Cinco de Mayo
Michael Mayo guides you through Kentucky Derby, Cinco de Mayo.
Welcome to the latest edition of Hot Plates, your weekly guide to upcoming food events and restaurant promotions around South Florida. The confluence of Cinco de Mayo and the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby this Saturday provides the opportunity for a double dose of partying, and the prospect of some novel mashups (margaritas and Louisville hot browns, mint juleps and chimichangas?).
Many Mexican restaurants (and other bars) will have specials to mark the Battle of Puebla, and Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach and its surrounding restaurants will celebrate the annual Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
Deck 84, 840 E. Atlantic Blvd., in Delray Beach, will get into the spirit with a Cinco de Derby Fiesta featuring Woodford mint juleps, Herradura margaritas and promotional models handing out samples and swag. Sombreros and derby hats are encouraged.
Lona restaurant at the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, 321 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., will offer $5 Milagro Tequila specialty cocktails and two-for-$5 street tacos from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, along with a live mariachi band.
El Vez, a new restaurant that has not officially opened from Stephen Starr in the W Fort Lauderdale Hotel, 401 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., will host a preview party to coincide with the holiday and the Fort Lauderdale Air Show.
Carlos & Pepe’s, 1302 SE 17th Street, in Fort Lauderdale, will have an allday fiesta starting at 11:30 a.m. featuring Sauza tequila shots and giveaways of T-shirts, shot glasses and beads. Chuy’s, 8001 NW 36th St., in Doral, will offer drink specials all weekend.
All locations of Rocco’s Tacos will hold parties with drink specials and DJs starting at noon. Lime Fresh Mexican Grill will hold patio parties with DJs, balloon artists and food and drink specials at its locations in Pembroke Pines, Plantation, West Boca, West Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens.
Burt and Max’s, 9089 W. Atlantic Ave., in Delray Beach, will hold a Derby watch party featuring drink specials, merchandise giveaways, a bestdressed contest and special menu items including Kentucky chicken burgoo ($7), Kentucky sliders ($9) and bourbon-glazed pork porterhouse ($24).
Burger Month begins: National Burger Month began Tuesday and culminates with National Hamburger Day on May 28, and some restaurants will celebrate all month long. Zinburger locations have introduced a new blend of certified Angus beef and prime rib to the burger lineup. … Matchbox Kitchen at Sawgrass Mills in Sunrise will offer a trio of free sliders to those who register for its loyalty program and spend $35. … Pizza & Burger by Michael Mina at the Fontainebleau Hotel, 4441 Collins Ave., in Miami Beach, will celebrate with weekly rotating burgers to benefit charities. Up first until Sunday: a Juicy Lucy of beef with smoked mozzarella, tomato confit, lettuce, basil aioli on a crusty garlicpepperoni bun, with a portion of proceeds going to childhood poverty charity No Kid Hungry.