Ann Arbor Mexican restaurants aim for huge Cinco de Mayo sales boost
Bandito's Mexican Restaurant, located on Fourth Avenue in downtown Ann Arbor, expects large crowds on Cinco de Mayo.
Angela Cesere | AnnArbor.com
But on Cinco de Mayo — May 5 — Tios Mexican Cafe restaurant in downtown Ann Arbor does just that.
The Mexican restaurant on East Liberty Street is one of several area businesses planning to host a day-long celebration on the Mexican independence day holiday, which has become a big sales driver for restaurants and bars. This year the holiday also occurs the day after Main Street Area Association hosts its bi-annual Midnight Madness event, which has a Cinco de Mayo theme.
Jessie Seaver, whose family owns Tios, estimated the restaurant sees a 50- to 60-percent sales increase on Cinco de Mayo, and that number could be even higher with the holiday on a Saturday this year.
“We’re anticipating being even busier than we have been in the past,” she said. “If it’s nice out, we can have people hang out on the patio and if it’s rainy, we’ll squeeze them inside.”
The restaurant will offer food and drink specials and will have live music throughout the day. It’s also planning special giveaways, including a free T-shirt for customers who take a shot of tequila and eat the “worm” from the bottle, Seaver said.
“We do goofy giveaways all day,” she said. “We give away stuff we get from the liquor companies, like beads, necklaces, pins.”
Cinco de Mayo is celebrated annually on May 5, when Mexico celebrates its victorious battle for independence over the French in 1862. It's separate from the country’s Independence Day, which is celebrated on Sept. 16.
But the holiday — like St. Patrick’s Day — has largely become a widespread U.S. event that’s celebrated by eating and drinking.
Los Amigos manager Benjamin Garduno said all different kinds of people come out to the celebrate Cinco de Mayo at the restaurant, which is located near Briarwood Mall and used to be called El Camino Real. He said it’s “absolutely” their biggest day of the year.
“All the Mexican restaurants wait for that day in the beginning of the year,” he said. “It’s a crazy day and no other day of the year do we have sales that big. Nothing is like Cinco de Mayo.”
Kanwar Sandhanwalia, the owner of Bandito's Mexican Restaurant on South Fourth Avenue in downtown Ann Arbor, said he doubles his staff on Cinco de Mayo to brace for the influx of customers.
He said that with the holiday falling on a Saturday this year, sales at Bandito’s will triple over a regular business day.
“We have to start cooking at night to prepare,” he said. “We won’t be going home Friday night, let’s just say that.”
Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at 734-623-2584 or email her at lizzyalfs@annarbor.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lizzyalfs.
Comments
Tru2Blu76
Wed, May 9, 2012 : 8:41 p.m.
As Americans, we have many who are privileged enough to afford restaurant meals featuring popular dishes from many countries. On top of that, we have a wide array of foods / dishes which have been popular since the first European colonists got a foothold. I swear, sometimes I think that someone could open a restaurant in Ann Arbor and just name it: FOOD! - and it would be successful. But personally, I prefer Cuarto de Julio dishes over Cinco de Mayo dishes and I can hardly wait for OUR Independence Day to arrive. :-)
ArgoC
Mon, May 7, 2012 : 8:16 p.m.
Gosh, all these experts on "Mexican" food. Mexico is a huge country with many variations in cuisine, including, yes, tomatoes! Since before the Europeans arrived. The Italians got tomatoes from the New World, remember?
Eric
Tue, May 8, 2012 : 2:05 a.m.
I agree, there are some dishes that have tomatoes, Mexican cuisine is based upon spicy chile sauces (also it sets it apart from the other Latin American countries that rely more on tomatoes). Enchiladas and burritos are meant to be drench in this spicy sauce, and substituting it with tomatoes is such a shame. I would consider myself an expert. After all, I have lived my whole life next to the Mexican border (minus the 3 years I've gone back and forth from AA to home). Also, having parents that cooked me daily Mexican food 2 out of 3 meals probably helps as well. :)
Tex Treeder
Sun, May 6, 2012 : 12:35 a.m.
