There’s no question that for most of us, the recently celebrated Cinco de Mayo is not a whole lot more than a good excuse to, well, whoop it up with margaritas and salsa. But for one local neighborhood, it’s also an especially appropriate way to come together as a community. I’m talking about Cherokee Street, that funky mix of residential and retail off Jefferson Avenue in South City. No one can claim this area is boring: It’s an eclectic mix of motorcycles and tattoos, restaurants (some quite impressive) and bars, but mostly it’s known as the hub of St. Louis’ ethnically Latino population.
Last year, the St. Louis Board of Aldermen designated the neighborhood as an honorary cultural district, referring to it as Calle Cherokee (Cherokee Street in Spanish). The board applauded the area’s Latino businesses for helping stabilize the at-risk urban region over the past 40 years. A stroll or ride west from Jefferson reveals multiple Hispanic eateries and clubs. And according to census data, the surrounding neighborhoods have been increasingly settled by Latino families as well, recording more than 2,000 such residents in 2015, compared to only 438 in 1990.
This Cinco de Mayo was, as I expected, quite the urban happening. There were food trucks and food stalls serving some of the most authentic taquitos, empanadas and agua frescos in town—after all, who cooks Mexican food better than a slew of abuelas? Plus, there were 15 bands playing live at various times of the day on several stages—everything from soul music to Flamenco guitar to reflect the area’s diversity. No matter who was on stage, the kiddos and many an adult had fun dancing in the street.
Best of all, as far as I’m concerned, was the parade, a decidedly motley crew of clowns, puppeteers, motorcycles and unicycles snaking along Jefferson in all of their glory. Starting at El Lenador Bar & Grill up near Nebraska Street, it was an array of sombrerotopped Dia de los Muertos characters, papier-mâché floats, vehicles dispersing balloons and bubbles, ukuleles and dancers—all in a joyful display of celebration.
Of course, you don’t have to wait until next May 5 to enjoy Cherokee Street. Any day is perfect to try The Taco and Ice Cream Joint (who isn’t intrigued by a name like that?). Or my personal favorite: Vista Ramen (don’t miss the Korean Fried Chicken on Hawaiian buns). An especially good time to visit might be Sept. 16, the actual date Mexicans celebrate Independence Day. (Cinco de Mayo merely commemorates victory at the Battle of Puebla against French imperialism.) And then there’s the Cherokee Print League Holiday Sale, held the first Saturday in December, one of the largest print sales in the Midwest. I understand it’s quite the happening, with more than 100 artists showing their unique creations and transferring sidewalks and storefronts into works of art just for the fun of it. I’m marking my calendar now.