graphic by louise dolbyFor those in search of the perfect Cinco de Mayo celebration, worry no more. Several faithful bars and restaurants in San Luis Obispo have yet to let us down for another year of cheap booze and good food.
To some, May 5 is just another Friday.
To others, it represents the day that Mexico overthrew the French forces in the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
But to the select few, it is just another excuse to get your drinking shoes on.
Let’s start the morning off right. Vallarta’s restaurant, 1761 Monterey St. in San Luis Obispo, is opening at 6 a.m. for the festivities complete with breakfast burritos, bikini-clad waitresses, and of course, their infamous 60- ounce margarita.
“We’re known for our 60 ounces and since it’s a lively bunch that works here, it makes for a fun atmosphere for customers,” said Kalie Howard, a Vallarta’s server.
“If it’s anything like last year, we’ll be busy all day and night,” she said.
Howard said that there will be lots of decorations to make for an authentic Mexican restaurant along with drink deals and free appetizers from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The drink specials include $1 draft beers, $1 off shots and well drinks, $12 buckets for five domestic beers or $15 for imported beers and discounts on their 60-ounce margaritas.
Now it’s time for lunch. Head on over to Cabo San Luis, located at 981 Foothill Blvd., and open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., for their $1 tacos and 99-cent Coronas, an unbeatable price. Sip back on a cool one while dining on their patio or inside watching their eel and tropical fish through the fish tank as you maintain your beer buzz.
Still hungry? For those with a designated driver willing to make the trip, Cinco de Mayo is also the grand re-opening for Cad’s Bar and Grill in Los Osos at 1056 Los Osos Valley Rd. There will be beer and wine happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. plus drink and dinner specials all evening. It may seem a little far, but that makes it all the more fun when you’re bar-hopping.
So now it’s dinner time or perhaps you’re just thirsty for another round of margaritas. Back at Vallarta’s, the Corazon Tequila Girls will be making an appearance from 8 to 10 p.m. where they will be handing out tequila shots and merchandise. Howard said that customers should expect to hear a whistle being blown while tequila is being poured down someone’s throat – yes, just like in Mexico.
“All people come here for is the alcohol,” said Vallarta’s server Amy Plank. “We’ve got the strongest margarita in town.”
So now it’s 10 p.m. and you may find yourself quite tipsy. Where to go next you ponder?
Downtown, of course!
Bars like Downtown Brew and Black Sheep will be serving $3 Coronas all night, plus Black Sheep’s $2 Tecate beers.
So if you want to live it up for Cinco de Mayo and you’ve got a designated driver, you sure won’t find yourself bored – or sober.