Cinco de Mayo, which kicks off the week on Monday, May 5, is a great day to celebrate Mexican heritage. But before you order a Modelo, margarita or chips and queso, perhaps take a moment to consider the holiday's meaning.
Many think of it as equivalent to July Fourth in the U.S., but it's not. Mexico earned its independence from Spain on Sept. 16, 1810. And the Mexican Revolution, which started Nov. 20, 1910, wouldn't end until a decade later.
But May 5, 1862 marks an important battle in Mexico's battle against the French, led by Napoleon III (the nephew of Napoleon I). At the Battle of Puebla, an undermanned Mexican army of enlisted soldiers and volunteers defeated 6,000 French troops, History.com notes.
The Mexican victory helped prevent the French from settling in and helping the American Confederacy in the Civil War, according to History.com. Newspapers reported Mexican-Americans and Latinos in California celebrating the Cinco de Mayo victory that year.
Nearly one in five Americans (17%) plans to celebrate Cinco de Mayo this year, according to research firm Numerator. Most of the celebrators said they were planning to go out to eat (38%), gather with family and friends (35%) or going out for drinks (33%), the firm's survey found.
For those looking to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, here's a roundup of deals and specials. Remember to check in with your nearest location to make sure it's participating before heading out.
For Cinco de Mayo, the fast-casual chain is launching a game on Roblox. Starting at 6 p.m. ET/ 3 p.m. PT on May 5, you can win a free burrito by playing the "Ingredient Quest" in the Burrito Builder experience on Roblox.
Go to www.roblox.com/chipotle and the first 50,000 players to collect all 53 unique ingredient cards will be able to unlock a free entrée offer.
Taco Bell has several deals leading up to Cinco de Mayo and beyond:
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and his Teremana Tequila want to help you celebrate Cinco de Mayo for the fifth consecutive year. Just purchase any cocktail made with Teremana Tequila and the brand will give you a rebate for any appetizer for $10 via Venmo (the deal is good through May 31; and up to $1 million in rebates). In the past, the deal has only been for guacamole - hence the name "Guac on the Rock" - but this year the deal includes all appetizers.
And there's a delivery deal this year, too. When you buy one bottle of more of Teremana Tequila from any off-premise DoorDash retail location through May 12, you get a $10 discount code that can be used to purchase guac or any appetizer during the promotion period.
The Austin, Texas-founded Tex-Mex chain Chuy's has some Cinco de Mayo specials all day on May 5 including an appetizer special: $5 Queso Bowls including the Boom-Boom Pow, which is layered with refried beans, Boom-Boom Sauce, lettuce, pico, and topped with sour cream, guacamole and jalapeños.
Drink specials include $6 regular or $9 Grande signature House 'Ritas, served frozen or on the rocks (Grande 'Ritas com in a keepsake giveaway cup), plus $1 floaters, and $1 off Corona, Modelo and Dos Equis beers.
Cinco de Mayo also coincides with some limited time menu offerings including Pork Boom-Boom Enchiladas and Macho Burritos (available through June 8).
The energy shot brand teamed with the Mexican fast-food chain on some hot shots just in time for Cinco de Mayo. When you buy a pack of the limited edition Cinco de Mango 5-hour Energy Shots online, you will get a free bottle of Taco John's Energizing Hot Sauce, a mango habanero sauce infused with 200 milligrams of caffeine per bottle.
Follow 5-Hour Energy on Instagram to know when the next supply of the shots and sauce hits the 5-Hour Energy online store. Separate drops are scheduled for May 5 and May 8.
Taco John's locations near Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Kansas City, and Boston will give you a free bottle of Taco John's Energizing Hot Sauce with the purchase of a "No Siesta Fiesta" Bundle.
Contributing: Maria Jimenez Moya, Amanda Lee Myers and Jordan Mendoza.
Mike Snider is a reporter on USA TODAY's Trending team. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him atmikegsnider & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com
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