Jose Pistola's

Good bar! Ordered a few margarita pitchers with friends and they were strong! Got the guacamole as an appetizer but had to remind the server a few times that we were still missing it before it came out, after the entrees. Got the wings and they were full of flavor but could have used a little bit more sauce.

This was the first place I ever ate in Philadelphia… many moons ago. Went back recently and it really hasn’t changed at all. Thanks for the good times, Jose!

Mediocre in flavor and a rip off in value. I went for take out - 2 tiny fish tacos (barely twice size of a lime wedge, with thin(not even doubled up) tortillas costs $18.

food here was pretty good and the atmosphere was nice. Definitely looking forward to going back

My most recent visit to Jose Pistola's was amazing. Michael the manager is the reason Jose Pistola's feels like more than just a restaurant or a bar. He is incredibly warm and attentive. You can tell he truly cares about the guests and his staff. Sofia was our waitress and she was spectacular, she made sure to explain everything to us even the specials. I cant wait untill our next visit.

We stopped by on a weekday afternoon during happy hour (i.e., before 6 pm). The staff were friendly and efficient. The food was delicious. We enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere and loved the 80's music playing in the background. It was a hot day, and their air conditioners were a life saver.

Visited on 5/5 Likes- 1. I was immediately approached and greeted upon entering the restaurant. 2. I was sat promptly when my party arrived. 3. Server was attentive and quick. 4. Food was very tasty and came out quickly. Dislikes- 1. We ordered the strawberry margarita pitcher and it was not good at all. 2. The tables are very close to together. 3. There are only 2 bathrooms on the 3rd floor. Overall, I would return!

I've been here a couple times and I love this place. It's one of my new little hole in the wall spots after a hard day's work. The wings are just how I like them, spicy and saucy. The Guacamole and chips never disappoint. I like their margarita flavors, reg, spicy strawberry, mango, all delightful in a glass or a pitcher. The pork buns are good along with the freedom tacos and chicken nachos. I've recently expanded to the Chicken enchiladas and plantains and they were really good together. I also tried the passion fruit margaritas. It was ok but strawberry will forever be my first love.

I recently tried Jose Pistola after spotting their pistachio guacamole on Uber Eats. The unique combination of pistachio and goat cheese in the guacamole immediately piqued my interest. As I explored their menu further, I was pleased to find several vegetarian options, which prompted me to place an order. I opted for the pistachio guacamole, plantains, and Brussels sprout tacos. The guacamole was delicious, with a hint of spice and smokiness from the pistachios, perfectly balanced by the creamy goat cheese. The plantains, while fairly standard, were generously portioned and quite filling. The Brussels sprout tacos, however, were the standout of the meal and possibly my favorite dish. Having walked by the restaurant, I've noticed signs advertising happy hour and drink specials. After such a wonderful takeout experience, I look forward to visiting Jose Pistola in person soon.

I absolutely love the vibes here. There's a bar when you first walk in and in the back, there's a few tables and seats. The staff were friendly. Pomegrate mango guacamole was interesting. Never had fruits in guacamole. Slightly sweet, tart, and spicy. The burrito tho!!! It was so amazing. One of the best burritos I've ever had. It's a bit pricey at $16 but omg it's so worth it. I wasn't even hungry but the burrito made me want to eat it!

- very close to Kimmel center and miller theatre so very convenient to grab a drink and a bite before heading to the theater - has upstairs seating away from the main door so you can avoid the coldddddd - quesadilla wasn't bad in taste but felt slightly undercooked. It was toooo soft - plantains were neither salty nor sweet, and very bland - good service

Wasn't expecting much considering the reviews. Night was getting busy when i walked in but server promptly directed us to a upstairs table. Wasn't hungry so we ordered some plantains and nachos. The plantains were average and forgettable. The nachos were amazing, enough so to say it's the best I've tasted in all of Philly. It was flavorful, from the cheese that complimented the chips to spicy jalapenos and its juices that enhanced the entire plate. The tables did get crowded but was enough space for people to get around.

Excellent food and service. Great prices too. Very reasonable. I can't wait to go back! As I told my waiter we loved everything about the place except bathroom is in 3rd floor. Really nothing can resolve that it's an old building. So just know this and go!!!!

