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Mon-Fri. 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sat-Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
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I LOVE this place.
Chips and homemade salsa verde and salsa roja while you wait for your food, woo!
The music inside is a tad too loud for dinner conversation, it almost feels like you're sitting in a club that is about to have everyone on the dance floor. But I do like the jukebox selection.
The wait is another bummer. Usually it's pretty slammed on weekends...of course.
I do have to compliment the hostesses and waitstaff for always seating me promptly regardless. I don't know how they do it sometimes, it's like they pull a table out of midair.
Food is excellent.
I took my best friend from out of town here last minute on her birthday, and she was totally liking it. Yay!
Thanks Cantina :thumbs up:
Cantina serves my favorite margaritas in the city. I normally don't even like margaritas, I'm just not a mixed drink kind of person, but these are really really great. Not too sweet. Not too expensive. It's hard for me to leave here NOT totally wasted. At the end of the night I will inevitably feel like I could go for one more drink, and someone else at my table will agree and then we'll say "We might as well get another pitcher then." And it's all downhill from there...
I love the location, I love the atmosphere, the servers are great.
I'm not that crazy about the food. The meat is just really dry. Eh, the nachos are aight, the corn on the cob's good. But really, I'm just there for the margaritas.
People thought this was:
I feel lukewarm about the Cantina, although I visit it frequently. I usually just go for drinking. And they have $5 nachos that will fill you up if you're really hungry. But I also don't really like sitting inside, and the last time I sat outside, we, the patrons, were harrassed- first by kids in a car who actually screamed "ANAL SACK" out the window, and then by a mysterious bout of egg-launching in the outdoor seating area. Although I found both instances to be rather funny, it spoke true of the Cantina. Is there a reason people drive by yelling expletives? Or throw eggs at the place?
That said, I have enjoyed myself here on plenty of occasions. How could I not, if I just want some Tecate and a plate of nachos? But sometimes the service is spotty or it takes too long for a server to reapproach the table and I remember why I feel lukewarm about the Cantina. I agree that it's a bit overpriced ($30 pitchers of margaritas?!) and Mexican is better off being prepared by Mexicans.
Not to mention, my roommate found a roach in his leftover steak burrito. Gross.
People thought this was:
A great place in south phil for drinks and dinner. A reasonably priced by well thought out Mexican joint in a super cool neighborhood.
First the drinks! An impressive selection of Tequila for sipping and mixing. Good margarita mix (although not comparable to Lolita's). Tasty Flavors and a great Classic Marg. And they have a killer deal for Happy Hour (4-6): Half Priced Classic Margaritas (Rocks or Frozen).
Next the food. Great Guacamole! Really great! Follow that up with a killer burrito and you have won my stomach. They also have some amazing soups and multiple awesome specials. This place is also winner for the Veg. crowd. Like its little sister (Dos Segundo) and big bro (Royal Tavern), loads of options for Vegetarians and Vegans. Have never gone wrong at this place!
People thought this was:
This place like its new sister, Dos Segundos in Northern Liberties, leaves much to be desired. Both are cool drinking spots with a good bar area and have some nice outdoor seating which is always a good combination for a night out. They both have a nice drink menu with plenty of margarita options.
If you're looking to have a really great meal, however- this is not the place to be. For cocktails + chips 'n salsa, it's fine - for serious eatin', not so much. From salads, to burritos to whatever inauthentic, generic mexican fare, execution is average and the taste is so-so. On more than one occasion the guacamole has tasted way over-ripe - which is just unacceptable. Not to mention, any extra fixings on your meal comes at an extra cost per fixing. Penny-pinchers...
Another gripe: for the size of the restaurant and the clientele, they offer only two single bathrooms. Both are so dimly lit (to hide the grime?) and have no mirrors. Bizarre.
This cantina is the obvious flagship bar for this neighborhood, so it's always packed, Sunday brunch, Thursday nights - whatever, whenever so it can get a little crowded. This place doesn't warrant a detour or a second visit - unless you're already nearby, craving an adult beverage and a lot of company.
