Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, more tacos in Uptown

Here’s everything you need to know about Cinco de Mayo

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Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone — be safe out there in this minefield of tacos, salsa and salted beer and lime wedges. Let us all raise a salty cerveza to the brave soldiers of Puebla who staved off the French Army, if only for a while, on May 5, 1862. Back in 1863, California embraced the holiday in an act of solidarity with Mexico — and disdain for France. For those keeping score at home, Mexican Independence Day is celebrated on Sept. 16 thanks to a battle fought against Spain in 1810. 

© Dave Cathey/The Oklahoman The wet taco is the signature dish at Ted’s Tacos and Cantina.

We drink a lot of cerveza and clink salsa-smothered chips like glasses this time of year thanks to a push in the 1930s north of the border to use the holiday as community-building opportunity.

Countless tequila shots and frozen margaritas later, Cinco de Mayo might be a bigger hit north of the border than south. I’m guessing the parts of Mexico that don’t recognize Cinco de Mayo as a national holiday don’t grow agave plants.

Just in time for Cinco, Ted’s Tacos and Cantina reopened on Saturday in Uptown. 

More: Battling for authenticity: OKC Cinco de Mayo Festival moving downtown

Despite Mother Nature’s best efforts to hold back the Ted’s Cafe Escondido spin-off, the frozen swirls, tacos and sheet-pan nachos did flow over the weekend.

Congratulations to Ted’s Tacos chief operating officer David Foxx and crew on enduring months of delays caused by foul weather at the Mesta Plaza building.

Now we can get back to the business of enjoying the spoils of the little rivalry building between it and next-door neighbor’s Big Truck Tacos, which has added quesabirria tacos and cocktails to the menu since Ted’s first opening last winter.

When taquerias push each other, taco lovers win — especially on Cinco de Mayo. Usually, Cinco de Mayo parties are rampant, and I’m sure Mexican restaurants all over town will offer drinks and food specials. Proceed with caution Oklahoma, they tell me there’s a pandemic on the run and we’d like to keep it that way.

If you’re not ready to get out, I’ve got taco recipes you can make at home. Salsa recipes are also well covered. If you want cerveza and/or tequila, you’ll have to go the store.

Quick Bites

Chef Chris McKenna last week announced he would be leaving Stella Modern Italian to join pitmaster Travis Clark at Clark Crew to bring his classic skills into the smokehouse.

“I’m beyond excited,” McKenna said. “Barbecue, smoked meats, those are real passions of mine. My first restaurant job was front of the house GM at County Line. Then they needed someone to manage the kitchen. After that, I was hooked.”

McKenna still has some time at Stella if you want to stop by and congratulate him over a signature pizza and a glass of wine.

“Him and I are gonna do some epic things together,” Clark said. “I’ve never been so excited to hire someone.”

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Last week, I mentioned you’d be seeing a bakery this summer near the Paseo Arts District. This week, I’ve got some intel on a speakeasy coming to the Shoppes at Northpark. Jimmy Mays and partners Stephanie Miller and Chris Kana have struck a deal to expand The Hamilton Supperette and Lounge to include the aforementioned drinking hole/dining room extension.

More: ‘This is for the community.’ Grocery to open in NE OKC ‘food desert’

“Last month was a record month for us at The Hamilton,” Mays said last week. “We’ve been having to stop taking reservations on weekends, so this is going to help us accommodate folks and give our staff more room to operate.”

Look for that arrival mid to late summer.

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Did somebody say speakeasy? Don’t tell anyone, but I’m hearing a secret one is in the works in a basement beneath a familiar Bricktown building. I would tell you more, but I’m told there’s a secret code required and nobody yet has it.

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This Sunday is Mom’s big day, and wouldn’t she love some chocolate from a new business launched by a local? Chocolatier Tabatha Carr is ramping up to open Good Girl Chocolate, a bean to bar concept featuring fresh-ground cocoa beans with vegan and paleo options thanks to organic, plant-based sweetener. Before her storefront opens in late May/early June, online orders for delivery are available at goodgirlchocolate.com.

Grillmarks Steak Festival

The Food Dude spent Saturday in Pittsburg County helping crown a champion at The Grillmarks Steak Festival in downtown McAlester. Check here for photos and results.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, more tacos in Uptown