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The Mike & Carla Morning Show

The Mike & Carla Morning Show

The Mike & Carla Morning Show

Cinco De Mayo: Most Americans Don’t Really Know What It Is

Author Carla Rea
Cinco De Mayo: Most Americans Have No Idea Of What It Is

Cinco De Mayo comes around the same time every year. It also happens to be this writer’s birthday, which used to take precedence – until beer companies latched on.

Cinco De Mayo Is NOT Mexican Independence Day

No, it is not Mexican Independence Day. That is on September 16th. And that IS a big deal. And NO – it has nothing to do with mayonnaise, as someone I worked with a long time ago thought. No – not kidding.

Cinco De Mayo celebrates a victory over the French, back in 1862. The Battle of Puebla. Here, I looked it up for you.

According to a poll by YouGov, about 60% of Americans don’t even know why we celebrate Cinco De Mayo. It has just become an excuse to shoot tequila, and drink beer. Like you needed one…

It really isn’t a big deal in Mexico. On may the 5th you might as well just celebrate my birthday. If you do, make it a nice red wine, or a good scotch.

The big ones are Mexican Independence Day in September, and Dia de los Muertos – Day of the Dead -around Halloween.

CInco De Mayo Is Big In The US Because Of Booze

You can probably guess why and how Cinco De Mayo became popular in the US, right? Beer!

Yep, in the 1980s, Anheuser-Busch, Miller and Coors made a push to showcase Cinco de Mayo as a “Mexican St. Patrick’s Day” in order to sell more beer. Anheuser-Busch and Miller actually put together Hispanic marketing departments, and Coors spent more than $60 million in marketing to Latin AMerican consumers.

It definitely paid off. Because Cinco de Mayo has become one of the biggest days for beer sales in the U.S.

By the way, a poll done in 2018 that surveyed 1,000 Americans about the May 5 “holiday”, found that 13% of them thought Cinco de Mayo “was just an excuse to drink.” And the ways to celebrate were to eat Mexican food, and drink margaritas. So American…

Whatever you do for Cinco De Mayo, do it responsibly, and kindly. Salud!

Carla Rea is the morning show co-host on “The Mike and Carla Morning Show" on 96.3 KKLZ, in Las Vegas. She has been working with her partner and friend Mike O'Brian for the past 25 plus years. At KKLZ for 12 years. Carla Rea is a Gracie Award winner. She started out in talk radio, "when talk radio was still fun" Rea says. Prior to, and along with doing the morning show, Carla is also a comedian. You may have seen her on Conan O'Brien, Evening at The Improv, Showtime, or several comedy clubs across the country. Carla also worked as a light feature reporter at KSNV/NBC Las Vegas, going behind the scenes at various shows, and restaurants on the Las Vegas strip. As a content creator 96.3 KKLZ, Carla writes in a sarcastic, cheeky, unapologetic way on Las Vegas, movies, TV, celebrities, and this thing we call life.

5 Great Local Places To Eat For Cinco De Mayo In Vegas

Like everything we celebrate, Cinco de Mayo in Vegas is always a fun party. But you don’t have to go to the Las Vegas Strip to find the best places to get your fiesta on. There are lots of local spots off the strip where you can eat, drink and toast the most popular south-of-the-border holiday.

Many Natives Celebrating Cinco de Mayo In Vegas

According to rangerguard.net, 24% of our Las Vegas locals are of Mexican heritage. And even though people from all walks of life celebrate the holiday, it’s important to know the reason behind Cinco de Mayo. Contrary to some belief, the fifth of May is not Mexico’s independence day. That would be on September 16, on the anniversary of when Mexico fought Spain in 1810.

Cinco de Mayo, per britannica.com, is celebrated in Mexico in honor of a different battle, called the Battle of Puebla. This fight happened in 1862, 52 years after Mexico won its independence. That was when the French tried to invade the city of Puebla under General Ignacio Zaragoza. Although his troops were large in number, they were held off by a much smaller, much less equipped group of feisty Mexican fighters. Who impressively killed about 1,000 French guys in that battle.