There's nothing more American than celebrating a Mexican victory over the French. Hold on...
tim
Sat, May 5, 2012 : 9:24 p.m.
With all the great asian restaurants in Ann Arbor would would think that someone would start an authentic Mexican restaurant ---- you know the kind of food Mexicans eat.
Eric
Sat, May 5, 2012 : 2:49 p.m.
My one recommendation for these restaurants is to use chile-based sauces rather than tomato-based. I mean, it is Mexican, not Italian, food.
LA
Sat, May 5, 2012 : 2:06 p.m.
Hey, what about the restaurant that serves the best FOOD?? SABOR LATINO??
Robo
Sat, May 5, 2012 : 3:34 p.m.
Good pozole
Mohawk
Sat, May 5, 2012 : 1:35 p.m.
Sabor Latino has the best tacos in town!
Robo
Sat, May 5, 2012 : 3:33 p.m.
Dos Hermanos takes first prize. Sabor is good but the meat is a little runny. Tmaz also has some good taco.
u812
Sat, May 5, 2012 : 1:39 p.m.
Dos Peso's
DDOT1962
Sat, May 5, 2012 : 12:46 p.m.
Tios, and the former La Pinata, for that matter, are about as authentic Mexican as a Taco Bell. Visit a local taqueria or go explore the dives in the area of Livernois or Bagley in Detroit if you're looking for the real deal. And Cinco de Mayo isn't much of a holiday in Mexico, for that matter. It's picked up steam north of the border as the hospitality industry looks for a way of creating business during a traditionally slow period.
Brad
Sat, May 5, 2012 : 3:44 p.m.
I doubt that the many people frequenting La Pinata cared one way or another about its "authenticity". They were too busy enjoying the food and drink. I know I was.
jns131
Sat, May 5, 2012 : 2:07 p.m.
I love Mexican Town. Love their food and that bakery? OMG. I am so there. Go during Festival of the Dead. Wow. Otherwise, for local? The one on Whittaker is great. Very local.
mixmaster
Sat, May 5, 2012 : 1:21 p.m.
And the problem for local merchants is...? Don't be such a downer. Enjoy what we have in our own backyard. If it's not good enough to satisfy your tastes, please take the time and money to travel to Detroit.
UlyssesWrong1
Sat, May 5, 2012 : 12:38 p.m.
Taco Bell is only good if your food budget can be counted on one hand. Nothing better than good food and drinks with friends and family on Cinco de Mayo, regardless of your background. It's fun for all.
garrisondyer
Sat, May 5, 2012 : 4:54 p.m.
Or if it's 3 AM and you're not by Tios. By the way, is Tios still open late? I feel like I tried a few years back to walk in around 2 AM and they were already cleaning up and said they had changed their schedule.... Then they moved. Anybody know?
Brad
Sat, May 5, 2012 : 12:35 p.m.
RIP La Pinata!
jns131
Sat, May 5, 2012 : 2:06 p.m.
Double Amen to that. I loved that restaurant.
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, May 5, 2012 : 12:17 p.m.
What? No love for Taco Bell? ....;)
Hmm
Mon, May 7, 2012 : 3:23 p.m.
I finally broke down and got a Doritos Locos taco from there the other day after being bombarded with constant advertising for the past three months. It was actually pretty good and I'll probably order another one sometime.
jns131
Sat, May 5, 2012 : 2:05 p.m.
Any store sells Sangria. I get a big bottle of it, go to Taco Bell, get the family pack and go home. Much cheaper then buying all that stuff at the store and making it at home. Thanks for the idea. Yum.
Boo Radley
Sat, May 5, 2012 : 12:29 p.m.
If they would serve beer and liquor, they could cash in on the celebration too ...