Cinco de Mayo Fiestas

Although technically, Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican defeat of the French army at the Battle Of Puebla in 1862, Gothamist looks at it as a great excuse to celebrate with food and drinks. Then again, we turn just about anything into an excuse to celebrate with food and drinks. Tap into your Mexican heritage and join in the fun.

Ixta is celebrating Cinco de Mayo (and its one year anniversary) with a strolling mariachi band, a cocktail made just for the occasion, and free gifts for diners. Don't you love getting presents for someone else's birthday? For reservations call 212-683-4833. Ixta, 48 East 29 Street (b/w Park and Madison Avenues)

Coincidentally, Soho Cantina is also celebrating its one year anniversary and Cinco de Mayo. From noon to 2 a.m. they'll be offering $5 margaritas and $2 tacos, and they'll even be roasting a suckling pig and barbacoa out on the rotisserie! And you know how we feel about suckling pig. Soho Cantina, 199 Prince Street, 212-598-0303.

In addition to the aforementioned fiestas, New York Magazine rounds up three more places to celebrate: La Palapa, Maria's Mexican Bistro, and Itzocan Bistro.

Finally, for a low key celebration, you can always whip up a batch of guacamole and a pitcher of margaritas. The Daily News published a few margarita recipes to get you started, and the Food Network has great guacamole recipes in their Cinco de Mayo recipe collection. Did you know that last year, Americans consumed an estimated 37.6 million pounds of hass avocados on Cinco de Mayo? Holy guacamole!

Learn more about Cinco de Mayo at Mexonline.com.