Who’s excited for Cinco de Mayo 2017 in NYC?!
I am!!
Cinco De Mayo is right around the corner which means it’s time to get in the Mexican spirit and have a big celebration – fiesta style. The Upper West Side’s got plenty of dining options that’ll help you keep the party going all weekend long. From tacos to burritos and margaritas, these restaurants on the Upper West Side of NYC are some of the best places to enjoy Mexican food. Read below to find out where to get your food and drink on for the holiday. Buen Provecho!
Cascabel Taqueria
2799 Broadway
Cascabel is a trendy taqueria that’s all about tacos, drinks, and lucha libre. That’s right, this cozy eatery is themed by Mexico’s signature sport. Pictures of wrestlers plastered on the walls add a lively touch to the already festive ambiance. Cascabel’s taco shells are prepared by using a type of dried corn that’s treated in lime water. Their tacos follow the traditional Mexican recipes while adding a modern twist to them. The menu is super-sized and offers something for everyone. There’s also a bar serving top-shelf drinks, tequilas, and artisanal mescals. Don’t pass up the opportunity to try their alcohol-free agua fresca: a water-based beverage that blends citrus fruits with a mix of seltzer and organic agave nectar.
http://www.cascabeltaqueria.
Mexican Festival
2672 Broadway
This family-owned restaurant offers traditional Mexican cuisine that’s prepared with quality ingredients that are sustainable and locally-sourced. The owners, who hail from Mexico themselves, based the menu on the flavors they grew up with in their hometown of State of Puebla. The charming small town has a long history as being the country’s birthplace of some of its most popular dishes. Festival’s bright decor is downright inviting and transports oneself to another time and place. Many of the dishes on the menu are prepared using seasonal ingredients. Some of the highlights include the pozole casero soup, which is a Jalisco soup with pork and hominy bathed in a rich broth of spices and the tampiquena, a grilled skirt steak served with rice and beans. Delicioso!
http://www.
Cilantro
485 Columbus Ave.
Leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind and enter the colorful world of Cilantro for this Cinco de Mayo. Kick-start the celebration by enjoying the aztec nachos which are topped with jack and cheddar cheeses, beans, jalapenos, sour cream, and guacamole. For main entrees, we recommend trying the pineapple brined pork chops. The specialty dish comes with sautéed spinach and mashed sweet potatoes drenched on top a sweet pineapple sauce. Their delicious (and complimentary) banana chips and salsa and the strong margaritas are added bonuses of this stellar Mexican eatery. The vibrant yet laid-back vibe and the rustic ambiance make it feel like an escape to the tropical climate lying just south of the border.
http://www.cilantronyc.com/
Cinco de Mayo Restaurant
1028 Amsterdam Ave.
photo by T.Tseng. https://www.flickr.com/photos/68147320@N02
Cinco de Mayo restaurant is located in the heart of the Upper West Side just steps away from the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Start things off at this neighborhood joint with the tortilla soup or the chile-relleno, which comes with a fried pepper, black beans, and rice on the side. The entree menu is varied and offers plenty of options. It offers enchiladas, ceviche, fajitas, soups, burritos, and more. Their selection of tacos include classic such as al pastor, chorizo, or carne style. From the moment you step inside, you’ll feel at home here. The service is attentive and courteous. Cinco de Mayo is one of the neighborhood’s hidden gems and a fitting place to celebrate the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla!
Blockheads Burritos
175 W. 90th St.
This Mexican joint serves up big burritos that are prepared by following the San Francisco style of cooking. Their burritos come with rice, beans, cheese, and sour cream. There are tons of different options available on the menu including roasted butternut squash, toasted tofu, bbq chicken, and steak chimichurri. For Cinco de Mayo, we recommend trying the San Francisco chicken special with sautéed spinach and mushrooms. Blockheads also has plenty of vegan-friendly menu items. The Super Veganator burrito made on a whole wheat tortilla and stuffed with vegan cheese, spinach, mushrooms, and multi-grain quinoa is a vegetarian’s dream come true. Enjoy their outdoor terrace and sip some of the best frozen margaritas in NYC with your friends for a spectacular fiesta!