Amazing place! So glad I found it. I was looking for a good food spot in Central Philly. A lot of places around here are closed on Mondays. I found Jose's. Their food and drinks looked good and it was very easy to get to. I'm so glad I stopped here. Their margaritas, chips and salsa, guacamole and chicken enchiladas were incredibly delicious! If I was back in this area again, I'd definitely come here again. We stopped here on a trivia night. It was on the second floor. But, because this place has a bar, dining room and second floor it's spacious and there was plenty of space for patrons who weren't participating in trivia. I'd definitely stop back again!

Chicken Tinga Tacos were really good!! Very flavorful and soft! I also enjoyed the margarita pitcher too! It was totally enough to share! The staff is always amazing, very friendly and a very fun lively crowd, next to a lot of fun spots! Definitely recommend for a quick bite and even a nice dinner!

After a failed attempt at getting some seats at Rosy's Taco Bar for Cinco de Mayo,, our back up destination was Jose Pistolas. Approaching the entrance we encountered two bouncers who directed us past them and around the corner to an outside courtyard that was standing room only. We went inside through the back door and went up several flights of stairs, peeked through one door, crazy packed, went up another flight. Long story short this multi level bar was shoulder to shoulder with no inches to spare. So we were resigned to hanging outside. Weather wise it was a cool evening and not raining which was a good thing. There were three long high tops under an awning, an outside bar, a grill where you could get tacos and a deejay. Margarita's we're good and reasonably priced. I liked the fact that you could Venmo. Tacos you only had two choices but at 6.00 for three it was definitely a bargain. I went with the pork, friend had the bulgogi. Both were good and filling. Had to get a bit creative holding everything because each taco came in its own little boat. We were able to edge ourselves onto the end of one of the tables to enjoy our food but it was too loud for me to truly enjoy myself. Between the music and the young people yelling and screaming it was almost impossible to have a conversation with my friend. After two drinks we left to find a quieter spot.

We always park near Jose Pistolas on 15th St when we go to the Kimmel or Verizon Hall. But tonight was the first time going in. It won't be the last. There is a bar and low-tops a few steps up. A bigger room with bar and high-top tables is upstairs. Yes the service was just right. Even exemplary. I forgot my credit card and Gil came outside (in the cold) to find me to return the card. That is above and beyond. Most appreciated. I wanted to try 2 things on the menu that I have not tried before. The Guacamole with pomegranate and mango was delicious with their chips. The (cauliflower) rice bowl hit my spot. I'll see you there.

Jose Pistola's spicy tuna guac is one of my favorites in the city. The guac itself is delicious and the ahi tuna makes it even more tasty and unique. The mahi mahi tacos are average. They're a bit dry so I definitely wouldn't order them for delivery again. The Brussels sprouts quesadilla was actually delicious! I'd definitely recommend it if you're into veggie options. The chips and pico are fresh and tasty. Overall I'd give the food here 4 stars. The restaurant itself is not my favorite. I've been several times and usually sit at the upstairs bar. The margaritas are decent, but it's hard to get the bartenders attention even when it's not that busy so the service is lacking. Sometimes they straight up ignore you which I find so odd. It's also always blasting music so be ready to yell to the person next to you. If you're always cold like me, be aware that it's usually very chilly upstairs.

Great Time my girlfriend and I came here for a night out and it did not disappoint. We order a mango and strawberry marg and drinks were tasty but definitely alcohol. If you're having a few though just get a pitcher. Lots of guac in the bowl and chips seemed homemade. The mango guac will be on the list to get next time. Both meals were so damn good. The way they make their chicken is so good with just a little spice and kick to it. The pickled onions I think they are is something I have to make at home now. Asked for more on the side. Music choice was great on the speakers and vibes were good. Churros with the chocolate sauce was the best cherry on top.

Nachos are still one of my favorites in Philly... there's just something about their pickled onions. Adding the Birria-Dilla entree. It was good, just wish there was a little more of it, but this seems to be a standard size. Margs are also good. Still pretty great overall to grab a drink or a bite.