People thought this was:
Definately breaks up the old school vibe of Passyunk Ave.
This is the spot to drink margaritas outside and munch on some nachos. Personally, I'm not big on their food, but the drinks and drink specials are worth going!
Great potential for people watching as well!
I have had two meals here and I would consider both to be very unbalanced toward the low end (i.e. overly meaty and dull). A very heavy handed approach to Mexican food - it is as if Cantina is catering toward the Irish.
I applaud them for serving goat but the goat I was served let me know I had eaten him for the next two days. He was so damn gamy.
The next time I had the mole turkey. I received at least four pounds of turkey on a plate. The mole sauce was not particularly distinguishable as mole. I had to douse the bird in tobasco to get anything going on the top end. Once again I commend them for deviating from the standard chicken/beef/pork but I'm not sure they capitalized on the risk.
The drinks are fine. I think the service is decent. This place is very noisy, try to get outside seating if possible.
People thought this was:
I'm going to just get right to the point and admit that I only come here for the margaritas. Otherwise, I'm just really not the biggest fan of any aspect of this place.
The Cantina (both of them, for the matter) was probably made with hipsters in mind. The decor, while pretty, is trying really hard to be retro and kitschy. Indie rock of past and present is also continually blared slightly too loud from their sound system, although there is an ironic Michael Jackson or Madonna tune thrown in for kicks. Even the wait staff looks like an American Apparel ad came to life. With all those bright colors and skinny, pretty people, it's no wonder this place is constantly busy. Because seriously, I really can't find many other reasons why.
First of all, the service sucks. It's probably some of the worst I've ever seen in the city. I've been there for lunch on several occasions when it's dead and it STILL takes like 10 minutes for your drink order to be taken. I don't know where the servers disappear to (the bathroom to check their elegantly disheveled hair?), but when a place is dead there is no reason why anyone should wait that long. The food generally takes awhile to come out too, which sucks because I end up munching on the mediocre chips and salsa that they give out and lose my appetite.
Their brunch can be good, and the mahi mahi tacos are the only thing I really like on the menu. It's nice that they have a lot of vegan and vegetarian options, but they usually aren't done well. Everything is either bland, greasy, or covered in a sauce that ends up taking the focus off the main part of the dish. Also, while I GUESS the burritos are alright, they charge for extras that any real Mexican place would include for free anyway. I understand this is a business, but seriously? The owners own the Royal Tavern, the NoLibs Cantina, and I think are involved with the Khyber somehow. You don't need any more money. You're probably rich as it is.
But god damn, I do love those pitchers of frozen strawberry margaritas. Hands down my favorite in the city.
People thought this was:
The Cantina has elicited many feelings from me over the last year: disappointment, hatred, rage. But mostly confusion at the management's insistence on understaffing the outside seating area. (Seriously, just one more server would make more money for everybody!)
However, lately I have settled on the feeling of LOVE. And that is basically due to the frozen watermelon margaritas and vegetarian quesadillas.
You see, when that cold pitcher of booze and fresh watermelon arrives on the table, I quickly forget I waited almost 20 minutes just to order it.
And with each earthy, cheesy bite of the mushroom and huitlacoche quesadilla that I smother with the addictive smoked crema, the memory of my friend finding a cockroach in his steak burrito becomes ever more distant.
So, you know what. I've made peace with their many inadequacies. And so too have many others, because the place is always bumping.
People thought this was:
Cantina is one of the few places in Philly that serves goat - so it's high up on my list of regular places to grab a bite. Everything I've ever gotten here is good & the Plantains are to die for - addictive even.
If you can snag a table outside, order a pitcher of their fresh & home made margarita from their Tequila menu & stay awhile. Inside, the music can be on the loud side. I've had some serious late night conversations sitting outside after a few pitchers of margaritas and a mojito or two. Overall it is definitely a "scene" but the food, drink & location live up to the hype. A lot of these reviews warn against the "hipster vibe" but really, I just go for the goat tacos & plantains.