A cobblestone walkway leads up to a a short stone wall with an opening. Behind it is a small stucco building with a flat roof and mustard yellow door.

Fort Loreto in Puebla, Mexico. This 18th century fortress is one of the sites of the Battle of Puebla. The monument is where Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza defeated the French in 1862. This battle is why we celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Vegas, and all over the country.

Obviously, this was a huge deal and the people of Puebla celebrated. Eventually, though, the French regrouped and there was a second Battle of Puebla. This time, under a new general, the French won. But, the unlikely defeat of the French troops the first time around became such a morale booster for the Mexican people, they just kept celebrating it. It became, according to britannica.com, a symbol of “Mexico’s determination to thwart foreign aggression.”

Every year to commemorate the anniversary, the city of Puebla has battle reenactments and military parades. California has celebrated the holiday since 1863, according to malibutimes.com. But it looks a little different in the Sunshine State than guys in uniform marching down an empty street. Basically, in the states we just drink a lot of beer and tequila and eat Mexican cuisine.

Tacos on a colorful plate with all the trimmings like chicken, beef, sour cream and cheese, in bowls surrounding. The spread is on a rustic background to be served in a restaurant with sombrero with margaritas.

Tacos with all the trimmings like chicken, beef, sour cream and cheese, on a rustic background to be served in a restaurant with sombrero with margaritas. Many tacos and margaritas will be consumed this year at Cinco de Mayo in Vegas.

In fact, per flaviar.com, Cinco de Mayo pushes more beer sales as the Super Bowl or St. Patrick’s Day. And about 81 million avocados meet their demise on the fifth of May. Cause we love us some tasty guacamole. In the states, Cinco de Mayo has sort of evolved into a celebration of all things Mexican heritage. And we’re totally cool with that.

Related: 7 Placs For The Best Tamales In Las Vegas

If you want to be really authentic for the holiday, smithsonianmag.com says to choose Mole Poblano, Chiles en Nogada (stuffed chiles in walnut sauce), Chalupas, lamb barbacoa, or carnitas with queso fresco for your dishes. Of course, many people in America just go for the enchiladas, tamales, and anything stuffed into a taco shell. Whatever you’re eating, the important thing is that we’re celebrating in the spirit of Mexico and their rich history.

5 Great Local Places For Cinco De Mayo In Vegas

So now that you know why you’re celebrating the holiday, let’s talk about where to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Vegas this year. We recommend keeping it local at these places off the Vegas Strip.

  • Mi Casa Grill Cantina at Silverton Casino Lodge

    May 3-5 and May 10-12, Mi Casa Grill Cantina is offering family-style fiesta platters. So you can bring the whole clan to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Platters include their Cerveza Loca, with three Modela beers rimmed with Chamoy and Tajin. As well as shrimp ceviche, oyster preparado and fresh avocado. Priced at $50.

    If you prefer ribs, try their Rib Trio platter, priced at $58. It includes barbeque chipotle glazed beef ribs, chili-spiced pork ribs, Mexican corn ribs and crispy pork rinds. For $52, seafood-lovers can enjoy the Cocktail of the Sea platter. Made with charred octopus, oysters, lump crab, shrimp, guacamole, cocktail sauce and crispy pork rinds.

    Finally, they will offer their Modelo Shrimp Boil platter. Priced at $62, it’s made with 2 lb. shrimp, snow crab legs, Modelo bouillon, pickled vegetables, lemon vinaigrette and Tajin.

    You can make a reservation early at silvertoncasino.com.

     

  • Mijo Modern Mexican Restaurant

    One of the newest Mexican cuisine restaurants is already getting in to the Cinco de Mayo spirit. Stop by Durango Casino & Resort on Sunday, May 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m for Mijo’s brunch specials and a live DJ.

