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Best Mexican outside of California. I come from San Diego & this place reminds me of that near the border taste of authentic Mexican flavor with some American menu items. Truly tasty. No fight needed for a reservation. Easy open seating and delicious plates. Clean comfortable atmosphere where tables are not too close together
Had a great time having drinks and some apps here! The hostess was very friendly and our bartender in the back bar was extremely helpful in describing the dishes and flavor profiles of the drinks. The back bar was an intimate type dark setting while the front of the restaurant was much brighter and casual. For cocktail, I had the Agave made with cooked agave, apparently only available at this restaurant after the Owner obtained FDA approval. It was a hit! For apps, the Shrimp Aguachile was so flavorful with the right amount of spice. The Ceviche was more on the refreshing side and was a great follow up bite after the shrimp. Highly recommend the guacamole too! It was seasoned well and comes with chips and house-made beef jerky that was so good. Coming back for sure.
Incredible meal! Cocktails were perfect. So unique and truly artistic, tasty, and fun! The ceviche was amazing and I wanted to drink the sauce. The guac was super cilantro forward and we devoured it. We ordered a bunch of small plates and each one was better than the one before it. We didn't save room for dessert but we will next time!
La Jefa is a cozy spot for coffee and chatting with friends. After months of walking past it and being curious, I finally stopped in to visit and catch up with friends in February. There is an open seating area in the front with a coffee bar. In the back, there is a darker seating area with a bar and full service. I've tried a few pastries and coffee options and have loved everything I've tried so far. My favorite beverage is the guayaba caramel cappuccino. Just make sure to stir it to mix the caramel throughout! The decor is beautiful and the space is really unique architecturally. The staff is very friendly and welcoming. The pricing is pretty consistent with, if not slightly cheaper than the typical quality coffee shop. As I write this review, I am seated in the corner with a gorgeous plant filled shelf behind me and gorgeous sunlight spilling in from the window to my right. A beautiful setting to work remotely!
This place was recommended to us by a local, and though we were just looking for coffee we got much more. This definitely isn't a grab and go/casual place but rather a sit-down with options to sit in the dining room or at the bar, which is a bit more dimly lit. I got an excellent latte with corn husk syrup. The bartender raved about the syrups being made in house, and I was not disappointed! We also got an egg dish which was made with a phenomenal sauce. If you come here, be ready to stay for the dark, moody ambience in the bar or the light sitting room. This is a great place to take refuge from the Philly cold!
Wonderful decor and food! So inventive and of course the cocktails are on point. Service was excellent
I would definitely recommend this place for someone who is looking for a casual but cute spot to get food in Rittenhouse! Ambiance is coffee shop x elevated bar. I was sick of a breakfast bagel so this Mexican inspired food was perfecttttt for me. Barbacoa sandwich is yummy as well as their eggs. Price is $16-18 which is a little pricey for eggs with little protein. My favorite is their pastries, concha and this coconut cream filled donut were yummy. -1 star because they got my drink order wrong. $7.50 for an iced passionfruit matcha but it came hot and plain - no passionfruit syrup at all (I even stirred it to see if it was at the bottom). I asked the waiter after I got it if this is correct and he said yes. Disappointed on that one, I was excited to try it.
Came here with a group and had a fantastic dinner! The pesca del dia (swordfish), quesedilla negra with the calamari, ceviche Blanco, and tostadas were all phenomenal. For dessert, we had the cheesecake, which was the perfect finish to a great meal. Attentive service as well. They have a nice drink menu with good variety.
I stopped by for brunch with two of my friends recently. Everything was fantastic from the service to the coffee and cocktails to the food and vibes. It was a freezing cold winter day, and I was grateful that we were seated far from the door in a cutesy circular half booth. I ordered the Chicano sandwich, green apple garibaldi cocktail, and their caramel cappuccino. There was some confusion with the bill as my friend asked to split it by person and each bill ended up being wrong, so we each just chose the bill closest to what we ordered. So note - ask for that at the beginning of service. I'd absolutely go back to try more of their menu or to sit at their elevated bar.
