Tuesday is May 5, which should only mean one thing to you: It's almost time to get your Cinco de Mayo celebration on.
For you, this will probably entail heading out to your favorite Mexican restaurant to chow down on some tacos and sip on some margaritas. While many Americans seem to know how to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, many of them don't know why they celebrate the holiday because, let's be real, if there is an excuse to party, people will take it, and I can't say I blame them for that.
For the record, Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely victory against the much more fortified French forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. This was a joyous occasion but a relatively minor military victory for Mexico in its war with France, which would last about five more years. As such, Cinco de Mayo isn't a federal holiday in Mexico, and it is mostly just celebrated in the state of Puebla today.
But of course, that hasn't prevented Americans from partying hard on Cinco de Mayo, which has come to be a larger celebration of Mexican culture and heritage in the U.S. Not only do Americans love to celebrate, they also love to snag awesome deals, discounts and freebies in the process. Cinco de Mayo is no exception.
Whether you're planning on indulging in basket after basket of chips and salsa or you want to get your drink on this Cinco de Mayo, you'll be able to do so on the cheap with these nine deals and freebies.
1. Taco Bell
Taco Bell added a new line of Biscuit Tacos to its breakfast menu in March, but if you haven't tried one yet, Cinco de Mayo will be your chance. Participating Taco Bell locations are giving away one free sausage or bacon Biscuit Taco per customer from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on May 5. Technically, this is in honor of what Taco Bell is calling Breakfast Defector Day on May 5, which is part of its new campaign to convince consumers to break away from the same old, same old of fast food breakfast with a not-so-subtle attack on McDonald's, but do you really need a reason to go out and grab some free Taco Bell?
2. Moe's Southwest Grill
In case you want a souvenir to remember this Cinco de Mayo forever and ever, Moe's Southwest Grill has you covered. The fast casual Mexican restaurant will be giving away free T-shirts to the first customers in line while supplies last. You have to be one of the first 50 in line, according to Moe's official Facebook page, so plan accordingly.
3. Starbucks
All right, so this Starbucks deal actually isn't in honor of Cinco de Mayo, but the promotion still occurs on May 5, so why not make it a part of your celebration? The Frappuccino Happy Hour returned to Starbucks this year on May 1, which means from now until May 10, you can get half-priced Frappuccinos of any size and any flavor from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at participating Starbucks locations. Now if only there was a frozen margarita Frappuccino, your Cinco de Mayo celebration would be complete.
4. Chili's
Chili's is serving up several freebies for you just in time for Cinco de Mayo. Buy one adult entree, and you can get either a free appetizer, free dessert or free kids' meal with these coupons. What's even better is that this promotion is good from now until May 7, so you can extend your Cinco de Mayo celebration a bit this year, which I'm sure you're more than happy to do.
5. Chevys
Finally, we get to the drinks. Chevys has drink specials all day on May 5, so head over to your local restaurant on Cinco de Mayo to see what's pouring.
6. Baja Fresh
If you're planning on throwing your own Cinco de Mayo fiesta, you might want to consider catering it with food from Baja Fresh. Order $100 or more worth of food from Baja Fresh, and you'll get a free eight-ounce serving of guacamole with chips and an order of churros. Now that is how you have a salty and sweet Cinco de Mayo.
7. TacoTime
TacoTime's Crisp Tacos are only $0.69 each on Cinco de Mayo, which means you now have an excuse to tell people why you gorged yourself on this beloved Mexican food on this holiday.
8. On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina
If you want a show with your dinner, On the Border will feature live music, dancing and entertainment this Cinco de Mayo. Contact your local On the Border to see what festivities are in store for this year's celebration.
9. Tijuana Flats
Tijuana Flats will cap off five days of food and drink specials on Cinco de Mayo with a promotion of two tacos, chips and a drink for $5.49. You can also wash it all down with $1 draft beer, $2 sangria and $3 wine.
[H/T PEOPLE, Sun Sentinel]
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