NoGoodz

On the outer edge of what’s affectionately known as the “gayborhood” of center City Philadelphia is flashback/flash-forward swankster bar and restaurant El Vez. One of many wine and dine locales created by Steven Starr Restaurants, this awesome little destination is what you get when you take Brady Bunch sensibilities and force them to drink Patrón with the movie “Dazed and Confused”…and then mate.

The entire decor screams some sort of pseudo-acidic 1970’s Southern California-to-Mexico Lounge vibe. If the pink low-rider rotating in the center of the bar with a airbrushed portrait of Oscar De La Hoya doesn’t convince you that you’re in some Latin  version of Pulp Fiction, the Charo barstools, whole wall of tin south-of-the-border dioramas, or purple velvet Vegas-style booths should do the trick. With a weaved wood ceiling and back-lit retro colored fiberglass wall panels, the decor of this place is an experience all in itself.

And about the food and drink, yeah, well it’s damn delicious. De-li-cious. To start, not only do they right there hand make the guacamole in a little low-rider-esque cart that is wheeled over to your table, but the Cactus and Crab Salsa, Mexican Chopped Salad, and Grilled Corn on the Cob are to die for. The Corn, covered in lime chipotle and queso (vegans: it’s great naked, too) it is so good not only in flavor, but also each cob’s husk has been hand braided into a little handle. You know someone during the day was gettin’ those babies ready.

For lunch and dinner you got the standard but exceptional fare, although when you go to El Vez, you’re probably not alone. You’re either happy houring it, brought a date for the everything-you’d-want bar in the round, or showing off all that Philly has to offer to visitors and friends. We recommend getting the Taco Tasting Platter and the Enchiladas Mixtas and letting everyone get some.

The Goodz: Did we mention it has a photo booth. Yeah, the 2-dollar, black and white, 4-to-a-strip kind. Beyond everything else that’s amazing about this place, that right there keeps us coming back.