There’s something about Cinco de Mayo that does it. You suddenly have a craving for Mexican food and an ice cold beer. (And no, you can’t get coronavirus from drinking a Corona.)

How did Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for ‘Fifth of May’) originate into a mad dash for tacos and enchiladas? The date originally commemorated the Mexican Army’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

Yet, even so, the day is more popularly celebrated in the United States than in Mexico and has become associated with a recognition of Mexican-American culture. And while approximately 18 percent of Clearwater’s population is Hispanic or Latino, only a portion of that demographic is of Mexican descent.

Normally – in a non-COVID-19 world – people in the U.S. attend parades with colorfully dressed dancers, listen to lively Mexican mariachi folk music and consume millions of avocados in traditional eats such as guacamole.

Still, whether you’re carefully venturing out or still staying safely at home, Clearwater does have a number of outstanding places to enjoy this colorful culture’s food. While some restaurants have opened for limited seating, others have not, but still serve up take out or delivery. In any case, the following locales in Clearwater offer tasty Mexican food to satisfy your every craving:
Tijuana Flats
Patio dining, take out, delivery, sales of paper goods (like that hard-to-find tp!), hot sauces, beer and water
2849 Gulf to Bay Blvd, Clearwater
727-469-7933
https://order.tijuanaflats.com/menu/tijuana-flats-gulf-to-bay
Tijuana Flats
Patio dining, take out, delivery, sales of paper goods (like that hard-to-find tp!), hot sauces, beer and water
2518 SR 580, Ste A, Clearwater
727-437-0915
Taco Bus
Dine in, take out, delivery up to seven miles
505 S Gulfview Blvd, Clearwater Beach
727-754-5304
https://taco-bus.com/stores/clearwater

Tequilas Mexican Grill & Cantina
Dine in, take out
422 Cleveland St, Clearwater
727-461-6949
https://www.facebook.com/TequilasMexicanGrillCantina
Banelly Taqueria (Authentic Mexican)
Dine in up to six people in restaurant, take out, delivery
901 S Missouri Ave, Clearwater
727-462-9712
http://places.singleplatform.com/banelly-taqueria/menu?ref=google
Don Pancho Villa Restaurant
Dine in, takeout, delivery
21565 US 19, Clearwater
727-799-0453
http://places.singleplatform.com/don-pancho-villa/menu?ref=google

Huarache Azteca
Dine in, takeout, delivery
2908 Roosevelt Blvd, Clearwater
(727) 535-0149
huaracheaztecaonline.com
Huarache Azteca
Dine in, takeout, delivery
22097 US Hwy 19 N, Clearwater
(727) 290-7836

Pan Filo’s Company
Dine in, take out, delivery
656 S Gulfview Blvd, Clearwater Beach
727-240-4998
https://www.facebook.com/panfiloscompany
Wakamole Tacos
Takeout
23197 US Hwy 19 N, Clearwater
727-871-9252

Feature photo by Roberto Carlos on UnSplash