Under the Radar

In celebration of all things Mexican, take advantage of what the city has to offer for Cinco de Mayo.


TUESDAY, May 5

McGillin’s Old Ale House
1310 Drury St.
215-735-5562
www.mcgillins.com

McGillin’s may be an Irish tavern, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be Mexican for a day. In honor of Cinco de Mayo and Irish-Mexican actors Martin Sheen and Anthony Quinn, the tavern will serve a number of drinks named after the actors, including the “Martin Sheen Margarita Beer,” a blend of margarita mix, tequila and McGillin’s Ale with lime garnish, and the “Anthony Quinn Shot & Beer Special,” a shot of Patron tequila with a chaser of O’Reilly’s Stout. Irish-Mexican dishes will also be served like the “Irish Chimichanga,” an Irish cheesesteak with Mexican-inspired touches and the “Three Amigos,” a burrito and taco platter. With a piñata, 25-cent wings and $5 pitchers of Bud Light and Pabst Blue Ribbon, it’s pretty hard to say “no.”

Xochitl
408 S. Second St.
215-238-7280
www.xochitlphilly.com

Pronounced “so-cheet,” the bar and restaurant, which was named among the nation’s top 10 Mexican restaurants by Bon Appetit magazine last March, will serve up a special “Street Food From Puebla” menu – four courses for $35. Look out for the “Sopa Poblana,” a corn and poblana pepper chowder with zucchini flowers and the “Chalupas con Carnitas de Pato,” a soft-fried corn tortilla filled with duck carnitas. The “Flan de Rompope,” a Mexican eggnog flan with berries will also be part of the special menu, as well as the “Buñuelos de Duraznos,” sweet tortilla fritters served with peaches. In addition, margaritas will be offered half-price from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. If you’re in search of authentic Mexican food this Cinco de Mayo, Xochitl is where you want to be.

Distrito
3945 Chestnut St.
215-222-1657
www.distritorestaurant.com

Starting at 11:30 a.m., the first-floor bar at Distrito will turn into the “Cinco Lounge,” an all-day celebration of the holiday. Guests can expect live music, $5 Mexican snacks like esquites, a corn-based snack topped with chili, lime juice or grated cheese and nachos ignacio. Five-dollar drink specials will include all draught beers, sangria and Sauza Hornitos margaritas. You can also enter a raffle to win a rare Cabo Wabo Guitar signed by Sammy Hagar. Upstairs, enjoy a $35 dinner menu, which will be in addition to the a la carte menu. It would be wise to make a reservation since crowds are expected.

Sherri Hospedales can be reached at sherri.hospedales@temple.edu.

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