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Bites Nearby: Cinco de Mayo

Viva la Comida de Mexico!

You could stand on a corner and look around until a restaurant sign draws you in. But we've got a better idea. Each week, Bayside.Patch.com picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice:

–39-32 Bell Boulevard Bayside, NY 11361 Monday–Thursday 11:30AM–10:00PM, Friday and Saturday 11:30AM–12:00AM, Sunday 12:00PM–10:00PM

Named for the Mexican holiday that celebrates the country’s victory over France in the Battle of Puebla in 1862, Cinco De Mayo is significant for American history as well. Had the French won, they would have been able to back the Confederacy and our nation’s history could have been exceedingly different–the least we can do is try the food out in the holiday’s namesake restaurant.

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Overview: Cinco De Mayo offers up a slew of great Mexican food, a welcome diversion from a bar strip known for its Irish bars and pub foods. Dine in, take out, or deliver–it doesn’t matter as you can have a fiesta any which way you choose.  

Decor: Like many a bar, Cinco De Mayo is dimly lit. When it's not crowded with patrons downing tequila, it's a nice place to take a date. Latin American art adorns the walls, and the old–school mariachi music mixed with modern day artists like Marc Anthony and Enrique Iglesias makes for a nice touch. 

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The Drinks: At Cinco De Mayo, you’ll find an eclectic mix of your standard beer fare mixed with a variety of Tequilas. Happy Hour every day of the week is one of the better price options on Bell. It's $5 for mixed drinks, and of course, there’s a margarita mixer at the end of the bar. 

Appetizers: As with many a Mexican restaurant, there’s enough appetizers to make a full meal. It’s all standard fare. Empanadas ($7), Nachos with all the trimmings ($7), and Quesadillas ($8) to name a few. You can get spicy with chorizo ($8), or be even more adventurous and try the Pulpo ($10); which is sautéed octopus with virgin olive oil, garlic and paprika. Instead of dinner rolls and breadsticks that you would get at most places, Cinco De Mayo gives you nachos and a really good salsa that is not too spicy. The kick that it does have is noticeable and tasty.

Entrees: There’s a slew of “mucho bueno carne” and the portions they deliver are well worth it. Bistec Chapala ($19, grilled skirt steak with mesculin salad and avocado), Sollomillo ($20, grilled filet mignon with mixed veggies and cream of mushroom soup), and the more traditional Arroz con Pollo ($15, chicken and Spanish sausage mixed with saffron rice, olives, red peppers and peas. There’s also plenty of “pescado” at Cinco De Mayo as well; Salmon ($18), roasted in lemon butter sauce and served with steamed vegetables. For those who wouldn’t mind eating an aquarium, you can get the Mariscada Cancun ($24); lobster, gulf shrimp, clams, mussels, calamari, and salmon served with a green sauce or ‘Fra Diablo’ style.

Sides: From beans to rice to even French fries, there’s a bevy of sides to compliment your meal with, all under five bucks. Yellow rice, black beans, pico de gallo, or just good old–fashioned tacos.  

Desserts: Cinco De Mayo’s desserts are all $6.95 – the fried ice cream is great. 

Service: There was no wait time and the staff was very quick and helpful. The waiter even suggested that we try the shell that the fried ice cream was served with – he was right, the dessert got even better once we ate our edible bowl.

Signature DishArroz Con Pollo

With its moderately priced menu, which includes $6.95 lunch specials served Monday–Saturday 11:30 a.m.–4 p.m., plus happy hour, Cinco De Mayo is a welcome change of pace from the burgers, pub food, pizza, and wraps that populate most menus on Bell.

 

Address: 3932 Bell Blvd, Bayside, NY 11361

Chef: Armenio Tasique

Cost: $$

 

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