People thought this was:
Cantina is really popular, but I find it just OK.
Sure, they have great margaritas, but they're pretty expensive at $6 a pop. The food is underwhelming. Hint: if you want really good Mexican food, go to a place that's actually run by Mexicans, i.e. El Jarocho, La Lupe, Taqueria Veracruzana, etc.
The one food item that is really good are the steak nachos. This place gets really crowded on weekends, so go on a weekday if you like to avoid crowds.
Chorizo tacos on corn tortillas. OMFG. That is all.
Oh wait, their mojitos are good as well!
Minus one star for all the mosquito bites I got while sitting outside, but that's in no way, shape, or form the restaurant's fault. Just a minor glitch in my entire experience.
People thought this was:
I came here on a Sunday evening after hanging out at Sound Fountain (an awesome outdoor dance party at the nearby Fountain the last Sunday of every summer month), I had a decent buzz from the sangria and sunlight and a big appetite for some good Mexican food.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
Los Caballitos is located on a section of East Passyunk that has seen an incredible revitalization, a breath of fresh air in the area filled with hip and stylish storefronts. The palpable energy is captured by this Cantina, with outdoor tables completely packed with diners of all sorts of styles and scenes (a surprising, unfamiliar, yet welcome sight). Inside, you have your typical Tex-Mex Cantina, the orange walls, the tacky (yet authentic) decor and xmas lights.
THE FOOD:
I was starving, and surprised at the prices on the menu, not expecting a filling meal, I ordered my mainstay of Carnitas in burrito form. I was completely wrong-- the portions are very reasonable, I was stuffed by the end. We also had chips, and my date got salad and ribs, all were very good. I guess when it comes down to it, this Cantina doesn't push the envelope, but it does the typical Mexican American fare very well. I've blasted other restaurants for not being creative or delicious, but even though Los Caballitos isn't really creative, it is delicious. They have everything they should have on there, and next time I eat here, I will be more adventurous.
THE DRINKS:
Another way Los Caballitos does things right is their Margaritas. Now, the subject of Margaritas in Philly is as debatable as the subject of the best Cheesesteak, but this Cantina has the essentials in place-- up, on the rocks or frozen, and any flavor or type of tequila you could want. I can't really measure how powerful they were, but I know they were doing their job.
THE PRICING:
As mentioned before, I was initially put off by the higher than average prices on their menu, but the food really is good, it's served in generous proportions. Next time I'll try an entree and see if it delivers on its price.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
Look, there as many Cantinas in Philly as there are Starbucks, the issue becomes not which is the best, but which ones don't suck, which ones are worth eating at. Cantina Los Caballitos is definitely worth checking out in my book.
As frequent diner at the Mexican restaurant across the street, I have gazed questioningly at the crowds at Los Caballitos. Even laughing, as a bike messenger screams "Hail Satan" as he bikes past.
So this past Sunday, with a craving for Mexican and margaritas, a friend and I convinced my boyfriend to change our usual routine and try Cantina instead of El Zarape. I had a large nachos with chicken (when really I only needed a small, even for an entree portion). The nachos had a good balance of cheese, beans, cream and meat. Good flavors. The BF did not enjoy the goat burrito even though he said it was fine, but my friend did rave about the goat entree.
Cantina is great if you want Mexican and margaritas, but if you're only craving Mexican food, I would suggest going somewhere else to get great food at a better price. But if atmosphere is important to you, join the crowds at Los Caballitos.
This is by far one of my favorite bars to frequent! I'm absolutely in love with the Passion Fruit Margaritas and the cheap yet yummy food options. It's hard to find a place where you can eat and drink and spend well under $50 per person.
I know some people have complained about the staff, but I have always had a great experience for the most part. The bartenders know their stuff, and will always give a welcomed suggestions!
Best times to go are the off beat weekdays when the bar is quiet and you can always grab a table outside.
People thought this was:
The food is passable Mexican food. It's good, but not the best in the city. The only thing I actually crave from there or really ever rave about is guacamole (but I put guac on just about everything, so that might just be me).
