Was very excited to try this new spot and the highlighted cemitas. Honestly had a mixed experience. My partner really loved his classic chicken cemita but my mushroom arabe was really underwhelming. When the two plates came out, the chicken cemita was large and the mushroom was smaller; not only in the bun itself but the filling inside. And the bread for the chicken was fresh and delicious but the bread for the mushroom was almost like it was day old, just tough. Server seemed a little new and inexperienced; didn't get asked how things were or tasted which is prompting me to leave this review. Even with a shared appetizer (the tlayuda, which was just ok, maybe the vegetarian options just aren't as on point?) I honestly left feeling hungry. BYOB option is great, chicken cemita great. Excited to see veg / vegan options but not as good. read more

Would describe this as highly elevated standard Mexican fair. Didn't seem to be anything too wildly creative but definitely up there in the upper echelon. It's not cheap but the portions were decent. Steak tacos and Tres leches were excellent and there was a kids menu if you ask. Not sure it quite lives up to the hype depending on how picky you are but it's a very good restaurant. Well worth a visit. BYO is a plus. read more

Absolutely fantastic Mexican spot in South Philly. The guacamole was fresh and delicious with homemade tortilla chips. The rabbit tinga toastadas were flavorful and tasty. For mains, everyone ordered a cemita, and each one was outstanding. The bread is made in house and goooood lord is it fantastic! I've been recommending this restaurant to all of my friends. It's a "must-go!" read more

One of the best places I've eaten in Philly! The aguachile vegano was so good I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. We also had the papas chingonas, arabes tacos and the Birria sandwich. All tasted so good. I don't usually write reviews but this places is worth it. read more

Amazing flavorful CEMITAS, filled with seasoned mushrooms. Sour, and with the green sauce, spicy and salty and amazing on a crunchy roll. Son's Jamaica drink was good too. Lovely to eat outside. read more

Incredibly average, unfortunately. Looking for exceptional Mexican food in Philadelphia seems to be an impossible feat. I got an order of the choripapas. The fries were cheesy and greasy in a mostly good way, but lacked complexity and balance. They were basically cheese fries with guac and fatty pork. Would've love to see pico or any similar fresh element. Additionally, I wouldve liked more flavorful pork, i found it to be very 1 note and had trouble standing up to all the cheese. read more

Incredible food, great service, the only place to get cemitas!! Chefs and owners invest in every detail and it shows. Love this place read more

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First time here and WOOOOW! Best birria tacos I have ever had! Service was great! Ambiance is chill, it is small inside but overall was really good and recommend! read more

El Chingon - Quesabirrias - Sandwiches Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Went in today and ordered tacos al pastor traditional (my favorite and my litmus test). They were perfect. I am pretty sure the meat was cooked on a vertical spit roast (hard to find places that do this), but even if it wasn't it tasted great and was cooked perfectly. Seasoning was was also on point. Salsa verde and pico de gallo were both solid and seemed very fresh. Finished them asap. Great new addition to the neighborhood. Inside looks nice. Will be back for sure to try some other menu items. Hope this place takes off! read more

Very cute on outside, great customer service, and delicious food! I got the birria tacos and would definitely get again!

Fantastic food and a great addition to the East Passayunk scene. The tacos were delicious and the tortillas made fresh to order. Service was on point and friendly, and a nice cozy interior. BYO too! We will definitely be back read more

Cemitas are so good- fresh bread, delicious ingredients, and they have great desserts too. read more

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fantastic food. fantastic service. fun ambiance. we've been several times and are never disappointed. there's not a single item we've ordered that we wouldn't order again (and again)! byot is a great option with their mixers! read more

Food is fantastic, the appetizers are all amazing. Loved the elote and the fries, guacamole is delicious too! Have been here three times in the past two weeks because the food and experience was so good, I've brought back everyone who comes to visit, here for dinner. Horchata and lemonade house drinks were great and all the cemitas and tacos were fantastic. They were very knowledgeable and accommodating when a member of the party had celiac's disease in making sure the food she ordered was gluten free. Ambiance is so warm, a wonderful addition to the neighborhood! read more

This is a great place to savor real Mexican food. It has a comfortable atmosphere along with its many choices of dining delights. We went for an early lunch to avoid any wait for it has become quite popular. Arrived at eleven and were promptly seated but with half an hour they were full. Parallel street parking can be challenging but walking from further away is not a problem and it is worth it. read more

