The black bean enchiladas here are so good it is hard to describe. I will come back over and over for that dish. Simply amazing! After expressing my gratitude for the meal, the general manager came over to share his love of the dish as well, which was a fun treat. El Vez is a hip Mexican restaurant with a unique vibe that makes dining fun. Our visit was enhanced by our server, Rebecca. She was energetic, knowledgeable, kind, and thoughtful. She made our dinner a delight! Our party walked away from this experience feeling this was a highlight of our visit to Philly. Great atmosphere, amazing food, and people who made the experience even better. Definitely worth your time. read more

El Vez - Creamy poblano rice - Mexican Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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delicious food & a fantastic atmosphere. table side guac was fantastic as were the margaritas! 10/10 would recommend! read more

El Vez - fajitas - Mexican Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Incredible service and really cool atmosphere. Way bigger than I expected from looking in. Large bar and really cool booths. There's a photobooth lol. Being from CA, I didn't know what to expect of a Mexican restaurant in Philly. The guac was really really good and so was the chopped salad. The nachos are INCREDIBLE. They look like a pizza bc they lay them flat.....& because of that you don't have any dry chips at the bottom! Would def come back. read more

El Vez - El Vez "The Original" Guacamole - Mexican Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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El Vez is a popular restaurant based on the number of reviews. The restaurant has a vibrant atmosphere, but the bathrooms are dark. We started with tuna tostadas, which I love and had tried different variations of it at other places. We also shared the taco tasting platter- chicken, steak, carnitas, mahi, and shrimp. They were good, but I could find better Mexican food for a lower price point being from Cali. read more

El Vez - Tuna Tostadas - Mexican Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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This was not my favorite restaurant during my trip but it was still tasty. I had a steak taco with street corn (you have to ask for the corn off of the Cobb!). I also had a margarita with my meal. It was ok, not as tasty as I was hoping. I was a little annoyed when the server offered us free chips but if we wanted salsa we had to pay $9.... A little pricey in my opinion for salsa. read more

El Vez - Spicy Margarita - Mexican Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

We are beyond pleased with our experience at El Vez, Claire was the best server I have had in years. That is considering 5 star nyc restaurants. We will definitely be back. read more

El Vez - Mexican Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

If Taco Bell became a restaurant this would be it. Drinks are decent. Food is ok. Service was slow. Served cold and then nickeled and dimed for sauce. read more

Swanky Mexican restaurant with food bursting with flavor. The restaurant has a fun vibe with vibrant colors, plush velvety booths, and a rotating bicycle in the center piece, a bit smaller than the pics! The Lavender Honey Jalepeno has a spicy kick! The Hibiscus Agua was a sweet refreshing juice. The Tacos for 2 combo with mix and match protein was a great deal! My sis and I shared Chicken and Tofu tacos. The heap of seasoned tofu, chicken strips, and grilled peppers and onions along with melted Oaxaca cheese were all flavorful and served in a sizzling hot cast iron bowl. The oozing cheese was the best part! While the guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, and rajas helped to elevate the flavor, the flour tacos didn't feel complete. Wish there were more fixings to round out the tacos like corn, black bean, and Mexican rice especially for the steep price of $42. Not sure why the Tofu and Mushroom Tacos aren't offered a la carte like the the Chicken, Steak, and Shrimp Tacos? It would be nice to see more vegetarian tacos and the Tofu and Mushroom Tacos to be featured a la carte on the menu and a mix and match option. The Tofu al Pastor Vegan Burrito looked pretty scrumptious judging from the table next to mine. Next time! Excited to come back for more tofu tacos and to try the Tofu al Pastor Vegan Burrito! read more

