Ay, Chihuahua! The anniversary of an obscure battle in the city of Puebla, Mexico has become an international excuse to drink cerveza and celebrate with a fiesta. If you can’t make it south of the border with Fido this May 5, head to one of these pet-friendly Mexican restaurants across the U.S. that welcome furry amigos to join you for Cinco de Mayo fun!
Dog-Friendly Mexican Restaurants For A Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
Posted by Erin Ballinger
Rita's on the River
For a big fiesta, check out Rita’s on the River, located along San Antonio’s Riverwalk. Dine on delicious Mexican fare with your pooch from one of the covered patios or in the outdoor air-conditioned courtyard while listening to a mariachi band. Rita’s offers a dog menu that features steamed carrots as a “puppitizer”, locally-made bakery treats, and doggy ice cream. Best of all, Rita’s donates a portion of proceeds from all its dog menu items and pet gear to local animal shelters.
Spend the night steps away in boutique luxury at Thompson San Antonio Riverwalk which welcomes large dogs and doesn’t charge a pet fee.
La Contenta Oeste
Bring Fido to La Contenta Oeste, located in the trendy West Village in Manhattan. Sit at one of their pet-friendly outdoor tables while you celebrate Cinco de Mayo with agave spirits and traditional Mexican fare with a French twist. They even have a dog menu just for pups so Fido won’t be left out while you feast. Keep your eyes peeled during your meal, the Mexican restaurant is known to be a favorite destination for celebrities.
Keep the party going at Virgin Hotels New York City where four-legged guests are showered with perks such as plush beds, food and water dishes, a branded bandana and yummy treats.
Barrio
If you’re spending the holiday weekend in the Windy City, visit Barrio in River North to hang out at one of Chicago’s most dog-friendly restaurants. Well-behaved perros are welcome on the seasonal patio at this trendy Mexican eatery and cocktail bar. While you nosh on grilled octopus nachos and skirt steak fajitas, your furry friend can chow down, too! The restaurant’s “Barkio Puppy Menu” features grilled chicken, a hamburger patty, skirt steak and dairy-free “woof” cream. Don’t forget to sample some of Barrio’s creative margaritas in varieties like Lavender-Hibiscus, Jalapeno-Cucumber, or the No Mas Tequila mocktail!
If you need a siesta after the fiesta, rest at Canopy by Hilton Chicago Central Loop where furry guests are treated to dog beds, bowls and mats.
El Chico Cafe Mexican Food
El Chico Cafe has been serving authentic Mexican dishes since 1940, so they certainly know what they are doing and how to celebrate 5 de Mayo! The restaurant’s spacious outdoor patio is open rain or shine and welcomes well-behaved dogs. El Chico Cafe also hosts "Woof Wednesdays" and monthly Yappy Hours if you want to keep the fiesta going year-round. For every dog that visits the patio on Wednesdays, El Chico donates one dollar to the rescue of the month.
Seek a comfortable night’s sleep at the pet-friendly Comfort Inn & Suites Melbourne-Viera which features dog walking areas onsite.
Palacio Cafe
Breakfast burritos were invented in Santa Fe, and no trip to New Mexico with your pup would be complete without sampling one. Fortunately, the dog-friendly Palacio Cafe serves them up daily to hungry diners. Sit on the patio with your pooch and start Cinco de Mayo on the right foot by trying one of their meat- or veggie-loaded burritos served “Christmas-style,” smothered in green and red chile sauces. Be sure to order Fido a side of bacon to make his tail wag! Pancakes, omelets and breakfast tacos are other morning menu favorites. Enchiladas, tamales, tacos and chile rellenos are excellent options if you dine at lunch.
Inn of the Turquoise Bear welcomes four-legged guests with creature comforts like dog treats, sleeping mats, food and water dishes, and waste bags.
Taco Boy Charleston
Get the festivities going and margaritas flowing at Taco Boy Charleston in The Holy City. The fun Mexican restaurant loves dogs and welcomes them in its heated courtyard. Begin with fresh guacamole and chips, Mexican Street Corn or a salsa sampler, followed by a few reasonably priced tacos. Quesadillas, salads and rice bowls also are available. Margaritas, cervezas and tequila flights from the bar pair nicely with the cuisine. Best of all, Taco Boy Charleston supports local animal shelters and canine causes to help make a “pawsitive” change in the local pet community!
Make it a weekend affair and stay in Charleston’s historic district at Hotel Emeline which provides contemporary accommodations in a classic setting. Pups receive comfy beds, mats, bowls and custom-made treats upon arrival.
Begging Burro Mexican Bistro & Tequila Bar
Open each summer season beginning in May, Begging Burro Mexican Bistro & Tequila Bar is a dog-friendly Mexican restaurant in South Dakota’s Black Hills. Fido is welcome to join you at one of the outdoor tables for creative Mexican fare during lunch or dinner. Treat yourself to fresh, homemade salsa, tortilla chips, and a tequila and mezcal flight after a day of exploring Custer State Park, one of the best dog-friendly state parks in the Midwest, with your furry friend. Don’t forget to order your pooch a side of shredded chicken, too!
“Ruff” it at Gold Camp Cabins, comfortable log homes with all of the modern conveniences for your discerning doggy traveler.
Diego's
Diego's encourages hungry hounds on their fun, covered patio on Bowen’s Wharf in Newport, Rhode Island. Stop in for a delicious lunch, dinner or weekend brunch while listening to punk rock and enjoying the harbor breeze. The menu features specialties like birria taquitos, several varieties of guacamole, Korean BBQ pork belly tacos, specialty margaritas and mezcal libations. A vegan menu is also available.
Nearby in the Historic Hill neighborhood, you’ll find Paws on Pelham, a dog-friendly inn created specifically with pets in mind. All 13 rooms welcome four-legged guests, feature canine decor, and include a bed just for Fido.
Canonita
Located on the famous Las Vegas Strip in the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Resort, Canonita welcomes dogs and their owners at over thirty outdoor tables. This Cinco de Mayo, you and Fido can enjoy the sights and sounds of gondolas and gondoliers floating by as you dig into amazing traditional Mexican fare like enchiladas, burritos and tacos. The restaurant is open daily for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, so you can get your taco (or margarita) fix at whatever time you want!
Treat your pooch to breakfast in bed the next morning when you stay at the dog-friendly Delano Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay. In addition to Doggie Butler Service, the hotel provides a Doggie Delights Menu so your pup can devour a meal from the comfort of your room.
Tortuga Jacks
Experience Baja Mexican dining with beachfront views in the heart of Jekyll Island, one of the best dog-friendly beaches on the East Coast. At Tortuga Jacks, enjoy a cocktail and sizzling fajitas with your pup under the only oceanfront tiki on the Georgia coast. While you attempt to finish the restaurant’s 50-ounce margarita, Fido will enjoy his water bowl with unlimited free refills.
End the day at Hampton Inn & Suites Jekyll Island which welcomes big dogs and has onsite relief areas.
Where do you plan to fiesta with Fido this Cinco de Mayo? Leave a comment or tweet us @BringFido!
Banner photo by iStock.