Some North Texas restaurants are serving up specials to celebrate the independence of Mexico and other Latin American countries packed with traditional dishes and drinks.
In Mexico, Independence Day is officially celebrated on September 16. However, the most colorful and popular celebration is the night before, on September 15, with a party known as Grito de Independencia.
This celebration recreates the call made by the catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo, considered a Mexican independence hero, in the early morning of September 15, 1810, when he climbed the bell tower of his church to call the people of his town to rise in arms against the loyal Spanish forces.
In 1896, Grito de Independencia was instituted to commemorate that moment. Since then, the president of Mexico has gone to the balcony of the national palace in Mexico City to ring the same bell that Hidalgo rang (literally the same) and a traditional call to the patriotic heroes. The ceremony involves many Viva Mexicos along the way, in addition to flag-waving before thousands of people who congregate in the Zócalo, the biggest and most important public square in the country.
Beyond that celebration, Mexicans usually gather together and celebrate with traditional food, Mexican music and drinks.
Those celebrations have spread throughout the U.S., with the Mexican ambassador and consuls in each diplomatic post by hosting the historical shout on the night of September 15.
El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua are other countries that celebrate their independence on September 15.
These are the specials in restaurants around D-FW:
Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant
Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant is celebrating Mexican Independence Day with $5 flag margaritas available from Sept. 12 to 16.
On its menu, you will find Tex-Mex and Mexican dishes for adults and specials for children.
Abuelo’s has several locations in D-FW, in Arlington, Fort Worth, Hurst, Plano and The Colony. abuelos.com.
Don Artemio
Don Artemio is also among the restaurants commemorating Mexican Independence Day. It will have a special menu on Sunday, Sept. 15.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., patrons can enjoy live music. All day long, Don Artemio will be serving its feature dish, cabrito al pastor, in addition to a margaritas special.
Until Oct. 20, Don Artemio is also serving chiles en nogada, one of the basic dishes of this season in Mexico.
Don Artemio is located at 3268 W 7th St, in Fort Worth. donartemio.us.
José
José on Lovers Lane in Dallas will host two days of festivities to mark Mexico’s independence, starting on Saturday, Sept. 14, with a mercado of small business vendors outside the restaurant while DJ Jejune entertains from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
On Monday, Sept. 16, José will feature an all-day happy hour with special items like a fundido burger, pork riblets al pastor, flautas ahogadas, and chiles en nogada.
Drinks, including Jose’s signature “Squozen,” top shelf margarita on the rocks, la malinche, and the skinny palomarita, are priced at $8 all day. Guests can also enjoy live cumbia music by Los Gran Reyes from 6 to 8 p.m.
José is located at 4931 W Lovers Ln. jose.mx.
La Neta Cocina & Lounge
The restaurant will host a Mexican Independence Day brunch on Sunday, Sept. 15, from 12 to 4 p.m. that involves a D.J.
For $30, patrons can enjoy endless brunch with breakfast tacos, pancakes, scrambled eggs, potatoes, bacon, seasonal fruit, rice & beans and French toast.
Drinks include $4 mimosas, $20 mimosa carafes and $5 green tea shots.
La Neta Cocina is located at 2525 Elm St #175, in Dallas. lanetacocina.com/dallas.