We were shopping for memorial day deals in Philly, got thirsty and hungry, and luckily found this little unassuming gem. I ordered 3 margaritas: Diablo, Guava and Mango and all three were soooo good. The bartenders are so fun and sassy (in a good way). Unlike so many other disappointing bars, they ask if you want a sugar or salt rim on the marg which I personally think is wonderful. The pomegranate and mango guac is just as good as their spicy tuna guac - which I have previously tried at Sancho's. They have amazing guac flavors and think they should put a "guac flight" on the menu, it will be such a hit. The carnitas buns were epic too! I don't get why they have such low reviews, I think their drinks and food is absolutely delicious!

Food was yummy, service was quick since we sat at the bar. It's good for a casual cute quick date, I love that they're open all day

I have had fond memories of coming to Jose Pistolas back in the 2008-2015 era, when the entrees contained substantially larger portions for what you paid, at least in my recollection which may be somewhat skewed. This was one of our go to places for wii games and other fun social activity. Ultimately, $12 for a soup bowl "special" or $8 for a taco "special" seems pretty ordinary, especially when you add in taxes and tips. So that business model may pay the bills for them, but we have bills too. Props to the staff who are always kind and go to great lengths to maintain a rapport with the regulars. I've never felt like an outsider here, but when I was last here I found myself starting to question if I might soon have to venture outside of this familiar old comfort zone.

Excellent food for a bar that serves lots of beer styles and mixed drinks. The different guava and tacos are killer.

It's okay but nothing special. Atmosphere inside is pretty lively. The food quality is decent and the recipes are fine, but the portions are rather small for a casual place. (Or the prices a bit high) Drinks were good, lots of selections. Their bathroom is on the third floor and can be sketchy/messy. Overall pretty average, which is just fine.

A three story nearby watering hole that I pass between work and the parking garage. I've been here a few times before due to its convenience. If you have a group-their happy hour discounted pitchers are a must! No specials on individual margs tho, bummer. The food is something worth stopping for-well it was. My food was just delivered to me by a man without a mask on. Wasn't down around his chin, nope, just flat out wasn't wearing one. It's bizarre to me that they require proof of vaccination to sit and order, however staff gets to be reckless. I'm no far left swinging stickler when it comes to things, but covid is real. During the glorious era of to go cocktails in Philly this was my ssssppppoooootttttt. Every bartender that mixed my drinks had her mask on as well as most other employees. Are their staff not washing their hands either? Hairnets a thing of the past too? What other measures are they skimping on just because they are "over covid"? I get the vibe that they want everyone's business but are only friendly towards their regulars. I've lived in this city long enough to realize-it be like that sometimes.

Pretty sure I've never given a place such a bad rating but it was awful. Food was terrible so bad we didn't even eat the guacamole. Never got my soup. Drink had bug in it and service was horrendous. The bartender pretty much ignored us, never brought napkins or plates and after an hour was shocked I never got soup. Was decent before Covid but went severely downhill.

Nice dive for some late night wings and brews. They check your vaccination card when you walk in (which to me offers peace of mind that they make safety paramount). Wings were crispy and delicious; would return.

Good churros! Good margarita! Not too busy on the night we visited, bartender was friendly. Nicely decor for Christmas!

Stopped by while in the city because I am familiar with the Fishtown location under same owners. They make pretty good margaritas. The service is what needs improving. Theresa specifically is not someone you want as your server. Her attitude & lack of customer service skills is the reason I would not return.

My son and I are traveling and stopped here on a whim. As a Vegan it's very hard to find a great meal. But Jose's delivered! The Brussels Sprout Tacos were amazing! Best I've ever had. My son had the burger and fries and he said it was phenomenal as well! Great find here in Philly!

Love the interior, very quaint and ambiance is perfect. Best part was the chicken tacos.. Sooooo good! Service was prompt and our server was awesome. Will definitely be back!!

Very much stumbled on this place while going to the Kimmel....little tight but a lot to like. Terrific Cheeseburger, Terrific salad. One of the best Tortilla soups I've ever had and a spicy hot Chicken soup that was also great. Retry sure those were hand cut fries and at first glance they looked eh, they were anything but. Great and attentive services where their politeness seemed genuine and was appreciate d Highly highly recommended

Stopped in for lunch the other day. I've heard excellent things about the food. The Christmas decor and service couldn't be anything less than stellar. However, the food was below average. I ordered the Tinga Tacos and there was true culinary cuisine behind them. Phenomenal seasoning and solid chicken. The entire order was warm at best and cold after my first bite. I will return because I think it was just a bad day but let's keep the food hot.

