Mixteca Philly

An ambitious cocktail program built around agave spirits is at the heart of Mixteca Philly. The establishment was conceived as an agave oasis, where tequila, mezcal, bacanora, and raicilla are given center stage. The beverage list features a wide array of margaritas made with housemade fruit consommés, from strawberry and guava to passionfruit and yuzu. Beyond the classics, the bar offers agave-based interpretations of cocktails like the Penicillin and Paper Plane. It even creates Philadelphia-centric versions of the historic Fish House Punch and Clover Club using tequila and mezcal. The approach to the food is rooted in the flavors of Puebla, with a focus on shared plates and contemporary Mexican preparations. Every corn tortilla is made to order in-house, forming the foundation for tacos with fillings such as steak with chipotle roja, Yucatán shrimp, and maitake mushrooms with a tamarind-pasilla glaze. The kitchen has become known for larger, shareable items, including a whole branzino asado and a family-style pork belly al pastor, both served with warm tortillas and accompaniments. Other notable offerings that have appeared on the carte include duck flautas, hamachi ceviche with passionfruit and serrano, and tuna tostadas. Designed by the same studio as its New York predecessor, the Philadelphia space draws inspiration from Puebla while cultivating the feeling of a neighborhood gathering place. The expansive location accommodates guests across a main dining room, an outdoor patio brightened with string lights, and a mezzanine. A central archway over the bar, constructed from ceramic Talavera tiles imported from Puebla, serves as a striking visual centerpiece, reinforcing the restaurant's connection to the region that inspires its culinary creations.