There’s a few good ways to celebrate the often-misunderstood Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo.

$1 margaritas? Yes, please.

$2 tacos, load up the plate.

Cinco de Mayo recognizes the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France but it’s not considered a Mexican federal holiday. It’s not Mexico’s independence day, which is celebrated Sept.16.

May 5 has become more of a day for Americans to consume Mexican food, drinks and culture.

Brad Plothow, vice president of brand and communications for Womply, a small business software provider, said Cinco de Mayo is a huge sales day for local restaurants. The company recently analyzed sales at 26,000 small, local restaurants for 2017.

Cinco de Mayo ranks ahead of Valentine’s Day, New Year’s Eve and St. Patrick’s Day for restaurant revenue, Plothow said.

The deals

These deals are available at participating restaurants nationwide. Check with your closest location to confirm participation.

Applebee’sThe chain has extended its $1 margarita special, also known as the Dollarita, through Saturday. Also participating locations are celebrating for the month of May with “Margs de Mayo” margarita specials, which include $3 House Margaritas and $5 Mucho Margaritas plus “Dos for Dos” with $2 Dos Equis mugs.

Chili’s: Get $5 draft beers, Presidente Margaritas and Tequila Trifecta Ritas Saturday. Also with the My Chili’s Rewards program, get free chips and salsa or a non-alcoholic drink on every visit. Sign up at www.chilis.com/rewards.

Duffy’s Sports Grill: The weekend-long promotion runs Friday through Sunday and deals include three crunchy beef tacos for $7.99, $3 Sauza and $7 Patron margaritas.

Miller’s Ale House: Celebrate with the chain’s new Southwestern Eggrolls and a bucket of three Sol Cervezas for $9 or a pitcher of House Margaritas Thursday through Saturday.

Moe’s Southwest Grill: Cinco de Mayo is Cinco de Moe’s and free shirts will be given to the first 50 customers at every location while supplies last. Burritos also will be $5 at participating locations Saturday.

sweetFrogSaturday also is Cinco de Froyo and get a 16-ounce cup of frozen yogurt for $5.55.

Tijuana FlatsGet $2 tacos and $2 Mexican drafts Friday through Sunday at the Tex-Mex chain.

More deals: Other locally-owned businesses also will have Cinco de Mayo deals. One of the easiest ways to find specials is by checking social media accounts.

 

Kelly Tyko is a consumer columnist and retail reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers and TCPalm.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. This column reflects her opinion. Read her Bargainista tips at TCPalm.com/Bargainista and follow her on Twitter @KellyTyko. Sign up for her weekly newsletter at www.tcpalm.com/featured-newsletter/bargainistabest.