El Rey

If you’ve ever experienced the tragedy of getting a few chips into a plate of nachos before learning the toppings have been spread unevenly, we recommend an immediate trip to El Rey in Rittenhouse. The menu is full of Mexican dishes you can’t go wrong with like the short rib enchiladas, chile rellenos, or their impeccably designed nachos—they’re smothered in sauce and gooey cheese and come in a pizza pan. As all nachos should. 

The space is like a festive, retro diner full of booths, long tables, and vintage movie posters plastering the walls—all of which make it a good spot for an after-work team outing or a last-minute birthday dinner. During Happy Hour, they’ve got $2-$4 tacos ranging from vegetable, chicken, and carnitas options, $3 beers, and $5 margaritas. It gets pretty packed once everyone slams their laptops shut, so head there early if you want a seat. As a bonus, they also do lunch during the week and weekend brunch, which is almost never crowded.

photo credit: Neal Santos