El Vez - Mexican restaurant in Philadelphia - 121 S 13th St, USA

My friend and I had a nice night here. I enjoyed the food but overall this place isn’t really anything special. For the price point I’d imagine something more mind blowing. I knew this place wasn’t going to be authentic but I wanted to be surprised by the fusion items and they turned out to be just okay, Some things were done well like, the meat in the tacos were spectacularly spiced and well cooked. But other things were mediocre at best, like the seafood options did not taste very appetizing. The deserts were yummy but nothing special. The lights were moody and decor was nice to look at, the service was good too. If you live near the area and want to impress someone I would take them here but it’s not going to be a restaurant I come back too.

Great food, decent service, phenomenal atmosphere - would definitely go back! Glad we had reservations as there was a long wait when we walked in. The decorations vibe and atmosphere are amazing. Loved the spinning motorcycle around the bar, the unique photo decorated wall and the hard to miss orange booths! We have been to one of their other locations and got the same feeling which is what I was hoping for. The nachos were good, the guacamole was fresh and the salsas were tangy, fresh and flavorful! The black bean quesadillas were okay but the smoky flavor was a bit too much for me. The food came out quick and the portions are very generous. The only callout was having to flag down our waiter a few times to get silverware for our meal, place additional orders and at the end to get a check. Totally understandable as the restaurant was full but she just seemed a bit overwhelmed. The restaurant is spacious but can get very loud when it fills up. Overall the service was okay, the food was above average, vibe was a 10/10. Would recommend for a good bang for your buck with the food portions.

Have been to El Vez many times. Food is always very good. Atmosphere / Decor / Vibe still very cool despite being same for 20 years now. Bathrooms / bathroom wash area could use a refresh. This time we sat at a table. Server (Cristal) was great but bartenders were very slow filling drink orders. Had to ask about our drinks 3 times. Guacamole app and the Tortilla soup were excellent as always. Snapper Veracruzana was also very good. Cheese burger was good and cooked exactly as requested. Fries that came with cheese burger were some of the best I ever had. Always a good time!

Mile with chicken is incredible. Hibiscus drink is perfect. Staff is outstanding. Their connection to musical icon El Vez is awesome. This is a must-do in my book.

The service and atmosphere are fantastic, making it an ideal spot for drinks and light bites. The bar has a cool vibe. However, the only drawback, in my opinion, is the pricing of the food, particularly for tacos. While the food wasn’t bad, I found it to be on the expensive side. Personally, I wouldn’t choose this place for a meal again. Nevertheless, the interior is lovely, and it’s a great place to gather with friends for a drink.

Ordered several cocktails including mojitos and Old Fashioned. Also got nachos and steak Tacos. All very good. The Nachos are laid out like a round pizza and evenly topped. The Tacos are perfectly delicious. Great ambiance, beautiful decor, hip vibe.

El Vez offers a delightful fusion of flavors! We got Tacos Árabes which a standout, bursting with deliciousness. The grilled corn and melted Manchego were a delightful twist. The dips were absolutely fantastic, adding an extra intensity to the meal. However, the only downside was that the portion sizes seemed a tad small considering the prices. Nonetheless, the ambiance was pleasant, and the attentive waitresses made the dining experience enjoyable. It is a spot worth visiting for a flavorful culinary adventure. This is not far from being the best Mexican restaurant in Philadelphia.

Had the best nachos I've had here. Margarita was excellent too. Really cool vibe. I will only caution it was very crowded the whole time we were there, so you may need to wait. (yet the food and drinks were served promptly!).