Love La Jefa's exterior entrance on Latimer, but once you enter, the atmosphere is way darker than expected, particularly for a lunch experience. (Bathrooms are shared with Tequilas restaurant on Locust, which, in comparison, seems bright and airy.) We were seated at a narrow, rectangular high-top table toward the back bar--would've preferred to have my feet touching the ground, though perhaps it was the only table that would fit 6 diners? We started with the house salsas, which came with thin, toasted baguette slices. The orange and green salsas were the table favorites, but we all would've preferred some sort of chips (with salt) to the bread. We tried the Huevos Alcapoche (brioche, poached eggs, bacon, parmesan, salsa alcapone, crispy macha, fresh greens), Enmolados (corn tortilla, fried eggs, mole dulce, crispy pork belly, quesillo, onion, sesame), Pastrami de Lengua sandwich (housemade pastrami, chili-manzano relish, coleslaw, chili mayo, sandwich bread), and Barbacoa sandwich (brisket, onion, cilantro, chili mayo, consomme, baguette). Since it wasn't evident in the translation of ingredients, our Brazilian diner noted that "lengua" means "tongue," which changed some diners' orders. Overall, everyone enjoyed the food, though were surprised that more had not been done to the vegetable sides (e.g., the cucumber was just a chunk of cucumber). The group enjoyed the teas ordered, but the michelada seemed like its ratios were off, as did the house ginger beer, which was zero-proof, but tasted as if it wasn't. It took a moment to get the check, but our server was able to split it three ways.
This place is super super cute. My partner had looked it up as a coffee spot then we happened to walk past it unknowingly and both said "this place is cute." There's a coffee bar to walk up to and get coffee and treats to go. Or you also have the option to sit and order off their brunch menu (you can make resys online!). We didnt try any food which I'm disappointed about because it sounded really good! But we got two of their specialty coffees -- totomoxtle latte and agavatte. Both were amazing!! I dont live in Philly but this is a spot I would take friends to and recommend to anyone visiting!
2 months ago
Really really liked this place! I went twice: once for drinks and dessert once for dinner. The vibes are super cute and the service is amazing! The drinks, especially the poncho was soo good and nothing like I've ever tried before. The food is definitely on the pricier side for the portion. But it was all very delicious. My one note abott the food is that the short rib was too salty! But I guess that's a preference thing. read more
While dining at Pietramala, my server recommended breakfast at La Jefa, a beautifully-designed space modeled after the restaurants found in Mexico's Guadalajara. Around the corner from my hotel, I went the next morning and was not disappointed. On a Sunday, their famous brunch doesn't start until 10am, but their cafe is open before that. Walking in around 9:30am, I ordered their ham and cheese croissant and the Totomoxtle latte with corn husk, burnt tortilla, espresso, and milk. It was balanced between savory and sweet and so unique. The croissant had a subtle taste of fennel and mustard, which made it stand out. Service is excellent as is the space. After having spent a summer in Guadalajara, it transported me back to Mexico's second-largest city. read more
We walked in on a Friday evening and got a place quickly to sit at the communal table. The ambiance is really nice and dimly lit. Servers were very informative and friendly. Cocktails were delicious especially the de la rosa which is essentially a gin fizz. Another memorable drink was the Agave! The painkiller was presented beautifully but I would skip it as it wasn't as tasty. We weren't planning on getting any food so just got the Nopalitos with chicharrones and it was mind blowing. I will definitely stop by for a proper dinner next time! read more
Best Mexican outside of California. I come from San Diego & this place reminds me of that near the border taste of authentic Mexican flavor with some American menu items. Truly tasty. No fight needed for a reservation. Easy open seating and delicious plates. Clean comfortable atmosphere where tables are not too close together read more
2 months ago
Had a great time having drinks and some apps here! The hostess was very friendly and our bartender in the back bar was extremely helpful in describing the dishes and flavor profiles of the drinks. The back bar was an intimate type dark setting while the front of the restaurant was much brighter and casual. For cocktail, I had the Agave made with cooked agave, apparently only available at this restaurant after the Owner obtained FDA approval. It was a hit! For apps, the Shrimp Aguachile was so flavorful with the right amount of spice. The Ceviche was more on the refreshing side and was a great follow up bite after the shrimp. Highly recommend the guacamole too! It was seasoned well and comes with chips and house-made beef jerky that was so good. Coming back for sure. read more
11 days ago
Incredible meal! Cocktails were perfect. So unique and truly artistic, tasty, and fun! The ceviche was amazing and I wanted to drink the sauce. The guac was super cilantro forward and we devoured it. We ordered a bunch of small plates and each one was better than the one before it. We didn't save room for dessert but we will next time! read more
6 months ago
