Dandelions to Duck Carnitas🍹 🌮

When I was a wee lad, I would gather a bunch of dandelions leave them on people’s porches thinking that it was a nice gesture and sprint off into the fog that is May Day –

Queue the Justin Timberlake meme. . . better yet, I’ll do it below. . . We might consider ourselves out of the woods as it pertains to the gray and depressing nature of late winter in the SpoCo area. We’re on the rise–Restaurants are setting up outdoor seating, we are shedding our parkas–this is great. I haven’t really been into clothes that much anyway. May is here, which also means Cinco De Mayo is right around the corner. . . Birthday shoutout to my good friend “D1 Joey” who lives out in NY but still subscribes. . . We’re gonna be talking a bit about what’s going on in the area as the grass starts to green, temps rise, etc. etc. 

Alright let’s lock in. 

Obviously. . . there’s some staples around these parts: Atilano’s is definitely a winner (duh), and I’ll likely enrage you–missing out on some spot that’s out on Highway 2, and thinking. . . “What a MORON! How could he not include bla bla bla!?!?!.” Could have very well glazed over it on my way up to 49. Which happened only a few times this year. . . Zona Blanca’s not in the mix which is enough to shanghai me back into a cycle of seasonal depression. . . Chad! Bring it Back!

Hell, if you’re game is hitting Azteca, and downing a goblet of Pina Colada–by all means–chug. 

Here’s a 6 that I think are worth hitting on El Drinko de Mayo. . . Arrrrriiba!!!!

Cochinito Taqueria – Where Tacos Go to Flex

 You ever bite into a taco and think, “Damn, this could win awards?” That’s Cochinito. Tucked into downtown Spokane like it knows it’s hot, this spot delivers next-level Mexican with a chef-y twist — and no, we’re not talking about adding aioli and calling it fusion. We’re talking duck confit carnitas, house-made tortillas, and a daily special that’ll have you in a full-blown existential crisis about what to order.

Their cocktail game? Lethal. The guac? Spiritual. The vibe? Sleek enough for date night, casual enough for a taco bender in your Sunday scaries. And the whole place just oozes “Yeah, we know we’re better than your favorite chain.”

So if you’re looking to celebrate Cinco (or literally any day that ends in "y"), hit “Cochy” as I like to call it. Just promise you won’t gatekeep it — we’re trying to keep the good stuff flowing. The best news. . . if you’re an Idahoan. . . there’s a location in Hayden.

El Paisa – Zero Frills, Max Flavor

If you're into velvet booths and Instagrammable lighting, keep it movin’. But if you’re about that real-deal, taco-stained-napkin, “I think this changed me” kind of flavor — El Paisa is your new north star.

Tucked next to a gas station on Lincoln Way in CDA (chef’s kiss placement, honestly), El Paisa is slingin’ street tacos so authentic you might start speaking fluent Spanish by the second bite. Carnitas that melt. Pollo asado that slaps. And don’t even get us started on the salsas — they come in cups and should honestly be served with a warning label.

This place isn’t trying to be trendy. It’s trying to feed you like you're family. Fast, fire, and underpriced. No margarita flights. No marketing department. Just tacos that taste like someone’s abuela is in the back with secrets.

Uno Mas Taco Shop – Clean Lines. Dirty Tacos.

Located up north off Monroe, the newly revived Uno Mas is what happens when you mash up West Coast taco truck energy with a modern, no-mess, all-vibes setup. This isn’t some dimly lit margarita den — this is bright lights, crisp branding, and tacos so dialed-in you’ll start questioning your past loyalties. Plus, qua

rter-pound tacos just made Cinco De Mayo BIGGER.

Carne asada that hits like it’s fresh off the grill in Baja. Crispy fish tacos that crunch with confidence. And don’t sleep on their birria. Everything’s house-made, everything’s fast, and everything’s fresh. They’ve got micheladas and margaritas ready to roll, and a weekday happy hour for the real ones who clock out and pull up with purpose.

