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    El Vez

    4.0 (3.8k reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 10:00 pm

    Order El Vez Takeout or Delivery

    El Vez Photos

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    EL VEZ ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Trendy
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - El Vez

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    Nacho Mamma
    Sheila P.

    A friend knew that I loved nachos and recommended this place to me while I was visiting Philly for the first time. I had the nacho mamma, and it was absolutely delicious! The chips were nice and crispy from seeming to have been in the oven. The toppings were great also. I was by myself and was told the bar was open with full service. The staff at the bar checked in on me often, and my nachos were brought out at a reasonable time. Inside was hip and happening, busy, and with a few tables empty but I'm assuming they were reserved.

    Avena P.

    Been here for happy hour, sips, countless dinners and birthdays and always have a good time. I love the ambiance of the restaurant and the Photo Booth is so cute. Bathroom is huge and so clean as well which I was so surprised with when I saw because it's nicer than I remember. The veggie nachos is a mandatory order everytime I come here and the platter is always so big. Drinks here are always so good, and the service is really great.

    Street corn
    Thomas k.

    One of my favorite Mexican themed restaurants in Philly. It can get a little loud and kinda clubby at night. I like going during happy hour times - they don't have happy hour deals though. I love the assorted guacamole options. The fajitas are a goto option for my wife and me. But most of the mains are really good. Prices are reasonable. Drinks - I think the margaritas are good. Kinda the standard prices. It's a good Starr restaurant. And you'll have a great meal.

    Menu
    Dennis D.

    This is one of our go to places when we get to the Philadelphia area; El Vez. We always love Mexican food and try a new place whenever we go into a new area. El Vez however is one that we've been to several times. Place is always good food is always wonderful. This is their spicy guac and it was delicious. Queso on the side as well with some chips. Margs also very good.

    Tiffany D.

    I enjoyed my experience here overall. I was looking for fajitas on the menu, but they have different name! Comes served for 2 people. They were tasty. The vibe has a funky, retro kind of feel to it. Service was efficient, although I recall it not being too friendly on this particular day. I would return when in the area.

    Bar Area
    Katrina G.

    Upscale Mexican restaurant in the heart of downtown Philly. I was in town visiting and our host for the weekend brought us here. We couldn't get a reservation so our group decided to go and wait for a table. I'm so glad we did. El Vez is a gorgeous and very large space and was filled to capacity on this beautiful Saturday evening in August. There is some outdoor seating too. We had a few cocktails at the bar while waiting. Once seated in a plush corner booth with a view of the whole place we did a guacamole trio (El Vez, De La Hoya, Tito Santana). They were all really good. A little full from earlier in the day and our chips and guac, most of us got salads. The service was good and the prices reasonable. I could definitely eat here again as this El Vez still stand out in my mind as I write this review months later!

    Carnitas Tacos
    Ashley L.

    El Vez never misses! Got the carnitas tacos and they are always a favorite of mine! Such great flavor and tender. Also got the De La Hoya guac and could not stop eating it - it has a great garlic flavor! The guava mojito is also one of my favorites.

    Great food, great atmosphere, great service!
    John P.

    Food was impeccable, the service was speedy, the ambiance was very chill and had such welcoming staff. Would come again!

    Chips And Salsa
    Lily S.

    El Vez is a Philly staple for me. A massive space with a fun and bright atmosphere. Their margaritas are incredible with so many different options to choose from. They have a large food menu with a variety of shareable appetizers and classic Mexican entrees. The staff is always super friendly and helpful with navigating the menu or answering any questions. Don't forget to stop by the Photo Booth they have right in the main dining room. Overall, El Vez has never failed me and is my favorite place to bring out-of-towners

    Steak tacos
    Janet C.

    The food was okay - the flavor and texture of the steak tacos was good but portion size was tiny. I was still a bit hungry afterwards which was disappointing. Our waitress did not come back to take our orders until we had asked two other employees who were passing by to help us - we were left waiting for a long time. The interior and exterior of this restaurant is beautiful though - vibrant and festive.

    Mexican Chopped Salad
    Cheryl L.

    I was trying to pick a place close to the convention center for lunch and saw that Yelp had some good reviews. Weekday Lunch comes with a Mexican salad, two tacos and beans for $17.50. It was my friend's birthday and denoted it in the open table reservation. They gave us two free churros for dessert. It was really nice. It was a very dark inside for the daytime. Service was great and water glasses were kept full.

    The center of the bar at El Vez.
    John M.