Really great traditional Mexican food with a modern twist. My takeaway is how homemade absolutely everything is. Tortillas, sourdough based flour tortillas and rolls for cemitas, smooth rich braises of the meats, full flavors of guacamoles and salsas are 100% honest, real and full of flavor. Service was friendly, informative and speedy. The room is small(!) but very inviting and sparklingly clean. I want El Chingon to succeed and prosper because upscale Mexican food in Philly should be at the top of everyones radar and El Chingon can take it there! read more

Really great. A must go. Best steak sandwich I ever had, and sweet service...and the bread is made by former Parc bakers and is the best ever! read more

I just ordered the birra cemita. I'm nowhere close to finishing it but (this is going to sound contradictory because I'm not even 1/4 in) but it's the sandwich that you can't wait to swallow your bite before taking the next. This beast is making a happy glutton of me. read more

Really enjoyed this spot - the food was fantastic especially the sandwich and the guacamole! I love the inside decor, and the bathroom had some fun decorations. It's more expensive than other Mexican byos because you're paying for better service and the decor. I'm not 100 percent convinced it's worth it vs. my favorite other Mexican byos, really depends on your mood hence my 4 star review. Overall really good though! read more

Great poblano food and spectacular service. 10/10 would recommend. Go for the Al pastor and the árabes

I never write reviews, but we had such a perfect meal/ experience and I can't stop thinking about it. We sat outside for a late lunch, but the inside looked lovely too. Everyone seemed super friendly and our server Chris was exceptionally great! The food was a 10/10- everything was so well balanced and thoughtful. The house made flour tortillas and bread for the cemitas were fantastic, as were the salsas. We just stopped in for a quick meal of basically fries, tacos and a sandwich, but it was truly the best meal we've had in a while. . Just so good. Can't wait to try the rest of the menu. We had- TEHUCANAZO sparkling lemonade -A delightfully refreshing sparkling lime beverage PAPAS CHINGONAS french fries, mayo, cotija cheese, tajin, lime -I'm always in search of the perfect fry, and this was it! Crisp, seasoned perfectly, the richness from mayo and cotija cheese, the acid from the lime... TACOS ARABES VEGAN (con queso, added) - oyster mushrooms, herbs, onions, tangy chipotle salsa, a sourdough flour tortilla that was just 'so good' ARRACHERA TATEMADA AL PASTOR cured beef, recado negro, onions, salsa macha, onions, cilantro - my guy said it was perfect (I'm veg) read more

This place is so great. Really high quality, really great attention to detail. A very particular and special addition to the neighborhood's Mexican eateries. Kinda pricey! But big portions. I really love the salmon ceviche, the cochinita tacos, and the quesobirria. I have 2 suggestions to the chef: - I wish the veggie options were as standout as the meat options. My veggie friend was underwhelmed, and I have to agree. - Can we have some decaf options for hot drinks? Maybe a wider tea selection? - Maybe the menu is getting a little too big... the high quality is what makes this place stand out! read more

Super cute place. Everything we had was really good including the margaritas! Definitely get the tuna. Fish tacos were delicious. Tres leches cake was amazing. read more

I come here for the oranges. Best oranges in town, you really cannot beat them. Whenever I am in the area I have to come. Also, Justin is the best bartender I've ever had!!! read more

I went back after being there when they opened! I ordered the three tacos. They were good but for me a little too much meat but very tasty. I think this place will go places! Very unique! read more

Excellent experience. Great food and unfussy service. Easier to get a reservation on a weekday than weekend

2nd time there and it is still excellent. Had the salmon ceviche and it was ample and excellent. Finely chopped onions and cucumbers with avocado and a nicely seasoned sauce covered with strips of raw salmon. First time I was stuffed after eating a ceviche! read more

Great employees and service. salmon appetizer was so fresh and massive portion. Excellent rotating ice cream flavor

We picked this restaurant as one of our annual Christmas luncheons. We were told 12 was the max. They shoved us in a table for 10 ( thank God we were only 11). There were 2 2 top tables behind us that remained empty the entire lunch. The food was brought out in record speed, while I was bussing the table. We brought all our own liquor, I handed the girl 3 bottles of prosecco to keep chilled she immediately opened them and brought them back. ‍ One of the dishes was raw shrimp..... she said we serve alot of raw fish..... tuna, salmon but raw shrimp I never heard of. So that wasn't eaten. When we received our 505$ bill we were exchanging our gifts. This process takes about 20 min. The owner came over and said you have to go now I have another party of 12. We politely told him we will pay the over 500 bill and be out of his restaurant in 20 minutes. We left and were standing outside for about 15 minutes. No one came after us. The food was very different some good some terrible, the service was terrible and the owner was awful. We have been having luncheons for years on end I usually don't post reviews but I felt the need. read more

