La Calaca Feliz Reviews

We were there for Sunday Brunch, most items were for breakfast but they did have a taco selection. We had the pork tacos and the guacamole. Everything was very good. Better than most Mexican restaurants. I would go back if in the area.

It can get crowded fast, so be sure to call ahead for some table space, La Calaca is a wonderful restaurant with a warm atmosphere. I really enjoyed the margarita varieties and their take on the classical Mexican American dishes.

Super tasty with lots of great vegan and vegetarian selections. They a nice list of beers and a terrific menu of margaritas.

Came here Saturday eve. Got a table outside pretty quick. Nice setting. Food very tasty, apart from Plantains, which we kinda sickly. Best dishes the ceviche (non tuna one) and the carnitas. All in all a good experience and well priced. Let down by weak cocktails. Recommended

Always a fantastic, authentic Mexican meal. This restaurant represents the excellence I’ve come to expect of the PTG group.

Walked around the oval and wanted some Mexican food, so found this place on Trip Advisor. Really glad we did. The food mixes flavors nicely. I had cauliflower tacos with guac paste and beans, and my wife had chicken with pickled cabbage and cheese. Both were awesome. For a side, we split the potatoes/corn and kale. To start, we had delicious red sangria and fresh guac. We would come back. Besides, the area is great to walk around.

I love authentic Mexican dishes, but not very impressed with the food there at all (meat was dry and the sauces seemed bottled). Drinks were great, but very overpriced. Definitely go at Happy Hour!

We decided to try and stay in the Fairmont area of town after the prison tour because of the Made in America Festival. So after checking out a few places online we decided on La Calaca Feliz. The Service - We made reservations and everything seems great until we sat down and were bombarded with sales pitch after sales pitch, our waitress went on for a abnormally long time about how good the margaritas were but the problems was our friend is in AA but she didn't get the hint even after we kept saying we weren't interested. Then she went on to try and push the guacamole on us even though we hadn't even had a chance to look at the menu yet. Throughout the meal it seemed like our waitress kept forgetting about us because the manager kept having to come check on us and we had to repeatedly ask for drink refills. At the end the manager brought us our check and asked us three times if we were sure we didn't desert or coffee and didn't seem to want to take no for an answer because if one person said no he would ask someone else. By then we just wanted to get the hell out. Terrible service. The Food - WAY OVER SALTED!! The food is defiantly catered to the Fairmont neighborhood and is in no way authentic at all. Not worth the price for the service or food in my opinion. The Atmosphere - The atmosphere was very nice, and it was a very cute place. Conclusion - We will definitely not be going back or recommending this place to anyone we know. If you want the best tacos in town, your gonna have to make a trek to south Philly to a small hole in the wall call Los Gallos. The tacos Al Pastor are to die for.

This must be the friendliest restaurant around, every server spoke to us arriving and leaving. We really appreciated it. Their menu offers some new and exciting flavors. While I had lamb taquitos with a mole sauce, and my wife enjoyed cauliflower tacos. Sides are al a cart. Some of the ingredients aren't traditional but they make it work, and there is sufficient variety that it would be worth a return trip (it's close to the museum). I thought their Feliz Margarita was superb, really flavorful and bright.

4 of us enjoyed dinner here on a saturday night - good thing we had reservations as it was very busy. The menu has some interesting items and there is a large drink menu including flights of tequila (which we did not try) and pitchers of Sangria (choice of red or white), which we enjoyed. The guacamole is freshly made and good as is the salsa that comes with the chips.

Nice, upscale-casual place for tacos and other delicious Mexican fare (with a flair). Pleasant interior atmosphere with interesting decor. Pleasant waitstaff; good tacos and guacamole. They now check your temperature upon entering for Covid. Some outdoor seating.

This cute neighborhood spot is a great place to get a bite to eat. The guacamole, mahi-mahi tacos, street corn and plantains were amazing! The service was efficient and the staff was friendly. If you are in the Art Museum area, it is a great place to walk to. Sadly, they open at 4 pm; I would be orderly lunch every week!!

I ordered the carnitas. And I loved them. We sat out on the patio on the most wonderful night of the year. I wish you the same luck.

Early dinner on a Friday found my wife, daughter, and I at La Calaca Feliz. Staff was pleasant and helpful throughout the meal. Noise level wasn't bad, though we did begin about 5:30. Menu provided a broad enough selection of options. We each selected a different version of margarita, and there are certainly enough variations on a theme here. Size, flavor, and kick all hit home. Entrees were chicken tinga tacos, Baja fish tacos, and nachos de la casa with added short rib.Best of show award went to the fish tacos, with chicken tinga tacos next in line. All were of good size, though my chicken was, in my eyes, a bit short on the tinga. Regrettably, the nachos, which daughter had enjoyed on more than one prior visit, were lacking.Most of the plate, under the thin layer of toppings, was dry tortilla chips. Fresh they were, but they were the bulk of the entree. Queso, short rib meat, arbor chile, and pickled jalapenos were all in short supply. Cost was fair and equitable... the going rate for such a meal, in a popular location...maybe more driven by location that by sterling product. Yes, we would go back, recognizing that kitchens are not universally successful each and every night.

