Have a Cinco de Mayo Even the French Would Consider Tipping Their Hats To

Pastor tacos at Urban Taco. (Photo by Kevin Marple)

Around here, we love us a little Cinco de Mayo. The mariachis, the tequilla, the queso—it’s enough to make a grown woman forget that the holiday has actual historical underpinnings. So, let’s pause for a brief history lesson.

The Battle of Cinco de Mayo is actually your typical David & Goliath story: diminutive Mexican army slays formidable French one in the Battle of Puebla—1862-style. Sure the Mexican government owed Napoleon some money, but why not settle it like gentlemen and charge some interest? No need to kick in the door and try to take over the joint.

Now, if we know anything about Napoleon, it’s that he was a small man who liked big conquests (underendowed men buying big cars isn’t called a Napoleon Complex for nothing). Napoleon had his general on the ground try to set up a puppet government (which makes it sound almost jolly, no?). Needless to say, the Mexicans didn’t really cotton to the idea. What started on the coast traveled inland to the hillside fort at Puebla. Flash forward to bayonettes, itchy hairshirts, and a poorly planned attack, started too late in the day (who, except Clint Eastwood, starts a battle at high noon?), and hindered by afternoon rains and slippery hillsides. The plucky Mexican’s held their ground; the French retreated.

Caveat: I’m sure I’ve mangled some part of my history on this, and I’ve certainly insulted both nationalities by some unintended slight, but you get the point. So, now that you’re clued in on what you’re drinking to next week, let’s look at the bars that are ready to help you do exactly that. jump for the Cinco de Mayo specials… Continue reading "Have a Cinco de Mayo Even the French Would Consider Tipping Their Hats To"