Taqueria Veracruzana

Best tacos in Philly. Cheap, simple, and consistent. A must if you are in South Philly. Pros: Cheap and good more

So far this is the all around best Taquerias in Philly I've found so far. I've tried all the others in the area of Washington Ave, and have always been really disappointed. My order of choice is the 3 tacos for $6; I usually get Campachano (mix of grilled steak and chorizo), Al Pastor (roast Pork), and Jalapeno Relleno. As with any Mexican restaurant I would highly discourage ordering chicken or any non-grilled meat. And as always the chorizo is very oily so I would order a mix to prevent taco breakage. Also common in foreign restaurants is the fatty meats. Nearly every Asian and Mexican restaurant does this, so yet another reason to order the grilled meats. I would stay away from many of the other entrees. The lamb enchiladas are extremely fatty and the sauce is just ok. The quesadillas are just tacos with queso blanco crumbled on top--not really worth the extra $2. The burritos are enormous and really good, but again if you get a chorizo burrito, prepare for a huge mess. You can probably get comparable tacos at most of the other taquerias, but it's their salsa that keeps me coming back. They give you 2 big bowls of salsa: one a smokey roasted tomato one, and a spicy jalapeno-avocado one. Both are excellent, but I think many gringos find them too spicy and eat their tacos dry (which is probably why they rate it low). Between 2-3 people we finish them off and sometimes need more. They also deliver pretty much anywhere in the city, but then you only get 2 tiny salsas instead of the endless bowl of deliciousness. Unfortunately, the service here is pretty terrible. Every time I've gone, it's been fairly crowded, but even on the days it's been empty the service is just as slow. Initially, there was a language barrier, but now most of the waitresses know English. They take incredibly long to serve you water and chips and salsa, but once they finally put your order in, it comes pretty quickly. The other negative is they only take tips in cash, so if you plan on tipping make sure you bring some. As for ambiance...it's a Taqueria. This place is for good food at a reasonable price. If you want ambiance go to a Steven Starr restaurant and spend 10x as much for mediocre food. Pros: Salsa, tacos, price Cons: Service more

Every time I come into this place and see people getting the tacos and burritos and going out of their minds over how great they are, I can't help but softly whisper ""suckerrrrrs!!"". Don't get me wrong, they're tasty, but what you should be eating here are the main entrees, like the alambre, steak with cactus, shrimp in tequila sauce, seafood stew... they will truly rock your tastebuds. They're a little more expensive, but two people could share one of those alone, I make two meals out of them. I used to go to Morning Glory and Sabrina's for breakfast, but when the lines grew too long, I turned to Taqueria Veracruzana and discovered awesomeness. The breakfast items are all in the $6 or $7 range and includes free chips, salsa, and warm tortillas. My personal fav is the huevos pobalnos- a medley of poblano peppers, onion, and fresh corn topped with eggs and cream and oxaca cheese with a creamy tomato sauce drizzled all over it. There's so much food, I usually only need to eat more meal, much, much later in the day. I've been going there for about two years now and have resisted spreading the word about them.. but I don't want them to go out of business. People, don't get the burritos and tacos, they're not nearly as good as everything else. You won't regret it. NOTE: This is not ""el vez"" or some other scene/hipster place, it is not romantic or pretentious, also be prepared, there are, *gasp* dare I say it, real live Hispanics who frequent the joint. There are some waitresses who speak English better than others, but you can leave your Spanish-English dictionaries at home, they can all take your order. This may not be the place for you if are uncomfortable with people who speak languages other than English. Pros: everything else (bring your own beer/tequila) Cons: bathroom more

The food here is cheap and delicious. The carnitas burrito is stuffed with tender, tasty pork (albeit slightly greasy) and perfectly ripe avacado. The salsa verde and al pastor tacos/ burritos also keep me coming back. In response to some of the older reviews, they do accept credit cards now, and the chips are free when you dine in. They're only $1 when you order take-out. You can have a meal for under $10, and you will be very full for hours. Pros: laid-back atmosphere, byob, yummy food, cheap more

Good tacos for a great price. Also good burritto's. Cheap and Cheerful. So you can not beat it. Although they did not have pineapple juice. So why did someone say that they did? Oh well. I never thought that pineapple's were native to Mexican food anyway. Or are they? Who cares? My Boyfriend just said my review was crazy. I think he is crazy. Plus he did not even buy me dinner what is up with that? I need to play my Wii. Pros: Tacos Cons: Kind of a strange neighborhood more

No exaggeration, not coming from someone who hasn't dined out much. I've ate at most of the Mexican spots in Philly, and Veracruzana is always the best. Every burrito I've had there has been outstanding. The rice and beans are the best I've ever had. The service is good, the prices are reasonable, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the horchata is fresh. Not to mention the place is open late, until midnight if I'm not mistaken. If you're looking for great Mexican food in Philly then pull up a chair at Veracruzana and dig in. more

unbelievable and authentic mexican food.. growing up in texas, i can tell you this is one of the few places in this city that serves real mexican food... as far as people who can't deal with the workers who don't speak as english as well... get over yourself.. don't ask for authentic good food and then be insensitive to people who come here who work hard to make a better life for themselves and in the process feed you really good food..... so learn to speak some spanish or learn some tolerance.. oh and they make the best al pastor tacos in philly.. a true test of real mexican food more

