Cinco De Mayo 2026 Freebies Food Deals And Promotional Offers At Us Restaurants

Cinco de Mayo, celebrated annually on May 5, commemorates the Mexican army's victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. In the United States, the holiday has evolved into a significant cultural celebration marked by parades, parties, and a wide array of food and drink promotions. Restaurants and food brands across the country compete for customers by offering discounted meal combos, specials on alcoholic beverages, free delivery, and complimentary food items. Based on promotional patterns from previous years and confirmed plans for 2026, consumers can anticipate a variety of deals ranging from free queso and tacos to discounted catering orders and exclusive merchandise.

The upcoming Cinco de Mayo will occur on May 5, 2026. While the date remains fixed, the day of the week changes annually, influencing whether celebrations fall on weekdays or weekends. For consumers planning to participate, many offers require specific actions such as making a purchase, using a promo code, or signing up for a loyalty program. The following guide details the specific freebies, discounts, and eligibility requirements identified in current promotional materials.

Major Restaurant Chains and Free Food Offers

Several national restaurant chains have a history of offering free food items or significant discounts on Cinco de Mayo. While some offers are confirmed for 2026, others are based on historical patterns and predictions.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Chipotle frequently utilizes digital engagement to drive promotions. For Cinco de Mayo 2026, the chain is launching a "Burrito Builder" experience on the Roblox platform. * Game Participation: Users can play "Ingredient Quest" on Roblox starting at 5:00 PM CT on May 5. The first 50,000 users to collect all 53 real ingredients in the game will receive a free entrée offer. * App/Website Offers: Between May 1 and May 5, customers can use the code DELIVER for free delivery on orders placed via the chain’s app or website. * Food Reward: From May 3 through May 5, customers can use the code CINCO25 on the app or website to receive free chips and queso blanco with a purchase. * Ingredient Quest: The game involves finding and collecting Chipotle’s 53 real ingredients to win free burritos, launching at 3:00 PM PT on May 5.

California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) CPK offers a specific window for their Cinco de Mayo deals. * Dates: The promotion runs from May 1 through May 5. * Offer: Customers can enjoy $5 margaritas and a free order of White Corn Guacamole + Chips. * Restrictions: The offer is valid only at select locations and is limited to one order per table. To redeem, customers must mention the offer to their server.

Chili’s Chili’s focuses on beverage discounts and loyalty member perks. * Drink Deal: The Tequila Trifecta Margarita is available for $5 on May 5. * Loyalty Perk: Rewards members receive a free order of chips and salsa with every visit during the promotional period.

Moe's Southwest Grill Moe's Southwest Grill plans to offer a side dish addition with entree purchases. * Date: May 5, 2026. * Offer: A free side of queso with any entree purchase. * Merchandise: Participating locations will likely give away free T-shirts to the first 20 guests to visit on May 5.

Taco Bell Taco Bell’s promotion is anticipated to focus on third-party delivery services. * Anticipated Offer: A Cinco de Mayo freebie is expected for customers placing delivery orders through Grubhub, DoorDash, or Uber Eats. Specific details on the free item or required minimums were not provided in the source data.

Tijuana Flats Tijuana Flats brings back an annual menu specifically for the holiday. * Menu: A $5 Cinco de Mayo menu including margaritas, beers, chips & guac, available for dine-in, carryout, or delivery. * Additional Perks: Anticipated free delivery offers and discounts on meal kits.

On The Border On The Border extends the celebration over several days. * Duration: Five days of "Grande Marg" deals starting on Cinco de Mayo.

Papa Murphy's Papa Murphy's offers a take-and-bake pizza option. * Offer: A 16-inch Taco Grande pizza, available in beef or chicken.

Velvet Taco Velvet Taco offers a souvenir item with specific drink purchases. * Offer: A free souvenir cup when dining in and purchasing a large Boozy Libation.

Tocaya Tocaya offers a combination of happy hour specials and catering incentives. * Happy Hour: An all-day Cinco de Mayo happy hour with signature sides deals and drink specials. * Catering: A free 20-ounce guacamole when placing a catering order and using a promo code online.

Loyalty Programs and Digital App Exclusives

Many restaurants restrict their best offers to loyalty members or app users. Signing up for these programs prior to May 5 is often necessary to access deals.

El Pollo Loco El Pollo Loco incentivizes app usage with a food reward. * Offer: Two free chicken tacos with a $15 purchase made in the chain’s app or website.

Chronic Tacos Chronic Tacos offers a discount specific to their loyalty program. * Offer: $5 off any order of $20 or more. * Platform: Savings are available in the chain’s app at participating locations on May 5.

Dog Haus Dog Haus rewards members can earn bonus points. * Offer: Double points on purchases made on May 5.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf This chain offers a beverage discount for rewards members. * Date: May 5, 2026, from noon to 6:00 PM. * Offer: A discount on a large beverage (excludes paid modifiers).