We've been here 3-4 times over the last few months. Every time we've been here it's been good - but not superb. Service is fast, but not perfect. It's a neighborhood spot that we'll return to for the nachos, but wouldn't come here for a birthday.

I went to the Philadelphia Museum of Modern Art & after took a trolley across street to the Perelman for a quick walk thru. Left there & walked up Fairmount about 3 blocks, between 24th & 23rd St. Sat outside & ate like a Queen on chips & best ever salsa! Fish tacos, & the Feliz margarita. It was sooo good!

Excellent food, good service, but can get rather loud, which can make it difficult if two or three parties are rather exuberant in their discussions.

We had dinner here on the patio recently and we all decided to have the chef's menu. The food was well balanced, delicious, beautifully prepared and nicely timed. Well done. We will be back for more rice and beans!

Best Mexican in the city! Delicious, fresh, wonderful food and some of the best drinks I've ever had. Service is friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive but fun at the same time. Beautiful space, lovely atmosphere and truly outstanding food. A must go place.

I love love La Calaca. The plates are small and perfect and delicious. The tacos have great flavor and the chips, salsa and gauc are a must!

I've been to La Calaca several times now and it never disappoints. They have great Mexican food a reasonable prices. The crab fundito is a must-have. All but two items on their menu are gluten free, so it's a great place for celiacs. The best part is their service though. My second visit came 2 weeks after the first, and on my second visit the staff remembered my name. they are very friendly and attentive, and very well informed. If I ever owned a restaurant, I would dream of having a great staff like theirs.

I've lived in Texas all my life and travel to Mexico frequently. I love it when I can find a restaurant that serves an authentic guacamole. Not only did their guacamole not have lime (that's how they do it in Mexico), but the jalapeños that they used were spicy, the tomatoes were tasty, onions were just right and the chips were warm. The guacamole also has a very nice presentation. We order the brisket tacos that were a bit 'fatty' and didn't really have any flavor to the meat. Also, not sure if they just zapped the corn tortillas in the microwave, but the tacos were falling apart before I put them in my mouth. Their entrees don't come with rice and bean; you have to order those as 'sides.'

We stuck out towards the art museum in sub-zero weather and wanted brunch-- we saw this off the main road and ducked in. We had no idea how great it would be. The nachos de la casa were the best ever, with corn and cheese and lots of good things on it. My wife's two bellinis were superb, and my bloody mary world class. I had the enchilada con revueltos and it was easily among some of the best Mexican I've had in Mexico or the US. My wife's eggs benedict was quite gourmet as well. Three drinks, a starter, and two mains was a bargain $70.52, a great price for such superb food and service.

This place was packed on a Saturday night. We ended up having food and drinks at the bar. Margarita was excellent and the food was pleasant surprise. The cuisine is a nuevo-Mexican and while there were not a lot of options for vegetarian friend, we both left happy, full and looking forward to returning

We enjoyed the tangy Guacamole, nachos, fish tacos, seafood enchiladas and signature cocktails, particularly the spicy margaritas. The food and spit has a interesting vibe. Not your ordinary Mexican restaurant.

Ate here before so was pleased to find the place still as good. I enjoyed the Mexican-inspired food very much. The place is a fun place to eat. My only complaint is the drinks were a little light on alcohol. But since I come here for the food that doesn't both me too much. Never need a designated driver.

If you need a great restaurant open later than the rest of the neighborhood, go here and be happy! Order enchiladas, they're all tasty. I love the brisket with mole. Spend an evening sipping classic margaritas and dazing off into the cloud of colorfully painted murals. Don't expect to just waltz in though! Everyone knows about this joint and reservations go fast. In a pinch, DO grab a chair at the bar and try the chorizo fundido. The friendly bartenders keep their regulars, and all those 45 min. Wait time walk-in dinners happy.

This restaurant is consistently wonderful every time I go. Tonight I had the grilled swordfish tacos, and they were delicious. Everyone enjoyed their meals!

Had dinner there a few weeks back. Food was incredibly mediocre. My husband got the a taco dish which came with NOTHING no rice, no beans. Our friend ordered the cauliflower tacos which arrived cold and were put on corn tortillas what were not even warmed up. Each of us got one drink...our bill was $92 a couple. One of the more disappointing dinners we have had in Philadelphia. Save you money

The food and the atmosphere were outstanding. It is located on Fairmount Ave. in the Fairmount section of the city. The name means "the Happy Skeleton".

We ate at La Calaca Feliz in Feb. The food was delicious and MUCH more interesting than they typical Tex-mex fare, wonderful and surprising combinations to stuff a taco or tortilla. I however had a healthy Jicama salad toped with grilled chicken. The price of food was more then reasonable! I was also delighted with the murals and the architectural details preserved from previous owners. Frank Lloyd Wright inspired glass windows! The other piece is that I was wearing a family heirloom pearl ring. When I got home I saw that I lost the unusual pearl. I could have dropped it anywhere, but I called the restaurant on the chance that I lost it there. The server remembered the ‘weird” pearl. Not knowing what it was, the pearl went into the trash. But after my phone call he went into the trash to retrieve the pearl. Really a needle in a haystack of trash, but he found it ! Happy ending, I was able to pick up the pearl the following day on my way to the airport. Thank you Michael (server), and Misha (fielded my phone call), and Marty (day manger

We really enjoyed the brisket tacos and guacamole.The restauran has a pleasant staff and fun atmosphere!