Molé – Sauce, Seduction, and a Side of Tequila
This ain’t your run-of-the-mill combo plate with shredded iceberg and sour cream from a tub. Molé pulls up in downtown Spokane with the swagger of a velvet dinner jacket and the depth of a three-day braise.

It’s modern Mexican — but not in the “tapas and aioli on everything” way. Nah, this is rich, ancestral, soul-in-a-saucepan mole layered like a novella. Deep, dark, nutty, spiced… and sexy. You don’t eat here — you submit. And yes, you’ll find yourself googling “Can I legally marry a sauce?” by the third bite.

Cocktails are dialed. Tequila list is curated by someone who’s definitely cried in Oaxaca–and probably very true. And the whole space? Moody, grown-up, and kind of the perfect spot to accidentally overshare on a second date.

Rincon Tapatio – Where Gonzaga Grads and Greenhorns Feast Alike

Just a stone's throw from Gonzaga's campus on Hamilton, Rincon is the kind of spot where your freshman-year taco Tuesdays evolve into senior-year celebratory feasts. It's the culinary equivalent of that reliable friend who's always down for a good time, no questions asked.​

Their menu is a love letter to traditional Mexican cuisine, boasting everything from sizzling fajitas to savory enchilada

s. But let's talk about their mole – it's like the culinary version of a warm hug from your abuela, rich and comforting. And if you're into seafood, their Camarones al Mojo de Ajo is a garlic lover's dream come true.​

NEVER EVER SLEEP ON RINCON–Is it filled with college kids regularly? Yes. But it’s still electric. Think vibrant colors, friendly staff, and a vibe that says, "Stay awhile” . . . even if the average age in the establishment is 22. Whether you're catching up with friends over margaritas indulging in a solo feast, Rincon delivers every time. Fish Bowls. . . that is all.

La Doña Cafecito – The Kind of Place You Don’t Gatekeep, But Maybe You Should

There’s a corner spot in Spokane where the air smells like butter, sugar, and fresh

ground hustle. It’s called La Doña Cafecito, and if you haven’t stumbled in yet, you’re missing something that feels like it shouldn’t exist this side of a Miami side street or a back-alley kitchen in Mexico City.

It’s tiny. It’s warm. It’s real. Coffee comes out hot and punchy, the pan dulce is flaky in all the right places, and if you leave without trying the tres leches, I genuinely don’t know how to help you. This isn’t brunch-for-the-feed. This is someone’s story told in espresso shots and laminated pastry. It’s unapologetically Latin, lovingly run, and absolutely worth detouring for — even if that means rerouting your whole damn day.

Order with both hands. Eat like you mean it. Tip like you’ve been somewhere.

Sip Happens, Now Soar With It

If you’ve ever thought, “What this charcuterie board needs is altitude,” then this is your moment. Sip & Soar is back, offering an evening where you can glide above the roaring Spokane Falls in a gondola, cocktail in hand, and pretend you’re the protagonist in a very classy indie film.​

For $45, you get unlimited SkyRide trips during your chosen hour-long session (5:30, 6:30, or 7:30 PM — that last one catches the 8:15 PM sunset), one drink ticket (with a cash bar to keep the buzz going), and a gourmet charcuterie experience from Wonderlust Delicato. Gluten-free and nut-free options are available, and there’s even a truffle add-on if you’re feeling particularly indulgent. ​

It’s 21+ only, so leave the kids at home and treat yourself to an evening that’s equal parts scenic and savory. Because sometimes, the best way to celebrate spring (and an early Mother’s Day) is by sipping, soaring, and savoring the view – almost Aladdin like: 

Where my Bloomies at. . . 

Love it when Bloomsday and Cinco de Mayo coincide. It’s toxic, poetic, and delivers. The college days of me having a legendary evening by night and rising the next morning for a 7-mile race with enthusiasm and GLEE are over, unfortunately… but no reason I can’t pivot and celebrate by taking in — via third-person — the absolute chaos of watching everyone else attempt both.