What's both a plus (as a 20 year old) and a minus for me is they don't card. Like obnoxiously don't card, so I feel like whenever I'm there I'm surrounded by teenagers sipping on margaritas, being loud and obnoxious.
Overall? It's okay. Good if you happen to be in the Passyunk Square area, but not really worth going out of your way for.
People thought this was:
The food was ok while the service was extremely slow with luke warm attitudes. The margaritas were BLAND and it is as if they forgot the tequila (we've heard they're better when ordered by the pitcher though).. Wouldn't go again.
I came here last week to meet up with my friend. I was pretty tipsy when I got there so my overall experience was pretty hazy. Neither of us ordered any food besides some chips and salsa and seriously it was the best salsa I have ever had, especially the salsa verde. Of course, it could have been just the alcohol telling me it was the best salsa but I really was enjoying myself eating the chips. My date wasn't as amused with the salsa which was fine, more for me!
This review is pretty bad, I know, but I'll definitely be coming back soon and actually eat the food.
People thought this was:
I love the nachos here. I love nachos almost anywhere, but these are especially good.
Usually a decent selection of tasty/local/unique beers on tap.
Food=decent
margaritas=a little heavy on the sour mix
Atmosphere= LOUD. Always loud. Even when you're the only person at the bar.
Shout out to Vanessa though, awesome bartender/server. Always friendly and fun even when she's completely weeded.
NOT a good place to bring your parents. Better for happy hour and late night shots of tequila and a Tecate.
I like this place. Goat meat is very difficult to do right, and the goat burritos and tacos here are amazing! I have tried other things, too, and have been happy -- the chicken wings, the ribs, and the brunch here is good, too. Try the huevos rancheros!
A major plus is their BOOZE. The frozen margaritas -- blood orange, passionfruit, guava, etc -- are delicious. (The only time I had a problem with them not putting enough alcohol in them was when I got the discounted happy hour pitcher.) Flights of tequila are good, too -- nice way to try and learn about tequilas. It's quite educational.
Despite the fact that this place screams "hipster" (which you'd think would imply aloof service,) I really haven't had a single bad experience with the servers.
People thought this was:
Let me tell you a little story about me and Mexican food: We go way back, but we've never really seen eye to eye. Mexican food is like a friend who's really fun to drink with, but then trashes you to all of your friends about the stupid things you did when you were inebriated. Well, I'm really stupid for returning again and again to Mexican food, because it always gets me in the end.
The restaurant was really crowded tonight, both inside and out. My boyfriend and I considered eating outside, since it was so nice out, but it was too windy and everyone's plates and uneaten food were blowing all over the place (rather unappetizing). The atmosphere is agreeable, but the tables were a little too close together for my taste.
I was very impressed with the service. We were approached immediately by a nice waiter who took our drink orders. We each ordered the Tecate special, which was a can of Tecate and a shot of tequila for $4. Definitely a good way to start off the meal. After he dropped off our drinks, we ordered, and our food came out in five minutes. Awesome. Of course, there was a reason the food came out so quickly: I'm sure the burritos were premade, not that that's necessarily a bad thing, but a little quality was definitely sacrificed. The burritos were just okay. They were a little lacking in flavor. The chicken was good, but the filling (rice, beans, cilantro, cheese) was kind of bland. We also ordered guacamole and chips... and I have a suspicion that the guacamole was the primary culprit in making my stomach turn so horribly. The chips, though... the chips were damn good.
I have to say that the best part of the meal for me was their Blood Orange Margarita, which I'd wanted to order since I read Bill McThrill's review of their Dos Segundos location. I ordered the frozen one, sans salt, which was only $6 and was packed with alcohol and flavor. Yum.
I enjoyed my visit there, but unfortunately my stomach did not. The turnaround time was extremely short, even considering my relationship with Mexican food, which was quite distressing, as I was walking (or planned to walk, anyway) from this location to a gallery at 3rd and Arch, and then home to my apartment (in the Art Museum area). I made it to 5th and Pine and had to get a cab, because I was almost doubled over in pain. I'll just say that it didn't end well. I really enjoy eating Mexican food, but I have to stop torturing myself.