Its a nice place in Fairmont park near the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Peniteciary.The food is good, very nice athmosfer, the stuff very helpfull and its moderate price.

It's a little pricy, but the quality is worth it. They have a beautiful courtyard for outdoor dining without noisy traffic. Service is top notch!

I can’t recall the last time I was so surprised by the uniqueness of a menu AND it followed through with fabulous food. The Fundito was ridiculous. The shrimp and tequila lime grits — sensational. The Lamb Barbacoa taquitos are off the chart deliciousness!!!

We visited La Calaca Feliz recently for brunch with some friends. Menu choices were very interesting. We had the guacamole appetizer which was good although the portion seemed a bit small for the price. The waitress was very good and also engaged with the 5 year old we had with us. Margaritas were good. Bloody Mary was so-so (perhaps should have tried the Bloody Maria with tequila). Entrees were very unique and very good. Waitress was outstanding.

I was pleasantly surprised that the could make most of the menu gluten free. Loved the guacamole, made of meal of that with refried beans.

Everything our party of 4 had was very good. One couple tried the chef's tasting menu and the other couple tried the fish tacos and mushroom tacos. All items that night were great. The wait staff was hurried but pleasant. It gets crowded (and loud) so get reservations. Nice tequila selection and delicious IPA on draft. Love this part of Philadelphia.

The tasting menu is exceptional. Fresh flavors that you you will recognize from Mexico. Authentic but very much pointed forward in inspiration. Excellent. Go now!

I read an article detailing the "top 20 restaurants in Philly." My wife loves Mexican and the place was close by so we decided to go. Easy reservations on OpenTable. The atmosphere was awesome and the staff seemed genuinely friendly. All the servers and bus boys said hello and goodbye to us when we came in and left. The food was fantastic. Probably the best Mexican food I have had in Philadelphia. A bit pricey but it was worth it. I will definitely be returning.

What a nice restaurant! The outside patio is beautiful, try sit there if the weather is nice enough. The hamachi cevice is definitely my favorite. Fish lovers, try the seabass, it's amazing! The fish tacos are very nice too.

I had dined at the La Calaca Feliz's sister restaurant in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania last March and was blown away with the quality of the appetizer and the dinner with a very good Margarita and very nice ambience in a lovely setting. In contrast, this experience left a lot to be desired. The dining room was uncomfortably noisy; the fish tacos were tasteless and dry; the pork belly tacos were ok but very skimpy and the margaritas were unimaginative and bland. The best thing I can say about it is that it was an attempt to fuse Mexican with Yuppy but it flopped! I would return to Port Washington in a heart but nunca a La Calaca Feliz

After visiting the Art Museum, my family took an easy walk, up Fairmont, for an early dinner. We immediately felt comfortable from the kindness of the staff. Our waitress was prompt, polite, happy, and helpful. We were starving, so quickly ordered the guacamole sampler and the ceviche. Both were delicious, along with our pitcher of sangria. For entrees, we all loved our meals: the fish tacos, the salmon tacos, the shrimp tacos, the mushroom quesadilla, along with yucca fries and sweet plantains for sides. We finished our dinner with an order of the pudding topped with caramel, absolutely delectable. We were thrilled with our experience and highly recommend this restaurant!

We went there for Dinner on a Thursday night around 8:30 PM, and had a reservation through OpenTable. The place was about 75% packed and could have probably seated us without any reservation. The atmosphere is pretty casual/semi-trendy. Most of the seating is in the back room, and they have a decent sized backyard seating available, which I assume is open thru warm seasons. The host / wait staff was very friendly. I had Mezcal Mule and my wife had some Mint+Lemonade+Cucumber cocktail. Both of which were pretty good. Mezcal Mule is made with Mezcal, which has a distinct smoky taste, to keep in mind if you’re not a big fan of smoky tasting drinks. They have a pretty good drinks selection with a lot of options for Tequila/Margaritas. We ordered Homemade Tomato Tlayuda for appetizer, which is form of thin crust Mexican pizza. It was very tasty. For main course, I had the Chorizo Tacos, and the wife had Crispy Cauliflower Tacos. Both were very delicious, and little different from standard places. Definitely recommended if you’re looking for dining options in Fairmount Area.

I didn't know that there was a patio and when i got there we realized that the place is better than we thought.nice spot just around the corner.we'll visit it again for sure.nice tacos and drinks

The restaurant is quaint and vibrantly decorated. It has a fun atmosphere and there is enough room between tables. The food is delicious--I had fish tacos and the chips and salsa were tasty and crisp. They have an interesting menu and for the price--it's definitely worth returning to continue sampling the creative menu. Its not authentic Mexican food but its quite flavorful. Its a good option for food post museum visit. You can skip the dessert--its not inviting and there's nothing Mexican about any of the options. I had the brownie with caramel pop-corn--I could have skipped and saved the money. The margarita was a miss. Lastly, the server was not very attentive--she never refilled the water and didn't ask me if I wanted dessert. I think it was the Manager who asked me while I was waiting for the check. Overall, I think its a good place to experience a different take on Mexican food.

