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Mexican restaurants hope for big Cinco de Mayo revenue during pandemic

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Small businesses hit hard by the pandemic hope for a big boost Tuesday.

For Mexican restaurants like Indy Tacos, Cinco de Mayo is the biggest moneymaker on the calendar. Sales at many Mexican restaurants can be anywhere from 50 to 70% higher than any other day on the calendar.

Owner Francisco Campos said business was off about 60% in April because of the coronavirus. He still feels blessed, knowing it could be a lot worse.

“Helpful customers keep coming, coming so that’s what keeps us going,” Campos said.

Cinco de Mayo is worth celebrating.

“It’s one of the most important days of the year for us,” he said. “The biggest on sales, the biggest on everything.”

It’s not just sales totals, but new customers who are brought by friends who like what they eat and then keep coming back.

But this year, it’s going to have a different flavor with curbside only.

Still, Campos said things have picked up in the last few days with more cars driving by and more people ready for takeout.

Even when the governor clears the way for the dining room to open, Campos may still wait to open tables.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen after this,” he said.

Condado Tacos in Broad Ripple is offering some specials and giveaways to flex its muscle on social media to drive more traffic.

“Yeah, we got some good stuff,” said Brandon Birnell.

Both catering and other preorders have already been phoned in, giving hopes for a big day even in a pandemic when every seat inside is empty.

“We’re trying as hard as we can to keep generating sales and serve people delicious tacos,” said Birnell.

Back at Indy Tacos, every employee is still on staff, but hours have been cut.

Cinco de Mayo comes at the right time.

“Every little thing helps,” Campos said.

Indy Tacos will be offering some specials Tuesday, too, though Campos said he’s still deciding what that will be because it’s been a little more difficult in the last couple weeks to buy the meat he needs. First steak, now chicken and pork have been a little harder to find.