Cinco de Mayo landed right in the middle of the workweek (well, a Tuesday for me), and we decided that was the perfect excuse to turn an ordinary day into a mini celebration. Instead of the usual lunch routine, we headed to Las Palmas for a delicious, festive break. Nothing boosts workday energy like good food, great vibes, and a little fiesta spirit!

Getting Ready for Fiesta Time! 🎊

Half the fun is getting into the spirit, so I leaned all the way in with bright, colorful, fiesta-ready style. The vibrant outfit and accessories brought the celebration to life—because if you’re going to do Cinco de Mayo on a workday, you might as well show up looking like the party. Instant mood boost!

Welcome to Las Palmas! 🌴

Las Palmas was serving tropical fun the moment we walked in—warm colors, palm-tree vibes, and that lively, can’t-help-but-smile atmosphere. The big “Las Palmas” sign with the painted palm trees felt like a vacation backdrop in the middle of the day. And the festive mariachi band cutouts? Absolutely irresistible. We couldn’t pass up the perfect photo ops—they basically begged us to pose!

Drinks & Appetizers 🍹

We kicked things off with refreshing sips—hello, pink, strawberry margarita goodness—and a cold beer that felt extra celebratory for Cinco de Mayo. The giant Modelo bottle decoration was a whole moment on its own (seriously, it’s iconic). Of course, no fiesta starts without the classics: chips and salsa to snack on while we settle in for lunch. Crunchy, zesty, and the perfect “let’s do this” starter – chroiqueso.

The Main Event: Whole Fried Fish! 🐟

Then came the showstopper: a whole fried fish platter that looked as impressive as it tasted. The skin was crispy and golden, with that perfectly seasoned flavor that makes you pause after the first bite like, “Okay… wow.” It was served with rice, refried beans, and a fresh salad topped with creamy avocado slices—such a satisfying combo. Add warm tortillas on the side, and it turned into the kind of meal you keep talking about long after lunch is over. Delicious, hearty, and absolutely worth the mid-workday escape!

Fiesta Memories 📸

Between bites and laughs, we captured a bunch of fun moments—especially with those mariachi cutouts that made every photo feel extra festive. It was the kind of atmosphere that makes you forget you still have emails waiting, and honestly, that’s the magic of a good workday celebration.

All in all, Las Palmas in Durham, NC, was the perfect way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo without taking the whole day off—just a joyful, flavorful break right in the middle of the workweek. If you can, treat yourself to a little celebration wherever you are, even if it’s just lunch with friends or coworkers and a few festive photos. Here’s to finding small ways to make ordinary days feel special—¡salud!