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Was visiting Philly in July with a friend and stumbled upon El Vez. I'm so glad we did because I had some of the best tacos I've ever had so far here! This place is super busy, so you should definitely make a reservation. Even though we didn't have a reservation, we were able to get a table for two on a Friday evening, but we were seated outside. This definitely wasn't ideal since it was nearly 90 degrees outside, but I was grateful we even got seated! Service was good, our waitress immediately got us iced water which was great. She also was around frequently to check up on us. My friend and I got the Taco Tasting Platter, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, and frozen margaritas to share. The Taco Tasting Platter was AMAZING. I loved all of the tacos, but I would have to say my favorite one was carnitas or steak taco. I wish there was a bit more salsa or creama added to them though, as it would have elevated the taste of them. The Roasted Brussel Sprouts were really good too, it came with an avocado mayo that paired nicely with the Brussel Sprouts. The Brussel Sprouts were a bit oily though, but tasty regardless. Frozen margaritas were good too, a bit light on the alcohol, but that was to be expected since it was a frozen drink. Overall, I'd love to come back here when if I'm ever in Philly again. Food was good and very reasonably priced! Would love to try different drinks and other dishes as well. read more

El Vez - Taco Tasting Platter - Mexican Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I have had many dishes, and all were excellent. I live nearby and it's a real joy to have such a high-quality Mexican restaurant in the neighborhood. I have been going consistently for a year now, and it never, ever, disappoints. read more

Was here for a business dinner and it was a really good experience. I probably would have picked somewhere that had a calmer and quieter atmosphere but overall we had a great meal and everyone enjoyed their food. Several of us tried some of the tacos and we also enjoyed the guacamole. My margarita was spicier than I expected, but tasty. read more

El Vez lived up to the hype for me. After finally getting a reservation, we were super excited to grab a bit to eat. Great ambiance from the beginning. Arrived at 7pm and the place was jumping! If you have a party of 6, the booth is the place to be. Of course we had to start with the guac. I'm always intrigued restaurants take on guacamole. El Vez has a few options but we ultimately went with basic one. (I'll be back for the others). For groups who like to drink, I always go with pitchers ESPECIALLY when it comes to Margs. They usually serve about 5 glasses. Our group tried the Original and the Passionfruit & Jalapeños. I'm still trying to decipher how I feel about the P&J. It was the perfect balance of sweet but spicy. I think I like it. Entrees we're pretty good. Had I not just got back from South America I probably would've felt better about it, but great for Philadelphia. Can't go wrong with Mahi Mahi. Make sure to get the grilled corn. Can't go wrong with it. I also have to give an honorable mention to the different salsas they served. Chips & Salsa but there was also another light red sauce (the name is escaping me) but it was bomb! Stephen Starr knows what he's doing at his restaurants. read more

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We ordered two different kinds of enchiladas, the blood orange ice cream, chips and salsa/guac, and the tortilla soup...everything was delectable! Everybody who helped us out with brunch today was great, polite, and made our time here extremely worthwhile. Great place! read more

El Vez was the in place to be maybe 10-15 years ago, but now I feel like there are so many better options. Their guac is still tasty and they have great nachos, but the tacos were mediocre at best. The carnitas were mostly just fat. The margaritas were bland. And although our service was pleasant, it was obvious that were were being rushed. Our apps came out before our drinks and our meals came out within mins of our apps. We were in and out within 30 mins which is not what we wanted on a Saturday night celebrating a special birthday. The bathroom situation was extremely awkward as two adults were in one stall for the duration of us standing in line to use the bathroom. It's just not the place we once loved. read more

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Wish I had taken photos of the many entrees we ordered while on a business trip. It was food galore and every single entree was filled with flavor and was plated beautifully. The location is centered around many different restaurants, bars, and shops. Aside from the exterior the interior is quite a treat. Vintage seats with photos and color fills the space. The service was superb! Highly recommend this place this was definitely a VIBE read more

El Vez for Cinco De Mayo w/friends. Great vibe, I love the space and decor. The service was adequate and attentive. The food was awesome. We attended the Cinco De Mayo block party which was really fun, we even got to a surprise visit from the Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club. Such a treat! read more

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Issaaa vibe. The food is good - above average I'd say but the drinks and ambiance make this a great dining experience. Which is probably why it's hard to get a table here if you don't reserve in advance. I'd highly recommend making reservations on OpenTable in advance as they book up quickly. Both the nachos and the guacamoles are great starters. We enjoyed the grilled portabello mushroom tacos for 2 - which were really made for 3. The margaritas are good. They have a large variety of drinks to choose from so there's something for everyone! read more

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Very cool spot in Philly!!, the staff is very courteous,professional,& respectful,the food I ordered was the avocado toast,street corn,& the guac and chips all was good!!..will be back if I'm ever in Philly read more

