The Culinary Adventures of TomCoghlan, Facebook... I stopped at a Mexican Restaurant that I like to frequent regularly, Frida Cantina, at 1000 Wolf St., in South Philly. Frida Cantina is named after famed Mexican painter Frida Kahlo and the interior of the restaurant has a Frida Kahlo theme. Owner and Chef Raul Castro is a big fan of Kahlo and even ownes several Kahlo paintings that unfourtunately, because of copyright laws he can not display in the restaurant. However, I was there during a weekend one time and was invited into a "back-room" to view several of the Kahlo paintings that Raul treasures, on display. As a sister restaurant to Plaza Garibaldi, 935 Washington Ave., both restaurants continue a long-standing tradition of bringing genuine Mexican food and culture to the local community. "Their menu is inspired by the richness of Mexico's culinary heritage, featuring fresh ingredients, traditional recipes, and a modern cantina experience. From flavorful tacos and classic street food favorites to carefully crafted dishes that highlight authentic Mexican ingredients, every plate reflects their commitment to quality and authenticity." I found a seat at the bar and met my server, Juan, who made me their top-shelf Patrone Margarita, with Cointreau and Grand Marnier that I enjoyed as I viewed the menu. I sarted off with the Guacamole and Chips. The Guac was made to order and was authentic Guacamole. There were no Tomatoes. The crispy chips were fresh and house-made. They were wonderful! For my main-course, I ordered, Bistec Quesadilas, Corn Flour Tortilas stuffed with Oaxaca Cheese and thin Grilled Steak. Juan made me a glass of Red Sangria to accompany the crispy Quesadilas that I ordered with extra Cheese! They were SOOOo good, and the Sangria Juan made for me was just as perfect as the Magariitta he made for me! That's why Frida Cantina is a regular stop for me, and will continue to be a regular stop for me! read more

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Tasty food at Frida Cantina. Came on a Sunday afternoon and it was very quiet. We ordered a mix to share. I got the tripa tacos, and friends got chicken enchiladas, birria tacos, and lengua tacos. Everything tasted fresh and clean, but the flavors were more mild than expected. Not very spice forward. The tripa tacos had a nice texture with some crispiness, but the seasoning was pretty light. The lengua was tender and well cooked, almost melt in your mouth, but again not heavily seasoned. Birria tacos were good, rich and savory, but missing that deeper chili punch and heat I usually expect. Chicken enchiladas were comforting and soft, with a smooth sauce that leaned more mild than bold. Overall it feels a bit toned down, probably geared toward a more general palate. Still good, just not spicy. I do wish there was an option to kick up the heat. The vibe is great though. Bright, colorful, and very photo friendly. Definitely a fun spot to hang out. Service was a bit slow considering how empty it was, but the staff were friendly so it was not a big issue. Overall, good food and nice atmosphere. Just do not expect strong spice or super bold flavors. read more

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What a gem Frida Cantina turned out to be! It all began with the chips and salsas; at first bite you new you were entering an experience quite different from the average standard house offerings you've had in the past. I hadn't experienced any salsa so remarkably different and deliously unique in any other Mexican restaurant I'd been to before. It was a foreshadowing of what turned out to be one of the best Mexican dining experiences we have had. From the mammoth portions; the burrito, quesadillas and loaded nachos, each dish was an exceptional standard out in its class. Thank you Frida Cantina for pursuing excellence and succeeding! read more

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We were a party of 12! From the homemade guacamole and nachos to all the different dishes we order for dinner to the amazing drinks and service - we will go back read more

Great service, great food with super large proportions and great atmosphere. Can't really Ask for anything more. The decor was warm and inviting as well. You won't be disappointed! read more

Just stopped in for drinks one night. Great margaritas... love the ambiance! Will def be back! read more

Frida Cantina - Mezcal Margarita - Mexican Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I loved this place and I want to live here. Holy crap what a welcoming environment. We sat at the bar while waiting for our friends and tried every mezcal drink on the menu. Loved them ALL especially the cantaritos. The bartender was so excited to tell us about the specials and they did not disappoint. Four of us shared: chips & salsa, guacamole, flautas de choripapas, birria tacos (special), suadero tacos and al pastor tacos. We were stuffed but we also stayed a while. The only disappointment was they didn't have the chile relleno (fridas favorite :/) regardless we enjoyed and I guess that just means I'll have to come back down. Fyi it's south Philly so parking is abysmal as is to be expected. Get to the city by 4 on a weekday and it's smooth sailing. read more

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We did not intend to come here for dinner but Los Gallos was closed, and this is across the street. What a pleasant surprise! The food was phenomenal. Nachos had plenty of toppings but weren't soggy. Burrito was huge, I could only eat half. Seems like they have a good drink selection but we didn't have drinks at dinner. read more

