FOOD & DRINK

F I E STA F U N

CELEBRATING CINCO DE MAYO

by ERIN MONTGOMERY

Cinco de Mayo is just around the corner, and it's time to start planning your party! But for those wondering what Cinco de Mayo means and why we celebrate it – there's more than scratches the surface.

Contrary to popular belief Cinco de Mayo, the fifth of May is not Mexican Independence Day. Instead, it is the celebration of a single battle, namely the Battle of Puebla which occurred for a single day on May 5th, 1862. The battle against the French did not win the Franco-Mexican War led by Napoleon III, but was a symbolic victory for the Mexicans and emboldened the resistance movement against the French. Cinco de Mayo is sometimes still known as Battle of Puebla Day and is actually a fairly minor holiday in Mexico. But in the rest of North America, it has grown into a celebration of Mexican cultural heritage, especially with the Mexican ex-pat populations.

Our little shop is dedicated to artisanal cheeses and handcrafted goods. Come on in and discover the amazing cheeses that Ontario and Quebec have to offer plus handcrafted works from local vendors and small batch producers.

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Local Links

1 Paco's Tacos, Orillia f @pacostacoscanada

2 The Mexican House, Barrie themexicanhouse.ca

3 Cocina Mexicana, Barrie cocina-mexicana.ca

4 Mexhico, Barrie mexhico.ca

What is often missed in North America are the more traditional foods of Mexico. In fact, Mexican cuisine (along with French) has made the UNESCO representative list for the Intangible Cultural Heritage, a fact that many countries are challenging based on their own national pride of their dishes. It remains that Mexican food is the first ethnic cuisine to be recognized on this list.

PACO'S TACOS THE MEXICAN HOUSE

Mexican food is not all about margaritas, or refried beans with Cheez Whiz, or jalapenos. Hard-shell tacos with lettuce and cheddar, although delicious, are not traditional either.

With restrictions lifting and travel opening up, you could hop on a plane and head south to explore the flavours of Mexico. But if you're not quite there yet - there are several authentic Mexican restaurants right here in our Region!

Located on the port at 50 Centennial Drive in Orillia, you'll find local favourite Paco's Tacos. Renowned for its authentic Mexican food and its location (in the refurbished Island Princess boat), this spot is one-of-akind in the Region. Docked at the port year-round, Paco's Tacos is the place to go for...well, tacos! Their vibe is food truck food meets roof-top waterfront restaurant. If tacos make you weak in the knees, you'll want to eat your way through their menu.

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MEXHICO RESTAURANT COCINA MEXICAN

Bringing Mexico to the city of Barrie, The Mexican House has nearly a thousand reviews on Google and there's a good reason why. Located at 12 Commerce Park Drive, The Mexican House offers a complete experience. From their colourful and lively decor reminiscent of Mexican culture to their authentic Mexican dishes, first-timers almost always become regulars. The Mexican House offers sought-after dishes such as tamales, build your own tacos, enchiladas, and chimichangas. They also have an on-site Latin Market where you can shop some of your favourite Mexican spices and foods.

At Cocina Mexican, located at 144 Burton Ave. in Barrie, you won't just find your favourite Mexican dishes, but you'll also experience music and culture. You'll immediately be transported to Mexico City by the smells and décor around you. This allyou-can-eat restaurant gives you plenty of opportunities to eat your way through Mexico. From quesadillas to sopes (cornbread topped with sour cream, lettuce, tomato, and cheese) to tacos, soups, and salads - there is something for everyone, and you won't leave hungry!

For our vegan friends, there are options for you, too! Visit Mexhico in Downtown Barrie at 37 Dunlop Street West. This plant-based Mexican restaurant offers gluten-free and vegan food, along with vegan spirits and beer. They also have the perfect dish for kids, called the Tacosaurus. With live-music, mouth-watering authentic Mexican flavours, and the best margaritas in Barrie, you'll find lots to celebrate. LL