Celebrate Cinco de Mayo & Memorial Day with Francesca’s by the River

Francesca’s by the River (200 South Second Street, St. Charles, IL 60174; 630-587-8221) will feature $5 margaritas all day on May 5.  Come celebrate Mexico’s independence with a frosty, cold and delicious Francesca’s Classic Margarita.

Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and Francesca’s by the River wants to help you ring in the summer time fun all day long!  Monday,  May 28, come in and enjoy half price appetizers and desserts. 

Celebrate National Margarita Day at Guanajuato!

The middle of February is just about the time the winter blues can take over. Fortunately, there’s a holiday ready to clear those blues right up!

National Margarita Day is February 22, 2012, and Guanajuato Contemporary Mexican and Tequila Bar (73 Green Bay Rd., Glencoe, IL 60022; 847-242-0501) is just the place to celebrate. The north shore Mexican restaurant has everything anyone would need for the perfect Margarita Day celebration.

Chef/owner Margarita Challenger is known for making a perfect namesake margarita. Having just introduced their Valentine’s specialty, the Raspberry Margarita with Pink Tequila, the restaurant boasts the ability to offer customers custom-made concoctions to suit their tastes, using any of their more than 50 tequilas from which to choose. Guanajuato often offers margaritas in Mango, Super Fruit Acacia and Spicy Orange in addition to more classic margarita flavors.

From brand favorites like Patron, to celebrity favorites like Justin Timberlake’s Silver 901, to high-end choices like Asombroso Extra Anejo, Guanajuato knows tequila. Mixed with your favorite fruit on the rocks or blended, the ideal margarita is in your reach. You won’t be able to tell whether you’re in chilly Illinois or sunny Mexico.

Guanajuato is the perfect place to shake the winter blues and relax on a beach with a drink – even if it is imaginary. Happy Margarita Day!

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

Ole! Cinco de Mayo is here, and it's time to celebrate. Head to suburban hot spot Birch River Grill (75 W. Algonquin Rd., Arlington Heights) for margarita madness and crisp Coronas.

Birch River Grill offers $2 Coronas, $5 margaritas, and their specialty Tequila Mockingbird, a cocktail made with tequila, Triple Sec, lime juice, cranberry juice, and Chambord ($5).

Stick around for Birch River Grill's contemporary American menu. For reservations or more information, call (847) 427-4242 or visit http://www.birchrivergrill.com/. Andale!