El Molino Tortilleria & Restaurant

My party got here around 515pm on 5/5/25. It was 4 of us. There was only one other table being served so the restaurant was pretty empty. We sat down at an empty table that wasn’t very clean and we had to use alcohol wipes to wipe off crumbs from the table. We were waiting for about 10 minutes before the owner of the restaurant finally came to take our order. He is very nice. However, service here is very slow! It took another 20 minutes just to bring out our chips and salsa. By the time we finally ordered our food, we had been at the restaurant for almost an hour. It probably took another half hour before our food finally came out. I understand it’s just one person making all of the food fresh in the kitchen, but the slow service is unacceptable. I saw so many patrons come in and then leave because the owner was not able to take their order in a timely manner. Other people waiting for a long time to get their carry out order. The restaurant really should hire more help. It’s just bad business making customers wait. I ended up ordering the birria tacos and although they were good, they certainly were not worth the almost 2 hour wait for them. It also did not fill me up at all and I had to order another meal after leaving. I probably would not return here again.

The food was great, the portions will fell you in 2min, the dessert amazing. Everything was fresh. The ships and guacamole very fresh. The people are humble and very welcoming. El Molino definitely a place to eat here. P.s: the few bad reviews from certain people are people who don’t understand anything about food.

everything’s homemade 😭😭 from the tortillas to the chips <3 their food tastes so fresh and the couple running it are so sweet! i rly recommend the birria tacos, so delicious 🤤

Best Latin food I’ve had since moving from Chicago! The Birrias tacos are mind blowingly delicious! The chilaquiles was phenomenal! You can taste that everything is made fresh, handmade, with love, and just sooo tasty!!! Also, the horchata is authentic and nice! Service was very friendly, a mom & pop shop & I felt like family eating here. Wait time is definitely worth it, 1 million percent what you want to eat after a flight!

So this place is run by a Husband and Wife and I'm quite sure everything is homemade. I got the Birria Tacos which are made with Homemade Corn Tortillas and they were the best I've ever had! The consome was ridiculously flavorful! I also got some Tres Leches which was different than regular but very good. The service was quick, it was very quiet and relaxing, and the place was clean. I honestly didn't mind paying their prices. I highly recommend!

Great food and flavors and everything is so fresh!!! lovely family.

Came for dinner and saw that they had Birria, which is a favorite of mine. There were only two people here and for the lack of servers and other customers, the food came out quite fast compared to places with never ending staff. Our waiter was very sweet and attentive. The food took about 30-40 minutes to come out, but we were a party of 6 and it was all brought out at once, so it was definitely worth it. I highly recommend the Birria or the Fish tacos!! Tried both and both came out so good!! Everything was so fresh too!!!

Family owned business. If you want food that's fresh and homemade this spot is it! The tortilla and chips are homemade and so fresh. The guac was flavorful. You can tell the difference when you eat here and other Mexican restaurants. I had birria tacos and a burrito. The burrito was a big portion and delicious and the birria taco was so freshly made. I love the tortilla because it was crispy and flavorful. It was perfectly made and the brother was very refreshing. I'll definitely be coming back to this spot. The atmosphere was calm and quiet because it's family owned but I enjoyed it. I ate so much I didn't try the homemade churros but next time I'm gonna try it. The owner/chef was so kind and friendly. I do recommend this spot for freshness and delicious tacos and burritos.

Very nicely painted mural on the front of the restaurant. Very nice decoration and music. Service was good. Got my food in 20 minutes. The Birria was very good, bursting with flavor and tasted fresh. This restaurant is very good for a street corner in Philadelphia.

Absolutely stellar food. I already crave more after eating recently. The service was lovely and accommodating as well. I will be back many times!

Super friendly owner who expressed his appreciation of doing business with him. The specialty of this restaurant is the homemade tortilla. So fresh and elevate the meal. I had mole tacos. One serving has three tacos. One taco has one layer of tortilla so it's not too heavy, loaded with flavorful chicken mole. It has some kick but not too spicy. Highly recommended Guacamole and chips is large enough for sharing. Churros are fresh and super crunchy.

Now, I normally don't leave reviews but this one deserves one. I was craving Birria tacos because my normal spot was running behind (they are a truck) and I needed to get home. So I googled Birria tacos near me. Now I read the reviews and thought this place was legit. When I tell you this was a mistake. Baby, it was a mistake. My Birria tacos was so soggy and not crispy at all. The beef inside was nothing but fat and cut into tiny cubes not shredded like Birria at all. I think it was false advertising and if I could get my money back I would want a 100% refund. Beware or this place if you're looking for Birria tacos.

One of my favorite Mexican spots in Philly!!! The empanadas and nachos are slammin, and all the tacos I've gotten from there are great too.

The service is great, the food is amazing, and everyone should come here. The music also adds to the ambiance.

