Located in the heart of Philadelphia, at South 13th Street, El Vez restaurant offers a vibrant and modern take on Mexican cuisine. This popular dining spot has become a go-to for locals and visitors alike seeking an authentic yet innovative Mexican culinary experience. El Vez’s menu is a testament to the rich and diverse flavors of Mexico, featuring everything from classic nachos and guacamole to inventive tacos and enchiladas. Whether you are a long-time fan of Mexican food or looking to explore new tastes, El Vez on South 13th Street in Philadelphia, PA, provides a menu that caters to a wide range of palates, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.
Dive into Delicious Starters: Nachos & Salsa
Begin your El Vez journey with their tempting selection of Nachos & Salsa, perfect for sharing or enjoying as a hearty appetizer.
Nacho Sensations
- Chips & Salsa: Starting at $10, enjoy the classic combination of fresh corn tortilla chips served with a vibrant salsa roja and salsa verde, made with tomatoes, red onions, and jalapeños.
- Melted Manchego: For $16, savor the rich and savory melted Manchego cheese, perfectly complemented by sweet onions.
- Nacho Mamma: Priced at $17, the Nacho Mamma is a delightful creation featuring queso mixto, black beans, salsa ranchera, sour cream, and pickled red onion & jalapeño for a flavorful kick.
- Macho Nachos: Elevate your nacho experience with the Macho Nachos for $19. This dish builds upon the Nacho Mamma by adding your choice of succulent chicken or savory chorizo.
Guacamole: Fresh and Flavorful
No Mexican meal is complete without guacamole, and El Vez takes this classic to another level with a variety of fresh and flavorful options.
Guacamole Creations
- El Vez “The Original”: At $16.50, experience the quintessential guacamole, made with tomato, onions, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime.
- De La Hoya: For $16, try the traditional Oaxacan style guacamole, featuring roasted garlic, white onion, and basil for a unique twist.
- “Bazooka” Limon: Indulge in the “Bazooka” Limon for $18, a creamy and zesty blend of goat cheese, chile flake, pistachio, and roasted tomato.
- “Indian Red” Lopez: Spice things up with the “Indian Red” Lopez for $23, a spicy crab guacamole infused with cilantro and salsa roja.
- Tito Santana: For a fruity and spicy combination, try the Tito Santana for $17, featuring mango, red bell peppers, jicama, habanero & serrano chiles.
Appetizers: Explore a Range of Flavors
Beyond nachos and guacamole, El Vez offers an enticing array of appetizers to tantalize your taste buds.
Tempting Appetizer Selections
- Queso Fundido de Hongos: For $14, enjoy the Queso Fundido de Hongos, a delicious blend of roasted mushroom and shallot, poblano-chile purée, epazote, and salsa roja.
- Queso Fundido con Carne: Meat lovers can opt for the Queso Fundido con Carne, also priced at $14, featuring melted Mexican cheeses and rojo chorizo.
- Shrimp Aguachile Verde: Refresh your palate with the Shrimp Aguachile Verde for $17, a zesty dish with tomatillo, avocado, and cucumber.
- Steak Quesadilla: Indulge in the Steak Quesadilla for $20, filled with seared queso mixto, smoked chile salsa, Mexican crema, and grilled jalapeño.
- Chicken Quesadilla: A lighter option, the Chicken Quesadilla at $16 features achiote marinated chicken, chihuahua cheese, tomatillo salsa, and pickled jalapeño in a corn tortilla.
- Open Face Shrimp Quesadilla: For $16, try the Open Face Shrimp Quesadilla with a 3 cheese blend, tomatoes, pasilla sauce, pickled jalapeños, and avocado espuma.
- Black Bean Tlayuda: Vegetarian delight, the Black Bean Tlayuda for $13 is a crispy corn flatbread topped with refried black beans, oaxaca cheese, avocado, jalapeño, lettuce & salsa roja. You can add chorizo for an extra $2.
- Tuna Tostadas: Seafood enthusiasts will enjoy the Tuna Tostadas for $16, featuring serranos, avocado, red onion, and chipotle mayo.
- Tuna-Coconut Ceviche: For a tropical twist, the Tuna-Coconut Ceviche at $19 combines coconut-lime broth, young coconut, and habanero.
- Sweet Corn and Poblano Empanadas: Vegetarian-friendly Sweet Corn and Poblano Empanadas are available for $13, filled with oaxaca cheese and served with peanut salsa verde.
Soups & Salads: Light and Refreshing
For a lighter meal or a side to your main course, El Vez offers refreshing soups and salads.
Soups and Salad Options
- Mexican Chopped Salad: The Mexican Chopped Salad at $14.5 is a vibrant mix of romaine, pepitas, tomatoes, chayote, corn, black beans, queso fresco, crispy tortillas, and your choice of lemon-avocado dressing or cumin-lime vinaigrette. You can add adobo chicken ($8), adobo shrimp ($12), or grilled steak ($11).
