Cinco de Mayo offers a significant opportunity for restaurants and food brands to engage consumers with special pricing, free items, and limited-time menu additions. Based on current data and projections for 2025 and 2026, a wide variety of establishments are planning to offer distinct promotions to celebrate the holiday. These deals range from complimentary appetizers and beverages to discounted entrees and exclusive loyalty program rewards. For consumers, understanding the specific terms of these offers—which often require a purchase, a specific app order, or membership in a rewards program—is essential to maximizing value during the festivities.
The landscape of Cinco de Mayo promotions is diverse, encompassing national fast-food chains, casual dining restaurants, and regional eateries. Many brands structure their offers to drive traffic to their digital platforms, incentivizing app downloads and online ordering through promo codes and digital coupons. Others focus on in-store experiences, offering immediate gratification for diners who choose to visit physical locations. The following sections detail the specific offers available or projected for 2025 and 2026, categorized by the type of deal and the requirements for redemption.
Major Freebies and Complimentary Items
Several brands plan to offer free food and beverages to customers, either as a no-purchase-necessary giveaway or as a reward for making a purchase. These freebies often serve as "loss leaders" to attract customers who may then purchase additional items.
Complimentary Appetizers and Sides
A popular category of freebies involves complimentary appetizers, specifically chips and salsa or queso. The Brass Tap is a notable participant in this category, offering free chips and salsa with any purchase at participating locations on May 5. This offer is confirmed for both 2025 and projected for 2026. Similarly, Barberitos is giving customers a free small order of queso with any purchase all day on May 5, 2025, in a partnership with Land 'O Lakes. Beef 'O'Brady's offers a free side order of queso when customers purchase chips and salsa at participating locations.
Moe's Southwest Grill has a history of offering a free side of queso with any entree purchase on May 5, with this offer projected to continue in 2026. For those looking for a larger free item, Tocaya projects a potential freebie of a free 20-ounce guacamole when placing a catering order and using a promo code online in 2026.
Free Tacos and Entrees
Free entrees are a major draw, though they often come with specific conditions. El Pollo Loco anticipates offering two free chicken tacos with a purchase of $15 or more on May 5, 2026. Jack in the Box previously offered two free tacos with a $15 minimum purchase, valid until May 10, 2020. Taco Bell is anticipated to offer a Cinco de Mayo freebie specifically with delivery orders placed through third-party services like Grubhub, DoorDash, or Uber Eats.
Chipotle projects a giveaway in 2026 where players can win a free entree. They are also expected to offer free chips and queso blanco when purchasing any regular-priced menu item. Bubbakoo’s Burritos offers a buy-one-get-one-free deal on entrees for loyalty program members on May 5, 2025. After purchasing a regular entrée at full price, a coupon for a free one is deposited into the customer's account on May 6, redeemable through May 11.
Free Beverages and Souvenir Items
Beverage promotions are also common. Velvet Taco anticipates a free souvenir cup in 2026 when dining in and purchasing a large Boozy Libation. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf projects a discount on a large beverage for rewards members on May 5, 2026, from noon to 6 p.m. (excluding paid modifiers). RA Sushi Bar & Restaurant plans to offer discounted margaritas and Milagro shots all day in 2026.
Discounted Menu Items and Special Pricing
Many restaurants opt for discounted pricing on popular menu items rather than full freebies. These deals often span multiple days.
Taco and Entree Deals
Taco Cabana likely offers a taco and drink deal for Cinco de Mayo in 2026. Papa Murphy's promotes a 16-inch Taco Grande pizza (beef or chicken) for the holiday. Dillas Quesadillas projects a deal on their regular Primo quesadillas and limeade jugs for those near their Texas or Louisiana locations in 2026. Guzman y Gomez predicts discounted breakfast burritos, regular burritos, cali burritos, bowls, and frozen margaritas for Cinco de Mayo. Cold Stone Creamery is expected to bring back their Waffle Taco shell (while supplies last) for 2026.
California Tortilla celebrates with five days of deals, while Chevys Fresh Mex prepares for a fiesta in May 2026 with a few days of Cinco de Mayo deals. On The Border is set to celebrate with five days of Grande Marg deals in 2026. Green Mill plans deals on pizzas, margs, and Corona beers for 2026.
