Cinco de Mayo starts Saturday at many E.V. restaurants
April 30th, 2008, 3:20 pm · 1 Comment · posted by Jess Harter
Cinco de Mayo is Monday, but many Mexican restaurants are kicking off their celebrations Saturday. Here are five of the hottest parties in the East Valley this weekend:
DOS GRINGOS
Five East Valley locations start four days of festivities Friday, but the biggest parties will be Saturday night. The Chris Parker Project performs at 8 p.m. at Scottsdale, followed by MiniKiss, a Kiss tribute band made up of little people. A “bags” tournament starts at 2 p.m. in north Tempe; Chris and Randy perform 4-7 p.m., followed by Capital Down and 9Ball start. Contests in south Tempe include bobbing for limes, best sombrero and best Macarena. Mesa and Chandler offer Wii bowling. All locations will have music and drink specials.
Cover: $5
Where: 4209 N. Craftsman Court, Scottsdale, (480) 423-3800; 1001 E. Eighth St., Tempe, (480) 968-7879; 8000 S. Priest Drive, Tempe, (480) 753-4577; 1361 N. Alma School Road, Chandler, (480) 855-3303; 1958 S. Greenfield Road, Mesa, (480) 633-5525; dosgringosaz.com
SALTY SEÑORITA
Three East Valley locations open their “Señoritavilles” (pictured above) at noon Saturday with outdoor stages, island bars, outdoor grills and food and drink specials. Live music, which starts at 3 p.m., features Rock Lobster, Capital Down and DJ Spice in Mesa; Dimonet, Shirley’s Temple, Metalhead and DJ Diesel in Old Town Scottsdale; and UltaMaxx and The Spazmatics in north Scottsdale. VIP tents ($25) are offered in Mesa and Old Town.
Cover: $10
Where: 1860 S. Stapley Drive, Mesa, (480) 632-8226; 3636 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, (480) 946-7258; 14950 N. Northsight Blvd., Scottsdale, (480) 922-6274; saltysenorita.com
SANDBAR MEXICAN GRILL
More than 50 tons of sand turn a parking lot into a beach for “Cinco de Sandbar,” a three-day event featuring games, giveaways, DJs and food and drink specials. Dodgeball tournaments offer $1,000 cash prizes Saturday and Sunday ($150 entry fee for nine-person teams). Doors open at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Cover: $10
Where: 10050 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, (480) 998-8845, sandbaraz.com.
SAN FELIPE’S CANTINA
“Cinco de Drinko” starts 11 a.m. Sunday at Tempe Marketplace with drink specials, DJs and giveaways. Live music, beginning at 2 p.m., includes Vinyl Revival, Violet Wild, Dimonet and 9Ball. More live music at 5 p.m. Monday. Scottsdale also has giveaways and drink specials.
Cover: $5 after 2 p.m.
Where: 2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe (at Tempe Marketplace) (480) 736-8226; 20825 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, (480) 563-9495; sanfelipescantina.com.
MACAYO’S
“Cinco de Depot” begins at 10 a.m. Monday in Tempe. Acoustic music performed at 2 p.m., followed by Average White Haired Band, The Zimis and 2Tone Lizard Kings from 4 p.m. to midnight. VIP party ($25) in train caboose area includes complimentary tequila tastings and Average White Haired Band at 8 p.m. Three other E.V. locations will have live music, piñatas and food and drink specials.
Cover: $5 after 2 p.m. Saturday in Tempe; free at other locations
Where: 300 S. Ash Avenue, Tempe, (480) 966-6677; 1920 S. Dobson Road, Mesa, (480) 820-0237; 12637 S. 48th St., Ahwatukee, (480) 598-5101; 11107 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottdale, (480) 596-1181; macayo.com.
May 1st, 2008 at 10:38 am
Attention all Italian Foodies!!!! It is so sad to tell you that Mario Vincitorrio of “ViniciTorrios” Resturant on Elliot in Tempe was involved in an horriffic motorcycle accident about 2 weeks ago. He was struck by a DUI idiot. He has suffered many broken bones and will require many surgeries and rehab. I challenge all and I mean all of the Italian’s and Italian Resturants in the greater Phoenix area to band together to raise much needed dollars for his medical fund. As you all know that when you dedicate your life to your restaurant and it’s success you need to be there. Let’s all be there for Mario. Please visit their web site and throw your support both financially and emotionally to them. Let’s get a huge fund raiser going. THANKS, Pat Crawford