Satisfy all of your Mexican cravings at these Philly hotspots.
Añejo's chicken tacos al pastor
Añejo
An offshoot of the popular Hell’s Kitchen tequila restaurant and bar, Añejo is a must-try for Mexican food lovers. With polished selections of tequilas, mezcals and Mexican distillations for every dish, this spot welcomes guests to relish cocktails like La Diabla: chili pepper-infused Espero tequila, Marie Brizard crème de cassis, yellow chartreuse, lime and Fever-Tree ginger beer. For a bite, order the duck carnitas enchiladas with chocolate mole and cotija cheese. 1001 North Second St., 267.534.5746, anejophilly.com
Cantina “Calaca” Feliz
For a more modern take on Mexican, enter under the bright purple and blue neon sign of Cantina “Calaca” Feliz. Vibrant decorations abound with gorgeous painted walls depicting flowers, skeletons and birds, teal seating and ceilings with bright star-shaped lighting fixtures. The color isn’t contained to just the decor––reds, greens and deep purples jump off the plate of the smothered burrito, made with slow braised short rib, caramelized onions, rice, black beans, queso, ranchera sauce, lettuce, crema and pico de gallo. 2321 Fairmount Ave., 215.787.9930, cantinafeliz.com
Condesa
A stone’s throw from Rittenhouse Square, Condesa welcomes guests to pass under a neon pink sign to enter their architecturally contemporary space. Under soft lighting cascading down from candelabra-like chandeliers, sip a Mezcal margarita before ordering a chef Alberto Sandoval’s heavenly plates like birria braised goat with charred onions, chintestle-tomatillo and consomé. 1830 Ludlow St., 267.930.5600, condesaphilly.com
El Rey
One of many delectable establishments from Philadelphia restaurateur Stephen Starr, this eclectic eatery occupies the space of a former all-night diner, now redesigned to invoke cantina charm. Folk art and Spanish movie posters dot your surroundings while you enjoy inventive plates like the lamb merguez burrito with spicy lamb sausage, pickled vegetables and black bean hummus, or the pulpo ala diabla ceviche with marinated octopus, fried cauliflower and spicy salsa. 2013 Chestnut St., 215.563.3330, elreyrestaurant.com
El Vez
Another staple from the STARR restaurant group, El Vez’s expansive menu and cocktail list, with one of the largest tequila selections in the city, ensures no guest will leave unsatisfied. Start your meal with a masterful margherita and “Bazooka” Limon guacamole before digging into red snapper a la veracruzana with green rice and olive-caper sauce. Top it off with the sweetness of tres leches cake, drizzled with lime macerated strawberries, for a night well spent. 121 S. 13th St., 215.928.9800, elvezrestaurant.com
Juno
With painted murals of rolling hills and summer skies adding to the restaurant courtyard’s lush trees and greenery, this outdoor venue is the ideal spot to sip cocktails like the Uno de Juno with cazadores blanco, blackberry liqueur, strawberry, lemon and hot honey. To whet your appetite, the torta de pastor sandwich is a must with roasted pork, ham, chipotle mayo, queso oaxaca, lettuce, avocado, refried beans and tomato. 1033 Spring Garden St., 267.639.2892, junophilly.com
LMNO
A rare combination of culinary, literary and visual arts, LMNO is a restaurant, lounge, book store, art gallery and more. Bordered by a pink wall and patio with yellow seating arrangements, the multidimensional establishment comes to life with curated playlists and DJs, so all five senses are activated while tasting savory fare like the innovative Vietnamita tostada with tuna, napa cabbage, nụớc chấm, peanuts, opal basil and charred guacamole. 1749 N. Front St., 215.770.7001, lmnophilly.com
Lolita
Opened by James Beard Award-nominated entrepreneurs Valerie Safran and chef Marcie Turney in 2004, Lolita offers a rustic atmosphere of exposed brick walls and wooden accents to juxtapose the contemporary Mexican fare. On the menu, build-your-own taquizas shine with protein choices like grilled chipotle shrimp and smoky morita chile filet tips. While indulging, share a margarita pitcher with the traditional lime or blood orange flavors. 106 S. 13th St., 215.546.7100, lolitaphilly.com
Rosy’s Taco Bar
Though it may have an understated exterior, this corner bar can barely contain its fun-loving interior design. Hardwood floors and colorful chalkboards surround the bar while natural light filters in through the long windows, but in the back corner you’ll find a hidden gem––a hot sauce bar with two long shelves chock full of every spicy dressing imaginable. Find the perfect accompaniment for your tacos, like the Bistec with verde-marinated beef, peppers and spicy salsa de arbol. 2220 Walnut St., 267.858.4561, rosystacobar.com
Sor Ynéz
Named after the 17th century multi-hyphenate Mexican feminist and designed by Philadelphia artist Miguel Antonio Horn, Sor Ynéz combines brotherly love with Mexico City. Just a few blocks from Norris Square Park, the traditional restaurant serves up barbacoa with lamb shank, refried beans, salsa verde, radish pickled nopales, sour cream and a house corn tortilla. For a vegan option, try the vegan mixiote with eggplant, squash, nopales, carrot, celery root, kale, chipotle, steamed banana leaves and arroz a la mexicana. 1800 N. American St., 215.309.2582, sorynez.com
Tequilas Restaurant & Bar
Situated in a brownstone adorned with murals that tell a story of Mexico’s history, this Philadelphia mainstay has cooked up mouth-watering Mexican fare for 35 years. Inside, the upscale Latin dishes include bites like camaron tequilas: grilled jumbo shrimp in a sauce of garlic, butter, lime, arbol pepper and siembra valles blanco tequila. For a sip, choose from a selection of tequila and cocktails that represent a traditional yet refined mixology approach in order to preserve authentic agave distillation. 1602 Locust St., 215.546.0181, tequilasphilly.com
Xochitl
Warm lighting floods into this cozy property in Headhouse Square, where tasteful decor meets tasty eats. Meaning flower in the Aztec language of Nahuatl, Xochitl serves up cuisine featuring delicate flavors in dishes like the mahi-mahi chillo al ajillo, a citrus garlic marinated filet pan-seared and oven roasted, served with horseradish mashed potatoes and a house salad. Savor the dish while sipping a Xochitl margarita or a Golden Hour with Exotico Reposado, aperol, elderflower and lime. 408 S. Second St., 215.238.7280, xochitlphilly.com
Photography by: Courtesy of Añejo Philadelphia