Made reservation for date night here about a month in advance! We were seated quickly even though we were a few minutes late, which was great. We sat in a large booth next to the window. We got the corn and poblano empanadas first which were INCREDIBLE. Highly recommend those. Easily our favorite thing. Then we got the black bean Tlayuda which was yummy as well but not quite as impressive as the empanadas. WE both got enchiladas for our entrees which we felt like were really drowning in sauce. Too much sauce! The sauce was good but the volume was excessive! Also the restaurant was SO loud that was felt like we were almost shouting at each other to hear one another - not a huge deal but it did get slightly annoying. Our waitress was incredible and very efficient when we informed her we were going to a show and needed to leave by a certain time. Overall we will probably be back but only for the empanadas. read more

The peanut salsa verde is to die for. I'd go back alone for that. The tacos for two are the way to go. We loved it. All around yummy. read more

El Vez has a very welcoming decor that is clean and vibrant they have a lot of seating but they don't cram people in, there is ample room between tables so you dont feel like your sitting on top of the other customers. My wife and I visited here for a late lunch around 2 pm. on a beautiful Monday afternoon. They were very busy, but we got seated immediately. For an appetizer, we ordered chips and salsa platter with 3 different types of sala, and we also ordered the melted Manchego cheese with sweet onion. I liked the cheese dip, but my wife did not. We both enjoyed the chunky tomatoes, red onions, salsa, and salsa roja. The salsa verde was pleasant but not our favorite. My wife ordered the steak tacos (roasted tomatillo-chipotle salsa, pico de gallo), and I ordered the Carne Asada Burrito (grilled steak, black beans, cilantro-lime rice, salsa roja, guacamole, jack, and cheddar cheese) For drinks, we ordered a bottle of spring, still water and a coke for my wife. Her coke was never delivered. When our lunch orders arrived, I was given a chicken Burrito. I let the server know that was not my order, and my correct order was delivered after a short wait. No big deal this happens sometimes. My wife enjoyed her steak tacos, and I was getting worried she was going to finish them all. If you have read my other reviews, you know I bank on my family members not finishing their orders so I can swoop in and save the day by cleaning their plates for them. She made it to the last taco, and to my pleasure, she announced she was full. She offered me her last steak taco, and I happily accepted. The steak was very tender, and the ingredients flowed perfectly. This is a tasty steak taco!! As for my Burrito, when my order got mixed up, I got a Burrito with salsa verde instead of the salsa roja. I didn't realize this until I started eating, and I didn't want to send it back. I did not hate it, but I would have enjoyed it more with the roja. I do not prefer a strong taste of lime. The mix-up in order is not a deal breaker for me; overall, it was an enjoyable lunch, and we left full enough that we skipped dinner that night. Our oldest daughter loves Mexican food, and we will be back with her. read more

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You can never go wrong at El Vez. The spicy margarita with the tajin rim is to die for! The guacamole is so fresh and delicious! They have a few options to try and I've never been disappointed. It's always super busy but the service is on point. Pro tip: You have to try the chicken nachos! read more

Not the greatest in town but consistently good. It's not as authentic as some of the other options in the city and a bit pricey for Mexican food. Still, a good option in the neighborhood. read more

Review is for takeout experience only Carnitas Tacos 4/5 Pork confit, onions and cilantro and salsa verde cruda. The meat was super flavorful but also fatty. Between the juice from the meat and the salsa, the corn tortilla shell came across a tad bit soggy. Doubling up the tortilla is a quick/easy fix for this problem. Black beans 4/5 Solid side dish with the right amount of seasoning. The cumin flavor was quite delightful Guacamole 5/5 Really really good. A side order is cheaper than chipotle's but wayyyy more flavorful and fresh. I plan to dine in for my 2nd visit off the guacamole alone! read more

