Lime Shortage Leaves A Sour Taste For Those Celebrating Cinco De Mayo

FULLERTON (CBSLA.com) — A lime shortage has left a sour taste in the mouths of many celebrating Cinco de Mayo.

CBS2's Michele Gile reports that limes have been replaced with lemons in margaritas and ceviche at La Casa Garcia in Anaheim.

It's all because the prices of limes have climbed to more than $100 a case over the past few months due to bad weather and crop disease in Mexico.

Sam Ingardia, a major Southern California produce distributor, said the price is coming down, but they're still double or triple the normal cost.

"They'll go down sometimes $12 to $14 a case. It might be a little while before it goes back down to that price," he said. "It will probably take about four to five months."

At Matador Cantina in Fullerton, however, limes are a must—so much so that Executive Chef Dave Dennis has paid the higher cost without increasing prices on the menus.

He's also made a deal with his customers: Bring in a bag of limes and get a margarita for 25 cents.

The gimmick seems to be working.

"We had a crazy lunch. I had four people bring in bags of limes and sit at the bar…I expect a lot more later on, as well," Dennis said.