Bloomsday 2025 is hittin’ pavement Sunday, and as always, The inland Northwest will be out in full force. We’re talking 35,000-ish people speed walking, trotting, vibing, and sweating their way through 7.46 miles of live bands, cowbells, costumes, high-fives, and heartbreak. And yes — Doomsday Hill is still there, still judging.

Races begin at 9. Haven’t signed up? Well you won’t be timed, nor will you get a shirt, but you can still run and it might be beneficial to also know why downtown is completely blocked off on Sunday. Me? I missed the sign-up deadline, but I’ll be running. . . love me a little challenge. 

Your Bloomsday 1031

So you’ve been cornering the tequila market, ran a 12K like someone dared you to, and now you're sore, dehydrated, and operating entirely on vibes and residual adrenaline. You deserve a treat — or at least a reason to sit down without guilt.

Enter: Spokane Velocity FC at ONE Spokane Stadium this Sunday, May 4. A full-on professional soccer match where the only sprinting you’ll be doing is to grab a churro before halftime.

The fellas are taking on Westchester SC, and it's shaping up to be exactly what your Sunday needs: local grit, fast feet, and just enough on-field tension to make you feel emotionally invested without knowing a single player's name. Will there be goals? Probably. Will there be aggressive slide tackles and with Westchester players flopping like he’s auditioning for Broadway? Oh, absolutely.

Spokana Debaucherio 

​Spokane’s about to get spicy, tipsy, and a little bit unhinged — in the best way possible. Not gonna lie, this itinerary makes my back tense up with all the midnight journeys I’ve had touring this loop. . . but. . . The Tacos, Tequila & Trouble bar crawl is rolling through downtown on Saturday, May 3, and it’s shaping up to be the Cinco de Mayo pregame of your dreams (or your next-day regrets).​

🌮🍹 The Rundown:

📍 Check-in: nYne Bar & Bistro at 11:30 AM

🎯 Final Stop: Borracho Tacos & Tequileria by 5:00 PM

💸 Tickets: Starting at $29

🎉 Highlights: $2 tacos & $5 margaritas at each stop

6 locations featuring unique taco specials:

• Fast Eddie’s: Buffalo Chicken & Blue Cheese Taco

• Borracho: Birria Street Taco

• O’Doherty’s: Irish Reuben Taco

• Lord Stanley’s: Hat Trick Tacos

• Monterey: $3 Taco Pizza Slice

• nYne: Pink Taco

Prizes for Best Dressed Individual & Team . . . and the chance to win free Tacos for the year. So, dust off your sombreros, rally your crew, and prepare for a day of taco indulgence and tequila toasts. Just remember to pace yourself — it's a marathon, not a sprint. Or maybe it's both. Either way, it's gonna be a fiesta to remember.​

For tickets and more info, visit Eventbrite.​

Cinco De Mayo. . . With Class

Tequila Royale – Rooftop Sips, Lake Views, and the Art of a Good Buzz
If your ideal Cinco de Mayo sounds less like “tacos at 2AM” and more like “sunset on the terrace, mezcal in hand,” then Tequila Royale is calling your name — and frankly, you should answer.

Hosted at The Coeur d’Alene Resort’s Rooftop Terrace on Saturday, May 3 from 4–8PM. This is a full-sensory stroll through over 40 premium tequilas and mezcals, curated from names that actually mean something (Don Fulano, Espolòn, Teremana — you get it). You’ll get a sleek tasting glass, a passport to track your sips, and a spread of elevated, tapas-style pairings designed to keep you from floating away on agave alone.

Live music, lake views, tequila. . . sounds like one hell of a lineup. . . a better big 3 than Wade, James & Bosh. 

Tickets are $85, and if you’re feeling like staying the night (read: smart), the resort’s offering overnight packages that include two event tickets and luxury accommodations.

📍 Rooftop Terrace at The CDA Resort
📅 Saturday, May 3 | 4–8 PM
🎟️ cdaresort.com/tequila-royale

Come for the tequila. Stay for the moment. Leave with a story.

That’s all from me. . . I’m spent. . . touch base next week!