What a great experience! 3 colleagues and I had dinner at La Calaca Feliz and had a wonderful time! The food was wonderful! Not only was it presented well, the tastes we experienced were incredible! I will be taking my husband there as soon as we are in Philly again! Thank you such a great dining experience!

The restaurant is much larger than it appears from the front, and includes a courtyard dining space in the back. We went with my two year old niece, and the food was an all around hit. The restaurant was pretty busy at 6 pm - the tables are set somewhat close together, but the service was friendly and they didn't rush us (although we did ask for them to be quick since my niece was antsy, which they were). The food was quite tasty. The portions, though not huge, were very filling.

Tasty guacamole, great tacos and ceviche. Good service and nice outside area. Margaritas were also fantastic.

A friend of my wife recommended this restaurant and we had a reservation at 6 pm on a Friday evening. Unfortunately we got stuck in traffic because of an accident so we gave the hostess updates every 15 minutes. She remained very considerate and accommodating. We arrived at 6:40 and were immediately seated and what a treat awaited us! The margaritas, food, and service were top notch. We are so glad we persisted through the traffic! You won't be disappointed either. We highly recommend this place.

Nice service, good food and outdoor dining with decor by the local artists group adds up to a good experience in a location near to the Museums.

Their margaritas are fantastic! The tacos are one of their best dishes, but all are pretty good. It can get busy and noisy on weekend nights.

Positives: + Great outdoor patio + Easy to make reservation, and we were even able to add one person day-of + Tasty food + Reasonable prices Negatives: - The fryer was out, so several items were unavailable - The bar didn't have some supplies, so several drinks were unavailable - Somehow connected to the broken fryer, there was only one chef so there was a long delay on food. The server only told us about the delay after we had been seated for a while and had ordered our first round of appetizers. If we had known there would be a long delay, we would have ordered our main dishes much sooner or ordered more appetizers.

La Calaca Feliz is my go-to destination for REALLY good Mexican food options and exceptional beer and tequila options. The bar area tends to get crowded, though, so if you're after the high-value happy hour menu (great food, relatively inexpensive!), you'll probably have to get there early or wait. For dining, there's great seating on the outdoor back patio and the dining room itself is very nice, if a bit too loud or "energetic" as they say. In my experience, service is always very good...most recently the hostess proved most accommodating with our last-minute reservation change. Highly recommended.

We had a nice dinner at La Calaca Feliz. The chicken tinga tacos were good. The elotes loco (corn with a lime mayo & queso fresco) was amazing, and a must try. Staff was incredibly friendly. Everyone we passed said hello, thanked us for coming in and wished us a good evening as we left. Parking in the area wasn't bad either.

Tasty defines this dining experience. The food is so delicious,I marvel at every bite. The wait staff are welcoming, helpful, and kind. It feels good to be in such an interesting space-one wall features deep red upostered rounded banquettes and above is a beautiful hand painted mural.In the dining room, tables and chairs are arranged to accommodate friends and families of various ages with an aditional outdoor space. Conversation is lively,and the food, service and decor are exceptional.

I'm biased but still, this place is the best I've been to ever!!! The food was off the charts, the staff attentive, the decor and ambiance memorable. I would fly to Philly just to eat here again.

This is the best high-end Mexican restaurant in Philadelphia. The last time we ate here, we ordered the tasting menu. The meal was not especially expensive, and each of the dishes we were served was superb. We don't eat pork or shellfish and the waitress and the chef were happy to work around those limitations.

This was our first visit to La Calaca Feliz. Just a couple of blocks west of the Eastern State Penitentiary. We made reservations and were glad we did because the place was packed to the rafters. The staff were very friendly & welcoming, especially Venus the bartender and the lovely hostess. We had a fantastic margarita at the bar while we waited for our table and watched the enormous portions of guacamole and nachos leave the kitchen. We ordered the crab queso, pork belly tacos, fish tacos, and chochoyotes (mexican gnocchi). We loved both the pork belly and fish tacos and the crab queso was delicious - plenty for two to share. I would not order the chochoyotes again - nothing particularly wrong with them, just not my cup of tea. The ambiance was very cool and trendy. Lots of murals and bright colors. The service was very good. We would definitely recommend this restaurant to our friends and family, but be sure to make reservations!

We've been wanting to try La Calaca for a while and finally got there last weekend. It was worth the wait. Fun and Festive sums it up with great food featuring small plates or regular sized entrees. Creative food, great staff and a place to relax with friends and just have a good time. The only thing I could find to caution you on is the noise level, but with tables outside, the spring and summer season should make La Calaca perfect. Recommend it highly for a great, fun evening.

I wouldn't classify the cuisine as what you would find in Mexico since it caters to US tastes, but it has very tasty options. The chips are amazing, definitely not enough of them in one serving for two people! The dishes are decent-sized and there is a nice atmosphere.

We loved it all - the food was wonderful. I had the grilled shrimp with tequila grits and a bacon corn topping. Excellent! The guacamole was the best I've ever had. Very good chips and salsa. The service was terrific, and it's got great ambiance. The menu is on the small side, but I still had a tough time choosing between three dishes. Happy hour drinks made their "regular" Margarita just $5.50. Highly recommended!