    This is my second review of one of my favorite restaurants in Philly. I recently had a friend come visit me and when I asked him what he wanted to eat, he told me he'd been wanting to go back to El Vez ever since the last time I brought him there. As always, the cool atmosphere, friendly staff, and fantastic Mexican food made for an enjoyable dining experience. Though I have never had a bad meal there, I have to give kudos to the De La Hoya guacamole (sweet touch with basil!), the birria tacos, and the spicy pineapple margaritas. All delicious! Highly recommended!

    Ebonee D.

    Such a great vibe, wonderful staff and food was incredible. They also have a Photo Booth which we used after our dinner

    Bar

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    1 month ago

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    19 days ago

    Good good food, really good menu, great service, lively atmosphere, would recommend this place for sure

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    13 days ago

    The food here was amazing l highly recommend‼ The food was fresh and seasoning was perfection.

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    Page 1 of 97

    El Vez Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - El Vez

    Is there a photo booth still?

    Yes there is

    Is there a happy hour?

    Unfortunately, no there is not.

    Are dogs allowed in outdoor seating?

    Yes!

    Is there a kids menu?

    Not when I was there. But the food was awesome.

    Do you need a reservation?

    Yes it better

    Is there a happy hour here? and if so, what time?

    no they do not.

    Anybody know if it's LGBTQ friendly, like for a date or potential proposal?

    Absolutely! Call ahead and make the night super special

    How is the parking in terms of cost and availability?

    I mean, it's in the heart of Center City so parking is tough. There is a convenient lot 1 block away at 12th and Samson, but it it expensive. You can sometimes score street parking but that is rare. It is better to take public transportation to… Read more

    Is this family friendly? Like for mature 10 year olds?

    Yes. It's loud. So if you have kids with sensory issues( or adults for that matter), it may be a challenge. But I think it's okay.

    Is there a happy hour?

    I really don't know. I went on a Sunday after a theater matinee. Let me tell you, the margaritas were awesome. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

    View All 12 Questions

    Cantina La Martina

    Cantina La Martina

    4.4
    (112 reviews)
    3.5 mi

    I can't believe I am giving Cantina La Martina a ONE star review! I couldn't even muster a 2 given…read morewhat they gave me to eat tonight. I ordered the carnitas tacos and churros. The meat in the tacos was so dry that it was hard to chew and swallow. Some of the pieces were cooked to a crisp. No amount of salsa could make them better. I'm sorry I didn't take photos of the tacos, but trust me me I get no pleasure from leaving a bad review for this place; I am not lying or exaggerating. I thought they were going to be one of our local gems. I choked down a half a taco, gave the rest to my husband and he couldn't eat them either. The churros actually had raw batter in the middle and the outside was rubbery and hard at the same time. You could barely bite through it. I'm a cook and I know that that is about keeping the oil at an even temperature to get the inside done and not overcook the outside. Someone in the kitchen did not know what they were doing. The thing is, I have had their food before and it was pretty good. I don't know if there is a new chef or what happened, but I can't trust them after this experience.

    Came here for lunch. Driving and parking is fine in the day. As others mentioned its not a good…read morearea to walk around. Inside I enjoyed the decor and vibe. Staff very friendly. Good: old fashioned, tri-mix of guac (liked the truffle one), steak tacos. Not so good:coco tartare app, I thought most of the other tacos were tried were very okay for the price and would not recommend (shrimp, pastor (one of my least favorite versions of pastor), one with habaenro (not spicy at all). Would have enjoyed some actual spicy salsa to go with it. Overall, I sadly can't really recommend it.

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    Cantina La Martina
    Cantina La Martina
    Cantina La Martina

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    El Rey

    El Rey

    3.6
    (1.1k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    Honestly El Rey is great!…read more As a Los Angeles native, Mexican food is always a "not as good as California" affair, and with that bar, it's hard to find anything that holds a candle. But El Rey is good in its own right, taking familiar foods and flavors, with a bit of a fancier twist, and making a good meal that I love to eat and enjoy! Seating and service here is friendly and prompt. Even when it's pretty loud and seems packed, there are always a handful of open tables available, where we've usually been able to be seated almost immediately. Such was the case this evening. We were on a bit of a time crunch so we ordered immediately and our food came out so fast that the waiter for our table was surprised as the food beat him with our napkins to the table. We ordered the Tuna Tostada and the Yucatan Spiced Chicken Fajitas. Both were amazing! Good thing for our tight timeline, the food was gone as fast as it came. The waiter helpfully recommend the house hot sauce, which was certainly spicy and a good compliment on our fajitas. Overall, a great place to dine for Mexican-inspired! Laying aside my California bias, El Rey is a fun time every time we come.

