Mexican food in Philadelphia

[summilux]

I'm going to be in Philadelphia for a few days while the kid visits Haverford. Any recommendations on where to find some real Mexican food. No Tex-Mex. Carnitas, menudo, empanadas, nopales that sort of stuff. Dives are OK, preferred even.

[jackattack]

I've only been in Philly for a year. I grew up out west, so my expectations of Mexican food are higher than other Philly residents I have encountered. That said, these two are my go-to spots. I'm still searching... Norristown is a good place for mexican food too.

Two words: Jalapeno Tacos (tacos al pastor runner up) Taqueria Veracruzana - Bella Vista - Philadelphia, PA
Best 'California size' Burrito (good tacos too) Honest Tom's Taco Shop - University City - Philadelphia, PA

My other suggestion is to go to a local pub and get a burger. Skip the touristy cheesesteak spots.

[Mabouya]

Why Mexican, in Philly, of all places?

I say Monk's Cafe for beer and whatever else on the menu looks good.

Where to Drink Beer in Philadelphia: The Best Beer Bars | Serious Eats: Drinks

Edit: I almost forgot - the last time I went to Monk's a Colnago fixie was chained outside one or two doors down.

[summilux]

Why Mexican, in Philly, of all places?.

I spent two weeks at UPenn a few years ago and I stumbled into a grocery store near campus that was the motherlode of Mexican/Central American groceries: fresh nopales, tomatillos, hominy, proper fresh and dried chilies, fantastic flour tortillas. These things that are absolutely unobtanium in Ottawa and the Mexican food here is absolute gooey, cheesy crap. I've been waxing lyrical about this grocery for ages, so now that wifey is coming, this would be a chance to find some food that we can't get north of the border.

[ean10775]

Why Mexican, in Philly, of all places?

I say Monk's Cafe for beer and whatever else on the menu looks good.

I have to agree here. Forget Mexican and go to Monk's for a beer and mussels. One of my favorite low key spots is The Dark Horse Pub (2nd and Lombard) for fish and chips. Great Whisky room as well.

[EnginCycles]

As mentioned the Norristown spot is very authentic.

Taqueria La Michoacana Norristown

Very similar and authentic (nothing at all fancy) in Mt.Airy.

Mi Puebla

Last but not least is where I went on my first date with my wife and also were I asked her to marry me. Pricey for Mexican but very good. Also a BYO which is a nice thing.

Las Cazuelas - Philadelphia - PA - 19123 - Menu - Mexican - Online Food in Philadelphia

[nahtnoj]

I have to agree here. Forget Mexican and go to Monk's for a beer and mussels. One of my favorite low key spots is The Dark Horse Pub (2nd and Lombard) for fish and chips. Great Whisky room as well.

It's a Cavanaugh's location now.

There was a Philly food thread a few weeks ago that I and others contributed to. Find that - lots of good options.

[nahtnoj]

http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum...nts-34583.html

[Eddie]

As mentioned the Norristown spot is very authentic.

Taqueria La Michoacana Norristown

Very similar and authentic (nothing at all fancy) in Mt.Airy.

Mi Puebla

Last but not least is where I went on my first date with my wife and also were I asked her to marry me. Pricey for Mexican but very good. Also a BYO which is a nice thing.

Las Cazuelas - Philadelphia - PA - 19123 - Menu - Mexican - Online Food in Philadelphia

Bookmarked. You give great local intel. Thanks Drew.

[Shoogs]

This is timely with SSCXWC 'round the corner.

[jackattack]

As mentioned the Norristown spot is very authentic.

Taqueria La Michoacana Norristown

Very similar and authentic (nothing at all fancy) in Mt.Airy.

Mi Puebla

Last but not least is where I went on my first date with my wife and also were I asked her to marry me. Pricey for Mexican but very good. Also a BYO which is a nice thing.

Las Cazuelas - Philadelphia - PA - 19123 - Menu - Mexican - Online Food in Philadelphia

I live around the corner from Mi Puebla, but I wouldn't go out of my way to eat there unless it's for dessert. Tres leches is tres bien.

Las Cazuelas has a nice mole, but the service was awkward. Both of these are a little pricey for mexican food, definitely not "dives" but they are pretty good.

[Cookietruck]

tex-mex in Philly?
there isn't even really tex-mex 4 hrs north of austin, it's just watered down nasty mexican food of some sort.

[thegunner]

Why Mexican, in Philly, of all places?

I say Monk's Cafe for beer and whatever else on the menu looks good.

Where to Drink Beer in Philadelphia: The Best Beer Bars | Serious Eats: Drinks

Edit: I almost forgot - the last time I went to Monk's a Colnago fixie was chained outside one or two doors down.

thirded - but get their burger too. it's divine.

[summilux]

You guys are awesome. Thanks

[joosttx]

Listen, I am going to tell it to you straight. Philly is a foodie meca, but it does not have any decent Mexican food. I tried to find it being a Texan who has lived all over the place. I searched high and low the 4 to 5 years I lived there. The only decent mexican food I found was a place in South Philly called "tres jalapeno's". It was above average Tex-Mex. I would recommend getting it delivered. If you go there you'll know why.


http://www.yelp.com/biz/tres-jalape%...hia-5?start=80

FYI, get to Monks around 4 to 5p. They have Pliny the ELder on tap, at least they did last week.

[ean10775]

It's a Cavanaugh's location now.

That's terribly disappointing. I used to stop there every time I was in town.

[summilux]

I went to Monks and Honest Tom's Taco. Honest Tom's is nice, the burritto was HUGE and a pretty good deal for $8. The place has got a good student vibe to it and eating it outside on their patio was pretty fun. I had a can of Birch beer, which I've never had before. It's non alcoholic and tastes like pine needles. Definitely an acquired taste. It's similar to the Spruce Beer pop we get in Quebec. While Honest Tom's is good, and I'd go back there if I was nearby, I wouldn't make a special trip for it.

OTOH, Monk's Cafe is worth a special visit. Hundreds of bottled beers and exceptionally good draft. The Stroudt's Pilsner was probably the best Pilsner I've tasted in North America. The Blind River IPA was also really good. The mussels were very fresh and perfectly cooked. Fries OK. Reasonably priced too, two orders of moules frites and three pints of beer = $50 incl. taxes and tip.

Near Penn's landing, we stumbled into this cool store: Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. They sell a wide range of hand/artisinal made stuff: wood skateboards, fancy spirits, clothing based on vintage fabrics, leather stuff. Very cool. They are also a Warby Parker outlet.
Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction

[steve garro]

I'm going to Mexico next week for almost a month - I'll let you know how the cheesesteaks are.
- Garro.

[nahtnoj]

I went to Monks and Honest Tom's Taco. Honest Tom's is nice, the burritto was HUGE and a pretty good deal for $8. The place has got a good student vibe to it and eating it outside on their patio was pretty fun. I had a can of Birch beer, which I've never had before. It's non alcoholic and tastes like pine needles. Definitely an acquired taste. It's similar to the Spruce Beer pop we get in Quebec. While Honest Tom's is good, and I'd go back there if I was nearby, I wouldn't make a special trip for it.

Reading a Canadian attempt to describe birch beer absolutely made my day, thank you.

Kutztown Soda Works- Online Store

[summilux]

Glad to make someone laugh. In Quebec, Spruce Beer (biere d'epinette) is generally an old-people drink, like sherry for breakfast or rum toddies. Interesting to see Birch Beer in a hipper environment south of the border.