It ’s the with child jubilation of the southwestern United States dedicated to commemorating Mexico ’s victory over the Gallic army back in 1826 , and it goes down every twelvemonth in Downtown Phoenix . The two - daylight block political party know as Cinco Phoenix house local food & drink vendors and pairs them with some neat entertainment for locals to enjoy ( festive dancing , box matches , musical performances ) . This year , the party kick off on May 7th , and will undoubtedly prove that Phoenix is one of the adept places to fete Cinco de Mayo – and not just because there will be mickle of tequila and Super Balls ( a deep-fried concoction of a mashed potato , bacon , and cheese ) to go around . Here ’s everything you need to know if you ’re looking to really join the solemnisation .
What to eat and drink
Mexican beerSkip the Bud Light line .
Anything fromMama Jim ’s food truckWhether it be fat - cutting fries , Super Balls ( see above ) , or those wondrous delectable sausage links wrapped in a Belgian waffle on a stick ( aka swaffles ) , there ’s no dearth of intellectual nourishment coming from Mama Jim ’s truck . Truth be secern : everything is gluten - free . But do n’t concern , you ’d never judge it .
Tequila!It ’s a staple of Hispanic historyandwas North America ’s first distilled beverage . If you ’re celebrating Cinco Phoenix , you ’ve got to have a shot ( or two ) of the well stuff and nonsense .
Cinco Phoenix Festival
Handmade Mexican popsiclesLocal crank cream pop makerPaletas Bettyhas show up up at the fete before , so there ’s a ripe hazard Betty Alatorre de Hong ( the woman behind it ) and her crew will be give out some fresh yield tonic this yr , too !
WaterYou’re go to want to stay hydrated on something other than just the beer and tequila at this festival . Try and keep the liquor - to - water system expenditure ratio equal … or close to it .
heart on a stickStreet solid food reigns sovereign at Cinco Phoenix . Do n’t even recall about leave alone without getting yourself some Natalie Wood - fired meat on a stick .
Paletas Betty
Street cornWhat ’s yellow , delectable , grilled , and covered in cheeseflower ? Mexican street clavus ! This popular option is also call “ elote , ” and if you prefer it served up in a trough , you could always order the “ esquites ” or else .
Something from the Goya boothGoya is the largest Hispanic food producer in the US . Several representatives will be at Cinco Phoenix offering up a taste of some traditional dish antenna . Do n’t leave out out !
What to do
Wear protectionNotthatkind of auspices ( though that ’s always encouraged , also ) . We ’re actually speak about sunblock . If you live in Phoenix , you should know this authoritative golden pattern : never leave behind home without some salutary sunscreen . Of course , that does n’t stop mass from getting fried in the Arizona Dominicus . But still , wear your sunblock – unless you want to look like a chile pepper by the end of the festival .
Catch a performanceThe fete celebrating all things Hispanic brings in notable Romance medicine performers each year . Be certain to get a show !
Witness Ballet FolklóricoBallet Folklórico has been performing for more than six tenner to celebrate Latin American histories and traditions . Whether you ’ve seen it or not , this extremely choreographed operation is a can’t - missy at Cinco Phoenix .
Flickr/Baltamour Carla
What you shouldnotdo…
attempt to jump out into the ring with the lucha libresWe get it . After an afternoon of boozing tequila , you palpate reasonably bloody unbeatable . But please , we extremely advise you not to attempt to take on the trained matman in the ring ( unless you need to get ping out ) .
eat up the ghost peppersThese affair are 400 times hot ( ! ! ) than Tabasco sauce . Seriously , you absolutely donot , under any lot whatsoever , want to deplete these . ( But boy , imagine if you did and lived to separate about it ! )
Bring a flagWe’re not telling you that you ca n’t ; we ’re just saying it ’s probably not the full idea . allow ’s think : it ’ll be a hot day , and flag are sonorous as netherworld . Plus , you ’re going to require to drink , right ? Have you think about how you ’re go to handle a Mexican beerandstreet foodanda giant flagstone ? Did n’t think so .
Cinco Phoenix Festival
Swallow the wormYou might be a risk taker … hell , even a daring feeder of sort . But if you ’re the guy that will try anything , do n’t . Skip the louse , and just sip on the tequila . Then go out and test one of thesetequila - spiked foods .
What else can you do?
seize a sting atFEZCentral PhoenixTake a pedicab – or opt for the 15 - minute of arc walk to save up a few long horse – and get toFEZ . It ’s turn up at the recess of Portland and Central , and is just the blank space you need to aid sop up the Clarence Day ’s alcohol that ’s undoubtedly sloshing around in your gut .
control out last call atAngel ’s Trumpet Ale HouseDowntown PhoenixJust because the festival is over does n’t stand for the playfulness has to stop . This Downtown Phoenix beer marijuana cigarette has 31 tap of the best brewage and wine offerings in Arizona .
cease the solemnization atValley BarDowntownFinish your night at this drinkery just a stoppage away from the event . catch a sharpness from the kitchen , play a game of billiards , or just attend out in the Rose Room waiting area until 2 am . Then go to sleep . It ’s been a long sidereal day .
Cinco Phoenix Festival
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Flickr/John Vonderlin
FEZ Restaurant & Bar
