Cinco De Mayo Freebies And Offers In Los Angeles For 2025

For many, Cinco de Mayo is a time for community celebration, cultural appreciation, and of course, free food and drink. In Los Angeles, local restaurants and national chains roll out special promotions to mark the holiday, often featuring freebies and discounts on popular menu items. This article compiles verified free and discounted offers tied to Cinco de Mayo celebrations in 2025, based on information provided by press releases, restaurant websites, and promotional landing pages. The offers are primarily focused on food and beverage promotions; however, some include drink specials or small items of value that align with the broader category of no-cost product trials or brand freebies.

Food and Beverage Promotions on Cinco de Mayo

One of the most anticipated Cinco de Mayo events is the offering of free or discounted tacos and drinks. Participating businesses such as El Torito, Gracias Madre, and Mescal el Silencio are among those that have traditionally celebrated the holiday with large public giveaways and in-store promotions.

At El Torito, Cinco de Mayo festivities include a build-your-own-taco bar with toppings such as steak, chicken, carnitas, and al pastor, beginning at 3 p.m. The event also includes bounce-back specials, where a purchase of a breakfast entrée entitles the customer to a free one the following day. The offer is available at a range of El Torito locations in Greater Los Angeles and is open to all customers, regardless of whether they participate in the chain’s loyalty program.

At Gracias Madre, guests can enjoy all-day drink and vegan appetizer specials, including organic seasonal margaritas and mariachi performances on their open-air patio. The restaurant is also providing complimentary cotton candy and boozy sno-cones. The event is free to the public and runs from 11 a.m. to early evening at the location in Hollywood.

Mescal el Silencio is hosting several Cinco de Mayo events, with the main celebration set to take place at El Chavo. The event features free entry to live music, complimentary tacos starting at 5 p.m., and a giant shuffleboard on the patio. Attendees can also expect to taste frozen palomas, slushy margaritas, and Mexican craft beers. Additionally, portions of sales from the event will go to support undocumented Hispanic workers.

Restaurant Specials and Drink Promotions

Beyond the big names in local dining, several national chains also have limited-time offers for Cinco de Mayo. These promotions include discounted or free items that align with the spirit of the holiday while providing value to consumers.

At &pizza, the D.C.-based chain is bringing back the Elote Loco pizza for Cinco de Mayo. The pizza, priced at $12.99, is available at select locations in the Washington, D.C. area and elsewhere. A limited-time item is also up for purchase in the same timeframe: Za’cos, a pizza-taco hybrid, will be sold for $4.99 for a set of three. Available flavors include The Dirty Bird, American Honey, and Elote Loco. The Za’cos promotion is available in limited locations and is not available via delivery.

Abuelo’s offers a simpler but tempting deal on Cinco de Mayo — all day, on May 5, the chain is serving $5 specials on Mexican-style beers, served in 22oz glasses. No additional details regarding other menu items were included, so the discount is likely exclusive to the specified beer offering.

At Baja Fresh, rewards members are eligible for a $5.55 discount on a $20 online order, using the code CINCO. This offer is available until May 5 and is only valid for online orders.

Similarly, Barberitos and Beef ‘O’ Brady’s are giving customers a free small queso side when buying chips and salsa in-store on Cinco de Mayo. These offers are good for in-dining guests, not for third-party delivery.

Buffalo’s Cafe is selling its Canyonritas for $5 each on Cinco de Mayo, significantly lower than the usual price point. The deal is restaurant-wide for a one-day period and is not restricted to loyalty members.

Brand and Chain Involvement in Cinco de Mayo Promotions

Some of the promotions are tied to loyalty programs or brand-specific initiatives. These kinds of offers fall into the category of brand freebies or incentives for continued engagement.

At Bubbakoo’s Burritos, loyalty members are eligible for a free entrée coupon (valid May 6–11) after purchasing one full-priced entrée on Cinco de Mayo. This is in addition to the Moe Monday offer for the same demographic.