    Valentine's Day magic at El Rey? Say less. The steak tacos…read morechanged my life -- and I stand by that. I hadn't been to El Rey in years, but we scored last-minute Valentine's reservations and WOW. The vibe was lively, warm, and perfect for a fun night out. - Let's talk about these STEAK TACOS . Perfectly seasoned, tender, flavorful -- the kind of bite that makes you close your eyes for a second. They were so good I came back two days later just for them. That's not a craving... that's infatuation. - The Chayote Salad completely surprised me. Fresh, bright, and paired with their homemade hot sauce? My palate was awakened. I even brought it home (with dressing and hot sauce on the side) and it still hit! Speaking of heat -- if you love spicy food, ASK for their homemade hot sauce. It's bold, fiery, and addictive. I genuinely want a bottle for home. Service? 10/10. From the manager to the hosts to the bartender -- everyone was kind, attentive, and patient. They even remembered me from Valentine's Day, which says everything about how they treat their guests. Bathroom Check: Clean? Yes. Cute ambiance? Yes. Great mirror for photos? Absolutely. And again -- CLEAN. El Rey, I'll be back soon

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    El Rey
    El Rey
    El Rey

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    Blue Corn

    Blue Corn

    4.4
    (469 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    So my date arrives to the SRT kind of late but not really, he just seems late because I'm already…read moretoo hungry to hang on the trail any longer. I was even getting too hungry to be able to make a decision. After he offers to help me by making a decision, I decide we will go to blue corn. He informs me of a large snapping turtle he saw on his way to me. We head back, she has now gathered a concerned posse,, everyone trying to figure out how involved to get. I look at my date who is already googling "how to pick up snapper turtle". I laugh and look back up to see that he has pretty much handled it, people clap for him, and we are back on our way to the italian market. We sit outside because it's the only option, and I am overwhelmed because its all babies yelling, plates clanking, cars passing, pedestrians walking. I usually don't like eating outside, but sometimes that's the music and you blink through it and you're good. So the first thing we order is the Ofrenda De Los Dioses. It comes to us quickly and smothered in a vibrant green sauce. I watch my date pick up his fork and knife, but I'm still looking through the menu for what else I want, and I am an only child so I don't want him to eat without me. This was my favorite thing we ate, but I do not have a photo of it because my date brought out the neurosis in me and everything went white. But I suggest you eat this too. I ordered a classic margarita , and it came in a glass that made me feel like I was the most interesting person on the block and it was my birthday. I ordered tinga sopecitos and our charismatic server suggested I could just get one of each. Everyone who works here is really great at talking about the food they serve, and I have a lot of admiration for this. I enjoyed listening to the staff talk to other tables about all kinds of stuff on the menu. My date ordered the Blue tacos, they come out looking beautiful, and he's clearly enjoying them when he realizes he never washed his hands after picking up his lady turtle friend. We laugh, he continues to eat his food,, I continue to hold his hand. One thing I love about blue corn is that they really let flavors breathe. Nothing is overly salty or drenched in any one flavor. Sometimes I find chorizo a bit indulgent , where I can only have it in small amounts, but the chorizo sopecito was my favorite. You can taste everything you're eating, and I think this simplicity lends itself very well to dishes that center good corn and herbs. We basically lick our plates and our server asks if we want dessert and my date says no. Red flag I know. He didn't know that I decided we were having dessert like 45 minutes ago when I watched a few cheeky sweets go to a table behind him. I order myself a flan and cafe de olla. I will not share. The cafe tastes like sitting at the kitchen table with whichever guru you love the most. The flan was adorned with strawberries and my date's spoon, and of course when I ask what his favorite thing was he says the flan he politely declined at first. Later he says something about sometimes the thing you don't want is the thing you need. So true.

    Had an excellent time here for lunch. Wasn't too crowded and had some delicious food…read more Highly recommend the tacos and ceviche, everything we tried was excellent. Really fun and intimate atmosphere and when we walked by the restaurant later for dinner it was packed and looked like a great time

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    Blue Corn
    Huaraches
    Huaraches
    Macho (front) and Blue corn (back) margaritas

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    Macho (front) and Blue corn (back) margaritas

    El Vez - mexican - Updated July 2026

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