Drink Specials and Happy Hours
Drink specials are a cornerstone of Cinco de Mayo. Miller's Ale House will have a deal on their House Margs. Ruby Tuesday looks for drink deals on margaritas and Dos Equis. Fuzzy's Taco Shop anticipates a discount on House Margaritas and Sangria ‘Rita Swirls. Hooters anticipates a discount on Dos Equis drafts and Legendary Margaritas. Chuy's anticipates several deals, including discounts on cocktails and appetizers.
Tijuana Flats brings back their annual $5 Cinco de Mayo menu, which includes margaritas, beers, chips & guac, and more for dine-in, carryout, or delivery. La Calle Tacos in Houston offers Frozen Margaritas for just $5.99 from 7 am to 7 pm, with flavors including Piña, Fresa, and Sandía. El Tiempo Cantina features Rita Pitchers, Mezcal, and Cervezas. Bonefish Grill offers a "Green Jeans" matcha margarita for just $5. Old Town Mexican Cafe offers $3.50 Taco Tuesday Drink specials, including Margaritas, Shots of Hornitos Blanco, and bottles of Tecate.
Del Frisco’s offers specials including $8 Margaritas and $10 Fresh Fish Ceviche. Attitude Brewing and Societe Brewing offer specialty drinks and beer for pick-up and delivery. Joe’s Crab Shack offers $20 buckets of Modelo Especial.
Loyalty Programs and Online/App Exclusives
Digital engagement is a key strategy for many brands. Offers are frequently restricted to loyalty members or require specific promo codes for online or app orders.
App and Online Order Discounts
Pita Pit offers a discount on any online or in-app order when using a promo code at checkout for loyalty members. Baja Fresh provides $5.55 off orders of $20 or more (pre-tax) online at bajafresh.com through May 5, 2025, using code CINCO for Club Baja Rewards members. Chipotle anticipates a $0 delivery fee offer when using a promo code online or in-app, in addition to the free chips and queso blanco deal.
Tocaya offers a free 20-ounce guacamole for catering orders with a promo code online. Chronic Tacos likely offers rewards members a discount on an in-app purchase in 2026. California Pizza Kitchen predicts a CPK Rewards members exclusive Cinco de Mayo deal. Dickey's Barbecue Pit rewards members can look forward to a Cinco de Mayo discount in 2026.
Sign-Up Incentives
Several deals require consumers to sign up for rewards programs by a specific date. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf requires rewards membership to get the discount on a large beverage on May 5, 2026. Consumers are advised to sign up by May 5 to qualify for such deals. Moe's Southwest Grill typically requires a purchase for their queso deal, but the free T-shirt giveaway for the first 20 guests is an in-store incentive that may not require a purchase.
Catering and Group Deals
For larger gatherings, several chains offer catering-specific promotions. Tocaya offers a free 20-ounce guacamole with catering orders using a promo code. Chipotle and Bubbakoo’s Burritos also have catering deals projected or active for the holiday period. El Tiempo Cantina and La Calle Tacos are highlighted as ideal spots for group celebrations, emphasizing their atmosphere and shareable menu items.
Regional and Local Highlights
While national chains dominate the landscape, regional players offer unique local experiences. La Calle Tacos in Houston provides authentic street tacos and frozen margaritas with a focus on freshness (no freezers, no microwaves). El Tiempo Cantina, also prominent in Houston, is noted for its fajitas and extensive tequila selection. El Chingon and Old Town Mexican Cafe (San Diego area) offer specific food, drink, and family specials. Del Frisco’s and Jack in the Box also have specific location-based promotions noted in previous years.
Conclusion
Cinco de Mayo remains a major promotional event for the restaurant industry, with 2025 and 2026 shaping up to offer a robust mix of freebies, discounts, and exclusive loyalty rewards. The most valuable offers—such as free entrees or significant discounts—often require consumers to join loyalty programs, utilize specific promo codes for online orders, or make a qualifying purchase. Consumers interested in maximizing these deals should monitor brand apps and sign up for rewards programs in advance of May 5. The projections for 2026 suggest a continued emphasis on digital engagement and multi-day promotional windows, providing ample opportunity for deal seekers to participate in the festivities.