El Vez - 3 Carnitas tacos - Mexican Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Extremely Disappointed -- Overpriced, Deceptive, and Bland We came to El Vez in Philly on March 8th as a party of 12. When we called to make a reservation, we were pushed to book through a group reservation line. They talked us into a $65 per person prix fixe menu and required a 50% deposit upfront. We paid the remainder at the dinner. From the moment we arrived, things started going downhill. First, the food was shockingly bland for a Mexican restaurant. The shrimp quesadillas and enchiladas were forgettable, the cheesy rice was undercooked, and overall, the meal lacked seasoning and flavor. The overpriced margarita pitchers were mostly ice -- barely enough liquid to go around the table. The worst part? They sneaked in a $60 "reservation company" fee that was never disclosed during booking. They buried it in the fine print of a contract, which feels intentionally deceptive. When we asked about it afterward, they flat-out refused to refund it. To top it off, we asked for leftovers to be boxed -- only to find later that they kept the shrimp dish we paid for. Yes, they stole our shrimp. Service was the only redeeming part of the evening, but it wasn't enough to make up for the feeling that we were upsold, misled, and ultimately disrespected. If you're planning a group dinner here -- don't. There are way better restaurants in Philly where your money, taste buds, and trust will be respected. read more

Overall, it's always a particularly good spot. Mainly a great spot for a birthday or a celebration with a lot of people. We started with the guacamole and chips, which is always great, the nachos are definitely the star of the show then me and my boyfriend split the sampler platter of the tacos, which was definitely a good thing to do to split between two people. I think my favorite was the mahi-mahi taco as it had a soft shell we split two pictures of margaritas. One was the diploma, and the other was the regular margaritas. Definitely recommend doing this. That's the best value. I would say the thing that was locking the most the service. It's a very busy place so it's hard to attend to us all the time obviously when our waitress is waiting other tablespoon, however our guacamole came before our pictures of margaritas, which is not always ideal. And then I had asked for a side of sauce, and I was waiting to finish my sampler because of the side of sauce and the waitress failed to tell me that she accidentally gave it to another table. I had to ask her again where the sauce was and she said that she accidentally gave it to another table and then did not proceed to ask me if I would want the sauce again. So I would say that's definitely negative for the service. They were nice, but could've been more attentive and focused. Ambience is always great. It's always loud, fun, the seating and decorations are nice. It's always a reliable spot for food and atmosphere. Thus service lacking in my opinion. read more

I've been here a few times and the food always slaps. Getting in without a reservation can be a little difficult but we mostly pop in right in time for happy hour and sit at the bar with no issues. If you come a little after happy hr has begun, there will be a wait. The Guac with the chopped mango and peppers, is the most delicious thing. The lobster one which I expected to be amazing, wasn't my fave. They took it back with no issues. Drinks are great, food is great, staff is polite and smiley and look like they actually enjoy their job. I'd definitely recommend! read more

El Vez - Menus - Mexican Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Fancy Mexican food that is good? Yes please! Having been here multiple times I never regret it. Food is consistently great. Drinks are well made. Service is good. What more is there to say? read more

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Started with drinks and chips/salsa. The selection of tequila is extensive and the drinks were excellent, simple presentation of classics. We added the tacos for two and ended up with way more food than we could eat. Prep and presentation were outstanding. Would love to frequent this fine establishment. read more

Clean and friendly place, but the food lacked flavor. Portions were okay, just not satisfying. Not terrible overall, but not something I'd choose again unless other options were limited. read more

Food was great, service awesome, lighting and interior design really gives culture, first time, will be back.

Super cute place. Feels cozy, urban and festive. I've been here with a group for work dinner and lunch. And been here for a night out w friends. The food is consistently good. The staff is attentive and the prices are very good value for the quality. read more

This was our last dinner in the Philadelphia area, and it was by far the best. This place is spacious, colorful, and delightful. The menu is not too challenging, but everything we ordered was outstanding. My partner ordered the tortilla soup and really enjoyed it. We split an order of guacamole ('The Original'), and it was excellent. For an entree I ordered the Enchiladas Mixtas (one short rib, one chicken, and one black bean), and all three were superb. I especially liked the black bean one. The service was phenomenal, to say the least. I highly recommend this place for the food, service, and atmosphere, and I would love to return and try more of the menu. read more

Food was very delicious. Loved the crispy mahi mahi tacos and especially enjoyed the tuna tostadas. The creamed corn was amazing as well. Service was a little slow but friendly. Ambiance was dark but seating was nice as there were booths. Price was pretty expensive for what you get per dish. Not quite worth the quantity. We loved the food but would think twice going again considering the small quantities. read more