La Jefa is a cozy spot for coffee and chatting with friends. After months of walking past it and being curious, I finally stopped in to visit and catch up with friends in February. There is an open seating area in the front with a coffee bar. In the back, there is a darker seating area with a bar and full service. I've tried a few pastries and coffee options and have loved everything I've tried so far. My favorite beverage is the guayaba caramel cappuccino. Just make sure to stir it to mix the caramel throughout! The decor is beautiful and the space is really unique architecturally. The staff is very friendly and welcoming. The pricing is pretty consistent with, if not slightly cheaper than the typical quality coffee shop. As I write this review, I am seated in the corner with a gorgeous plant filled shelf behind me and gorgeous sunlight spilling in from the window to my right. A beautiful setting to work remotely! read more
This place was recommended to us by a local, and though we were just looking for coffee we got much more. This definitely isn't a grab and go/casual place but rather a sit-down with options to sit in the dining room or at the bar, which is a bit more dimly lit. I got an excellent latte with corn husk syrup. The bartender raved about the syrups being made in house, and I was not disappointed! We also got an egg dish which was made with a phenomenal sauce. If you come here, be ready to stay for the dark, moody ambience in the bar or the light sitting room. This is a great place to take refuge from the Philly cold! read more
I would definitely recommend this place for someone who is looking for a casual but cute spot to get food in Rittenhouse! Ambiance is coffee shop x elevated bar. I was sick of a breakfast bagel so this Mexican inspired food was perfecttttt for me. Barbacoa sandwich is yummy as well as their eggs. Price is $16-18 which is a little pricey for eggs with little protein. My favorite is their pastries, concha and this coconut cream filled donut were yummy. -1 star because they got my drink order wrong. $7.50 for an iced passionfruit matcha but it came hot and plain - no passionfruit syrup at all (I even stirred it to see if it was at the bottom). I asked the waiter after I got it if this is correct and he said yes. Disappointed on that one, I was excited to try it. read more
Came here with a group and had a fantastic dinner! The pesca del dia (swordfish), quesedilla negra with the calamari, ceviche Blanco, and tostadas were all phenomenal. For dessert, we had the cheesecake, which was the perfect finish to a great meal. Attentive service as well. They have a nice drink menu with good variety. read more
9 months ago
I stopped by for brunch with two of my friends recently. Everything was fantastic from the service to the coffee and cocktails to the food and vibes. It was a freezing cold winter day, and I was grateful that we were seated far from the door in a cutesy circular half booth. I ordered the Chicano sandwich, green apple garibaldi cocktail, and their caramel cappuccino. There was some confusion with the bill as my friend asked to split it by person and each bill ended up being wrong, so we each just chose the bill closest to what we ordered. So note - ask for that at the beginning of service. I'd absolutely go back to try more of their menu or to sit at their elevated bar. read more
Love La Jefa's exterior entrance on Latimer, but once you enter, the atmosphere is way darker than expected, particularly for a lunch experience. (Bathrooms are shared with Tequilas restaurant on Locust, which, in comparison, seems bright and airy.) We were seated at a narrow, rectangular high-top table toward the back bar--would've preferred to have my feet touching the ground, though perhaps it was the only table that would fit 6 diners? We started with the house salsas, which came with thin, toasted baguette slices. The orange and green salsas were the table favorites, but we all would've preferred some sort of chips (with salt) to the bread. We tried the Huevos Alcapoche (brioche, poached eggs, bacon, parmesan, salsa alcapone, crispy macha, fresh greens), Enmolados (corn tortilla, fried eggs, mole dulce, crispy pork belly, quesillo, onion, sesame), Pastrami de Lengua sandwich (housemade pastrami, chili-manzano relish, coleslaw, chili mayo, sandwich bread), and Barbacoa sandwich (brisket, onion, cilantro, chili mayo, consomme, baguette). Since it wasn't evident in the translation of ingredients, our Brazilian diner noted that "lengua" means "tongue," which changed some diners' orders. Overall, everyone enjoyed the food, though were surprised that more had not been done to the vegetable sides (e.g., the cucumber was just a chunk of cucumber). The group enjoyed the teas ordered, but the michelada seemed like its ratios were off, as did the house ginger beer, which was zero-proof, but tasted as if it wasn't. It took a moment to get the check, but our server was able to split it three ways. read more
This place is super super cute. My partner had looked it up as a coffee spot then we happened to walk past it unknowingly and both said "this place is cute." There's a coffee bar to walk up to and get coffee and treats to go. Or you also have the option to sit and order off their brunch menu (you can make resys online!). We didnt try any food which I'm disappointed about because it sounded really good! But we got two of their specialty coffees -- totomoxtle latte and agavatte. Both were amazing!! I dont live in Philly but this is a spot I would take friends to and recommend to anyone visiting! read more
2 months ago
25 days ago
2 months ago
6 months ago
Fantastic fare at my first dinner at La Jefa. Incredibly cute interior with many comfortable seating options. Friendly and attentive service. The three dishes we ordered were split between two of us and we did not leave unsatisfied. The star of the show for me was the carnitas vampiro. So many fresh flavors complementing the tender pork and smackin skin. read more
1 year ago
2 months ago
10 months ago
I returned to La Jefa recently on a weekday morning. It was busy and cheery. Apparently this is a good first meetup/date spot because on each side I could hear what were clearly people getting to know each other. Meanwhile my capuchino was perfect and had a cute snowman. Then I tried an oatmeal dish that was great. Service was friendly but not overbearing. Everything hit the spot. read more