Pita Pit Pita Pit offers a discount on digital orders. * Offer: A discount on any online or in-app order when using a specific promo code at checkout. The specific code was not listed in the source data.

Offers with Specific Purchase Requirements

Some promotions require a minimum spend or the purchase of a specific item to unlock a freebie or discount.

City BBQ City BBQ requires a minimum order value for their freebie. * Offer: Free chips and queso. * Requirement: Any order of $25 or more using the code CINCO.

The Brass Tap The Brass Tap offers a complimentary food item with any purchase. * Offer: Free chips and salsa. * Requirement: Making any purchase at the establishment.

California Tortilla California Tortilla runs a multi-day promotion with varying offers. * May 3: $5 off orders of $20. * May 4: Free Taquitos with any entrée purchase. * May 5: Free taco bounce-back coupon with purchase.

Qdoba Qdoba is predicted to offer a popular free add-on. * Offer: Free queso and guacamole. * Requirement: When purchasing an entrée.

Chef Merito Chef Merito offers a discount on retail products. * Offer: 25% off sets of three 25-ounce marinades or sets of two 14-ounce seasonings. * Code: TODAY (specifically for TODAY.com readers).

Fabrizia Lemon Baking Company This company offers a discount on baked goods. * Offer: 15% off total purchase of Limoncello baked goods. * Code: LIMES (specifically for TODAY.com readers).

Catering and Large Group Orders

For consumers hosting gatherings, several brands offer discounts on catering orders.

California Pizza Kitchen * Offer: All customers can use the code CINCO10 to save 10% off catering orders.

Tocaya * Offer: Free 20-ounce guacamole. * Requirement: Placing a catering order and using a promo code at checkout online.

Drink-Focused Deals and Happy Hours

Alcoholic beverage discounts are a staple of Cinco de Mayo promotions, often available without a food purchase.

RA Sushi Bar & Restaurant * Offer: Discounted margaritas and Milagro shots all day. * Date: 2026.

Ruby Tuesday * Offer: Drink deals on margaritas and Dos Equis. * Date: Next year (presumed 2026).

Hurricane Grill & Wings * Offer: $5 Native Ritas and $4 pints of Modelo Especial Draft. * Date: May 5.

Chuy’s * Offer: * $6 regular or $9 grande signature House ‘Ritas. * $1 floaters (extra pour of tequila, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier). * $1 off Corona, Modelo, and Dos Equis beers. * $5 Queso Bowls.

Miller's Ale House * Offer: A deal on House Margs. * Date: Next year (presumed 2026).

Hooters * Offer: Discounts on appetizers for HootClub Rewards members, including chips and queso, Texas-style quesadilla bites, Tex-Mex nachos, mozzarella sticks, fried pickles, Lots-A-Tots, sliders, 12 Buffalo shrimp, cheese and pretzels, and Buffalo chicken dip.

Meal Deals and Discounted Combos

For consumers looking for value meals, several chains offer bundled deals.

Checkers & Rally’s * Offer: A $4 meal deal including a choice of a Cheese Double or Spicy Chicken Sandwich, fries, a 12-ounce drink, and a Cinnamon Apple Pie.

Krispy Kreme * Offer: 24-count Original Glazed Doughnut Dots for $5, or a 10-count for $3. * Restriction: Limit two redemptions online or in-store.

Taco Cabana * Offer: A taco and drink deal. * Date: 2026.

General Terms and Conditions

Consumers should be aware of general limitations that apply to most restaurant promotions. * Location Variance: Offers, prices, and local participation may vary by location. Not all deals are available at every participating restaurant. * Expiration: Many offers are valid only on May 5, while others span a window of several days (e.g., May 1–5). * Redemption: Some deals require mentioning the offer to a server, while others require entering a promo code online or in an app. * Availability: While supplies last, and limits on free items (such as the Krispy Kreme doughnut dots limit of two redemptions) are common.

Conclusion

Cinco de Mayo 2026 offers a diverse range of promotional opportunities for U.S. consumers. The landscape of deals includes free food items unlocked by loyalty sign-ups or specific codes, discounted catering orders for large gatherings, and beverage specials available at bars and restaurants nationwide. Consumers seeking the best value should prioritize downloading brand apps, joining loyalty programs, and verifying specific location participation prior to May 5. While many offers are confirmed for 2026, others are based on established promotional patterns from previous years, serving as a reliable predictor for the types of discounts likely to be available.

Sources

1. The Krazy Coupon Lady - Cinco de Mayo Deals & Freebies
2. TODAY - Cinco de Mayo Food Deals 2025
3. AL.com - Cinco de Mayo Freebies & Deals