Cinco de Mayo is on a Tuesday this year, so that means you pretty much HAVE to eat tacos…it’s the official Taco Tuesday! Here are a few suggestions for places to get your fiesta on:
If you want to try something new
Chop Bar/Lungomare owner Chris Pastena is getting ready to open Calavera with Jessica Sackler and Michael Iglesias. They just announced that Christian Irabien will be the executive chef. He grew up in Chihuahua, Mexico and was most recently Executive Sous Chef at Le Diplomate in Washington, DC. He also worked with Sackler and Iglesias at Oyamel Cocina Mexicana by Jose Andres and plans to “explore many aspects of Mexican culinary tradition, from pre-Columbian cuisine to the modern gastronomic movement of Mexico’s major cities.” Sounds interesting, right? The team is planning a pop-up at Lungomare to introduce some of the new dishes and cocktails, so this will be kind of like a preview before the restaurant opens in June.
1 Broadway, Oakland
510-444-7171
Tues, 5/5, 5:30 – 10pm
If you’re partying with a lot of friends
Remember that huge Bowling Alley, Beer Garden, Bocce Ball place that opened in the Barnes & Noble space in Jack London Square in the fall? Well, plank is having a Tacos and Tequila Night next week and it seems like a good place for a big group of people to get together. There will be a mariachi band and they’ll be serving $3 fish tacos, Margaritas and Mexican beer.
98 Broadway, Oakland
510-817-0980
Tues, 5/5, 7 – 11pm
If you love pork
I haven’t been to Casa Jimenez yet, but I read about this carnitas plate on Ferronlandia and it sounds AMAZING: “Because these carnitas are Michoacan style, caramelized to the point of candy-like crispy fibers that tear apart to reveal tender, soft bites. They made me think of a good añejo tequila and of caramel.” Yes please!
4345 International Blvd., Oakland
510-842-8936
If you’re on a budget
You might just want a few tacos in your life and need keep it easy and affordable. In that case, I would stop by a taco truck because you can get a complete meal for a few dollars. One of my favorites is Tacos Sinaloa.
2138 International Blvd, Oakland
510-535-1206
Chop Bar is celebrating all week, with a Mexican food and drink takeover through Sunday.
247 4th St., Oakland
510-834-2467
Tues, 5/5 – Sun, 5/10
Do you have any other ideas? How are you going to celebrate cinco de mayo?
Christina Mitchell
Latest posts by Christina Mitchell (see all)
- La Casita: Food for the Soul - September 28, 2018
- How To Cook Vietnamese Sausage - September 7, 2018
- Let’s get it started… - September 6, 2018