I have always loved Jose Pistola's. I took my fiancé here for the first time and he said the burrito was the BEST he ever had! We also ordered a strawberry margarita pitcher which was delicious and strong--it hits you unexpectedly! The chips and guac are very tasty and my chicken tinga tacos were *chef's kiss*. Our server was very sweet and attentive as well. You will not be disappointed eating at Jose's.

Great service, great food, great bar ambience. Their take away is a Godsend. Support Jose Pistola's & you won't be disappointed.

For the table: - a pitcher of watermelon mint margaritas - chips & guac - fries - spicy pork burritos The food is really great! The guac here is an absolute must. The margaritas were so worth it. Get a pitcher! Atmosphere: This place would've gotten 5 stars from me if I could actually hear my friends while we ate dinner. We initially sat upstairs but we had to move downstairs because the live band was sooooo painfully loud. I asked the server if there was any way they could turn down the sound but he said it wasn't possible (not his fault). We were sat in the corner directly under a speaker. It was equally loud everywhere upstairs. When we got downstairs and it was still so loud that we were shouting across the table. Don't get me wrong, the band was amazing (SOOOO GOOD) but way too loud. My ears were hurting. I've honestly never experienced a restaurant/bar with music this loud. **bring earplugs, good vibes, and order a pitcher

Came here with my boyfriend for an early lunch on Sunday. Got the Brussel sprout tacos (a must), the chicken tacos (pretty good, needed a sauce), the pork special sandwich (good) and the Korean steak tacos (not good). We also got a few margs which were yummy. I would definitely come back to this place since I think the vibes were good and the food was decent. The dish that was the star were the Brussel sprout tacos. They were beyond delicious and had a fantastic sauce mixed with them.

Ordered the "veggie" burrito ($13) tonight, only to find that the burrito is stuffed with rice and beans and titled "plain burrito" on the receipt. When I called to ask what the deal was-- I have ordered this burrito multiple times before, and it has indeed been stuffed with vegetables-- the restaurant staff member said that you have to specially indicate if you want veggies. In a veggie burrito. Because veggies are not included. In a veggie burrito. **insert some combination of mind blown and face palm emoji, emphasis on the latter** I asked her if this was a change, but she said that this is how it's always been. She then proceeded, with an attitude, to tell me they don't carry fresh vegetables as much anymore because it's covid and they've only done $600 in sales today. So... it is a change? In this admittedly extraordinary time, there are many local businesses that are maintaining some semblance of quality service and not trying to dupe their customers. Unfortunately, this place isn't one of them. Too bad, because it was always a reliable quick meal.. but I'm not paying to be tricked.

Got take out lunch tinga tacos along with a side of fries from here for lunch and everything was excellent and fresh. They use a paper board material (that I think might be compostable) for their containers which did a good job of collecting any steam off the hot food so everything stayed crispy and fresh by the time I got back to my office from picking it up. This little detail makes a huge difference in the quality vs polystyrene containers which the steam just collects and makes food soggy. I am super tempted by their take out cocktails but since I don't live downtown it is harder to transport but I would suggest anyone that lives close to definitely check those specials out as well!

This restaurant is absolutely disgusting for so many reasons. Some of the bartenders (most) were drunk during my experience last week, slurring their words and spilling things everywhere. The icing on the cake for me was one of the bartenders, Spanish, early 30s was being extremely racist and transphobic. She was having a conversation with someone at the bar and we over heard her. We immediately asked for the check and complained about how dispicable her actions were. The bartender experience was horrible, but I have nothing bad to say about the servers, they were on top of everything! The Spanish girl should be fired, that language made my stomach turn. 1 star for the servers!!

Nachos, no meat were delicious!! Really fun vibes here too, the lighting and music are great.

Sadly, this place has gone downhill food wise. Burritos are warmed over. Nachos were just okay. My friend said his burger was very good and the chicken tinga tacos were great. So overall, it is very inconsistent. The second time in a row we had sub-par food, and this is a place we used to love. Drinks and staff are still top-notch. We may return for drinks and chips, but that is it until they get their kitchen back up to top standard.

