La Chinesca
Mexican restaurant · Callowhill ·
Mexican-Chinese fusion eatery with retro-chic vibe & cocktails
Mexican-Chinese fusion eatery with retro-chic vibe & cocktails
"Potato chips and soft pretzels are nice, but we’re not sure why wings aren’t the world’s go-to snack. We had this epiphany after tasting the general tso wings at Spring Garden’s La Chinesca, a restaurant that blends Asian and Mexican cooking traditions. Expect crispy wings drenched in tangy general tso's sauce and then coated in toasty chilis and scallions. These never get soggy, have a satisfying crunch, and have just enough heat to keep you reaching for your margarita." - candis mclean
"The Deal: $3 Tecates, $8 Tequila & Tecate Citywide, $8 Wine, $7-$9 Cocktails, And $3-$7 Snacks With one of the biggest, brightest, and pinkest spaces in Philly, we get why this Spring Garden happy hour always draws a crowd. They have $3 quesabirria tacos, $7 Tijuana street dogs, and a bunch of tequila and mezcal cocktails." - candis mclean
"La Chinesca has one of the most recognizable patios in the city—and that’s not just because it’s a glowing neon pink. On a sunny day, The Spring Arts Mexican-Asian fusion spot is as packed as the A.C. Boardwalk on the 4th of July. It serves some of our favorite margaritas in town, so you’ll usually see people sipping on them while they split plates of Singapore noodles with shrimp, salsa topped Tijuana street dogs, and smoky kung pao chicken wings. Plus, the patio has lots of overhead coverage, so even a rainy day can’t stop your taco Tuesday, Wednesday, or Sunday." - candis mclean, alison kessler
"The Tijuana Street Dog at Spring Garden’s La Chinesca is so good that they could reduce their menu to just the singular item and we’d still keep coming back (though we would miss the margaritas and wings). Two come in an order, and they’re colorfully covered with crispy bacon, chipotle mayonnaise, tomatillo pico de gallo, and tangy pickled chiles. The buttery, toasted bun keeps everything crammed inside. It’s a starter worth ditching your usual taco order for." - candis mclean
"Housed in an old Jiffy Lube, this Spring Garden retro cantina has both Chinese options like cold crab noodles tossed in a soy vinaigrette and Mexican staples like tacos, carne asada fries, and elote. While the quesabirria tacos, Tijuana street dogs, and chilaquiles may sound tempting, go for the fish tacos or stick to the Chinese dishes (our favorite is the pork belly bao bun). Bring a group of friends to Happy Hour for a round of tacos and a few tequila-based cocktails." - alison kessler, candis mclean