    Or join them for a dinner celebration that will continue throughout the evening. From 6 to 10 p.m. there will be a live DJ, mariachi band and fire dancers. Drink specials will include a Tres Generaciones Añejo and Generaciones Blanco shot, priced at $14 each.

    Cocktails will include the Moderno, made with Tres Generaciones Añejo Tequila, agave, muddled cherries and Cointreau. The Hidalgo Spritz is another great option, made with Tres Generaciones Blanco, cucumber puree, pineapple and Cointreau. Or you might prefer the Paraíso, featuring Tres Generaciones Blanco, strawberry puree and Cointreau. Each specialty cocktail is priced at $18.

    Dinner specials will include the Birria Short Ribs plate, priced at $48, a Lobster Enchilada, priced at $38, and fire-roasted Shrimp Tacos, priced at $16.

    Get more information and make a reservation at mijomexican.com.

  • Kona Grill

    All day on Sunday, May 5, Kona Grill is doing their Margarita Heaven special. Offering $5 shrimp and fish tacos and a variety of margaritas to choose from. That price includes their classic Kona Margarita on the rocks or frozen. Or get really festive with margaritas that represent the Mexican flag. Red (raspberry), white (white peach), and green (apple) margarita. For just $5, you can easily get one of each. 

    Kona Grill is located in Boca Park on the corner of Rampart and Charleston. Open 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Cinco de Mayo in Vegas. You can make reservations at konagrill.com.

  • La Neta Cocina y Lounge

    La Neta knows Cinco de Mayo in Vegas can’t be contained on just one day. They’re doing their specials all weekend long. On Saturday, May 4th, join them for their pre-party, where you’ll enjoy live acoustic music, $7 house tacos, Patron margaritas or shots and cocktails, and $100 Patron bottle specials from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

    Sunday they’ll have 50% off Elalto shots and cocktails, $5 shots of Patron silver and Reposado, $9 Patron margaritas or Palomas, and $100 bottles of Patron silver or Reposado. And don’t forget about the food. There will be $9 chef specialty taco duos with chicken or barbacoa. 

    La Neta is in Summerlin at 1770 Festival Plaza Drive. Get info and reservations at lanetacocina.com.

  • Borracha Mexican Cantina

    Borracha is another place celebrating all weekend long. From 9 p.m. to midnight on Friday, May 3, they’ll have a live DJ. And they’ll be giving guests the chance to win tickets to the Canelo Álvarez versus Jaime Munguía fight at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, May 4.

    On Sunday May 5, join them for a Cinco de Mayo brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a live DJ with special dishes from Borracha’s brunch menu. Items include a Chorizo Skillet and the Chilaquiles, each priced at $15.

    Later that evening there will be a full-blown Cinco fiesta. With a live mariachi band and dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. Dinner dishes include a variety of tacos and fajitas. Then the party will continue with a live DJ, a celebratory cake slicing at 9 p.m., and drink specials all night long.

    Including the Berry Blanco Buck with Espolón Blanco, blackberries, lime juice and Fever Tree ginger beer. Or try the Grand Margarita, made with Espolón Blanco, Grand Marnier, agave and lime juice. Or the Raspberry Fizz, made with Espolón Reposado, raspberry syrup, lemon juice and Fever Tree lime yuzu soda. 

    Borracha’s Mexican Cantina is located at 2300 Paseo Verde Parkway at Green Valley Ranch in Henderson. Get more information and make reservations at borrachavegas.com, or by calling (702) 617-7190.

  • Todo Bien

    If you’re more interested in the drinking part of the holiday, Todo Bien cocktail bar is getting ready for their first ever Cinco de Mayo in Vegas. And they’re making sure it will be memorable. Join them starting at noon on Sunday, May 5, for a live mariachi band, taco vendor, and a special daytime drink menu for the occasion. 

    Partnering with Don Julio for the event. Todo Bien is located in the UnCommons. Get more information here.

 

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