People thought this was:
I went to Los Caballitos when it first opened, and was slightly disappointed by the food. All the hype surrounding boiled down to "The Royal Tavern crew has gone Mexican! Isn't that just so COOL!"
But after a few visits over the next few years, the place definitely grew on me. Their menu improved immensely. Let it be noted: this is not an "authentic" Mexican restaurant. If you want authentic, go to Taqueria Veracruzana or El Zarape across the street. This is rather a modern urban take on Mexican cuisine, and the room to be creative is definitely used well.
As for my favorite dishes, I highly enjoy the marinated goat dish on the regular menu. Their brisket tacos are great as well, and my wife is absolutely nuts for the Mexican corn side dish (not offered all the time, check the specials). And the salsa verde they put on the table as an appetizer is some of the best I've ever had in a non-Spanish speaking establishment.
The cocktails were the main reason I even kept coming back in the first place. Try the Hervidor, a mix of tequila and grapefruit soda. The Mexican beer selection is good, too, featuring a handful beyond the usual Dos Equis and Corona. They also offer several tequila flights, which are a must for any connoisseur as well as an excellent introduction for anyone who just wants to try more than the usual Jose and Sauza.
All in all, a great, unique place, and a welcome addition to the East P'yunk strip.
People thought this was:
The good:
-The chips are great
-When they have good specials it's generally good
The bad:
-Overall shit service, have no clue what everyone else is talking about, their staff is slow as shit.
-Too fucking loud, way too many drunk losers.
-Overpriced as hell, yeah I really wanna pay like $9 for a black bean burrito with guac that isn't much different that something I'd get at a chain.
People thought this was:
Friendly and solid tex mex. Chips are sometimes stale-ish but the salsa duo is surprisingly tasty. Menu is very ambitious but never quite seems to hit a homerun. Bonitas/snacks are the way to go. Little plates, baby, little plates. That's the way.
Look for seasoned corn-on-the-stick coming soon. Tasty. Pork skewers were perfect. Veggie quesadilla mushroom heavy and perfect amount of cheese. Little plantain fritters are a must and the steak burrito is as big as a 7-year-old's head. Nachos are good but it seems to depend on who's working as to HOW good.
Very loud. Hipster heavy. Friendly staff. Popular outside seating. Local!
People thought this was:
It's probably the brightest colored building on passyunk ave next to the yellow hardware store so i'm assuming that's why it attracts so many customers and because s. philly doesn't have too many places to eat something other than Italian.
I thought i could eat mexican food everyday at one point in my life and then i discovered this place..... a place not to go back to, especially if you like tex-mex. one thing i can say about this place, it's consistent as in consistently bad. i've tried the meat options, vegetarian options and vegan options...unfortunately, they all equally suck.
i gave two stars because their drinks are pretty good but food = bad.
People thought this was:
I have been frequenting happy hour here lately, and I must say the service has been better. I still find the food to be just okay, (with the exception of their nachos, yum) but their drinks are just so darn good. I love sitting outside on a warm afternoon. This place is almost always busy. I wouldn't advise going with a crowd. A small place is opening in my heart for you Cantina.
People thought this was:
This is a great place to go to after work to get drinks for happy hour and to sit outside on a nice… Read more »
i went to Cantina the day they opened. i've gone back there a bazillion times since then because two of my best friends live across the street. we run back and forth from there like giddy school children. in fact, those two friends just had a child, and we're trying to convince them to see if the baby monitor will reach over there. uh...yeah. don't judge.
we, giddy children, get even giddier after half-priced pitchers of margaritas during Cantina's sweet happy hour. it really has one of the best, i think. free tortilla chips with a salsa verde that outshines Trader Joes' salsa verde (which i LOVE). i pound these chips and the margaritas while i'm there and then don't know what hits me. this really does remind me of being a child.... when i would eat way too much pizza and soda.