Top Mexican restaurant in Philadelphia - if not the best. Make a reservation and sit back sipping your margaritas while you enjoy the awesome food. The bar area is very small so you have to strategize to try to get a seat at the bar. It is better to come in and stay for dinner. They also have a nice outdoor area in the back with overhanging trees. We enjoyed dinner out there during the summer. Awesome restaurant right on Fairmount Ave and plenty of other bars and restaurants where you can stop in for a drink too.

First of all, I heard a lot of good things about this place that we needed to find out for our selves. We ordered over $100 of Food for take- out. When we got a chance to sit down and eat I was so surprised how good the food was. The only down side to this place is PARKING!!! And I was doing take-out. We ordered black bean soup, which was just ok nothing special, 2 Large Guacamole with Crab, when mixed up was so good and the crab was plentiful, 2 orders of Brisket Tacos, which good but better than I have had, 2 Orders of Fish Tacos, I thought these were the best tasty and large serving. The The Black Bass with crab was good but I think it could have been better if eaten at the restaurant and I had not done take out. My fault. So things should be eaten right away and not done in a take out. Sorry Guys I ruined your food. Next time I will eat in and not do take out. So the best part was I had a Dos Equis for $2.50 while waiting for my food. Hours are Sunday to Thursday 4pm to 10pm Friday to Saturday 4pm to 11pm Brunch 11am to 2 pm Sat and Sun I WILL BE BACK!!! Jerry Ehrlich from the Great City of Philadelphia

Extremely great food and service. The tacos were unique and flavorful. Our group was raving when we left. The decor of the restaurant was colorful and staff greeted us when we arrived and as we left. Our server was Shawn who made sure we had everything we needed. I accidentally left my bag at the table and he ran down the sidewalk to return it to me! Thanks so much for your hospitality. It was awesome.

I have visited this establishment about five times and each time I leave thinking I should come more often. It's a nice space to have a meal, both inside and on he patio. The staff is very friendly and very helpful. I highly recommend the guacamole as an appetizer and the fish taco as an entree. Great selection of Mexican Beers and Margaritas. Margarita Monday!

I have been here 3 times in the past month. It’s great for families of all ages. I took my parents there. I also saw families with small children. The tacos are very good. Everything was fresh and flavorful. Happy hour tacos are 2 for $10. Add on a happy hour price margarita and it’s an under $20 meal for me. If you prefer 3 tacos, order off the main menu. Also we’re particular about margaritas and these meet our standards. Really good.

La Calaca is our go-to place for Mexican food. We thought we wouldn’t find any decent Mexican when we moved here from California but La Calaca surprised us. Brunch is a must, the Huevos Benedicto are awesome!

My husband and I live close to this restaurant so it is a place we go when we want to go out, but don't feel like a taxi, bus or driving. That being said, I would go here even if I had to make an effort to get there because their food is really flavorful, the service is sopt on and the Feliz Margarita is one of the best margaritas I have had - and at 7.50 (5.00 at happy hour) it is a good price. Go!

I came to meet a friend for happy hour. I ordered a happy hour white wine. They had run out of it, and refused to give me another white wine at the same price. I do not drink red wine or beer, and those were my only options. This is bad business.

What a great surprise to find wonderful, inventive, yet authentic Mexican food in the Fairmont area of Philadelphia. Well worth a visit

This was our 1st visit here after googling Mexican restaurants, and definitely will not be our last! Atmosphere cool, outside area to eat or hangout, and great food/drinks!! Everything was great except for service... a bit of waiting around for our waitress to deliver food, drinks etc, but won’t keep us from returning!!! Thank you!!

My wife, daughter and her two friends and myself had a wonderful night out at this outstanding restaurant in Philadelphia. High quality food and drinks. Best and personal service. Very friendly people. They treat you just like family. This restaurant is one of the top places to visit without a doubt so treat yourself to a great night out on the town.

This was a return visit and it did not disappoint. We split a guacamole and tortillas to munch with our beers while waiting for our main, for which three of us got the Carnitas Tacos (three per serving) and one the Baja Fish (two tacos, as they're bigger than the Carnitas). We split two desserts between the four of us; the Mexican Chocolate Cake was great, and after the chips, guacamole and tacos this was plenty.

First time I went to LaCalaca two years ago I had little expectations for the small neighborhood Mexican restaurant. However, that changed night one. The food is fresh, the waiters are friendly, but not overbearing. The nachos with the short ribs are delish, the chicken tacos are good as well. My favorite is the guacamole. Only complaint with the guacamole is that the serving appears to be slightly smaller recently. There is a wide variety of drinks and a nice bar to watch a game in the front. I have eaten on the patio several times and when the weather permits it is crowded and lively.

I came here with a group of friends. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was thrilled by the food, drinks, and service. The fish tacos were great and the guacamole was some of the best that I have ever had. If I lived in Philadelphia, I would definitely eat at La Calaca Feliz again.

Not authentic, so don't expect that up front. But even beside that, food was only so-so. "Salsa" was a very strange smoky brown paste almost. Menu is limited. Our waitress was awesome, it was clean and a nice atmosphere, they had good choice of tequila types, but the food just made it so... well, I won't be going back.

Great decor and good food. Make sure to say how you want your meat cooked. The kitchen tends to go rare if you don't state a preference. The flourless chocolate cake is excellent and the portions for everything are generous.

Happy Hour bar menu has Carnitas on it n they were excellent!. I have an issue with tilapia on fish taco so I passed. My wife enjoyed her margarita.