Incredible Quesabirra tacos. Love that it is BYOB too. Small place and super friendly

I've been to El Chingón a couple of times now, and was very satisfied both times. They don't take reservations, so you either need to go at an off-time or be prepared to wait a bit. I went both times (once on a Wednesday night before 7:00 pm, once on a Sunday night around 8:00 pm) with a party of 2 and was able to be seated pretty quickly. The restaurant is cozy and intimate, decorated in a very pleasing way (a wall of plants! A cutout of the map of Mexico behind the bar!). Service is laidback but very kind and warm - you may not see your server too often during the meal, but they will check in periodically and also give you your space, which I personally love. The restaurant is BYO which is nice; they also do sell mixers to add to beer for micheladas, or to liquor for cocktails (I have not partaken in those options, but I think it's a super cool idea!). The food itself is absolutely worth the hype! Both times I've gone, I've gotten the guacamole (pictured) - there is something very special and so delicious about their version of guacamole, so I highly recommend giving it a try! I've tried a few tacos and sandwiches as well, all of which are fabulous and filling in a great way. Overall, I highly recommend El Chingón and I know I'll be going back again and again! read more

this place is super cute! i'm definitely coming back next time i'm the area. we got the quesabirrias, vegan arabes and arrachera tatemada al pastor to split and they were all so good. read more

This place is absolutely beautiful and the food is incredibly delicious. I live a few doors down and will definitely be going a few times a week! Tonight I did take out for dinner and they didn't disappoint! I wish I got two orders because the tacos were that good. read more

If you're looking for your basic tacos and burritos, this is not the place for you! However, if you want authentic flavorful Mexican fare, make your way over to El Chignon. Tucked away in South Philly, those in the know would probably prefer to keep this gastronomic adventure below the radar. But I can't resist sharing it. For those who plan to drive, please remember South Philly is a parking challenge to say the least. And El Chignon does not take reservations. So pack your patience. But once you're in and seated, you'll enjoy incredible food, great service, and an upbeat atmosphere. Mexican street corn kicked things off. Once you take a bite, you won't put it down until you're done. The aguachile scallop appetizer( aka ceviche to many of us)had heat but the thinly sliced chayote cooled it down perfectly. The special avocado stuffed with crab was creamy and rich. The tacos were bursting with flavor. I went the traditional Al pastor route. And don't even think of leaving without dessert. The poblano ice cream was a unique must try and the arroz con tres leches did not disappoint! Note, El Chignon is BYOT(tequila). With it, they make margaritas that are the perfect accompaniment to your meal. At some point, owner, Juan Carlos, makes his way around to greet you and check on your experience. It all adds up to such a great vibe. read more

Excellent! The restaurant was crowded and couldn't accommodate us so we did takeout. Not an issue since I live across the street and will be back to eat-in at this beautiful new little gem of an addition to the neighborhood. We ordered tacos gringas, tacos quesabirrias, tacos choriqueso, tacos pescado, quesadillas queso, elote (Mexican corn) and guacamole. Nothing was as expected... everything was better, more substantial and different than any of the similarly name dishes available from the numerous other Mexican restaurants in the area. Everything was delicious and a bargain considering the portion sizes. Even the corn and tortilla chips were different than any I'd had before. The corn was so tasty! And they pay attention to every detail from the compostable takeout silverware (everything seems to be compostable or recyclable) to the amazing napkins that I would use at home for dinner guest. Next best thing to cloth! I've been watching with anticipation for this place come together for the past several years and often thought it was never going to open, but Antonio and Claudio, the owners, have done an amazing job, and the wait was well worth it! So proud to have them here and to call them neighbors!!! read more

Wow! What a delish meal, super cozy spot and BYOB. Our service was lovely, place became crowded, we never felt rushed but as a person in hospitality we asked if people were waiting for our table and off we went with happy full bellies. read more

Only one star because there isn't a zero star rating. Went there for dinner with a group of 4. We asked for a table inside, the hostess said it would be about a 20 minute wait. We were happy to wait and said thank you. As we were waiting outside two women arrived, about our age, and said they simply couldn't wait outside. The hostess said there was about an hour wait but they could sit at the bar. About 10 minutes later the hostess came out and said that she couldn't seat us because the other group had taken out table and "they were older" so we could wait an hour for a table. If you are rude or like rude service you might like this place. I won't ever be back. I don't care what they serve if they can't seat people in a decent manner. read more