If you want to turn your restaurant into the place to be on Cinco de Mayo, you’ve got to have the right foods to attract the right crowd. Learn about the history of Cinco de Mayo and the top foods customers are craving during this Mexican holiday.
What does Cinco de Mayo mean?
Cinco de Mayo is Spanish for the fifth of May. It is the date of the day when the Mexican army won the Battle of Puebla against the French on May 5, 1862. Since then, it has become a holiday in Mexico and the United States that commemorates this victory by celebrating Mexican culture. Contrary to popular belief, it is not the day of Mexican independence.
The History of Cinco de Mayo
In 1861, the president of Mexico, Benito Juárez, suspended all debt to Spain, Britain, and France due to financial difficulties the country was facing. All three European countries sent naval ships to demand payment, but while Spain and Britain were able to negotiate, France invaded and took power from Juárez and his government.
On May 5, 1862, the French General, Charles Latrille de Lorencez, and his troops attacked the town of Puebla de Los Angeles that was being defended by Juárez’s men. The battle began at dawn and lasted until the evening when French troops retreated after suffering considerable losses. Victory over a powerful nation such as France was seen as highly significant and drew more support for the resistance.
The Franco-Mexican war, as it was dubbed, was finally over in 1867 after the United States aided Mexico in driving out the French Army.
How Is Cinco de Mayo Celebrated In Mexico?
While it is a nationwide holiday in Mexico, there are no major festivities for Cinco de Mayo except in the state of Puebla where the battle took place. The Battle of Puebla is reenacted, a parade is held, and parties are thrown with traditional music, dancing, and of course, food.
Why Do We Celebrate Cinco de Mayo In The United States?
Mexicans themselves say that they don’t celebrate Cinco de Mayo as much as Americans do, but there are a couple of reasons for this. The first reason would be that the U.S. helped Mexico defeat the French in the Franco-Mexican War and the holiday is seen as a representation of a union against empirical rule. The second reason would be that the holiday is a way for Mexican immigrants to celebrate their national and cultural pride.
Top 8 Cinco de Mayo Foods
Dips & Sauces
1. Guacamole - Created by the Aztecs, guacamole is a dip that uses avocado as its main ingredient. The avocado is mashed into a paste and other ingredients such as salt, onions, or lime juice are added to boost the flavor. It can be used as a dip for chips, added to salads, or as a spread for toast.
2. Salsa Fresca - Also known as Pico de Gallo, or “the rooster’s beak” in English, this sauce is another culinary contribution from the Aztec civilization. It is referred to as the rooster’s beak because traditionally, it was eaten by pinching it between the fingers which made the shape of a rooster’s beak. Nowadays, it is also known as Salsa Fresca, or “fresh sauce” in English because it is made up of sweet, tangy diced tomatoes along with onions, salt, and cilantro to give dishes a bold, fresh taste.
Entrées
3. Tamale - Just as today, the tamale is a new world dish that has been used exclusively for special festivities. Indigenous civilizations across Mexico, Central, and South America would offer it in special ceremonies to the gods. It consists of a body of mashed maize that is wrapped in banana leaves or corn husks and steamed. They require extensive preparation and can be filled with chicken, potatoes, or pork.
4. Tacos - The origins of tacos have always been a mystery but one thing is certain, traditional tacos are not the same as the hard-shelled tacos you find in fast-food restaurants. They were introduced to the United States by working-class Mexican immigrants. As a common street food in Mexico, they consist of a corn tortilla that holds either chicken, carnitas, or carne asada, and can be topped with ingredients such as lettuce, salsa fresca, guacamole, or sour cream.
5. Nachos - This crunchy dish was created by a Mexican hotel cook in order to serve customers who came in late in the day. He used the only ingredients which were left in the restaurant and named the dish after his nickname, Nacho. Needless to say, the dish was a hit and became very popular in the United States. The dish itself can be made with tortilla chips topped with melted cheese, salsa, sour cream, ground beef, and olives.
Desserts
6. Flan - This sweet delight was introduced to the Americas by the Spanish and became so popular, it is considered one of the staple desserts in Latin-American cuisine. The dessert itself is a custard made from cream and eggs and glazed with caramel sauce.
7. Tres Leches - When translated, Tres Leches means “three milks” which describes part of its cooking process. After the moist cake is baked, it is soaked in three different types of milk: whole milk, condensed milk, and evaporated milk. Many Latin-American countries claim to have invented the tres leches, but one thing is for certain, this dish has cemented itself as part of Hispanic culture.
8. Churros - Similar to tres leches, many countries claim to have created churros, but it is one of the signature dishes in Spain and Portugal who no doubt introduced it to Latin America. It is made by deep-frying cylinder-shaped dough and then sprinkled with cinnamon or sugar. It can also be drizzled with chocolate.
How Should Restaurants Celebrate Cinco de Mayo During The Pandemic?
Usually, during Cinco de Mayo, restaurants are filled with those that want to celebrate with Mexican food and drinks. Unfortunately due to the pandemic, most restaurants have limited seating capacity and are relying mostly on carry-out and delivery orders. To make sure you attract customers and give them a good experience while staying safe, make sure you:
- Practice social distancing
- Seat customers in outdoor areas
- Equip staff with masks and gloves
- Sanitize every surface
- Offer Mexican food as take out or delivery