Try to sit on small outside patio. Great margaritas. Tacos & burritos rule. Entrees plentiful portions and tasty delights.

We visited the Cafe during April 2016. My partner had the black bean soup and we both had the fish tacos. Both dishes were excellent and very tasty. The margaritas were also awesome. I would highly recommend this place for anyone looking for good Mexican food in Philly. The waitstaff were also very friendly.

The food is always good!! The consistency of food is what keeps us coming back, not to mention, great atmosphere. good drinks and service . i loved the fish , pull pork and the beef .. you can't go wrong .. all you need is some good company and it will be a awesome time at La Calaca Feliz

Tacos and a free beer on Tuesdays are a great deal. We sat in the lovely outdoor seating area with trees and lights strung across the courtyard, creating a festive atmosphere. Choices were either the special tacos (foie gras) or the Baja fish tacos with either a Dos Equis amber draft or can of Tecate. We started with the hamachi ceviche, which was tasty--but the lime aioli was heavy on the mayo. Usually ceviche is only lime juice, so the mayo obscured the taste of the fish a bit. The Baja tacos were fresh with a nice crunchy plantain crust, but also pretty bland--the only flavor came from the 2 side sauces. My husband said his foie gras tacos were pretty average. Overall it was a great deal and really nice outdoor seating, but the food wasn't really memorable. I'd say it's three and a half stars--we wouldn't make a special trip to return here, but it's a good place if you're in the neighborhood.

My son picked this restaurant for his 21 birthday dinner, he made a reservation for the six of us. On arriving my first impression was it seemed like the kind of place to have drinks and appetizers at. However he picked it not me. Our table was a bit small,crowded for me. We ordered drinks, and a bowl of guacamole which we thought was very good. Our table dined on fish tacos,nachos with chicken(huge portion),a fish entree,crab entree. Kids all LOVED it and birthday boy. Don’t think hubby and I would choose this again. Service was very attentive. Food for me was good, but great.

I found this place on Yelp and met my mom there for an early dinner. Street parking was pretty easy and the storefront is deceptive - this is a large restaurant (by Philly standards) with a very scenic patio! We started with house margaritas (which are served iced or straight - no frozen option) and the nachos, which were massive and delicious. I am endlessly craving nachos, and this is one of the best nacho plates I've ever tasted. I wanted to sample the guacamole, which is listed for $10 and comes in this massive black stone molcajete, and asked if it came in a smaller size. It turns out there's also an off-menu side item size for around $4, which was a perfect size to top the nachos with. The nachos were very filling, so for mains we stuck with soup - I had the pumpkin soup and my mom had the chicken tortilla. Both were very flavorful and colorful. Definitely coming back - La Calaca Feliz is a very nice surprise in the Philly museum district. I could see this being a fun place for a margarita-fueled, high energy group dinner of 8-12 people. Also, for young families, I should mention the early dinner crowd vibe was very family friendly.

Convenient location with an extensive menu offering large portions of delicious food. We ended up sharing Guacamole and a Mexican Cobb Salad. Really great. Two items also worth mentioning: Given the wall treatments, sound levels can quickly get really loud and I thought the bottle wine prices seemed a bit high for Fairmount. Nevertheless we had a lovely meal.

If you're looking for a great Mexican dinner that doesn't feel like more Rice and Refried Beans with stuff smothered in cheese, then La Calaca Feliz is for you. Enjoy so many options that feel light and authentic. That's why I like it. My personal favorite are the tacos...lots of options including vegetarian. Make it a stop if you are in the Fairmount / Art Museum area. Then...stop in to The Bishops Collar next door for a beer at a classic Philly hangout.

My wife and I had dinner here after a trip back from New York. We ate at the bar (our preference) and loved everything we ate. Highest recommendations go to the Hamachi Ceviche and the side of Plantains.

We've now been here for brunch and dinner, and both were fantastic! I can only assume lunch would be great, too. Creative and authentic Mexican cooking with super-fresh ingredients. Multiple kinds of guacamole prepared tableside at dinner are terrific as well. Kid-friendly but couple-friendly too!

This is a good Mexican restaurant with good service. Nothing extraordinary but very decent and we would go back. The outdoor area is nice and small -- good for a margarita on a warm night. Service was good.

Great and interesting food and good drinks. Not cheap, but well worth the cost. Park in the municipal lot nearby -- great for a visit to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which is down the street.

Went with a group on a Sunday evening. Fun, casual atmosphere, but nothing casual about the food. Very good.

Very good nachos, the guacamole is not up to the level. Good service and food. There was a delay with one of the dishes but apologies and complementary dessert was offered.

Visited for dinner on the 4th of July, maybe not the best night to base a review on - the crowds in the museum district were the biggest I have ever seen and we were 90 minutes late for our reservation, but the hostess was totally pleasant about it - but La Calaca Feliz totally delivered for us. We were on vacation so we went a little wild with the drinks and appetizers and ended up with fancy margheritas (for the grownups), chips and their delicious guacamole along with 2 different ceviche specials which were presented more like beautiful mexican sushi. My very picky 11yo daughter ate these (probably because they were so pretty - and tasty!); my wife and I were shocked. I forget exactly what we had for entrees and dessert but everything was delicious. Our waiter (Tom? maybe? muscular dude studying medicine) was handling a bunch of tables on a busy night but he chatted with us like he had all the time in the world when he came by. Toward the end of the meal my daughter declared "I think this was the best meal I've ever had in my life" which is high praise coming from her. We loved it and will definitely visit again when we are next in Philly.

