{"id":279,"date":"2008-09-09T16:47:04","date_gmt":"2008-09-09T21:47:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2008\/09\/fiesta-vegas-celebrates-mexican-independence-day\/"},"modified":"2016-12-17T17:42:37","modified_gmt":"2016-12-17T23:42:37","slug":"fiesta-vegas-celebrates-mexican-independence-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2008\/09\/fiesta-vegas-celebrates-mexican-independence-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Fiesta! Vegas celebrates Mexican Independence Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Las_vegas_package_deals\"<\/a>
\nBy E.C. Gladstone<\/em><\/p>\n

Viva los h\u00e9roes! Although this blog is of course written in English, esto es para mi amigos Mexicanos. Felicidades! It’s Mexican Independence Day<\/strong> Sept. 15-16 — a bigger holiday than Cinco de Mayo — and Las Vegas ("The Meadows" en espa\u00f1ol), which was once in the northern frontier of Alta Mexico, is throwing uno maximo celebracion!<\/p>\n

No doubt the hottest ticket of the long weekend will be the MGM Grand<\/a><\/strong> Garden lightweight boxing match between Mexico’s Jua<\/strong>n Manuel Marquez<\/strong> and Cuba’s Joel Casamayor<\/strong> on Saturday (9\/13). For sure, MGM’s Diego<\/strong>will be packed afterward during their weekly Vida club night (every Friday & Saturday). Diego is also serving a special tres colores meal on Monday and Tuesday including a shrimp tamale and pork two ways, in addition to their already impressive menu, 80-something tequilas (blancos, reposados and anejos), fantasic made-to-order margaritas and other tequila cocktails. Magnifico!<\/p>\n

Every fiesta needs music, and of course, tenemos el ritmo en Vegas. Luis Miguel<\/strong> is performing every night from Friday (9\/12) through Monday (9\/15) at the Caesars Palace<\/strong><\/a> Colosseum (Check out Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill<\/strong> — don’t hate him ’cause he’s gringo! — beforehand to try over 70 tequilas and some remarkable "single village" mescals, like Chichicapa, that recall excellent Scotch. The creative menu is seafood-centric); Enrique Iglesias<\/strong> and "kings of Bachata" Aventura share the stage at Mandalay Bay<\/a><\/strong> Saturday (9\/13) while Jaguares play the much more intimate House of Blues<\/strong> across the casino floor (Border Grill<\/strong>, with patios overlooking the Mandalay Beach, is having drink specials and live music through the weekend — their organic\/sustainable menu has particularly good taco and tamale choices for lunch). Also on Saturday, Latin legends Amanda Y Diego<\/strong> perform at the Las Vegas Hilton<\/a><\/strong> —  with tickets starting at only $34. And Circus Circus<\/a><\/strong>‘ regular Saturday night Latin club Luna Y Sol is also sure to be en fuego.<\/p>\n

Monday, Alejandro Fernandez<\/strong> continues the fiesta at Mandalay Bay Events Center, while Mariachi Divas play House of Blues. On Tuesday, Dos Caminos<\/strong> — the place in the Palazzo<\/a><\/strong> with the addictive guacamole, extensive tequila list and creative margaritas — is having a fantastic night of DJs and live music, along with a special menu that’s definitely worth sampling. Expect to see roaming mariachis other places up and down the Strip.<\/p>\n

\"Las_vegas_vacation\"<\/a><\/em>On the funny side, Paul Rodriguez<\/strong> starts the long weekend off right, taking the stage at T.I.<\/a><\/strong> with the Latin Kings of Comedy Friday night (Isla, the Mexican restaurant at T.I. with a huge tequila selection — ask for the "goddess" — has a nice meal & show package deal); Gabriel Iglesias performs Friday and Saturday at the Monte Carlo<\/a><\/strong> (hit Diablo’s Cantina<\/strong> there afterward for a solid tequila selection, creative cocktails and a great Strip view from their patio).<\/p>\n

I’ve already mentioned most of my favorite cocinas on the Strip, but other resort spots worth checking out are Taqueria Ca\u00f1onita<\/strong> (Venetian<\/a><\/strong>) with a fantastic patio overlooking the indoor Grand Canal, 70+ tequilas, and a creatively traditional menu. \u2026 Pink Taco<\/strong> (Hard Rock<\/strong><\/a>) with another huge tequila selection and good tacos. \u2026 Yolo’s at Planet Hollywood<\/strong><\/a> with a mildly adventurous menu (more vegetarian options than most) and great casino-side bar with cute bartenders. \u2026 Silverton Lodge<\/a><\/strong>‘s Mi Casa<\/strong>, a colorful but romantic room with 65 tequilas and open grill. \u2026 Cabo<\/strong> in Palace Station<\/a><\/strong>. All are reasonably priced.<\/p>\n

Insider tip<\/strong>: For the more adventurous, there are also excellent eateries (mostly mas barata) away from the Strip, including Do\u00f1a Maria Tamales<\/strong>, Casa Don Juan<\/strong>, Ricardo’s<\/strong>,  <\/strong>Agave<\/strong>, Linda Michoaca<\/strong>n, Caminos de Morella<\/strong> and Expee’s<\/strong><\/p>\n

Related Orbitz resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n