5 De Mayo in Oklahoma City: Full-Service Mexican Restaurant on NW 23rd Street
5 De Mayo is a sit-down Mexican restaurant in northwest Oklahoma City that serves traditional and contemporary Mexican dishes, with a focus on table service, full bar, and family-style dining. The restaurant occupies a middle tier in OKC's Mexican food landscape: larger and more formal than casual taquerias, but less upscale than fine-dining Mexican concepts.
What 5 De Mayo actually is
5 De Mayo operates as a full-service restaurant with table service, a liquor license, and a kitchen that covers both classic regional Mexican preparations and Americanized favorites expected in Oklahoma City. The setting is comfortable for family dinners, groups, and date nights rather than quick casual takeout, though the restaurant does accept to-go orders. The dining room accommodates parties of varying sizes without requiring reservations for small groups, though larger parties benefit from calling ahead.
Menu and pricing
Entrees at 5 De Mayo fall between $11 and $18, with combination plates anchoring the mid-range. Signature dishes include chile rellenos (poblano peppers stuffed with cheese and topped with red or green sauce), enchiladas verdes and rojas, chiles en nogada when available seasonally, and carne asada plates served with rice, beans, and tortillas. Fajita plates (beef, chicken, or shrimp) run $13 to $16 and arrive sizzling. Taco orders and quesadillas start at $8 to $10 and can be ordered as appetizers or sides. Burritos and chimichangas stay under $12. Breakfast service includes huevos rancheros, chilaquiles, and breakfast burritos at $7 to $9, available during morning hours. Margaritas range from $5 to $7 depending on spirit; domestic beer is $3.50 to $4.50 per bottle. Agua frescas and traditional Mexican soft drinks are available for $2 to $3.
How it compares to other Mexican restaurants in Oklahoma City
5 De Mayo sits between quick-service taquerias like Los Favoritos (which emphasizes street tacos and counter ordering under $6 per taco) and more formal sit-down establishments. Unlike taqueria-focused competitors, 5 De Mayo's strength is in plated entrees and combination dinners where someone unfamiliar with Mexican food can order by category without building a custom order. Compared to larger family-style chains in OKC, 5 De Mayo maintains more regional specificity in its preparations, particularly in chile-forward dishes. For those seeking upscale modern Mexican in the city, restaurants like Chelita's Tacos & Tequila (on Western Avenue) offer craft cocktails and smaller plates at higher price points ($14 to $22 per entree); 5 De Mayo trades that sophistication for straightforward service and volume-friendly pricing. It serves the role of a neighborhood standby rather than a destination, suitable for regular diners seeking consistent, familiar food without fuss.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
5 De Mayo works well for families with children, groups splitting large orders, first-time visitors to Mexican food, and those seeking alcohol service without atmosphere pretension. Spanish-language speakers will find menu and staff familiarity. It does not suit diners seeking upscale plating, rare regional dishes, or minimal alcohol presence. Solo diners sometimes feel less comfortable in the table-service model compared to counter-ordering taquerias.
What the first visit involves
Arrival typically involves being seated within 10 to 15 minutes unless the restaurant is at capacity. Water and chips with salsa arrive immediately. Standard service paces food delivery at 15 to 20 minutes for entrees. Entrees come plated with rice and refried beans; additional sides like tortillas or guacamole are ordered separately. The menu is in English with some Spanish terms; staff can explain preparations. First-time visitors benefit from ordering a combination plate to sample multiple items or asking the server for a recommendation based on spice tolerance.
Hours, parking, and logistics
5 De Mayo operates from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday; closed Mondays (verify current hours, as restaurant operations can shift). The restaurant is located on NW 23rd Street, with on-site parking available in a dedicated lot. Street parking is available on surrounding blocks during off-peak hours. The restaurant is accessible by car; bus service is limited in this part of northwest OKC.
5 De Mayo fills a straightforward need in Oklahoma City's Mexican food ecosystem: reliable, affordably priced sit-down meals in a neighborhood setting without fuss or pretension. For regular diners seeking that consistency, it delivers.
