Dining out: Fun times ahead with Maifest, Derby, May the 4th & Cinco de Mayo

Raise a glass to Maifest

Help German beer hall Hofbräuhaus Chicago welcome spring at the annual Maifest celebration May 3-31. The fun starts with a keg-tapping ceremony, authentic Bavarian entertainment, a special Maifest menu and the debut of the freshly brewed “Maibock” beer. The Chicago Dogs, Rosemont's minor league baseball team, will tap the first keg of the Maifest season with the team's manager Butch Hobson and co-owner Shawn Hunter on Friday, May 3. Plus, Chicago Dogs mascot Squeeze will pass out vouchers for free hot dogs at Impact Field at any home game during the 2019 season while posing for photos with guests. Also during Maifest, enjoy performances from Bavarian dance companies Sunday through Thursday starting Sunday, May 5.

Hofbräuhaus Chicago is located at 5500 Park Place, Rosemont, (847) 671-2739 or hbchicago.com.

Derby time

It's Kentucky Derby time, so put on your best oversized hat and Southern attire and head to Bub City Rosemont on Saturday, May 4, for fun festivities. Dine on Hot Brown Sandwiches while sipping on a Mint Julep or a Mega Mint Julep while watching the famous horse races happening in Louisville, Kentucky, Saturday afternoon. Expect lots of Derby swag.

Bub City is at 5441 Park Place, Rosemont, (847) 261-0399 or bub-city.com/rosemont/.

May the 4th

<b>Buffalo Creek Brewing:</b> Brewmeister/owner Mike Marr invites beers lovers to come out to Buffalo Creek's first May the 4th Beer with You party from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 4, to celebrate the opening of its German Biergarten. Expect cold beer, chef-driven Mexican cuisine by Three Legged Tacos, live acoustic music and games including ax throwing. Also, Marr will introduce Buffalo Creek's new summer brew, the peach-infused Berliner Weisse called Son of a Peach. Free admission.

Buffalo Creek Brewing is at 360 Historical Lane, Long Grove, (847) 821-6140 or buffalocreekbrewing.com/.

<b>Potbelly Sandwich Shop:</b> Give your best Chewy impression at check out to receive a free cookie (with purchase) on Saturday, May 4. Potbelly has locations throughout the suburbs. potbelly.com/.

Cinco de Mayo

<b>Applebee's:</b> The Dollarita is back! Yep, a margarita is only $1 for Cinco de Mayo on Sunday. Applebee's is at 125 S. Randall Road, Elgin, (847) 697-4897, applebees.com.

<b>Beatrix:</b> How does a pineapple-habanero margarita and endless visits to the chilaquiles bar (featuring scrambled eggs, Baja chicken, spicy red salsa, Chihuahua cheese, guacamole and more) sound? All that is only $15 on Cinco de Mayo. Or round out the holiday with spicy chicken tinga, green chile enchiladas and the mezcal punch made with Ilegal Joven Mezcal and pomegranate cassis syrup. Beatrix is at 272 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, (630) 491-1415 or beatrixrestaurants.com/beatrix/oak-brook/.

<b>Chuy's:</b> It's Cinco de Chuy's all weekend with these specials: $1 floaters on Friday, May 3; $1 floaters and $1 off perfect margaritas on Saturday, May 4; and $5 regular house ritas, $1 floaters, $1 off perfect margaritas, $1 off Dos Equis and $5 queso or guacamole on Sunday, May 5. Chuy's is at 1701 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg, (847) 285-1667, and 28244 Diehl Road, Warrenville, (630) 393-0911 or chuys.com/.

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Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar:</b> The upscale steakhouse fetes Cinco de Mayo all month long with the $100 Prime Margarita. Yes, it's pricey, but the cocktail is a blend of premium liquors including Tequila Ocho Extra Anejo La Latilla and Grand Marnier Cuvee du Centenaire. The drink, which comes garnished with a lime wheel and pineapple leaves, is served in Baccarat's Diamant Tumbler, which guests can then take home. Fleming's is at 960 Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire, (847) 793-0333 or flemingssteakhouse.com/locations/il/lincolnshire.

<b>Pinstripes:</b> Toast Cinco de Mayo Sunday with Pinstripes' signature handcrafted Margarita Italiano for $6 and Pacifico Claras for $3. Pinstripes is at 7 Oakbrook Center Mall, Oak Brook, (630) 575-8700; 1150 Willow Road, Northbrook, (847) 480-2323; 100 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington, (847) 844-9300; pinstripes.com/.

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Shaw's Crab House:</b> Head to the Oyster Bar from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, May 5, for Cinco de Mayo deals. For $17 each, nosh on the crispy fish tacos (made with beer-battered fish and topped with chipotle rémoulade, cilantro and tomatillo salsa) or the char-glazed fish tacos. Quench your thirst with cocktails such as micheladas, watermelon margaritas and champagne margaritas for $6. Shaw's is at 1900 E. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, (847) 517-2722 or shawscrabhouse.com/schaumburg/.

<b>Tokio Pub:</b> $1 tacos! But, the catch is they're only available from noon to 1 p.m. and 8 to 9 p.m. Sunday, May 5. Pair a sesame chicken taco, steak taco, nacho taco, crying tiger shrimp taco or crispy fish taco with a half-off signature margarita such as the yuzu margarita, rising sun margarita or mule-garita. The margarita specials will be available all day. Tokio Pub is at 1900 E. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, (847) 278-5181 or tokiopub.com/.

Whiskey dinner

Five courses paired with five libations. Must be Niche's Brown Forman Whiskey Dinner, which begins at 5:30 p.m. Monday, May 6. The first course pairs roasted bone marrow with Woodford Reserve Master's Collection - Straight Malt, and the second course is grilled baby gem paired with a flight of Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2017, Old Forester Rye and Old Forester Signature. Third course is smoked seared scallop paired with Early Times Bottled in Bond, while fourth course is Beef Cheek “Shepard's Pie” paired with Benriach 12 Year. Finish with foie gras crème brûlée and Glendronach 15 Year. It's $65 per person.

Niche is at 14 S. 3rd St., Geneva, (630) 262-1000 or nichegeneva.com/.

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LongHorn Steakhouse recently upped its drinks menu with new cocktails. The Three Dons Margarita features three pours of premium Don Julio Tequila - anejo, reposado and blanco - in one cocktail for $12.49. The LongPour - available for the perfect, mango or strawberry margarita - lets diners upgrade their cocktail to a glass and a half for $2.50 more. Other new drink specials include a Texas Margarita for $5.99, a Jack & Coke for $4.99, and 12-ounce Bud Light and Miller Lite drafts for $2.50.

LongHorn Steakhouse has locations in Bolingbrook, Des Plaines, Schaumburg, Oswego and other places. longhornsteakhouse.com/home.

Email clinden@dailyherald.com with suburban dining and night life events.