As the vibrant colors of spring begin to bloom, so does the anticipation for one of the most festive occasions of the year: Cinco de Mayo! Stock up on margarita mix, because this fun Mexican holiday falls on a Sunday, offering a perfect opportunity for guests to indulge in a weekend-long celebration.
Fiesta All Weekend
Cinco de Mayo commemorates Mexico’s victory at the Battle of the Puebla on May 5th, 1862. While not everyone in Mexico tends to observe the holiday, it has become an important way for people in the U.S. to celebrate Mexican heritage and culture. According to NationalToday.com, nearly half of all Americans enjoy Mexican food and more than 32% indulge in margaritas for Cinco de Mayo. A reason to celebrate combined with the warmer weather means people are going to be out and about.
With Cinco happening on Sunday, ensure the fiesta lasts all weekend long! Hype up any specials and entertainment before the weekend, through social media posts or signage on-site. Deck out your space with colorful decorations, lively music, and a vibrant menu that captures the spirit of Mexico.
Even if traditional Mexican dishes aren’t normally on your menu, you can easily and respectfully feature specials using ingredients you already have in the kitchen, or keep it simple with ready-to-serve authentic products from Contigo® that take minimal prep, from must-haves like salsa and queso to popular trends such as birria, elote, and moles.
Menu Magic
A variety of authentic dips is a must for any appetizer menu, especially during Cinco weekend. Kick up the flavor with an easy Street Corn Dip – a twist on the savory elote, cut off the cob and served hot with tortilla chips. And don’t stop with single dips: A dip flight is an easy way to bump up the price point of an appetizer order. By serving a variety of dips in one menu item, you can appeal to more people at the table. Also, pile on the nachos! Combining ingredients already at work on other parts of the menu helps make nachos an easy-to-prep appetizer that comes out quick, perfect with a round of bevs.
For a truly Instagram-worthy entrée, feature the Kan Kan chop at the center of the plate. While not traditionally Mexican, this 1-½” thick, Puerto Rican-style pork chop features a hearty portion of pork belly on the exterior that will thrill Cinco customers. When prepared in the classic Kan Kan-style, the giant chop resembles a crispy mohawk with a built-in chicharron on top. If you’re looking for a showstopping feature to bring meat-lovers to the table, the Kan Kan chop is definitely one way to go. Finish off this eye-catching special with coordinating side dishes, like fragrant rice, slow-cooked beans, or crispy tostones.
And don’t forget to round out your menu with craveable Mexican desserts featuring your own in-house twists, such as tres leches cake, flan, churros, and sopapillas. But you can also get into the spirit of the holiday, and attract people with a less adventurous sweet tooth, by serving more typical American desserts starring ingredients and flavors inspired by Cinco, like Guava Cheesecake and Pineapple Brown Sugar Cake.
Keep the Party Going
For the 14% of Americans celebrating at home, offer a selection of takeout menu items and drinks to-go, depending on local beverage laws of course. DIY taco or fajita platters, delivered with signature sauces and housemade flourishes, are a great way to serve people staying home, with plenty of intriguing ingredients included to feed a crowd. Pair the takeout special with a six-pack of cervezas or a big batch of margaritas to-go.
If you’re in an area that doesn’t allow off-premise alcohol, consider selling branded margarita mix, sans tequila, for an easy-to-enjoy Cinco de Mayo experience wherever guests choose to celebrate. And always train servers to offer drinks and desserts to-go at the end of the meal — it’s a great way to increase sales while turning tables quickly on what is sure to be a busy weekend.