People thought this was:
LOVED IT! Had a blast here last Saturday night. Fun, colorful decor. Tasty margaritas (preferred the classic to the blood orange, though -- latter was too sweet for me). Delicious chips and salsas ready to go when you sit down. Amazing burrito the size of a small child. Yummy tacos (I had the chicken and a friend had the brisket tacos on special - his were particularly delicious). And oh the platanos machos! sweet perfection. Good times, indeed.
People thought this was:
I have always been happy with the Cantina.
The food is always good. Not authentic nor a large menu but good and reasonably priced.
The drinks are great. An excellent beer selection and each and every mixed drink with made with real fruit juice.
Also, the servers may look intimidating, but are always friendly.
The only negative is noise level.
People thought this was:
Excellent brunch! And like most places, the earlier the better.
People thought this was:
UPDATE:
I am ONLY adding an extra star for Cantina because their bartenders are pretty cool and quick. I've popped in a couple times by myself for a beer and they've been cool with me, as well as given me pretty decent suggestions for other beers I might like.
They also sell way overpriced cigarettes behind the bar, which is cool when it's midnight and -20 out. Sometimes I just can't justify walking down to CVS to save two bucks.
But I still stand by my original review and wish I had been the originator of "Chi-Chis for hipsters."
People thought this was:
It's aight. Nothing stands out about what I ordered (I think I had a burrito and some sort of… Read more »
It's Chi-Chis for hipsters. That's fine in my book. Mexican food with a "gastro" twist, a good jukebox, fine beer list, and fair prices.
Food has been off on some nights, but when it's good, it's very good. I highly recommend the wings; they are large, juicy, and GRILLED. The char flavor is amazing. In general, ordering off the specials board is the way to go. Brunch is also very good here, and there is no wait most of the time.
A bit dark and loud, but I like it anyway. A fun place to go with friends.
People thought this was:
I loved the Cantina! The atmosphere is so warm and cozy, and the staff and patrons were just as welcoming. The service was fast and everything tasted great. The menu features the tradition tex mex favorites, but the food is anything but ordinary. I had the beef short rib chili, and it was better than heavvenn.
Will definitely come back.
People thought this was:
This place is great.
What makes it so great is the service. Yes, the food and drink are wonderful, too, but my server or bartender or in last night's case, the manager, always takes care of my table with charm and quickness.
The frozen margaritas are delicious and you can get carried away trying flavors; the blood orange was awesome. I've had the nachos more than once and they are a heaping serving, a small for $5!
They always have great specials and it's the kind of place that you feel comfortable spending your money. I'm a devotee and will be coming back again and again.
People thought this was:
I came here with a huge group for a friend's birthday. Though they don't take reservations, she did call in a few days in advance to ask if they'd accomodate a large party, and they set aside a long table in the back for us. We ended up having more people than we expected, and they even brought over extra chairs so we could squeeze in. So nice!
The drinks are delicious ... so many margarita flavors by the glass or pitcher.
The food was kind of disappointing. I tried several dishes and all were somewhat lackluster. The portions are kind of small for the price.
It was kind of noisy but that was not a problem for me.
The best thing about this place is the service, followed closely by the drinks.
People thought this was:
I'd like to give this place 4 stars, and on some future visit, I might be able to. The food was yummy and plentiful - I ended up making three meals out of my entree. And they MANY more options for vegetarians/ vegans than most Mexican joints do. Sietan and tofu fajitas might not be "traditional" but its great to have a more choices than beans, beans, and cheese. I had a blood orange margarita, rocks, and it was delicious and thankfully not to sweet.
The downsides? Well, everybody else has mentioned the prices, so I might as well, too. It's much more expensive than "traditional" though not all that much more expensive than most Tex-Mex chain style joints, and with better food, it's a balance for me. The hipster quotient (I know, I know, everyone hates them, but no one thinks they ARE one) was super-high at about 9pm on a Sunday night, loud, and, as I mentioned to the bf, a little to high many assholes in one place for me. The three annoying women next to us were having a "girls night out," or something, and loudly playing a game of "I never" while beating on the table. sigh. And the juke box was WAY TOO LOUD.