This is one of my favorite coffee places. I love it when they do half bar half coffee shop - it makes sence with the hours both would be open and they lean into it well. The warm and detailed atmosphere has nice touches thay play well as a bar and as a coffee shop. The coffee itself is creamy and rich and they have some of my favorite specialty coffee as well. We got the corn specialty drink and it worked surprisingly well. The staff is super friendly as well. They helped us with anything that we needed and we're quick to a recommendation. I wasnt here long enough for their bar to open but it seems like a great spot. read more
1 year ago
We just got coffee to go, will try the food next time hopefully. Nice cappuccino and even the totomoxtle latte was very unique and had a nice, corn flavor read more
Some friends and I tried this restaurant for brunch and I'm so glad we stopped in. The enmoladas had a lovely subtle flavor, the donut's pistachio cream was excellent (though I would have really liked a softer dough), and the dish with the brioche and poached eggs and arugula was wonderful and perfect for brunch. Fair warning that the portions are very small for the price - particularly for things like corn tortillas and bread, I don't think there's much excuse for not increasing the size a bit. Still, they were delicious across the board. The only thing that was honestly bad was the coffee. The mocha was sadly one of the worst I've ever had: none of the advertised cinnamon flavor, too much milk, just very bland and mildly unpleasant, with a bitter aftertaste. You shouldn't want to get the taste out of your mouth when having a mocha. The corn husk latte also tasted largely like plain milk. Possibly they had a new barista on this day? It was a big contrast to the delicious food, so hopefully they improve on that front. I would be interested to try their sandwiches next time! Service was slow but the space was cozy and we really enjoyed ourselves. I would rate this a 3.5/5, but I rounded up because I really did enjoy all of our mains and think they were worth the stop! read more
went for brunch on a saturday. super adorable spot. it's a mix of a coffee shop with an evening dinner vibe. I loved this concept they have a well lit entrance where you can buy cute goods and get coffee and then a back area which is more ambiance and a small bar area. the host was very nice and allowed us to pick our seat (due to the person I was with being 6'5). our server was kind and helpful with and came over at good intervals. she even accidentally messed up our check and realized it right away and fixed it before we even noticed. Our food was delicious and perfectly portioned. the light salad with the chilaquiles was well dressed and the chilaquiles was cooked well with a nice crunch and the cream was a nice lil touch. the barbacoa was delicious. i'm gluten free so I couldn't taste it with the bread but the meat itself was tender and juicy. it was gone pretty quickly and the smell was deliciously overwhelming. had a bruma de la jefa with matcha and it was light and delightful and then the breakfast old fashioned (not pictured) and it was well balanced for a morning old fashioned. overall great experience and would definitely go back to try dinner. read more
1 year ago
As others have mentioned, this is a new restaurant, so I understand the slower service--nothing terrible, just a bit on the slow side. I went for brunch around noon and was seated right away without a reservation, which was great. However, I was placed in the back of the restaurant, which was quite dark and a little gloomy. I definitely would've preferred a seat with natural light. The food was flavorful and had a unique twist, which I really appreciated. That said, I was disappointed there wasn't any salsa or hot sauce on the table. When I asked, I was given habanero pickled onions--not bad, but not the same. It was surprising, especially since the dishes weren't particularly spicy on their own. Por favor, consider offering salsas at the table or at least giving guests the option. For those of us who enjoy a little heat, it makes a big difference! read more
6 months ago
3 months ago
4 months ago
Checked out La Jefa on a Saturday morning - walked in and was immediately greeted which is always appreciated. I just wanted a coffee to go so the employee directed me to the left where the coffee bar was. I ordered the tamarind cajeta latte iced with oat milk. The pastry box was right there on the register - the employee at the coffee bar explained all of the pastries to me - there were both sweet and savory pastries - and they all sounded so good. I went with the concha that was filled with blackberry and had strawberry sprinkled on top. I was excited for the flavor of the latte, but the latte only had a slight caramel flavor to me, and kind of tasted just like a plain latte. The concha on the other hand was flavorful and delicious - I'd go back just for that again and to try the other pastries! The inside of La Jefa was cute with a rounded ceiling and cozy warm colors. Although I got my items to go, it looks like a nice spot for brunch. read more
9 months ago
If I could give this restaurant 10 stars I would! Incredible atmosphere, best service (John thank you!) Cocktails were phenomenal, no competition (Double Agave!) The pesce was extraordinary. White glove service from beginning to end-super attentive! I will definitely be back. A true gem in Philly! read more
1 year ago
First time here amazing place to meet friends or family! I really like the interior design , very clean, simple but nice ! The food are delicious have twists traditional and modern flavors ! The service is good ! Definitely will come back again ! read more
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