- Caesar Salad: A classic Caesar Salad is available for $12, featuring anchovy, garlic, baby gem lettuce, parsley, and lemon. Add adobo chicken ($8), adobo shrimp ($12), or grilled steak ($11) for a heartier meal.
- Tortilla Soup: Warm up with the Tortilla Soup for $10, a comforting chicken soup with avocado, crunchy tortillas, crema fresca, and queso fresco.
Tacos & Enchiladas: Mexican Staples with a Twist
El Vez excels in classic Mexican dishes like tacos and enchiladas, offering a variety of fillings and flavors.
Taco and Enchilada Variety
- Steak Tacos: For $17, enjoy the robust flavor of Steak Tacos with roasted tomatillo-chipotle salsa and pico de gallo.
- Chicken Tacos: A classic choice, Chicken Tacos are $15 and feature chihuahua cheese, avocado, tomatillo & tomato salsa, and crema.
- Crispy Mahi-Mahi Tacos: Seafood lovers will appreciate the Crispy Mahi-Mahi Tacos for $16.50, with red cabbage, avocado, and chipotle pepper remoulade.
- Cauliflower Tacos al Pastor: A vegetarian delight, Cauliflower Tacos al Pastor are $13, featuring roasted habanero-cashew salsa, herb sesame ‘crema’, and pickled red onions.
- Birria Tacos: Indulge in the rich and savory Birria Tacos for $18, filled with braised lamb, monterey cheese, and served with red chile consommé.
- Carnitas Tacos: Classic Carnitas Tacos are $14, featuring pork confit, diced white onion, cilantro, and salsa verde cruda.
- Black Cod al Pastor Tacos: For a unique seafood taco, try the Black Cod al Pastor Tacos for $19, with morita aioli, limey cabbage, and grilled pineapple.
- Baja Shrimp Tacos: Enjoy the crispy Baja Shrimp Tacos for $16.50, with negra modelo beer batter, cabbage, pico de gallo, and cremayo.
- Black Bean Enchiladas: Vegetarian Black Bean Enchiladas are $14, featuring roasted tomatillo sauce, oaxaca cheese, pickled onions, and crema.
- Short Rib Enchiladas: Indulge in the rich Short Rib Enchiladas for $18, with chocolate mole, sesame, onion, and crema.
- Chicken Enchiladas: Classic Chicken Enchiladas are $15, with crema fresca, radish, and cotija cheese.
- Enchiladas Mixtas: For a sampler, the Enchiladas Mixtas are $23 and include chicken, short rib, and black bean enchiladas with traditional garnishes.
- Taco Tasting Platter: For $28, sample a variety with the Taco Tasting Platter, including chicken, steak, carnitas, mahi, and shrimp tacos.
Tacos Al Carbon (for 2): A Shared Culinary Experience
For a fun and interactive dining experience, El Vez offers Tacos Al Carbon, designed for sharing between two people. These traditional build-your-own tacos come with flour tortillas, queso fresco, guacamole, pico de gallo, and rajas.
Tacos Al Carbon Options
- Adobo Chicken: $35
- Char-Grilled Steak: $49
- Grilled Portobello: $32
- Grilled Shrimp: $43
- Grilled Tofu: $32
- Combo (Choose 2): Price varies
Entreés: Main Courses to Savor
El Vez’s entreés showcase the restaurant’s culinary expertise, with dishes designed to impress.
Main Course Selections
- Carne Asada: For $28, enjoy the Carne Asada, featuring grilled flat iron steak, creamed corn & jalapeños, tomatillo escabeche, and guajillo steak sauce.
- Red Snapper a la Veracruzana: Seafood lovers can opt for the Red Snapper a la Veracruzana for $24, served with green rice and olive-caper sauce.
Sides: Complements to Your Meal
Enhance your meal with El Vez’s selection of flavorful sides.
Side Dish Choices
- Grilled Corn On The Cob: Enjoy Grilled Corn On The Cob for $7, seasoned with lime chipotle and queso fresco.
- Black Beans & White Rice: A classic side of Black Beans & White Rice is available for $5.
- Refried Beans: Simple yet satisfying Refried Beans are $4.50.
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts: For a vegetable option, try the Roasted Brussels Sprouts for $8, with avocado mayo and fresno chile.
- Creamy Poblano Corn Rice: Indulge in the Creamy Poblano Corn Rice for $6.
- Plantains Con Queso: Sweet and savory Plantains Con Queso are $6.
El Vez on South 13th Street in Philadelphia, PA, invites you to experience the best of modern Mexican cuisine. With a menu as diverse and flavorful as this, there is something for everyone to enjoy at this culinary hotspot. Remember to check out their vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options for a truly inclusive dining experience.