We enjoyed our meal here -- 6 people for a small family birthday celebration. I thought the restaurant was charming and the food was very good (even my 11 and 14 year olds loved their dinners). The area was pretty and it was a nice, short walk to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. I would definitely recommend this restaurant!

We came here after our visit of the penitentiary down the street. We actually came because of the pics of their food I saw on yelp, while looking up dining on the visitors site. The nachos looked so good we had to come. Well let me say they were as amazing as they looked. We also has chorizo tacos, quesadillas and enchilada. The white sangria was very good, also the wait staff was very friendly and accommodating, I had a 16yo that doesn't really eat Mexican and he was super helpful at getting a meal he'd actually eat. They had outdoor seating as well, but was a little cold for me.

Big crew, 13, at a long table in the middle of the very festive, bright dining room. We had a variety of excellent Margaritas and beers to start us off. Full range of appetizers passed around the table, including tasty ceviches, popular wild mushroon tlayuda, classic guacamole and chorizo fundido, which bore a more than wished for resemblance to something you could get at Chili's. The entrees ranged from superb(black bass and arranchera) to the very good(fish and wild mushroom tacos) to the not quite right right(dry carnitas taco and taco vegetal with charred to a crisp squash) The staff added to the fun atmosphere. A first rate upscale Mexican restaurant with a couple mis-steps, but enough high points to warrant return trips and a hearty recommendation.

I would go to La Calaca Fleiz for the wonderful outdoor seating, nice atmosphere, good drinks and good food. I would not expect good food at a great value that I typically equate with Mexican food, but it is not the normal Mexican place. We will try it again because it is so close to us in our neighborhood, but I will continue looking for a more typical Mexican place with typical Mexican food. The portions are small, but unique. The food was good, but I think I will stick with drinks & appetizers. Another reviewer wrote that they have a happy hour. That could be the ticket.

Delicious huge salads, yummy fish tacos, friendly atmosphere, super bartenders made great margaritas! Why would you not be happy?

La Calaca Feliz is an inviting and friendly restaurant near the art museum. There is a small bar in the front and a cozy dining room in the back. There are high backed circular leather nooks that can seat 5 or 6 people and a fireplace. The murals and architectural details are beautiful. Servers are always helpful and friendly. House Margaritas are a must as well as chip, guacamole and salsa. The salsa is so addictive with a smokey flavor from grilled vegetables. The Carnitas tacos are delectable as well as the half dozen other entrees I have sampled. This place is guaranteed to please.

La Calaca Feliz was one opened for a week when I went for dinner. Surprised that all went as well as it did being brand new. Great addition to the Art Museum area. Parking is easy - there's a pay lot only a block away if you can't find a spot on the street. Good access via public transportation too. Place was packed at my first attempt. Faced with a 40 minute wait on a Wednesday night I decided to give it a try later. No reservations for parties smaller than 6, but you can call ahead just before you get there to put your name on the list. Which is what I did following night and only had a 10 minute wait. Staff is sweet. Eager to do right thing. Place has been nicely transitioned from the Italian restaurant it was to Mexican. Nice murals and tin lights create good atmosphere. Entrance is crowded since you walk into the bar. If it's packed (which it was) no matter where you try to stand as you wait for your table you are in someone's way. But everyone was friendly and in a good mood. The food is very good and there were interesting specials. The chorizo fundido was a good opener to share. Not too spicy but great flavor. I had chili en nogada stuffed with duck confit. Sauce was perfect and the tart crunch of the pomegranate seeds was a great contrast to the duck. I had black beans and rice as a side. Again, well prepared although I like my black beans on the soupy side so they were a little dry to my taste. My friend had the chicken tortillas. Again, lots of flavor and a nice amount of heat. Good selection of tequilas. Desserts were tempting but I was comfortably full and passed on dessert. Will be heading back soon to sample some more of this menu. Good food. Good service. Good place!

New restaurant in Fairmount section of town near East State Penitentiary. Excellent margaritas with a great tequila selection. They have some traditional Mexican dishes you see in other places, but a lot of novel stuff. The ceviche is especially good; it was either hamachi or yellowtail and the octopus was out of this world. I was surpassed by how many people were there with young kids, but I guess that is what to expect in this neighborhood, plus we were there kind of early. Definitely worth going back.

I live about 8 blocks from here, and it is extremely difficult to not come here every night. It's great for happy hour, dinner with friends, or a date. The margaritas are dangerous, and they have seasonal flavors available. The guacamole is incredible, as is the crab fundido. If you like cheese and crab meat, you need to order the fundido. We've almost made our way through the menu, and nothing has disappointed yet. The bar area is a little tight, but in the summer they have a great back patio available. The staff is always friendly and accomodating.

We were celebrating two birthdays and choose this restaurant because everyone liked it during previous visits and we were not disappointed. The service was efficient and unobtrusive, the ambience festive and comfortable and the food and drink choices were interesting and well prepared. The mushroom tacos were light and very tasty and my husband's pork tenderloin tacos were delicious. This is perfect place to celebrate with a group.

