To most restaurateurs, Cinco de Mayo landing on a Monday presents a unique opportunity to extend the celebration and maximize springtime revenue. While some may shy away from a worknight fiesta, there’s no reason to limit the fun to just one day!
Get the taco and tequila ready, because here’s the good news: You don’t have to let a Monday celebration sabotage your party (or your profits). Instead, start your festivities on the Thursday before Cinco de Mayo. Then, let the good times roll all the way through Monday for five full days of fun.
To keep the margaritas flowing and the sales growing during this multi-day celebration, out-of-the-box LTOs are a must. Here are some of my favorites:
First in Flight
Tacos are the Bonnie to tequila’s Clyde. That’s why a flight pairing three shots of high-quality tequila with three standout tacos just makes sense. To kick off the trifecta, serve up a Contigo® Beef Birria Taco. Featuring Piancone® Epicureo Veal Short Rib meat simmered in a punchy blend of guajillo and chipotle peppers, this bite goes best with an oak-forward añejo.
For something lighter to complement the brightness of blanco tequila, sear scallops in butter and smoked paprika, then garnish with fresh mango, pickled red onions, and a drizzle of lime crema. Serve with Contigo Hot Sauce to give guests something signature to inquire about.
Finally, to help your flight — ahem — take flight, prepare a crispy duck taco. Imagine succulent duck confit drizzled with a tangy orange-chipotle glaze, topped with crunchy cabbage slaw, and wrapped in a lightly charred Contigo Flour Tortilla — the subtle sweetness from the glaze pairs perfectly with the vanilla and caramel notes of a high-quality reposado.
Nacho Your Way
If you thought the pandemic ended buffet-style dining, think again. According to Nation’s Restaurant News, major buffet chains are seeing a resurgence in business. Why? Because people are craving value.1
For a budget-friendly experience that’ll wow your guests this Cinco de Mayo, why not try a build-your-own nacho bar? Start with Contigo Tortilla Chips, proteins seasoned with Contigo Taco Seasoning, Contigo Fire Roasted Fajita Blend vegetables, and other classic toppings.
Next, get creative with your fixings. Surprise guests with eyebrow-raising options like candied bacon, ghost pepper guacamole, and crispy fried onions. The more unique, the better.
To drive sales, encourage patrons to share their nacho creations on social media and tag your eatery. At the end of the five-day fiesta, reward the maker of the most creative masterpiece with gift cards, merch, or even a free slice of Contigo Tres Leches cake.
Margarita Madness
Margaritas are a Cinco de Mayo must. And while the classic lime margarita will always be a crowd-pleaser, it’s time to crank up the heat — literally. Recent research suggests consumers living in a post-pandemic world have a heightened appetite for bold flavors.2 To scratch that itch, spice up Contigo Margarita Mix Concentrates with unexpected add-ins. Imagine a mango margarita garnished with Sliced Jalapeño Peppers or a watermelon margarita with a tangy chili-lime rim.
Want to keep the fun flowing? Offer a punch card system. For every margarita ordered, guests earn a stamp. Collect five and get a boozy bev on the house.
Salty bar snacks also keep folks sipping. Luckily, Contigo delivers a variety of premade options that take the strain off your kitchen. From empanadas filled with chicken verde to Mexican-Style Roasted Street Corn Dip, these tasty treats will have your guests munching and margarita-ing all weekend long.
With a little extra planning and a whole lot of flavor, Monday might be the best thing that’s ever happened to Cinco de Mayo.
2. https://www.nacsmagazine.com/Issues/October-2024/Flavor-Forward