Frida Cantina - Pollo a la Parrilla Burrito - Mexican Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Outstanding hidden gem!! Ordered the choriqueso, carne asada tacos with rice and beans, and the carne asada meal. Had to take it to go despite attempting to eat it all. Great prices for great food! Will definitely be back soon! read more

Overall, the place is very nice and cozy. I must say that the drinks are expensive and although that is the norm, almost everyhwere, it shouldn't be. The food was prepared fresh and the bartender and server were super nice! It is a neighborhood "joint" but not too far from Broad Street, so you can walk or Uber. We will be back! read more

I was in Philadelphia for work and the concierge recommended this restaurant. I do wish we had walked as parking is insane in the area. It's all parallel parking and very narrow streets. Warning! There is no AC and it was very hot. It got even hotter because we were eating Mexican food. The guacamole and chips were good. The burritos were excellent! Huge portions! I ate half and had the other half for dinner. The service was excellent and the decor is definitely worth a peek! Great staff, service, and recommendations. They have an extensive menu. read more

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My friend invited me to come get happy hour at this place, and I'm glad we came! We arrived just in time for happy hour which offered a selection of drinks on discount. We got margaritas (mango and peach) for $7 each. I enjoyed the drink and thought it was well-made. For food, I ordered the Milanese de Res sandwich, which was my first time trying this item. I liked all the filling and thought they went well together. Overall, this restaurant has decent prices and great food. The servers were very attentive and kind. read more

Frida Cantina - Milaneza de Res Sandwich - Mexican Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Loved the chilaquiles and the birria! Love the makeover of the restaurant. The patio, when it's done, will be fabulous. Finally a great Mexican restaurant! We will go back! Definitely a thumbs up! Service was wonderful as well. It's our new Go To place! Outstanding! read more

This place was my gotta go place for great drinks and fresh food. The bartenders were very attentive and courteous. There's a different vibe (new management?) Before if you asked the bartender to alter the drink slightly it wasn't a problem, now it is, also in my last experience I was with a small group that had cocktails, the bill was paid but as we walked out I was stopped and charged for 2 drinks. Not classy read more

Food was delicious, large servings. Staff was friendly and attentive. Cozy little vibe with unique theme/interior. read more

Frida Cantina - Mexican Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I burst through the doors of Frida Cantina with my friend Zack and we had a purpose and it was fueled by tequila. We made it just in time leaving out jobs early to make it to the 4-6 happy hour that offers $5 drafts and $8 margarita made fresh on point! The atmosphere was inviting with a rustic charm and colorful decor. Especially the most beautiful bar in the city. See photos Upon arriving, we were promptly greeted by Perez, who was friendly and accommodating. He asked for our preference of an assortment of FRESH margarita flavors, and Zack chose mango while I chose classic. We were enamored by how authentic and delicious the drinks were, as always. The tequila was smooth and well-balanced with the other ingredients, making for a refreshing and satisfying beverage. For starters, we ordered the ceviche which was fresh and flavorful, and it was inhaled by the two of us in no time. For our main course, we ordered the suadero tacos, which had a perfect combination of textures and flavors, while Zack ordered steak/chorizo tacos, which were juicy and full of flavor. After happy hour was over, we decided to explore the drink menu and were imbibed by mojitos and mezcal margs. The mojito was made with fresh mint and lime, and the mezcal margarita had a smoky and complex flavor that was perfectly balanced with the other ingredients. Overall, I highly recommend Frida Cantina. The quality of the food and drink is top-notch, and the service is exceptional. We spent $20 plus an Uber ride because we knew Frida does not f around on their quality of food and drink. This happy hour went down in history as a must-visit for anyone who loves authentic and delicious Mexican cuisine and drinks. Note happy hour is 4-6 Monday -Friday Uber/Lyft highly recommended Great for date night Authentic Margs made with all fresh ingredients like agave. read more

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If you want to get good drinks without spending too much , come here Monday- Friday before 6 for happy hour. I had mojito and it's perfectly refreshing. Staff was very attentive and helpful. Good and spicy red salsa served with chips. Guacamole is ok. Carnitas burrito is mediocre. Had little pieces of pork mostly fat. I ordered salad with shrimp. They asked me how many shrimps I wanted. Shrimps are big and perfectly cooked In summary, I recommend the drinks but not the food. read more

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We ordered chicken enchiladas and nachos. Both Delicious. The Drinks were good but very pricey.