We have been to La Calaca Feliz three times. Each meal has been delicious. Ingredients are fresh, and the service is friendly . I highly recommend the fish tacos (both the tilapia and the tuna tacos ), the spicy corn side dish , the guacamole appetizer , and of course the margaritas . My only complaint is that the noise level can be high on a Saturday night .

We were here on a Sunday. Brunch menu was very nice. I had the fish tacos which were excellent! Good service also. Highly recommend!

Tried this place while visiting Philly. The space was very attractive and the food was very good if a tad pricey. The grilled shrimp with collards and sweet potato and bacon was a wonderful dish. The homemade ice creams were some of the best I have ever had at a restaurant. All the other dishes were also good if not as outstanding. Perfect place to walk to from the Philadelphia Museum of Art or the Rodin Museum or the Prison Museum. Not quite Elote in Sedona or Frontera Grill in Chicago but could get there soon.

Hadn’t been here for years, but so glad we decided to try it. Great martinis, delicious Hamachi Ceviche, Short Rib Tacos, and Mixto Enchilada. Great food, good service, and pleasant atmosphere. Glad we checked it out again. Give it a try - you’ll like it!

Can't say enough good stuff about La Calaca Feliz! Margaritas made the way they should be -- no sour mix. And the food was fresh and delicious. Extra points for being gluten free and gluten friendly!

We dined on Friday evening right around 7 pm. There were two of us and we did not have a reservation. We waited about five minutes and were taken to our table. Restaurant was well decorated with unique atmosphere. We especially liked that you could see right into kitchen! Staff was welcoming and food was delicious! My husband had shrimp and grits and is still raving about it days later! Swordfish tacos were great and we shared guacamole! Parking lot near by, we'll be back!

What a surprisingly wonderful experience at this unique restaurant, close to everything in the Fairmount section of the city, including parking. A relatively modest front door is slightly deceiving to what is offered just on the other side. The service is very good and the space is amazing. It is exceptionally appointed, warm and accommodating. The back room is open and there is seating outside in a garden area. It is a nice oasis from the street and quiet enough for conversation. The guacamole is great, margaritas very good and tacos carnitas delicious. Already recommended it to friends and looking for an opportunity to return with kids to try more menu items, especially the nachos that look incredible. Portions are not small. Kudos to Feliz!

Went at the recommendation of a friend who lives in Philly. Really felt like we were out of the tourist area. Dinner was delicious, service was friendly, kids loved it, decor was fun, just a great place for Mexican.

I was wondering around Fairmount looking for soup when I stumbled on this place. I noticed that they had margaritas on special so I decided to check it out. I learned that they were serving tortilla soup so I decided to give it a try and it was amazing. The flavors were very rich and fresh. I also tried the ceviche which was simply OK but not anything special. I had the featured margarita which was spicy watermelon mango. My friend who lives in the area said that she has been there several times and always has great food and wonderful margaritas. I will definitely be back for happy hour or for a full meal.

Though just opened it is doing a great business and serving up some good food and drinks at reasonable prices. Tables were filled with good looking 20 twenty and thirty somethings. Very pleasant and professional waitstaff who were patient in explaining the menu items with which we were not familiar. Megan, our waitperson anticipated we would need extra napkins before we needed them and just was a welcomed help throughout our dinner. We enjoyed the Guacamole which was served in a decorative bowl. Four of us shared the dish but we wished the dish had half a cup more. There were big chunks of Avocado, It tasted fresh and clean as did the crisp house made Tortilla chips. $9.95 The Campechano Tlayuda with pieces of short rib, chorizo, carnitas,refried beans, and queso fresco was crispy and had outstanding flavor. $9.95 Seafood Enchilada was well received @ $14.95 as was the Taco special of the night @ 11.95. The Carnitas Taco, made with house made long cooked pulled pork was served on three packed Tacos along with a slice of Avocado. Two of us had the latter and both thought it was too dry, $10.95. The bar was well tended by Marty and Theresa who really knew their Margaritas and I found a good white wine, Espirito, that went well throughout the evening. My companions thought the Margaritas were delicious. There are six draft beers including on our visit, Bells Best Brown Ale, and Southern Tier ax Milk Stout, as well as Green Flash West Coast ipa. La Calaca Feliz is still working out how things will work. There is a happy hour, 5 to 7, at the bar with two dollars off any drink. There are no happy hour snacks or finger foods yet, just the regular menu. They do not take reservations but you can call ahead and they will do their best to have you seated in a reasonable amount of time. Cash or cards accepted. This was our first time here but we are looking forward to going back and trying more of their menu. If you are visiting Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia Museum of Art, or doing something along the river at Boat House row, or one of the many events along the Parkway this is a place to go to for dinner. that will not cost you an arm and a leg.

Reading most of the other reviews makes me wonder whether my party of 3 ordered the wrong dishes. The guacamole appetizer was solid -- but the portion was too small. My chicken enchiladas with mole sauce was rather uninspiring. I don't intend to go out of my way to try this restaurant again. (It was chosen primarily for convenience of location -- we were looking for a Mexican restaurant near the Philadelphia Museum. To give them their due, I was completely satisfied with the service, which was attentive and very polite.