Last week we asked you for your favorite spot to grab a margarita. Here’s what you told us
Cinco de Mayo is right at our doorstep.
The annual holiday that celebrates Mexican culture and food — and historically, the Mexican army’s victory over France in 1862 — lands on May 5 every year and is often observed in the United States by a day of taco-eating and margarita-drinking festivities.
Last week, we gave you a list of five Mexican restaurants in the Treasure Valley offering specials for Cinco de Mayo and asked you to tell us where you get your favorite margarita in the valley. Now, here are the top five restaurants you chose to fulfill your tequila craving.
And while you’re at it, let us know where you go for your favorite tacos in the Treasure Valley for our upcoming Treasure Valley Taco Bracket, which will allow you to vote on the best tacos in the Boise area.
No. 1 Amano
With just one location in Caldwell, Amano was far and away the most voted for spot to grab a margarita. The Mexican restaurant by James Beard semi-finalist chef and owner Salvador Alamilla, offers a wide selection of house-made tortillas, tostadas and tlayudas — all made by hand. The Amano bar features 20 varieties of Mezcal and a further 20 of tequila that will have your mouth watering for one of their cocktails or margaritas.
Amano will be one of the busiest restaurants in the Treasure Valley on Thursday, so reserve a table ahead of the holiday.
702 Main St., Caldwell, 208-453-6410. Amanorestaurante.com
No. 2 The Matador
One of the Idaho Statesman restaurants featured last week, The Matador and Casa del Matador are valley-wide favorites. probably for the nearly 150 tequilas it stocks. The Matador will serve several favorite drinks on special during Cinco De Mayo, including Teremana Blanco tequila margaritas for $8, a Teremana Blanco or Reposado shot for $7, Modelo Especial beer for $4.50, and a combo shot of Modelo Especial and Teremana Blanco for $10.
215 N. 8th St., Boise, 208-342-9988; 3690 E. Monarch Sky Lane, The Village at Meridian, 208-893-6120. MatadorRestaurants.com
No. 3 Enriques
Perennially, one of the Valley’s favorite Mexican eateries, Enriques will run Happy Hour specials from 3 to 5 p.m. on Cinco de Mayo if you can get out of work a little early. You can grab a lime margarita, house drinks, and 16-ounce beers for just $3 and 23-ounce beers for $5. The $3 lime margaritas will also be available all evening for women.
345 N. Ave. E. Ave., Kuna, 208-922-5169. www.enriqueskuna.com
No. 4 Jalapeños
No matter where you live in the Treasure Valley, you’ll probably be close to a Jalapeños. The locally-owned and operated Mexican restaurant has three locations, two in Boise and one in Nampa.
Jalapeños is offering $6 margaritas and $3 beer and shots for Cinco de Mayo.
1555 Broadway Ave., Boise, 208-344-0162; 8799 Franklin Road, Boise, 208-375-2077; 1921 Caldwell Blvd., 208-442-6355. Jalapenosidaho.com
No. 5 Chapala
Chapala has four locations throughout the Treasure Valley and an incredibly vast menu, offering tacos, seafood, fajitas, tostadas and more. The restaurant doesn’t have any Cinco de Mayo specials but remains a Boise favorite for its “big and easy to drink” margaritas.
1201 S. Vista Ave., Boise, 208-429-1155; 1459 S. Vinnell Way, Boise, 208-375-5315; 2117 12th Ave. Road, Nampa, 208-461-9355; 525 Caldwell Blvd., Nampa, 208-461-7700. Chapala-restaurant.com
Want to continue to vote for your favorite restaurant to get a margarita in the Treasure Valley? Do so below and continue to see where your fellow Boiseans will be heading on Thursday evening.
This story was originally published May 3, 2022 at 2:49 PM.
