Sometimes the universe just gives you a sign. If you’re smart enough, you pay attention. For example, this year’s calendar has aligned in just the right way to bring together two incredible traditions.
That’s right: Cinco de Mayo will fall on Taco Tuesday this year. And there’s only place to spend this once-in-a-lifetime event: Cactus Street Cantina.
“It’s going to be a busy day for us. We have live music with Enrique, $5 house margaritas, specials all day, and free chips and salsa,” said Lauren Jordan, co-owner of Cactus Street Cantina. “Last year was our first Cinco de Mayo, and since it fell on a Monday, we didn’t think it was going to be too crazy. It wound up being a record day for us. We’re expecting it to be even busier this year but at least we’ll be better prepared for it.”
The good news is, if you can’t make it out on Cinco de Mayo, Cactus Street Cantina is a celebration of Latin food all month long. Built on a foundation of Mexican favorites like burritos, tacos, tortas, and fajitas, the menu spins fresh, authentic ingredients into wild directions, with specialty dishes like the shrimp ceviche and Great Basin Bowls earning rave reviews.
At the heart of the restaurant’s culinary experience is the passion and brilliance that chef Adolph Aguilar brings to the kitchen. And if you really want to see what his team can do, see what the specials are that day.
Tracy Wilson, Adolph Aguilar and Lauren Jordan.
“We run our birria tacos every Monday, then a new special every Tuesday that we’ll run through the week,” Jordan said. “We had a guy come back the same day for the General Tso’s shrimp bowl special. Our chef loves Asian street food, so we’ll get a little of that flair every once in a while.”
The Great Basin Bowls have been an especially big hit since Cactus Street Cantina opened, heaping helpings of fresh ingredients like tuna, al pastor shrimp, pork belly, and traditional rice and beans. Perhaps just as enticing as what is in each bowl is what each bowl accomplishes. Since Day One, Cactus Street Cantina has picked a different charity of the month to receive 10% of Great Basin Bowl sales.
“We’ve yet to do the same charity twice, because there are just so many. It’s hard when there are only 12 months in a year,” Jordan said. “We’ve picked everything from Hilton Head Humane to Volunteers in Medicine.”
Since Day One, Cactus Street Cantina has picked a different charity of the month to receive 10% of Great Basin Bowl sales.
This month’s beneficiary is the Foundation for Educational Excellence. Founded in 2007, the FFEE supports Beaufort County public schools by funding innovative instructional projects and opportunities that would otherwise not be available to area students. They also issue grants that enhance student learning, to the tune of more than $350,000 donated since 2009.
Chicken Flautas
“Being that we’re on the north end, we definitely are more of a spot for locals, so we look at it as supporting the locals who support us,” Jordan said. “It’s an easy way to give back to the community and at the same time introduce the restaurant to people who may have never been here.”
It’s hard to believe there are any locals who haven’t been there yet. Generating incredible buzz even before they opened, Cactus Street Cantina has emerged over the years as a true spot for locals (where tourists are always welcome, obviously).
“We do ‘give back’ days for area schools, giving them a percentage of that day’s sales, and it’s made us hugely popular with families. One of the things I love the most is that now, we have so many kids who are bringing their parents here,” Jordan said. “I also love how often people will come in and run into their neighbors here, which is what we always wanted to create.”
Whether you’re celebrating Cinco de May on the 5th or all month long, what better spot to celebrate than Cactus Street Cantina?
Cactus Cantina is located on Main Street