Pancheros is offering a $5 entrée coupon through its in-app platform for Cinco de Mayo. The coupon is available exclusively to loyalty members and is subject to the restaurant’s standard terms and conditions.

Surcheros is providing a 5x points boost on all in-store, online, or catering purchases made on May 5. The benefit applies to all rewards points members and is valid only for the duration of the Cinco de Mayo holiday.

For fans of tequila and margaritas, Native Grill & Wings, Pancheros, Pantalones Organic Tequila at Bonefish Grill, Qdoba, and Red Lobster are contributing to the Cinco de Mayo lineup with discounted cocktails. These promotions, such as the $5 Native Ritas, $5 entrée options, and $5 Cinco Rita specials, serve as limited-time flavor incentives for both regulars and newcomers.

Additional Events and Cultural Offerings

Event-focused celebrations are also part of the Cinco de Mayo season in Los Angeles. These events often include multiple freebies or access points for attendees.

L.A. TACO’s Taco Madness, set at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, promises a massive array of participating vendors and complimentary tasting opportunities. For a $21.90 ticket price, visitors gain entry to the event and are able to sample food and drinks from vendors such as Tacos Los Cholos, Borreguitas, Mariscos Jalisco, and Evil Cooks. L.A. TACO members, however, are offered free entry to this annual event. This makes the event particularly appealing for those already invested in local food culture or with an L.A. TACO membership.

Similarly, the Cinco de Mayo Mercado in San Gabriel is a public festival event filled with live entertainment, food, and arts. It serves as a cultural and community gathering.

Loyalty Perks and Bonus Rewards

Loyalty programs play a significant role in the variety of Cinco de Mayo deals. For example, Taco Bell is offering a free Nachos Bell Grande on May 5 with any $20+ purchase through third-party delivery providers such as DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub.

Another example of a loyalty-based promotion is at Bubbakoo’s Burritos, where customers are offered a free entrée coupon after a full-priced in-store purchase on Cinco de Mayo. The offer is exclusive to loyalty program members and is valid from May 6 to May 11.

Events with Donations and Community Impact

A select few of the Cinco de Mayo events are also linked to community or cause-related efforts. For instance, Gracias Madre is donating a portion of sales from its Cinco de Mayo event to support undocumented Hispanic workers. Owner and chef Farid Zadi has expressed the restaurant’s solidarity with this community, noting that as much as 84% of agricultural workers are Hispanic.

Mescal el Silencio is also making a contribution through an unnamed philanthropic cause, though no details about the cause were included in the source materials provided. These types of initiatives reflect a broader use of brand promotions for community impact, blending brand visibility with public service.

Summary of Available Freebies and Offers

Below is a table summarizing the verified Cinco de Mayo-themed freebies and discounts available in Los Angeles for 2025.

Final Considerations

The Cinco de Mayo celebrations in Los Angeles for 2025 offer a wide variety of freebies, discounts, and events for the public to enjoy. From restaurant discounts to cultural food events, these promotions provide an opportunity not only to celebrate the Mexican heritage and spirit but to also access free or incredibly low-cost food and drinks.

For those interested in these offers, it is recommended to verify the exact availability, including in-store only options and time restrictions, by visiting the official websites of the restaurants or events. Additionally, because some offers are only available to loyalty members or depend on third-party delivery platforms, advance planning is advised to maximize value.

As with all promotional offers, it is important to read the full terms and conditions, including expiration dates, use restrictions, and any other limitations that might affect eligibility or redemption. These details are typically accessible on the brands’ terms and conditions pages or on their branded promotional landing pages.

In conclusion, this round-up of Cinco de Mayo freebies and special offers provides a comprehensive view of what is available to the public in Los Angeles in 2025. Whether you're a local resident or a visitor to the area, there are multiple ways to celebrate the holiday while enjoying some great food, drinks, and community activities.

Sources

1. Cinco de Mayo Restaurant Specials 2025 in Greater LA
2. Cinco de Mayo 2025 Deals
3. Events in Los Angeles for May 2-4, 2025
4. L.A. TACO’s Taco Madness