron Shots, and $5 Dos Equis 23-ounce draft beer Sunday.

Tijuana Flats: From Friday through Sunday, get a taco and beer for $5, two tacos for $5 or two beers for $5.

Uno Pizzeria & Grill: Through Sunday, get $2 Sauza Margaritas and $2 Corona beer.

Yard House: The chain has $5 House Margaritas, Salted Watermelon Margaritas and Pomegranate Margaritas, all day Sunday at select locations nationwide. Times may vary by location.

More deals: Some smaller chains and locally owned businesses also will have deals for Cinco de Mayo. One of the easiest ways to find specials is by checking social media accounts.

Follow Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Where to get free tacos, $1 margaritas and other deals for Cinco de Mayo