You should always celebrate the wins in life, both big and small, and the one we’re celebrating this May is quite big. Cinco de Mayo is just around the corner, and Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food in Universal CityWalk is exactly where you need to be to celebrate!
More than just a vibrant celebration, Cinco de Mayo is a major part of Mexican history. Meaning “Fifth of May” in Spanish, Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico’s victory against the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.
How do we intend to honor such a noble feat, you ask? By appreciating the history behind this tasty selection of Mexican staples — exclusively at Antojitos and only on Cinco de Mayo from 12 p.m. to close. Plus, there’s a bonus celebratory sweet treat in store that you won’t want to pass up on!
Specialty Cinco de Mayo Dishes at Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food
Mexican food is one of my favorite cuisines. From rich flavor profiles to intense spice levels, this culture offers so many tastes that I — and so many others — love. That’s why restaurants like Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food get to exist within Universal CityWalk’s incredible repertoire of dining establishments, and why you’re making Cinco de Mayo plans there as we speak!
More than just a means to please lovers of this cuisine, Antojitos is a great place to share Mexican culture with people from all over and introduce them to a world of impressive flavors that are sure to excite with every bite!
For Cinco de Mayo, Antojitos ramps up its already bountiful portfolio of dishes with six specialty offerings that get down to the root of Mexican cuisine as we know it today, and you have no other choice but to give them a try. (Not) sorry!
Street Elote
If you haven’t had elote before, you need to fix that immediately! More specifically, street elote, also known as Mexican street corn. As a simple, yet tasty delight, this dish comes from humble beginnings.
The culinary usage of corn in Mexico spans the country’s pre-Hispanic era when ancient civilizations such as the Aztecs and Mayans cultivated the crop to use in a variety of ways. Many years passed by; new spices were introduced, cultures blended together, and elote grew from a simple grilled corn on the cob into the flavorful delicacy we know it as today.
What once thrived in urban Mexican streets has long since made its way into Mexican restaurants across the country and the world, including into the hands of the talented chefs at Antojitos in Universal CityWalk.
Antojitos’ specialty Cinco de Mayo Street Elote is a savory, grilled corn on the cob dressed in a rich jalapeño aioli, creamy queso fresco, Tajín, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, and cilantro. Anyone else’s mouth watering, or just mine?
Tacos
If I had to choose one dish to eat every day for the rest of my life, it would, without a shadow of a doubt, be tacos. Tacos truly make my world go round and have been filling the hearts — and appetites — of many for ages.
Early versions of this overly simple yet utterly delicious dish were made with soft corn tortillas filled with hearty protein, like cooked animal organs or fish, and were enjoyed by ancient civilizations.
Tacos weren’t introduced to the United States until the early 1900s. Brought over and enjoyed by Mexican migrants for lunch, these highly portable bites were cheap and easy to make, eventually turning them into a popular street food that spread steadfastly throughout Mexican food carts in Los Angeles, California.
Fusing this cuisine with American ingredients like ground beef, chicken, lettuce, and tomatoes quite literally created the taco of today. By literally, I mean that before tacos made their way to the U.S., they weren’t called “tacos.” Mexicans used words that varied by region to refer to this dish and only used “taco” when marketing it to Americans.
And market they did. The word stuck, the dish was a hit, and now tacos are regarded as the most popular food associated with Mexican culture. And it wouldn’t be Antojitos if it didn’t offer tacos of its own to enjoy on Cinco de Mayo. Fill these Tacos with al pastor (marinated pork), tinga (shredded chicken), or nopales (prickly pear cactus), and top them with diced onions, cilantro, pickled cabbage, and chipotle aioli.
Baked Potato
You’ve heard of and have probably had a Baked Potato at least once in your life. They’re not historically Mexican, but that doesn’t mean they can’t have a little Mexican flair! Picture a loaded baked potato, but top it with your choice of chicken tinga or pork carnitas, and garnish it with queso, pico de gallo, Oaxaca cheese, and cilantro. Now that I’ve got your attention, go order it from Antojitos!
Guacamole & Chips
Many thanks are in order to the ancient civilizations of Mexico for the near-never-ending variety of dishes we still enjoy to this day — one of them being your favorite Mexican party dip, and it’s coming to Antojitos this Cinco de Mayo. I’m talking about guacamole, of course!
Modern-day guacamole is not too far off from the “ahuacamolli” the ancient Aztecs in now-Mexico enjoyed between the 14th and 16th centuries. Ahuacamolli consisted of mashed avocado, chopped tomatoes, green chiles, and was salted to taste and enjoyed with warm tortillas.
When the Spanish reached Mexican shorelines in the early 1500s, they adapted this dish to complement their palates and added flavors like onion, cilantro, and lime, and turned ahuacamolli into guacamole.
Served with tortillas fried in lard, this iteration of guacamole eventually made its way to America and has been heavily enjoyed by many ever since. Have a bite of history with Antojitos’ own Guacamole & Chips sprinkled in chili-lime dust and cilantro, exclusively on Cinco de Mayo.
Mexicali Popsicles
If you’re looking for your favorite ice-cold sweet treat to cool you down on a warm spring day, you’re going to find something even better: Mexicali Popsicles at Antojitos.
More than just an ordinary frozen delight, Mexicali Popsicles, similar to the paletas enjoyed in Mexico, are made from fresh fruits like mango, pineapple, strawberry, guava, and more.
Beyond fruity flavors, Mexicali Popsicles are often enhanced with chamoy, a Mexican sweet chili condiment, and Miguelito, a Mexican candy powder. You can choose between mango chamoy or strawberry lime & Miguelito flavors for your Mexicali Popsicles at Antojitos.
Aguas Frescas
Eating good food is a huge part of Mexican culture, but so is enjoying a good drink. Luckily, Antojitos has all its flavorful bases covered with three vibrant Aguas Frescas flavors: Jamaica, Horchata, and Lime Cucumber.
If Mexican cuisine isn’t a regular part of your diet, you may be unfamiliar with what agua fresca even is. Spanish for “fresh water,” agua fresca is a traditional Mexican beverage made from all kinds of fruits and flowers.
Antojitos takes tradition pretty seriously. Jamaica Agua Fresca is a sweet Mexican iced tea made with dried hibiscus flowers, which are better known as “flor de jamaica” in Mexico.
Arguably one of Mexico’s most popular aguas frescas, Horchata is made with rice, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and water. It’s a kind of sweet sensation that undoubtedly leaves you wanting more after every sip!
Lime Cucumber Agua Fresca is pretty much exactly as it sounds: lime and cucumber! This drink is made with fresh cucumbers, water, lime juice, and a sweetener like agave syrup. Dehydrated is certainly one thing you won’t be this Cinco de Mayo!
Cinco de Mayo Entertainment at Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food
The only thing missing from this striking celebration is some quality entertainment! Talk about dinner and a show. Starting at 4 p.m., you can delight in these specialty dishes with a side of indoor and outdoor live entertainment. Dancers and stilt walkers will captivate your eyes while a DJ keeps the good vibes going all night long!
BONUS: Specialty Margarita Doughnut at Voodoo Doughnut
There’s only one margarita out there that won’t give you a buzz — and it comes in the form of a doughnut. Once you’ve completed your dining rounds at Antojitos, venture over to Voodoo Doughnut for a special Cinco de Mayo-themed Margarita doughnut. Encased in a fluffy raised yeast shell you’ll find tangy citrus jelly, and adorning its top is tequila-flavored icing, Miguelito spice, and a sweet tangerine slice.
Are you ready to celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Universal CityWalk? Tell us all about it in the comments below!