The long weekend creates the opportunity for long brunches as restaurants such as El Torito or quick snacks from Randy's Donuts or Cold Stone Creamery.
With Cinco de Mayo falling on Sunday this year, expect three-day parties at restaurants throughout Southern California.
Full service restaurants are offering special brunches and discounts on margaritas, while quick service chains are offering burrito discounts and catering for private parties.
And some chains that aren’t known for Mexican food are getting in on the action with special sweets.
Here’s a sampling of what restaurant chains have announced on their websites, in social media or in news releases.
Acapulco Restaurant & Cantina: There will be all-day happy hours May 3-4 with $4, $6, $8 & $10 food and drink Specials. There will be a champagne brunch buffet 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on May 5 with a carving station and bottomless mimosas. Beginning at 2 p.m., there will be a $4 taco station and drink specials. A DJ will provide the entertainment at 6 p.m. acapulcorestaurants.com
Black Angus Steakhouse: There will be an all-day happy hour with $2 margaritas on May 5. blackangus.com
El Torito: The schedule is the same as Acapulco with all-day happy hours May 3-4, brunch 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, followed by a $4 taco station. eltorito.com
Kalaveras: The rapidly growing chain will be mixing a special cocktail called La Batalla, available April 29-May 5. kalaveras.com
Rock & Brews: House margaritas will be $5 on May 5. Check the website for participating locations. rockandbrews.com
Sol Mexican Cocina: There will be an all-day happy hour on May 4. There will be brunch 10 a.m-3 p.m. and live music 5-8 p.m. on May 5 as well as drink specials such as $12 house margaritas and $14 Cadillac margaritas. solcocina.com
Solita Tacos & Margaritas: Happy hour will last all day May 3-4. There will be a special menu on May, plus $10 house margaritas, $2 Cadillac margaritas and DJs after 6 p.m. solitatacos.com
Toast Restaurants: These brunch places in southwest Riverside County will have a special menu May 1-5 with a taco flight with housemade salsa, a margarita flight and a Mexican Jolly Rancher Shot rimmed with Chamoy and Tajin. toastbrunch.com
Chipotle Mexican Grill: Digital orders of $10 or more are free May-1-5 through Chipotle’s app or website. Use the promo code CINCO24 at checkout. chipotle.com
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf: A line of horchata-flavored drinks, including hot or cold latte and cold brew, is featured through June 4. coffeebean.com
Cold Stone Creamery: Waffle Ice Cream Tacos will be on sale April 30-May 5. coldstonecreamery.com
Del Taco: Del Yeah Rewards can get any burrito free with a $10 purchase May 3-5, and they will get free delivery with $15 orders. deltaco.com
Miguel’s Jr.: Bean, Rice & Cheese and Bean & Cheese Burritos will go for $1.99 on May 5. miguelsjr.com
Qdoba Mexican Eats: Mexican street corn is a new menu item for the chain. Its catering options include a customizable hot bar. qdoba.com
Randy’s Donuts: The Inglewood-based chain is bringing back its Mango Tajin Doughnut for the month of May. randysdonuts.com
Rubio’s Coastal Grill: Customers can get $20 off catering orders of $100 or more and $40 off $200-plus orders. Online orders must be made 24 hours in advance. crubios.com
Tocaya Modern Mexican: This fast casual chain in Los Angeles County is walking up the holiday with five days of deals, beginning with a free agua fresca with $10 purchase on May 1. There are giveaways May 2-3, followed by free chips and guac with a $15 order on May 4. On May 5, there’s the opportunity to win a $500 gift card. tocaya.com
