Cinco de Mayo - Something to Celebrate Any Day!
Cinco de Mayo may only come once a year, but its impact on everyday culture can be celebrated anytime.
Most Texans have heard of Cinco de Mayo. The name directly translates to “Fifth of May,” which is why most people celebrate it on May 5th (no surprises there!). What’s interesting about the holiday, though, is that it’s much more a celebration of Mexican heritage and culture than it is about what happened on that specific date. Here’s what I mean:
Cinco De Mayo is when Mexico beat the French
On May 5, 1862, Mexico was under attack. Just after getting through a civil war, the country was nearly penniless while owing millions to other countries. France, in particular, was upset about this and showed up on Mexico’s doorstep in Puebla, ready for a fight. Although they were sure they’d be victorious, a small army led by General Ignacio Zaragoza (who, get this - was born in Texas!) was able to defy the odds, stand their ground, and win the battle of Puebla. The battle remains significant as it symbolizes national loyalty, patriotism, strength, and pride.
Still, Cinco De Mayo is deeply meaningful
So why celebrate a holiday about winning just one battle? Although Mexico does acknowledge Cinco de Mayo with military parades, the holiday is actually much more significant in the US. This is because Chicano activists started leveraging the date in the 1960s to promote Mexican history and culture. In the end, it has become a unifying holiday celebrated by Americans and Hispanic populations within America, and that’s something we can celebrate!
Celebrate Today or on Cinco De Mayo
So what are you waiting for? There’s honestly no reason to wait until May to get excited about Mexican culture. At Taco Ocho, we enjoy sharing our pride each and every day. We do this by using fresh ingredients and rich flavors. Here’s our pick for an awesome Cinco de Mayo feast:
Chips and homemade guacamole – Crispy, authentic tortilla chips made with love and served with creamy guacamole. We use fresh avocado and cilantro, along with our other quality ingredients.
Street corn – Nothing is more Mexican than grilled corn blended with chile, lime, crema, and cotija cheese.
Smoked chicken elote taco – Although we’ve got tons of other meats and vegetarian options for tacos, I’m picking our smoked chicken elote for your Cinco de Mayo celebration because its unique and rich flavors create a truly special experience.
Jalapeño margarita – Gotta keep things spicy for Cinco de Mayo! If hot isn’t your thing, we also offer a full range of incredible margaritas that will put you in the spirit.
Of course, when you’re celebrating Cinco de Mayo every day, you can create a new Cinco de Mayo menu for yourself again and again. Visit us in Flower Mound, Frisco, McKinney, and Richardson for tacos and more!