The food was plentiful and delicious. Oscar is a great server. He kept the food and drinks coming. A cute place with a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere . A big plus for them is they are open till 2:00am. read more

Delicious and affordable! Unique spice combo for interesting and deep flavors - loved both the Al pastor and choripapa (chorizo and potato). Comes with free chips and salsa. Fun and festive decoration - the tile work is beautiful! Individually carved chairs and hand painted murals. read more

Frida Cantina - Choripapa Flautas and Al Pastor Burrito - Mexican Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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From our first visits to Frida Cantina for watching Eagles games with friends at the bar, to our recent deliveries during Covid, we remain big fans! Delivery is always a solid experience and everything is packaged well. I've been digging the al pastor tacos and we almost always get an order of guac and chips, which is pretty substantial. The restaurant always throws in some homemade salsas - the green salsa is absolutely delicious! read more

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Great hidden gem in the heart of south Philly. The food was fresh and full of flavors, I had the fish tacos. Very cute and inviting decor. And a very large list of Tequilas for any Tequila lover. I do agree that parking is sparse but not a bad thing as you will want to walk off these large portions read more

I'm a big fan of Frida since my boyfriend lives not too far and the food is always good. I remember the first time I went there, we got some queso fundido and tacos, basically the staple of what one would grab from a taqueria. The restaurant itself is very cute and quaint, seating only a handful of tables outside of the bar area. If you happen to be in a rush or just in the mood to bum around in the house, you can get your food to go or even order through Uber Eats. My favorite taco in general is Al Pastor, but you can't really go wrong with anything that you order unless you're looking for Taco Bell ;) In addition to great service and decent customers, the atmosphere in Frida is never one that makes you roll your eyes so it's perfect for a casual date or a night out with friends. read more

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I had the al pastor tacos and a spicy margarita. The al pastor was just a smidge on the dry side for me, but I lived in LA for 10 years and got kind of spoiled there. It was good enough that I'd certainly come back and try something else next time I'm in the area. The cocktail was great, and rimmed with something really tangy and delicious. read more

Frida Cantina - Al pastor tacos. - Mexican Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I stopped by Frida Cantina because it was just a few houses down from where I was staying. It is a cute little restaurant with amazing interior decorations! You wouldn't expect much from the outside, but once you walk inside, you feel welcomed! I visited on a Sunday evening so there weren't many patrons inside. The menu wasn't large but I'm sure you'd find something that would fulfill your craving. I kept my order simple and ordered the Al Pastor tacos and a bottled Coke. Not disappointed one bit! The tacos were great and even with just a little bit of lime juice added on, it made them even better! I didn't order any special drinks, but they did have a great choice of beers and liquor. Overall, this restaurant is cute and the food was delicious! Go check it out if you're in south Philadelphia. read more

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First time at Fried Cantina and it definitely would be a place I would come back to. Went on a Friday night around 7' o'clock and the place wasn't overcrowded. They only had one server but she was very good at keeping up with all the tables. We started off with drinks ( classic margarita & pineapple margarita) both were good. For a appetizer we tried the Coctel de camaron it comes with the shrimp inside of a tomato sauce, avocado, onions and cilantro. Also a side of salted crackers and limes. I ordered the flautas (tinga) we also ordered the Barbacoa and consome. Every single item coming out of that kitchen was amazing!!!! The green and red sauce were good but I would definitely say that the red sauce was my favorite! The consome came with a side of cilantro, onions and limes. I must say that's the best consome I ever had!!! The service and the food were all Great! read more

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Love this place! Go there at least twice a month... The food is good and the drinks are great!!! read more

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First of all. I give it to them for having a top notch place on a back street in Philly! Oscar is the man for being a bartender, prep cook, and what seemed to me a manager. Shout out to him for breaking down the drinks...as far as how he makes the different salt for the rims. More importantly educating myself of the difference of tacos/cuisines around Mexico because I'm slacking. For the knowledgeable...Fridas serves a Mexican City style. They have amazing drinks! The work put in, the display, and the mixture of herbs are astounding Stop in to try one if for nothing else. I personally ordered the fish tacos, of which...absolutely no complaints. My friend ordered who knows what but no complaints from him either. The atmosphere with the great decal is awesome and all around I will say it would be a regular spot if I was around the neighborhood. read more

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Where do I even start!? The food was amazing! Very fresh and authentic. My drink was super strong (not complaining lol). The place itself is so cute and a very comfortable vibe. But best of all was our service. Impeccable! We were basically catered to the whole time, perfectly. Very attentive and very kind. I highly recommend this place!! read more

Frida Cantina - Alambre Clasico Plato - Mexican Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Surprisingly very good! Loved the hibiscus and blueberry margaritas. Guacamole is not on the menu but it is definitely a must try! We had the al pastor tacos and they're filling amd very tasy read more

