Platte City’s Rapidos celebrates Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo has long been a day for celebration, and Rapidos Mexican Restaurant at 1205 Branch St. in Platte City will continue that tradition today, May 5, with good food, drinks and music.

“We started planning three months ago,” Toni Rauch, co-owner of Rapidos, said. “We had to get special permits to entertain outside, plus rental and reservations for tents, bars, etc. are four to six weeks notice. Ordering, prepping and staffing started a week out. We’ve been busy!”

Since the restaurant’s house margaritas are the heavy hitters for Cinco de Mayo, they will be offered for $3 per 12-ounce glasses and $12 pitchers. There will also be buckets of beer with five 16-ounce aluminum bottles in the outside terrace area for $17.

The most popular Cinco de Mayo drink at Rapidos is their Margaritas. “And if you’re celebrating, we came up with a delicious shot that tastes like Mexican candy,” Rauch said.

Great food and drinks will be enhanced by live music at the event.

“A few awesome, generous friends set up a band for our Cinco de Mayo party,” Rauch said. “Outlaw Jim and the Whiskey Benders will be playing under our outside tent. They are great entertainment and it should be a fun time.”

The band will start between 5 and 6 p.m. and play until 9 p.m.

Rauch and Rapidos co-owner, Erik Marquez don’t remember a Cinco de Mayo when they weren’t working, but they plan to enjoy the event with their customers.

“Any excuse to celebrate with a margarita,” Rauch said. “This year should be extra special because people are excited to gather together finally. It’s a fun day with a lot of energy from the staff and guests. If I weren’t working, I would still be here. Just on the other side of the bar.”