Spectacular Tacos! Arrived at exactly 4pm and found out this is the exact time they open the upstairs bar, score! Ordered the Roasted Chicken Land Tacos which consist of aji verde sauce, onion, poblano, refritos. I was starving for food so I did not study the menus like I usually do and order the weridest thing typically off the menu. I went with the plain jane roasted chicken tacos but these were anything but plain packed with amazing flavor. I am still dreaming about these tacos the next day and thats when you know you found a real winning Mexican restaurant. I will be back here for sure and try more of the items. As always people SYOY and keep on keeping on!

Decent Mexican bar that is good for late nights. I came here with friends around 11pm and had some drinks and nachos and it was fine although very loud. The nachos were tasty and the chips were not too salty which I appreciated. I didn't order any drinks but my friends were quite satisfied with theirs. Only reason it isn't 5 stars is it is incredibly loud inside. I know this is to be expected with bars especially on Friday night but I and my friends wound up leaving earlier than anticipated because it was to the point of pain and we were having to shout to hear each other. So if you don't like loud bars don't come here when it's super busy.

Went here a few weeks ago on a Friday night. Another one of those "hip" Philly bar/restaurants that only cares about regulars. Server/bartender was extremely rude and barely paid attention to us but rather hung out at a table with people who seemed to be her friends all evening. Once she walked away, me and my partner were chatting with the table across from us, friendly people. Once the server came back I heard them ask her to get us a drink on their tab. She then rolled her eyes, waved them off, laughed, and said no. We each had had 1 beer at this point and decided to order a round of margaritas, we both specified a salt rim. We found it interesting that when the server came back with our margaritas there was no salt on the rim, but a few minutes later her friends ordered some and they all got salt... needless to say I was salty. Rightfully so though, Jose's as well as Sancho's employees truly only pay attention and give good service to people who are their weekly. I have been feeling this way for a while, but after this last experience I definitely will not be returning to either locations. Managers and owners need to do more.

Great food, nachos were fresh and the margaritas were amazing. Service was a bit slow but no other complaints.

Good margaritas, good food, good time! I would recommend the lamb burrito (however they didn't have it last time I visited in September) the nachos and other burritos were also very good! We always get a pitcher of margarita and share. Worth a try :)

The servers at Jose Pistolas are AMAZING! The food has always been super heavy and greasy to me instead of that fresh, clean, tex-mex feel. The drinks feel pretty sugar-y (although I don't like my cocktails sweet so that might be a "me" problem). Although the servers here are INCREDIBLE, so so kind and helpful and the Ahi Tuna Guac is a MUST order.

Great food and atmosphere. Recommend highly! Best margaritas in town. If you are a Mexican food fan or not there is something on the menu.

Stopped in for a late night snack and a quick drink. I was excited about the place due to all of the reviews. Arrived and sat at the bar. Was hoping for a little more banter but, you can't always get what you want. Ended up getting the braised short rib burrito. I was disappointed that it didn't come with chips or anything. It had really good flavor and I enjoyed it. Also felt that the portion was a little small. Not sure that I would return.

Must have: mixto cerviche Hard pass: Tuna Tiradito Yelp advice: drink lots of water I came here for to hang out with friends over a small bite to eat. Given I had eaten just prior to arrival, my appetite was slightly diminished so I opted for the guac, cerviche and the tuna tiradito. The mixto cerviche was actually quite decent and for $15, there was a good amount of protein. The tuna tiradito, on the other hand was very salty, and served over a sea of soy sauce that makes me feel parched while writing the review. Unfortunately, the guac was equally salty and required frequent visits to the water jug. The service was indeed very friendly and she really seemed excited to be working, even on a busy Tues evening. I had wanted to try out the tacos, but given they were at least $12 for 2-3 tacos, I decided to pass.

Absolutely love this place, I always go there when I can the freedom tacos, burritos, and the fresh salsa always are a staple when I go, highly recommend this somewhat hidden gem to anyone looking for a quick meal, great service and great drinks!