If I could give this place a six. I would. We were in South Philly. Looking for a place to grab lunch. My wife loves Frida Kahlo's art work. So we decided to stop in. The young lady that took care of us was cheerful, friendly, accomamadating, and helpful. The place is great. Paintings and decorations on point. Ok you get it. Moving in to the food.. I had a burrito with thin steak. My wife had sandwhich with marinated pork, Mexican cheese, lettuce, tomato.. The portions were huge. The food was delicious. It's rare I have to ask for a take home box. Later I finished it. Was excellent even left over. I highly recommend this place.. read more

Excellent service , walked in Saturday evening, the bartender who served us was so warm and hospitable. The chips were fresh and crunchy , guacamole was fresh not overly seasoned, salsa were yummy also, the red sauce packed a good punch. Tacos were also very good, Enchiladas were well flavored anthe chicken was so fresh. The seating is tight but the bartender was cranking out some good drinks! read more

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Girls night out. Before the Pink concert at the Wells Fargo Center. Some place that would satisfy 4 hungry women... Frida fit the bill. We snagged a parking spot right up the block and we were seated right away. Everyone who was serving was so pleasant. They make a killer cilantro margarita! The chicken enchiladas suissa was delicious. It was a special that night and tasted so fresh and homemade. We shares queso with poblano peppers. Also really good. I have been thinking about Frida since that night and need to get myself back there for more margaritas and to try more of that wonderful food. read more

Frida Cantina - Mexican Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

My bf and I were there in south philly and googled for Mexican with good reviews on margaritas, saw good reviews and decided to give it a shot. Didn't disappoint tho. We were seated right away out on the sidewalk and the weather was so nice and breezy. The food came out fast, so fresh and taste so good. Margarita was so yummy. I def wanted to go back and tried more, wish I could order them all! read more

Frida Cantina - Chorizo Tacos - Mexican Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Frida Cantina is an awesome spot to stop for Mexican food on a Friday night before going to a concert at the Wells Fargo Center (10 minutes away). On weeknights they have $7 margaritas from 4-6 pm. The house margarita was delicious and you could definitely taste the booze. They give you red and green salsa with chips on the table, both were very good. I started off with a chips and guacamole, which was really tasty and had a light kick. I split the very large chicken burrito with someone and was totally satisfied, but my very big eater friend was able to finish an entire one. The tacos seemed expensive on the menu but they were HUGE. We really enjoyed the tofu tacos, which had soft shells. Looking forward to coming again and trying the ceviche, which looked like a really nice specialty of this place. read more

We love it here. The staff are all friendly, the chicken tacos are soooo good, and we feel comfortable enough to try things we wouldn't typically try. Also, the bar has some cool options of different liquors to create some delicious drinks read more

Love this place! I get the vegetarian enchiladas every time and they *actually* have vegetables in them, unlike most Mexican places where they just give you some variation of rice & beans. A bit spicy so beware :) They're usually punctual, though sometimes on the later end of the delivery estimate. But really good! I recommend!! read more

This place gets five stars all around. After driving around for literally half an hour looking for parking (just Uber and thank me later) my boyfriend and I walked in to the cutest Mexican spot. Frida is all over the walls of course, it's very vibrant and colorful (in true Mexican fashion), and very cozy. We both ordered steak tacos, and I ordered the traditional margarita. Before they brought our food out we were given complimentary chips and salsa (as it should be). The salsa was yummy! Both the green and red salsa were spicy, but not too spicy. Then my delicious margarita was brought out. It was really good. Just as a note they have a lot of margarita flavors, so next time I will try the guava for sure! Then they brought the tacos out. You get three in your meal, which is a great deal for the price. The steak was well seasoned, tender, juicy, and delicious! The music was nice and chill (pretty sure they were playing Mexican ballads in the beginning). Lastly, the service was great! The waiter checked on us just enough were we felt attended to, but not so much that we felt like he was hovering. I love this place and this is definitely bae and I's New Mexican date night spot in Philly! read more

Frida Cantina - Steak tacos - Mexican Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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The food was awesome and the drinks were amazing. The Noble Old Fashion is definitely one of my favorite drinks. The bartender that night could make a wide range of drinks, which is great; he was very impressive. Their liquor selection is perfect! I had the Barbacoa for dinner, and I was widely impressed. read more

Frida Cantina - Mexican Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Very authentic Mexican food- a true gem for you to discover and enjoy for yourself in Philadelphia! Items tried: appetizers, drinks, steaks, almost all of their tacos, more drinks, enchiladas. Star rating: 5/5 It's hard to find such a beautiful spot with food this authentic. read more

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