Really was craving carnitas tacos and chicken empanadas. This place has pretty good reviews so I gave it a try. Ordered delivery. Anytime I get carnitas tacos and the "carnitas" is cut in chunks I know it's going to be bad. That's was the case here. Bland and full of fatty pieces. The pork is supposed to be braised or simmered in a fat until it's tender enough to be shredded or pulled apart, then fried. This was not carnitas this was pork tacos. The empanada flavor was off. Unlike any chicken empanada I tasted before. The filling reminded me of chicken pot pie. The chicken was again cut in chunks. i didn't care about the chunks in the empanada. I cared that the flavor wasn't correct. The one star is for the dough. The empanada shell and the corn tortilla itself, we're both delicious. So they know how to make a dough! I've been to Mexico plenty of times including Michoacán where carnitas originated.

when i called to track my order, the person on the phone continuously told me a different story as to what was going on with my order. The first time he told me he spoke with me to tell me they don't have a delivery driver. I hung up and called my boyfriend to see if they spoke with him, which they didn't. when i called back the second time, they told me that they are waiting for the grub hub driver to come and pick it up and when i argued that is not what he just told me, he hung up on me. when i continued to call, they declined my call 5 times (this was a prepaid order). They called me back to tell me that the grub hub driver did in fact pick it up and it's on his way. I told him i did not believe that as they continue to tell me a different story - they hung up on me again. Guy was extremely rude for no reason

Wow! What a pleasant surprise. The tortillas are perfect - as authentic as it gets with rich corn flavors. Tacos are perfect with their fillings well seasoned. Carnitas are nice and crisp and flavorful. I never go for quesadillas but all I can think of now is the chicken quesadilla with its red sauce and perfectly fried tortilla shell. Already planning a trip back. Muy sabroso!

I can't say enough good things about this place. Every time I try a new dish from El Molino, it becomes a favorite. Those tender, melty, birria tacos are out of this world. And dunked into that spicy, bright consomé? Forget it. Honest to god, best thing I've eaten in the city in a long while. The hand-pounded tortillas really make this dish come to life. The picadillo empanadas are a total treat, and like my previous review mentioned, the chiles relleños are a can't-miss..... But the real treasure here is the owners. The delightful duo who single-handedly cook, clean, and serve; who are up at the crack of dawn each morning, filling our neighborhood with the warm scent of flour and corn. They are so, so kind. So welcoming, so gracious, so pleased to share their wonderful food with you. Such heart here.

The staff was very friendly, and the food was served quickly. That said, I paid $60 for a meal (two taco orders, empanada, guac, & flan) that really wasn't very good. The empanada was fairly good, but the birria tacos were a total let down (dry & unflavorful) and the chips were hard as a rock. The flan had a very bitter aftertaste. Sorry, I wish I could give a better score!

This is it! If you're reading this, you have found the best and most authentic Mexican food in Philadelphia! Truly, Jose and his wife make everything fresh, totally homemade with good ingredients. We got to chat with them since we went during a slow time right when they were closing. They are making food the way we have eaten in Mexico so many times and it's truly amazing! I highly recommend the mole tacos, a bit glass of horchata, the homemade salsa (with three kinds of peppers and it's the perfect amount of spicy). The tacos de birria (cheese and steak) were also incredible. The fresh salsa and homemade chips were perfect. We can't recommend this spot enough. This is the most authentic Mexican food we have eaten in the United States.

Great food, tacos were some of the best I have ever had. Had the Carne Asada tacos and the salsa was the perfect level of spice; very tasty. The tacos of Birria were well seasoned and the cheese added a lot. The Jaimica was a nice addition. Solid meal!

Went for dinner tonight. I got the enchiladas and partner got birria tacos. The food and service was great!

Just tried the chorizo tacos, they were amazing. Basically every Mexican restaurant I used to order from has lost my business.

Super homemade tacos. Very nice staff. I'm not sure what's in those tacos but it sure is magic. The tortillas, are fresh and unique.

I have not eaten here. My review is based on the owner's business practices. I was assigned to pick up 2 orders for Grubhub delivery. I arrived roughly 15 minutes before the scheduled pick up time. I greeted the owner and informed him of the 2 orders I was there to pick up, as well as showed him the names on my phone. He told me they would be ready in about 15-20 minutes. The pay for the orders was worth the wait, so I decided to stay. Roughly 20 minutes later, another delivery person walks in and says they are there to pick up for one of the names I had already been waiting for. I speak up and say I am already here for that order. The owner looked confused, but doesn't even hesitate to give the order to the other person. I then begin questioning if it was for a different person, and just a coincidence of having the same name. The owner is now completely ignoring me, while keeping his back to me. The lady in the back begins mocking me as I am repeatedly saying "excuse me", to figure out what is going on. The owner refused to engage in conversation. I wasted about 25 minutes of my time and lost out on roughly 30 dollars, due to this negligence. I will never support or attempt to deliver for this restaurant after this experience.

I live in New York and came here during the holiday week for the first time and the food was absolutely delicious. My wife said the shrimp tacos were the best she's ever had. I had the chorizo burrito and it was amazing. Guac was tasty and I love how they fried the wrap. So good!!!