I read the rest of the reviews and for quite a few, I asked myself if these people had eaten at the same restaurant as I had. American cheese? Where did that come from??? The quesadillas and whatnot appear to have Oaxaca or some other kind of Mexican cheese. Oddly enough (but in a good way), they give you extra unmelted cheese on the side for them, along with the other fixings. more

No reviews?? This is by far the best Mexican I've had in over the last year in Philly (after 7 years in L.A.). more

I work at a nearby condo and ordered food from here (had never eaten their food prior to) and 2 hours later I had to walk two blocks to get my food -- it was suppose to have been delivered. The guy tried very hard, even called me twice: The problem? He could not speak English. Perhaps the restaurant could take him to an English as a Second Language class - only because their food is INCREDIBLE, their service is good and friendly, and because I need them to get my food to me on time the next time I order. Seriously, this place has amazing food (whoever hated the burritos obviously does not know a thing about authentic Mexican food) -- give it a shot. Pros: great food Cons: delivery guys does not speak English - this is The U.S.A. more

This is a decent Mexican restaurant. The portions are ok, except for the burritos that is a excelent portion. The Tortas de Milanesa are to small for the price. Do not really like that the Tacos are not sold individually. Plus the cheese they use is not Mexican cheese, its like American or Swiss which takes away from the flavor it should have. The service was OK, the food tasted good, except for the pork being extremely salty. The green salsa is excellent the red was not bad either. Would recomend this restaurant for someone looking for good Mexican food in Philly. Just remember Cash only. Pros: Decent food, Big Burritos. Cons: Street parking, cash only, so-so serivice, small restaurant. more

Not too long ago a friend of mine told me all about TLV and how ""they had the best burritos, ever!"" Well after eating there I realized he hadn't eaten out very much. Now I don't want to discourage you from giving it a try, I mean the portions are hugh and the food is eatible, but it isn't exactly authentic...no one in Mexico uses American cheese....except for McDonald's. The burritos are packed with large chunks of veggies and meat and the salsa verde was very tasty...so you won't leave hungry or broke! And as far as atsmosphere it would be classified as comfortable. They did have orange crush in a bottle ... i thought that was really good!!! Pros: cheap eats! Cons: chips aren't free..... more

The service is horrendous; it took 20 minutes to get water. The waitress was rude. The food was not great. I tried the vegetarian burrito and it was not good. It tasted like a hoagie--it had American cheese(!), lettuce, tomato, beans and rice. From now on, I will stick with La Lupa. La Lupe has the best vegetarian burrito ever--better cheese and amazing vegetables. Pros: good salsa and chips Cons: awful service, sad burrito more

If we lived in a meritocracy, the proprietors and cooks of Taqueria La Veracruzana would have their faces on our currency, and whoever makes Taco Bell, Old El Paso, &c., would be made to walk the plank. On their hands. With a mouthful of fire sauce. No dribbling. Pros: Groin-grabbingly good grub Cons: It's a little out of the way if you live in Center City more

There might be more formal restaurants that serve comparable Mexican food but when it comes to a quick and low key lunch, this place has the most authentic Mexican I have ever had. Their refried beans made a bean lover out of me! Really, try their food - it is worthwhile! Pros: Best Food Cons: No alcohol! more

I used to go to this place twice a week. The tacos are great and cheap. However, about one year ago, the service started to become horrible. I would call ahead, their # was in my cell phone, get there 20 min after the call and wait another 40 min. After that happening four times and a friend of mine missing his train because they never got our food and we left, I stopped going. I speak enough spanish to order in it, but I think they're not too friendly with gringos. The last time I went I counted six groups of mexicans that came after me and got their food before me. I haven't been there in about a year and I'm starting to crave their tacos. I might be giving them one more chance. Pros: Food, Tacos Cons: Service more

This place does have the best tacos al pastor in Philadelphia, but everything else is better at La Lupe Pros: Tacos al Pastor more

I went to this neat little place with a few friends recently. We were all very surprised at the homely atmosphere when we first walked in. There were some immediate drawbacks though. First, the lack of heat on a 15 degree day made us leave our jackets and gloves on as we ate. Then the combination of flat soda and service with no personality did not sit well with us. But then came the food and our spirits went straight up. The quesadilla was terrific because of the fine cheese used. The tacos were an extra special treat as we were all used to cheap imitation tacos. I consider myself a Mexican Food connoisseur and would definately say that this place is worth making the trip. We will definately be back very soon. The only thing different we would do is bring our own soft drinks, heat, and waitress. Pros: Inexpensive, Fast, Great Food Cons: Cold, Soft Drinks were flat, Poor Service more

The menu here is more similar to those I've seen when I've been in Mexico than most Mexican eateries here in the city- not the same old, same old at most American Mexican restaurants. The food is flavorful and the experience a typical taqueria's - definitely filling a niche we were missing in Philly! Pros: Inexpensive, Good menu more

If you are from California and are looking for something that tastes remotely like something back home, come here FIRST. I've been here about three years, and this place is probably the best in Philly for the authentic flavor.. I haven't tried the burritos - but I never leave without getting at least one Taco al Pastor... and then usually another, despite how full I am Also, the ambiance is PERFECT - Squirt sodas, actual Mexican patrons, a TV... Finally - I remember someone mentioning that they could use better quality meat and I would more or less agree.. I get the milanesa torta a lot, but 4 hours later I'm usually regretting it.. Pros: Tacos al Pastor, Authentic flavor Cons: Could use better, quality meat more