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Excellent Mexican food in the city! Lucky find although reviews were helpful. Came solo on business trip and sat at bar. Cool bike that rotates at center of bar! Very friendly staff who offer great recommendations. I enjoyed everything I ate: Appetizer: Sweet corn & Cheese Empanadas, chips & Salsa with 1/2 order of original guacamole Dinner: Carnitas Tacos Drink: Spicy Margarita read more

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First time ever at El Vez. Why? Because it's across the street from Sampan. However my dining companion insisted on Mexican going on and on about a guacamole craving so I acquiesced. Made a reservation so we didn't have to wait. The vibe as many others have noted is definitely cool. Who do I have to be to snag one of those gold velvet tufted plush ass banquets??? Oh well, my stripped booth was just as spacious and comfy. Vibe aside, I ordered chips and salsa, she got the big mocalete of guacamole. These were very generous helpings of both. I got the Mahi Mahi Crispy Fish tacos, she had the chicken tacos. These were not generous helpings. Quite the opposite. In fact I was shocked that I only received two tacos. At 16.00 that was 8.00 per taco. At least my sister got three but again very small. Were they at least tasty? Well the red cabbage overpowered the fish in my opinion. If I were to go back it would to sit at the bar. The margaritas were so good. I'd probably stick to nachos as far as food is concerned. read more

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If I just forget about the fact that this place is a little overpriced (mostly the drinks), everything else is fine. I love the atmosphere: fun but mature, moody and dark but a little whimsical, casual but also sexy...a great place to just chill with coworkers after work or go on a date. Staff is friendly, sometimes even funny and they make great suggestions (sometimes even off menu suggestions). I've had great experiences at the bar and sitting at a booth. The place always seems to be packed... definitely popular - it's difficult to get reservations on the weekend but during the week is a little better. Start with the guacamole, it doesn't disappoint (especially if you're trying to decide between the guac and salsa). Sip on any one of their margaritas, they are all lovely (last time I personally was loving the pink Cadillac). As far as the food, it's fine. Portion size is decent. I don't think it's the best or worst I've had when it comes to mexican but when I come here, it's absolutely for the drinks, vibes and easily accessible center city location, not so much the food. read more

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I have visited this place multiple times over the span of 6 years, at least once every year. I find it to be a great spot for a quick bite or even a bigger meal; the food is actually pretty good. I usually go here with my partner, and we always receive quick and efficient service. It was no different this week when I went with a group of my friends. The food was good. I ordered a variety of appetizers, and the drinks were also strong and great. However, I did find it a bit off-putting when the waiter seemed annoyed or didn't understand why we only ordered drinks and appetizers. She kept asking if we wanted anything else over and over again after we said no thank you multiple times. I'm not sure if that was just her personality or if she wanted us to buy more items. Overall, the experience wasn't bad at all. I will say, if you're not used to this place, beware that it's usually pretty loud in there, but it's not so loud that you aren't able to have a conversation with the people around you. I will be back because it has not disappointed me yet. read more

El Vez - Mexican Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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A wonderful spot for either lunch or dinner, with phenomenal staff, tasty food, and an incredible atmosphere. I'd say that El Vez's primary selling point is the ambiance -- it has a spectacularly decorated bar area that felt dark and moody, yet fun and upbeat. I would also give almost anything to get the playlist that was running the night I visited! The energy is great, especially for dinner or drinks. I came by for dinner with a friend on a Saturday night, and we both enjoyed a plate of black bean enchiladas and shared chips and guacamole for the table. He also picked up a lavender-honey jalapeno margarita and was thoroughly impressed. One warning is that you should definitely put in a reservation if you plan on coming on a weekend night. We totally forgot to do that and ended up having an hour wait...thankfully the weather was incredible and El Vez has a fantastic location, so it was easy to kill that time by just wandering around. read more

El Vez - Black bean enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Delicious food and great service. The Brussels sprouts and the guac and chips were the highlight for me. The chicken tacos were so tasty and well flavored too. The drinks were quickly served and had the right amount of liquor. I would go back in a heart beat! Everything was so good I didn't even get to snap a pic! read more