Very good food, all made fresh to order. I got lamb tacos, empanadas and pick de gallo with chips. Erin ordered a quesadilla. It was all very good, the service was fast and friendly. I would definitely recommend this spot if you're in the neighborhood!

Stopped in for a late lunch. Excellent spot, friendly service and freshly made ingredients in house. Would highly recommend

Great local spot, top notch guacamole ! I got the carne asada tacos and the chicken empanadas as well, and I loved everything . With the chaos of Covid I got take out as did a lot of other people based on the number of orders I noticed coming in, they were clearly very busy and still so friendly and the food was amazing . My new local go-to for sure!

Omg. I think I'm going to eat here every day until I've tried one of everything. Picadillo empanadas were super stuffed. crispy on the outside. Chile rellenos were amazing. Chile was not overcooked, cheese was gooey. Red sauce was not too spicy. Burrito was exploding with deliciousness. SO GOOOOD.

I placed a dinner to go order for my family. The food was absolutely delicious! We loved the guacamole, burrito, nachos, tacos, and churros! I would highly recommend and will definitely be returning. Yum!

Everything about this place is amazing. The outside mural gives the spot a cozy and inviting vibe. The food is also amazing. I had the chilaquiles while my brother had the carnitas tacos. The corn tortillas they use add so much more flavor and depth to the food. I cant wait to go back and order something else.

This place is our new go to for burritos, especially the vegetarian and steak. The empanadas are also outstanding. Excited to have them in the neighborhood. Note: cash only.

Out of this world small, unassuming Mexican restaurant. Everything fresh and made to order. Platanos maduros, Guacamole, vegetarian and chicken tacos were all delicious. We will be back!

Excellent food!! The chips are to die for, as one would expect from a tortilleria. The guacamole was delish, just the right amount of spice. The owner was delightful - this place will most surely stick around!!

This is a great new addition to the Girard Estates neighborhood. We have ordered take-out twice so far. The first time we ordered huitlacoche tacos and arrachera arriera (skirt steak with mushrooms and onions). Huitlacoche is directly translated as "corn smut" or corn mushroom, which may not sound appetizing, but is actually quite delicious. The second time, we ordered the chili relleno special and the sopes with carne asado. The sopes were good, but the chili rellenos really stole the show. The red sauce over the top had a great flavor and just the right amount of heat. I hope they have these on the menu regularly. I also recommend the homemade corn chips and pico de gallo. We haven't ordered the fresh tortillas yet, but I think they would be perfect for breakfast tacos (for the life of me, I don't understand why it's almost impossible to find good breakfast tacos in Philadelphia). Anyway, please try this place and support a fantastic local family-owned business. This place is the real deal!

If you're looking for the real deal Mexican food, do not pass this by! Out of all of the Mexican restaurants I have tried in Philly, and believe me, I'm a foodie, so I've tried many, this is hands down the best, most original, Mexican food I have had. So my experience was with their take out. I have to say that their guacamole is so fresh and delicious. The chips to accompany them are so fresh and crispy, you can't stop eating them even when all the guacamole is done. They do give you a generous amount of chips and guac. I had the sopes with carne asada which had a nice crisp to the bottom yet delicate at the top. The tacos I tried were the spicy chicken, mole and chorizo all of which were superb. My 4 year old son who normally takes his time to eat and complains about having to finish his food ate the tacos up in a jiffy saying "I love tacos." He sure did and so did my hubby and I. We will definitely be patronizing this place again in the future, even more so if we have another shut down for Covid because I would hate to see this place go.

I was so excited for this restaurant to open and it does not disappoint! The chicken mole tacos are my favorite but I've also really liked the corn smut tacos as well. The guacamole is also delicious. Only wish they had outdoor seating when it was warmer out. Would def recommend .

We got takeout here and everything was delicious! All the tortillas were home-made, the food was all cooked fresh, the sauces were authentic and wonderful! Everything was cooked to perfection. Even the guacamole and chips that we ate while waiting for our food was fresh, homemade chips too, and delicious. We will definitely go back.

This will be my new go-to spot for Mexican. The guy was super friendly and appreciative of my business. Recently, my wife and I have been disappointed with other local burritos, but the vegetarian and steak burritos at El Molino are super tasty. Also, the chicken empanadas are amazing. They had a great crispy crust and creamy, chicken filling. I have yet to order anything else from the menu or get the tortillas, but they will be on my next order, and I'm confident they will be good as well.

The Pico de Gallo was unique and the best I ever had. That says a lot having lived in Texas over 31 years. Guacamole was great and chips that came along with it tasted authentically corny! Highly recommend this place in south Philly!

Authentic Mexican food. The menu is limited but the food is high quality. We tried the burrito, quesadilla, tacos, and nachos. i recommend any one of those. You definitely want to top of your dinner with the fabulous churros. The food is reasonably priced too.