Philadelphia's Best Mexican Food 2008

This Chestnut Street stalwart promises more burrito for your buck.

Reviews:

• “An hour and $50 down the tubes”
• “real mexican”
• “Decent food, ok service rather loud "
• “A Nightmare, literally.”
• “top mexican food restaurant on my book!!”

Tips: It’s B.Y.O.B., so bring your own tequila and your server will mix it into a pitcher of margaritas.

El Azteca
email El Azteca

Bustling and laid-back, elegant and folksy, with hearty and delicate fare, this Mexican favorite revels in its own contradictions.

Reviews:

• “Tasty food, great service!”
• “Terrible means of enforcing a flawed policy…”
• “…I have never had worse food in my mouth, ever…”
• “Decor is excellent food is terrible”
• “Phenomenal ambience, great margaritas, okay food”

Tips: Sate yourself with margaritas by ordering a ceramic jug that rests on an iron stand—it features a spout for easy refills.

Los Catrines/Tequila’s Bar

A flashy fiesta featuring grown-up Mexican munchies.

Reviews:

• “Insect in the Sangria… the type of insect that inhabits dirty homes and restaurants”
• “Good food & drinks; Really bad service & treatment”
• “_”
• “Amazing Mexican, with a modern twist”
• “Great food, Great atmosphere, Great times”

Tips: Seating policy is first come, first serve. If you’re coming en masse, you may call ahead to reserve a long table.

El Vez

A friendly place with offbeat Tex-Mex fare and frozen drinks.

Reviews:

• “No”
• “NOT Mexican but so worth it!”
• “Terrific Southwestern food – friendly wait staff "
• “Extremely overrated”
• “Excellent food and atmosphere!”

Tips: Monday night is Fiesta Night. That means $30 will get you dinner for two plus a bottle of wine or a pitcher of beer.

Adobe Cafe
email Adobe Cafe

An authentic Mexican stand that internationalizes the Italian Market.

Reviews:

• “Nice Find on Washington Ave.”
• “The best Mexican food in Philadelphia”
• “real mexican food on the east coast”
• “Authentic and great-tasting food, cheap, quick service…”
• “DO NOT DO DELIEVERY IF YOU CAN’T SPEAK SPANISH”

Tips: Order a fresh orange or pineapple juice with your meal.

Taqueria La Veracruzana

Oaxacan oasis on the edge of Northern Liberties serves up traditional Mexican fare.

Reviews:

• “Great Atmosphere! Put this on your BYOB list.”
• “Delicious Mexican”
• “B.Y.O.Tequila”
• “Authentic Experience”
• “Great Brunch”

Tips: The nearest state liquor store to Las Cazuelas is located at 32 S Second Street.

Las Cazuelas

Amiable, upscale Mexican spot with study-abroad savvy.

Reviews:

• “Not so hot”
• “won’t be back”
• “NEW, NEW, NEW!!”
• “So not worth it…”
• “Not Your Typical Mexican”

Tips: Try the frozen passion fruit margarita or the white wine and berry sangria.

Zocalo

A lively crowd only brings life to lackluster Mexican cooking.

Reviews:

• “Its ok…”
• “you literally CAN’T wait to eat”
• “PLENTY OF FOOD FOR THE PRICE!”
• ""
• “alright food, good drinks”

Tips: On Tuesday nights, El Azteca offers a 20 percent discount.

El Azteca Mexican Restaurant

Mexican restaurant serves traditional dishes, specialty items, complimentary chips and homemade salsa.

Reviews:

• “It’s ok”
• “Best place to drink and grab some food North of Market Street….”
• “Bar is cool, thats about it”
• “Lots of food”

Tips: Enjoy deals on margaritas Mon-Fri from 5pm-7pm.

Mexican Post

This Mexican restaurant puts a new spin on B.Y.O.B. with B.Y.O.T. (i.e., Bring Your Own Tequila).

Reviews:

• “I LOVE LOLITA!!”
• “wonderful”
• “Unbelieveable food”
• “x+y=z”
• “Rude Host! "

Tips: Don’t feel like waiting around for a table during the prime weekend hours? Call ahead for a reservation—the restaurants accepts them, Sunday through Thursday.

Lolita

Afternoon and late-night happy hours, progressive Mexican fare and a killer tequila list make this haunt the perfect hipster hang.

Reviews:

• “mexican food”
• “Awesome Breakfast Burrito”
• “Excellent brunch. Tasty drinks. Good atmosphere.”
• “Good taco and drink”
• “Nice Bar, Bad food”

Tips: Save a few bucks and hit the Cantina’s happy hour from 4pm to 6pm.

Cantina Los Caballitos

While this Americanized Mexican joint may not offer authentic recipes, it does brew up a tasty frozen margarita.

Reviews:

• “Great Place to have dinner with friends/family!”
• “Best Mexican Food Ever!!!!”
• “NEVER GO TO THIS PLACE, ITS A WASTE OF TIME”
• “Terrible Service”
• “Very Cool Place, worth the wait.”

Tips: There’s a wide variety of the agave alcohol available. Try it in a margarita.

Coyote Crossing

Reading Terminal Market pit stop for Tex-Mex fare.

Reviews:

• “Caliente Picante”
• “Great Food”
• “Unique Lunches!!!!”
• “Certainly not Fast Food”

Tips: Pick up a pint of dried chipotle, a quart of salsa verde or a jar of pickled cactus.

12th Street Cantina

Where fries, burgers, beers, Tex-Mex lite and margaritas make for an easy—and cheap—night out.

Reviews:

• “Good Reason It is Crowded”
• “DISGUSTING – found cond0m in food”
• “dont go if your alone”
• “One Bad Apple in the Bunch”
• “Slow service "

Tips: A margarita, of course. Copa serves traditional as well as eight fruity flavors, including raspberry.

Copabanana

Reviews:

• “Saborita de Mexico… A little tast of Mexico”
• “Watch out for poor service”
• “Worst Dining Experience I’ve Ever Had”
• “Its like going to Mexico and having great authentic food – just here in Philly.”
• “SUPER BUENO”

La Lupe

Reviews:

• “Authentic. Tasty. Worth the hype”

Las Casuelas

Festive, East Falls Tex-Mex with so-so fare.

Reviews:

• “neglectful customer service, horrible music, food is sub-par at best”
• “Vibrant Feel, Incredible Style”
• “A Great Place to Eat !”
• “Taco soup to go! "
• “Johnny Mañanas”

Johnny Mananas

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