Located within an un-flashy and unassuming exterior, Jose Pistola's is a gem if you love Mexican food or craft beer. While the decor both inside and outside isn't very modern or special (it's basically a dive bar), they have a good variety of Mexican food and an even better selection of craft beer. I came here on a Sunday afternoon and it wasn't crowded at all. We ordered a trio of dips that included some fancy guacamole with nuts and goat cheese, a salsa ketchup mix, and another guac. While the salsa ketchup mix wasn't my favorite for chips, the guacamole dips were decent. But the standout of my meal was my lobster tacos. They were tender and flavored nicely (you get two for a price of 18). So far I haven't found any other restaurant in Philly that serves lobster taco. Jose Pistola also has a good selection of craft beer, ranging from the rare Pliney the Elder to KBS on the day we went. This definitely isn't something you would expect just looking at the place from outside, and a nice little bar for those looking for rarer craft beers (KBS isn't that rare but Pliney is, and there were a few others that I don't remember).

The food and service were both excellent. I felt a bit bad for the server because he was the only one here and had to work the tables and bar but did a great job. Everything we ordered was fabulous. The chips, guacamole, chicken tinga tacos, and chicken enchiladas were all fabulous. I ordered the rice and beans as a side too and they were good but not as great as the rest of the food. We're really happy we found this place!

The first time the existence of this place was brought to my attention was in the context of spectacular nachos and instagram photo ops. Needless to say this was a must on the list. I've been trying to eat healthier (LOL) in preparation for a license-to-indulge on my vacation next week (to Mexico of all places, classic) so I was hesitant to come here. I considered going to a place I have been before with less pressure to order nachos. Let's call a spade a spade, I'm not getting any fucking younger and Philly's inventory of restaurants isn't going to visit itself. I did, however, declare that I was not going to order nachos. T.O'B. and I schlepped down 15th street until we came across the storefront. After struggling to locate the actual entrance (despite the fact that there's only one door) we made our way inside and up the stairs to our table. It smells like college in here. It is dark with a divey vibe. Happy hour drink specials consist of $10 off a margarita pitcher (god only knows how much a margarita pitcher is regularly because it's not listed anywhere on the menu that either of us could find) otherwise it's all beer. Hours are 4-6pm. Margaritas at all hours are a good deal ($6 for regular with other types offered). I had to drive later in the evening and in order to take advantage of the last few minutes of hh, I went with a yuengling. Tina went with the regular marg. I have read in previous reviews that their pistachio guac is TO DIE. Let's be real again, I ordered the fucking nachos. Adding a nice slab of guac to the top of that 'cho pile is an extra $3.5 and I hazarded to request ours was the pistachio variety. Unfortunately that was a no-go for inexplicable reasons. :-/. They do give the option to throw on any of their "land proteins", some of which include vegetarian options like some cauliflower buffalo shit and whatnot. Tizzle ordered fish tacos. Some time after ordering, I decided to wash my hands for sanitation reasons. With nachos of this calibur, there will be blood. According to Dr. O'Brien's account of events, the food arrived at precisely the moment I got up from the table. Classic AF. I returned from the bathroom to a gigantic nacho mountain sitting before me. Contrary to the pattern of nacho distribution I have encountered in Philadelphia, these nachos were dispersed in a higher rather than wider orientation, decreasing the topping to chip ratio. Don't get me wrong, whatever that fucking white cheese shit was (research into the menu reveals "mexican cheese blend") was DELICIOUS. Holy shit I could bathe in that stuff. But there were a lot of naked chips. Another shocking thing about these nachos were the complete lack of BEANS. What the fuck? Beans are a CRITICAL component of nachos. On a few occasions I thought I saw a bean, eagerly lanced that bad boy with my fork just to discover it was a spherically-shaped tomato cube. When you begin to see beans as a mirage that's when you know you're FUCKED. Help me. When my yueng was dunzo I ordered a marg just for completeness sake. It was nothing particularly special, tasty, or strong. I can't quite complain for $6 tho. Service was very good, our waitress was nice and prompt. There are better nachos elsewhere but I cannot argue with the alcohol prices or speak about the other food options.

I really like this place. Some of the most unique tacos. I especially like the short rib and Brussels taco. Good quick service.