4 Mexican Restaurants to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo on Hillsborough St

Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner, and Hillsborough Street is serving up all the flavor, fun, and festive vibes. Whether you’re craving tacos on a patio, margaritas with friends, or just a reason to celebrate Raleigh’s Latin-inspired culture, Hillsborough Street is a great place to be this May.

And since it’s a college town, you’ll find prices here more affordable than other districts in Raleigh. Here’s your guide to celebrating Cinco de Mayo—Hillsborough Street style with these great Mexican restaurants, written in partnership with Live it Up Hillsborough St.

🌮 Frito’s Burgers & Tacos

What started as a converted yellow school bus has turned into one of Hillsborough Street’s best-kept (but quickly growing) taco secrets. Owned by local Mexican entrepreneur Saul, Frito’s Burgers & Tacos is all about serving up big flavor on a small budget.

He’s on a mission to bring the community fresh, affordable tacos—and his famous $1 tacos (Tuesdays) often have lines wrapping around the patio of his brother’s pizza shop. Speaking of which you’ll love sitting in the patio under the canopy of rainbow-colored umbrellas as you tuck into delicious tacos.

He has a wide range of tacos on offer, favorites being the VIP shrimp (with mango), Baja fish, and Baja shrimp – we tried all and they were delicious! We also found the flautas so more-ish! On $1 Taco Tuesday, Saul typically has pollo pastor, portobello tacos, and one that changes each week.

For Cinco de Mayo, Saul’s stepping it up with a delicious deal:👉 Buy 5 tacos, get a FREE elote (Mexican street corn).

And trust us—you want this Elote. Coated in his secret sauce, cheese, and spices, it’s hands down some of the best street corn you’ll find in Raleigh.

A true local gem that proves you don’t have to break the bank to get authentic flavor and festive vibes. We love how Saul is passionate about serving community, which is why he offers $1 taco without ever sacrificing flavor. Meet Saul in our video:

 🍹 Lobera Tacos + Tequila

New on the Hillsborough St restaurant scene and already a favorite among Raleigh locals and NC State students, Lobera Tacos & Tequila offers a full taco and tequila experience you don’t want to miss!

Expect flavorful dishes, killer cocktails, and a laid-back but festive setting with windows rolled right up to take in the full view of the iconic NC Belltower. It is the place where the wolfpack gathers after all – Lobera is Spanish for Wolfpack!

Serving up contemporary twists on traditional Mexican dishes, this spot delivers big flavor with items like hearty burritos, Mexican pizza, and my recent obsession—chicken bacon nachos (so good!). I’m also a huge fan of their birria tacos and plantains—don’t miss either!

NC State alumna Minerva Llamas co-owns the restaurant with her family, longtime veterans of the Mexican restaurant scene across the Southeast.

We love the modern, vibrant interior that welcomes diners of all budgets and cravings—a perfect gathering place for food lovers and Wolfpack fans alike. So, gather your friends for the deal for Cinco de Mayo celebrations on Hillsborough St.

For Cinco De Mayo👉 $5 margaritas all day (and on Tuesdays), Free Lobera merch and a gift card giveaway

And pop in for lunch with their $10.99 deals with choices like the big bad wolf burrito, enchiladas de mole, and quesadilla fajita. (And sweet tea is included!) They also have $2 draft beers on Wednesdays & Thursdays!

🌟 Coco Bongo

If you’re looking for bold flavors in a fun, high-energy setting, Coco Bongo is the move. This local favorite is known for its generous portions of Mexican and Tex-Mex staples—think taco salads, enchiladas, chimichangas, burritos, and of course, endless variations of tacos. I’m still dreaming about their margaritas—and be warned, there’s almost always a line out the door (for good reason).

With vibrant tropical decorations (with some wolfpack love thrown in), traditional Mexican touches, and nods to NC State pride, the atmosphere is just as lively as the food. You’ll spot La Catrina, a life-size skeleton from Mexican culture, keeping watch near the entrance, and windows inviting you in to try the house-made horchata or margaritas.

Coco Bongo is owned by Luis Ramirez, who hails from Guadalajara, Mexico. Whether you’re stopping in for tacos or tequila, Coco Bongo is a Hillsborough Street staple that brings the fiesta every day—especially for Cinco de Mayo. No specials for Cinco but expect a celebration! They do have $1.49 Taco Tuesday for dine in only – minimum purchase of 3 tacos!

🌮 Gym Tacos

Don’t let the name fool you—this is the real deal when it comes to authentic Mexican street tacos. For years Gym Tacos built its beloved reputation from its taco truck parked in a gas station parking lot on Six Forks Road in Raleigh.

That truck soon expanded to a permanent location on Hillsborough Street on a big sized lot with plenty of free parking and an outdoor seating area with planter boxes!

Gym Tacos serves affordable meals with a cult following. Of course, their specialty is tacos but their extensive menu also features tortas, burritos, quesadillas, tostadas, and more. Fans especially love their trash can tacos!

There’s a reason they keep getting recommended as having the best tacos in Raleigh and one of the best Mexican restaurants in Raleigh. Gym Tacos is local and Mexican owned by three friends Uriel Romero, Jorge Perez and Roberto Bruno.

Other Cinco De Mayo Flavors to Enjoy

We definitely recommend visiting the above establishments for Cinco de Mayo, but there are other treats on Hillsborough Street to mention to keep in mind:

• It wouldn’t be college town without a Chipotle on the main street – a classic go-to when you want something quick and satisfying. Build-your-own burritos, bowls, and more—perfect for a casual Cinco stop. If my arm is twisted to get fast food, Chipotle is one of my few go tos.
• Crumbl Cookies is new to Hillsborough St this year we’re confident you can expect some special cookies such as churro and tres leches for Cinco de Mayo. No announcement yet ,but we’ll update once we hear.
• 🥑 Guasaca Arepa & Salsa Grill: Switch things up with a Venezuelan twist! Guasaca’s build-your-own arepas are packed with flavor, fresh ingredients, and vibrant salsas. Fast, casual, and oh-so-delicious.

Important to Know about Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is a holiday that commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The battle was an important symbol of Mexican resistance to foreign domination.

While Cinco de Mayo is not an official Mexican holiday, it is still celebrated in parts of Mexico as a way to remember the bravery and sacrifices of the soldiers who fought in the Battle of Puebla. In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has become a popular celebration of Mexican culture, particularly in areas with large Mexican American populations.

It’s important to choose respectful, culturally sensitive, and festive ideas you can use for your Cinco de Mayo celebration. Make the holiday about the history and avoid anything that reinforces racial or cultural stereotypes, including:

• Wearing any type of “Mexican” costume (sombreros, ponchos, etc.)
• Wearing a fake mustache
• Speaking in a fake Mexican accent
• Using this as an excuse to drink margaritas and do tequila shots

It’s a great opportunity to support Mexican owned businesses and enjoy flavors from their delicious cuisine, possibly attend a respectful event, or enjoy Mexican music and dancing!

Cinco de Mayo is more than just tacos—it’s about honoring culture, sharing food, and enjoying time with your community. Hillsborough Street offers the perfect mix of majority locally-owned businesses and festive flair, all within walkable distance of NC State’s buzzing energy.