Plates from Jezabel’s Argentinian Bakery & BYO
The Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is appealing to Philly foodies for Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15) with the inaugural Dine Latino Restaurant Week. From September 30-October 4, explore and discover local Latino-owned eateries as well as rich Latin culture. Here are a few Latino-owned local restaurants to visit and support during Hispanic Heritage Month.
Alma del Mar Restaurant
Known for its remarkable transformation featured on Queer Eye, Alma del Mar Restaurant offers a variety of sweet and savory Mexican treats from leches pain perdu to huevos rancheros. Take a seat in the spacious, newly renovated patio and choose from a variety of dishes. Bite into a traditional open-faced sandwich (mollette), and top off the evening with strawberry-stuffed french toast. Almadelmar.net
Bar Bombon
This plant-based eatery taps into its Old San Juan roots with authentic Puerto Rican recipes. Dine in the restaurant’s urban garden underneath the bistro lights, or sit at the expanded street dining area offered on weekends. Start with the marinated Spanish olives tossed in garlic, lemon and house spices, followed by blackened fajita tacos and street corn. Explore the detailed cocktails menu, consisting of margaritas, bombon classics, wines, cerveza, speciality drinks, tequila and rum. Barbombon.com
Blue Corn
Have you ever tried a Mexican panini? Head over the Blue Corn and indulge in a torta Cubana. Composed with an array of meats cooked with scrambled eggs and topped with Oaxaca cheese, red onions, tomatoes, lettuce, refried beans, avocado, and mayonnaise, it’s a sandwich not to be missed. If you’re in the mood for something sweet and summery, order a piña colada from their cocktail mixer menu. Bluecornmexphilly.com
El Merkury
El Merkury combines the Central American Street food concept with a menu inspired by Mayan staples. Inspired by an idea to shine a different and more positive light on underrepresented countries, the menu includes Mayan street food like corn-based flat dumplings and made-to-order churros dusted with cinnamon sugar and drizzled in dulche de leche sauce. Elmerkury.com
Jezabel’s Argentinian Bakery & BYO
Chef and owner Jezabel Careaga closed her Filter Square cafe location in December 2018, and reopened in January 2019 on 45th Street with a revamped menu. Having grown up baking and preparing food with her family in her hometown of Palpalá, Careaga associates cooking with love and togetherness. She opened up her cafe with hopes of bringing these same feelings to the Philadelphia community. Order from an assortment of authentic Northwestern Argentinian dishes like alfajores: delectable butter cookie sandwiches filled with dulce de leche. Jezabelscafe.com
La Llorona Cantina Mexicana
In June 2020, entrepreneur Arturo Lorenzo opened his third Mexican restaurant La Llorona Cantina Mexicana. Named after the weeping woman in Mexican folklore story “La Llorona,” this restaurant serves traditional cantina food, as well as hard-to-find tequilas and agave spirits. Sip a Mexican-style lager and snack on mulitas with Chihuahua cheese, followed by a lovely chicken dish topped with a strong chili and almond mole sauce. Lalloronaphilly.com
Nemi
Located in the heart of Port Richmond, this modern Mexican restaurant aims to respect traditional flavors while incorporating new cooking techniques. Named after an expression in Spanish that stands for “life, adventure and the courage to live all-out and seize the day,” Nemi’s mission is to offer a new and welcoming place for the community that fosters involvement, giving back and growth. Try their mole verde topped chicken (michoacan), along with a house-made margherita from their full tequila and mezcal bar. Nemirestaurant.com
Queen & Rook Game Café
Sit back and enjoy a relaxing evening of games and drinks at Queen and Rook Game Cafe. This cafe is a restaurant, bar and retail game and puzzle store all rolled in one, and has something for everyone. The plant-based and environmentally-friendly food pairs well with the variety of games offered like Connect 4 and Dungeons and Dragons. Pull up a chair and enjoy some jackfruit carnitas and a beer while playing tabletop games with the family. Queenandrookcafe.com
Photography by: Courtesy of restaurant
