While Cinco de Mayo isn't as widely celebrated in Mexico as it is in the US, it has contributed to the ever-increasing popularity of Mexican food in the United States. Now an extremely popular holiday in the US, let's learn about the origin of Cinco de Mayo, how Philadelphia became a hotspot for Mexican cuisine, and the must-have equipment needed in a foodservice business serving Mexican menus.

History Of Cinco de Mayo

Benito Juarez became Mexico's president in 1861. The country was in financial ruin, which forced him to default on payments owed to the European governments of France, Britain, and Spain. While Britain and Spain were willing to negotiate new payment terms, Napoleon II of France decided to conquer Mexico and add it to his empire.

The Battle of Puebla began at daybreak on May 5, 1862, and ended early that evening, when the French lost nearly 500 soldiers. However, the Mexican army lost fewer than 100 soldiers, thanks to General Ignacio Zaragoza's preparation.

Today in Mexico, the day is considered an unimportant holiday primarily observed in Puebla. However, the United States started celebrating Cinco de Mayo almost immediately as a sign of solidarity with Mexico and it has grown in popularity ever since.

The Philly Mexican Food Scene

Mexicans became Philadelphia's second-largest immigrant group during the late 20th century and early 21st century. The boom started in the early 1970s when immigrants learned about the mushroom farming industry in southwestern Chester County. Mexican immigrants began opening grocery stores and restaurants in the 1980s.

Residents and tourists of South Philly have numerous choices for grabbing some Mexican meals. Cafe y Chocolate serves up nap-worthy breakfasts with homemade churros that are perfect for dipping. The Italian Market district offers a variety of Mexican restaurants that serve traditional meals, including Mexican-style and Honduran-style tamales. If you're craving a bowl of spicy menudo, go to the Los Cuatro Soles restaurant in the Newbold district.

West Philly offers an array of Mexican food options, including a neighborhood Mexican joint that serves grilled meats and its popular drenched tres leches cake. If wet burritos are your thing, go to El Purepecha in the Spring Garden district. El Primo of Norristown offers both a restaurant and a grocery store.

A Nod from the One Source Live Test Kitchen

We tasked Chef Peter to come up with his ultimate favorite Mexican food dish, and he put together his version of a Cemita Sandwich, right in the One Source Live Test Kitchen.

Check it out here:

Equipment Every Mexican Restaurant Needs

Cooks who are thinking about opening a Mexican restaurant will need commercial kitchen equipment to produce menu favorites. Those include: 

Griddles

Griddles are essential for Mexican kitchens because they are versatile. Cooks can use them to sear meats for a wide variety of dishes for small to large groups of customers. They'll love the generous, easy-to-clean cooking surface because it offers room to cook a variety of meats at the same time.

Flat Bottom Fryer

A flat bottom fryer is necessary for frying large quantities of tortilla chips and other food items. With this appliance, cooks won't have to worry about food getting caught on heating elements or sticking together because each piece will float freely during the cooking cycle. This free-floating food is easy to remove and serve.

Combi Mini Oven

Cooks can use combi mini ovens to cook various entrees, including shredded chicken dishes. These ovens come in a variety of styles that can suit a commercial kitchen's needs. They also offer an economical and time-saving solution because restaurant owners won't need to have them serviced by an outside party.

Panini Grill 

To produce a diverse variety of quesadillas and grilled or stuffed burritos, use a panini grill. They are a must-have for any Mexican restaurant because it doesn't take long to grill the food. 

Tortilla Warmers

Tortilla warmers are another must-have for any Mexican restaurant because they keep tortillas warm until they are ready for use. Cooks can serve the warm tortillas with entrees or use them to make enchiladas or quesadillas quickly.

Looking to get some hands-on experience to test your recipes? Schedule time in our test kitchen so our team can help find the perfect equipment.