I don't know how to get rid of all the assholes, but turning down the music, and maybe throwing a few more inventive details in to make the price go down smoother could raise this joint's rating.
People thought this was:
Stopped by this place after the Phillies parade. I walked in sober, had lunch, asked for the bill and notice the pitcher of margaritas was half priced. Well we stayed until the end of happy hour. If your budget minded I would stay away from the $9.00 shots of tequila, some nucklehead in our group orders shots for all, doubling our lunch bill. Idiot!
Our food was good, I enjoyed a steak burrito. Our other platters looked delicious.
People thought this was:
ok, i live in the 'hood and come here a lot, b/c it is convenient and affordable. i like it, but i would love it if a few things were different.
it is always. way. too. loud. i get the ambiance they are going for, but i have walked out and gone elsewhere more than once because the music was just at a ridiculous level. my boyfriend and i are huge rock music lovers, and we love a good bar scene, but we also love being able to have a conversation and not leave with a headache.
service is eh. i've had some good service recently, but i've also had some piss poor service in the past. let's hope they have a good solid staff in place now and it stays good.
many people have complained about the food...i think it's pretty consistently great! the cactus salad with chicken, the mushroom quesadilla, the mahi mahi tacos, the vegan fajitas, and the AMAZING corn on the cob are all favorites and have never disappointed. i am a fan of the drinks too (mojitos and margs), but their wine selections could use some work.
i hope to revise this review soon with a 4-star rating.
Good for happy hour drinks and that is about it. How they could have a whole menu of tasteless/soulless Mexican food in the location they are in is beyond me. Four of us all had different entrees and the result was the same for all of us, each dish was lacking in substance and flavor. Also, it is expensive for what it is. How can their menu be on par $ wise with El Vez, do they know where they are located? I will never go back for the food, but maybe for drinks if others are/were already there
People thought this was:
I have mixed reactions about this place. On the one hand, I knew it wasn't a traditional Mexican restaurant. On the other hand, this place felt like more of an upscale eatery than anything else. But I digress.
The two salsa that they gave us were both very tasty. The red/brown one reminded me a lot of the one I loved at Tejas Grill. The chips were fairly decent, not too greasy, not too dense/hard. I ordered the barbecue beef tacos. They were very flavorful. The meat was good and the barbecue sauce was tangy and flavorful. It might have even had some smoke flavor, but seeing as I was about 3 sheets to the wind, that part is a little shall we say, hazy. I was a little irritated that each taco came with three wrappers/tortillas. There really wasn't that much filling to justify it.
The margaritas that people have raved about, well one pitcher was good and the pomegranate was godawful sweet. When I say sweet, it was like someone decided to add 3 times the normal sugar, just like you'd do as a kid when you were making the kool-aid.
Service wasn't bad, and the waitress was accommodating when I asked for a separate check(My rule of thumb when there's a large group, always ask for a separate check. That way you don't get stuck paying for some slacker(s)).
The price, well 12.95 for three medium sized tacos, yeah that's a bit steep. They were good tacos, but you know, I can go to Jose's and get 3 tacos for at least 4 bucks less.
I might go back again if I"m with a group like I was. I don't think I'd ever go there just for a meal. There are too many other good places that cost less and have quieter atmospheres.
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Best Center City Sips in the…
Neighborhood: Rittenhouse Square
Mojitos, Margaritas
Upper Darby, PA
Philadelphia, PA
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Northern Liberties
Category: Mexican
Philadelphia, PA
Category: Pubs
Philadelphia, PA
Category: Italian
Philadelphia, PA
Category: Pizza
Traveling means EATING (okay, and experiencing…
I love margaritas. Love them. As is, I consider…
Find me at these places, doing things I may not…
My local dry cleaner, watering hole, deli, cafe,…
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the…
I lived there for 5 years. Here's what I managed…
i used to be ashamed to live in south philly. but…
I need to eat out more when I go to Philly, but I…
