Cinco de Mayo 2013 brings plenty of festivities to Orange County. Find food and cocktail specials, mariachi bands and more.Savannah Chop House
Celebrate all day long with festive Mexican dishes and music. Hybrid brunch buffet featuring unlimited champagne, mimosas, coffee, buffet-style appetizers and desserts, made-to-order entrées and bread. 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. $24.95. Mexican dinner specials in the dining room or bar and lounge such as 7 mares cioppino, carnitas tamales and chicken with mole. $1 tacos and $5 tortas from 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. plus $5 cocktail specials like their mango jalapeño margarita and cucumber fresco all night. 32441 Golden Lantern, Laguna Niguel, 949.493.7107. savannahchophouse.net
Sol Cocina
For a slightly more sophisticated scene than your typical tequila-slinging, beer-guzzling party, head to Cinco@Sol, where fun-loving foodies and margarita connoisseurs who are looking for a lively party with style will be celebrating. The event will feature drink specials all day and live entertainment beginning at noon. Brunch begins at 10 a.m. and the celebration will continue into the night with SOL’s eclectic twist on traditional Mexican Cuisine offered along with cocktails and beer. 251 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, 949.675.9800. solcocina.com
Cha Cha’s
May 4-5. Join Cha Cha’s for a party filled with live music, drink specials, Sunday brunch and a charity raffle. 110 W. Birch St., Brea, 714.255.1040. chachaslatinkitchen.com
Matador Cantina
Check out Matador Cantina for N. Orange County’s biggest Cinco De Mayo Celebración. They sport the largest selection of Mexican beer in the OC and over 50 premium tequilas. Indulge in their Sunday brunch along with drink specials. Entertainment includes mariachis and special guest DJ. 111. N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton, 714.871.8226. thematador.com
Mi Casa
May 3-7. Dust off your sombrero and get ready to get your drink on with five days of Cinco De Mayo celebration at Mi Casa. Enjoy $3 Espolon Silver Tequila shots, and $7 Partida skinny margaritas all day. Partida tequila girls will be doling out swag on May 5, from 6-8 p.m. 296 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa, 949.645.7626. micasa1.com
El Corazon de Costa Mesa
Join this newbie to Orange County for their first annual Cinco De Mayo Fiesta. A special brunch menu will be served and expect mariachi singers to entertain you throughout the day. 9 a.m.-2 a.m. 1870 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa, 949.612.2349. elcorazoncocina.com
Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar
Try out new Mexican-inspired dishes by Chef Gabe Caliendo such as chicken poblano, carne asada, ceviche and roasted pork torta sandwich. Wash everything down with a refreshing new cocktail that goes far beyond the typical salted rim, a watermelon tequila fresca made with Jose Cuervo, watermelon agua fresca, organic agave nectar and housemade sweet and sour with red chili and black sea salt. 240 S. State College Blvd., Brea, 714.529.9300.; 16310 Beach Blvd., Westminster, 714.500.1140.; 13290 Jamboree Road, Irvine, 714.731.9700.; 1623 W. Katella Ave., Orange, 714.769.7020. lazydogrestaurants.com