Chicago Cinco de Mayo Deals
Happy Cinco de Mayo! It’s a great time to get out after a long lockdown and enjoy a few margaritas. Since most restaurants are barely surviving there are few deals so I’ve just listed all the restaurants where you can get a good margarita. I would make a reservation as restaurants are at 50% occupancy. If the weather is nice some places may have outside seating available. Most outside seating is first come, first serve. Call first!!! And if you really want to go on the cheap you can make Rick Bayless’ margaritas (recipe below) .
Aba, 302 N Green St 3rd floor, (773) 645-1400. Join Lettuce Entertain You Frequent Diner Club Get $10
Antique Taco Bridgeport and Wicker Park. The location at Revival Food Hall is gone. The margs were very good. I haven’t been to the Bridgeport location.
Bar Takito, 201 N Morgan St,
Beatrix, 519 N. Clark St., (312) 284-1377 Pineapple habanero margaritas. Join Lettuce Entertain You Frequent Diner Club Get $10
Beatrix Pineapple habanero margarita $13
Big Star Wicker Park and Wrigley Excellent margarita’s as well as large whiskey and tequila selection
Broken English, Loop, Old Town and Lincoln Park. Maragarita’s and Mexican beers.
Bub City 435 N. Clark (312) 610-4200. They have decent pre-made margarita’s and they’re also serving Three Dots and a Dash cocktails. Join Lettuce Entertain You Frequent Diner Club Get $10
Down Periscope $15 Three Dots and a Dash cocktail at Bub City
Cruz Blanca Brewery & Taquería, 904 W Randolph St, (312) 733-1975. Formerly a Rick Bayless restaurant – I’m sure it’s still excellent.
Federales, 180 N. Morgan, (773) 831-9696. Good margarita’s and tequila list. Download the My4C app, sign up, use my promo code CAROLCAVA7465 and get $5 free.
Frontera Grill, 445 North Clark Street, (312) 661-1434. I order the Topolo margarita it’s $13.
Topolo margarita at Frontera Grill $13
Hub 51 51 W. Hubbard Join Lettuce Entertain You Frequent Diner Club Get $10
Mercadito, 108 W Kinzie St, (312) 329-9555. They make an excellent margarita.
Mi Tocaya Antojería 2800 W Logan Blvd. Excellent food and margarita’s May be closed due to Covid.
Xoco, 449 N Clark St, (312) 661-1434. Very small inside; outdoor tables fill fast.
Make your own Rick Bayless Margarita’s:
- 3/4 cup fresh lime juice, about 3 large limes (I also finely zest the lime peel with a rasp and add a couple tablespoons).
- 6 tablespoons sugar COTC note: When they make this in the restaurant they use agave.
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons blanco tequila
- 1/4 cup Gran Torres orange liqueur. You can also use Grand Marnier.
- Lime wedges
- Coarse salt
- About 1 1/2cups small (or coarsely broken) ice cubes
- 3/4 cup fresh lime juice, about 3 large limes (I also finely zest the lime peel with a rasp and add a couple tablespoons).
Make limeade. Combine the lime juice, lime zest, sugar and 1 cup water in a glass or plastic pitcher. Cover and refrigerate if not using right away (but no longer than 24 hours).
Finish and serve margaritas. Add the tequila and orange liqueur to the pitcher of limeade. Rub the rims of 6 martini glasses with a lime wedge, then dip them in a dish of coarse salt. In a large shaker, combine the half of the margarita mixture with half of the ice and shake 10 to 15 seconds, then strain into the prepared glasses. Repeat with the rest of the mixture.
Short cut: Throw everything together (except the ice) in a large pitcher, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate 6-8 hours before the party and then just shake as you go, giving the pitcher a stir now and then.
