San Fernando Valley Celebrates Cinco De Mayo
By Danrochelle D. Yumul
This weekend the San Fernando Valley gears up to celebrate Cinco de Mayo! Literally translated to the fifth of May, Cinco de Mayo commemorates the victory of the Mexican government against the French army in the Battle of the Puebla. Today, this celebration is popularly known as a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, especially in areas with a large Mexican/Mexican-American population.
Festivities in the valley include a number of restaurants with drink and food specials as well as live bands playing at their establishments. Come on down! Bring your family and friends and celebrate Cinco de Mayo around the San Fernando Valley.
Anejo Cantina and Grill
14755 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA
818.380.3180
Established in 2015, Anejo Cantina and Grill offers excellent food, craft cocktails, and live entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays. Happy hour is from Monday through Saturday 11am to 6pm. Their weekend brunch is from 11am to 3 pm and includes bottomless mimosas. On Sundays, they have a DJ spinning from 1pm to 4pm.
Anejo Cantina and Grill kicks of their Cinco de Mayo festivities starting Friday, May 3rd through Sunday, May 5th. Son de Noche, a cover band, will be playing all weekend at their location. Drink and food specials available. Doors open at 11am.
Barragan’s Mexican Restaurant
730 N. Victory Blvd, Burbank, CA
818.848.2325
814 S Central Ave., Glendale, CA
818.243.1103
A Burbank staple since 1961, Barragan’s provides their patrons with generous food portions, strong margaritas, and a family friendly atmosphere. Every Tuesday, they offer a buy two drinks and get two entrees for $14.75. On Wednesdays, 12oz classic margaritas are only $2.75. Popular dishes include
To celebrate Cinco de Mayo, Barragan’s will have a mariachi band playing in their patio. Drink and food specials will be available at both their Glendale and Burbank locations. The celebration begins at 2pm but it’s recommended to arrive an hour early to get good seats at the patio.
La Paz Mexican Seafood
4505 Las Virgenes Rd., Calabasas, CA
818.880.8076
La Paz serves up Yucatan style Mexican food since 1989. Their brunches are popular among locals and visitors alike who come in hungry and leave well satisfied. Sunday brunches start from 10am to 2pm and includes champagne and margaritas and a Mariachi Band that comes in from 11am-2pm. Prices for the brunch are $37 per adult and $17.50 per child 2 to 10 years old.
For Cinco de Mayo, make a reservation for their Sunday Brunch to reserve your spot and join in on their festivities. La Paz is sure to be packed for this event.
Las Hadas Restaurant & Entertainment
9048 Balboa Blvd., Northridge, CA
818.892.7271
Since 1981, one of the valley’s best kept secrets is Family owned and operated Las Hadas Restaurant and Entertainment serves up authentic Mexican cuisine inspired by popular dishes from and around Las Hadas, Colima, Mexico with a side of live musical entertainment ranging from jazz, big band, rock, and mariachi. Happy hour is available from Monday through Saturday 4:00pm – 7:00pm; specials include $3.99 margaritas, draft beer, pomegranate martinis and select appetizers.
For Cinco de Mayo, they will have a live band from 11:30am – 3:30pm along with $5 drink specials which include draft beer and margaritas. Food specials will also be available.
Los Toros Mexican Restaurant Cantina
21743 Devonshire St., Chatsworth, CA
818.882.3080
Cinco de Mayo comes early to Los Toros! A local favorite since 1967, the restaurant offered daily specials on drinks and food since Monday, with the celebration culminating in their Sunday Brunch, mariachi band and more libations! Their Sunday brunch includes bottomless mimosas and a balloon artist for the kids.
Tequilas Bar & Grill
13627 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys, CA
818.989.4040
Another family owned and run restaurant, Tequilas has been a part of the San Fernando Valley for the past two decades. Their daily specials include Margarita Mondays $3.49 (all day), Tuesday Pina Colada $2.99 (all day), and a Sunday brunch, including Champagne and Mimosas for $15.99 per person. Happy hours is 7 days a week from 3:30pm – 7:30pm and late night happy hour is from 9:30pm – 10:30pm.
Tequilas will have a live band at 4pm to celebrate this Sunday. Specials for Sunday will include $5.99 margaritas and beer, $5 cazadores shots, a bucket of beer for $24.95 and 2 for $5 carnitas tacos.
Trejo’s Cantina Woodland Hills
21550 W Oxnard St., Woodland Hills, CA
818.805.3165
Rumored to be celebrity and owner Danny Trejo’s favorite locations, Trejo’s Cantina in Woodland Hills will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo with lunch and drink specials as well as giveaways from their sponsor, El Jimador. Visit their website www.trejostacos.com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram for updates in Sunday’s festivities. You may just run into Machete himself.
And of course, not to be left out of the Cinco de Mayo celebrations, some breweries in the valley will be having their own celebrations as well.
818 Brewing
8951 De Soto Ave, Canoga Park, CA
818.835.2286
Local brewery 8one8 Brewing will be serving tacos and micheladas all day, along with their usual beer offerings. Food will be served from 12pm – 4pm by Las Delicias Bakery and Restaurant, a local Mexican restaurant in Canoga Park. From 4pm until they sell out, Heavy Hitterz Street Food will be serving their signature Cali King Tacos and a surprise menu item.
MacLoed Ale Brewing Co
14741 Calvert St., Van Nuys, CA
For Cinco de Mayo, MacLoed’s is releasing a new beer called “Flame of Wrath”, a spicy, citrusy beer infued with Habanero and Serrano chili peppers. Brunch will be served from 10am – 1pm with Huevos Ranchers, Chorizo Con Huevos, and Chilaquiles. Rice, beans, and tortillas available upon request. Beef, and pork tacos, and calabazitas tacos (as a vegetarian option) will be served during lunch from 1pm – 5pm. Dinner, from 5pm – 10pm will include Neapolitan Wood Fired pizza, elote pizza, and al pastor street taco pizza.
Micheladas will be served on the patio to imbibe right there and then or to purchase and take home for later.