Lucha Cartel

One of the best of the best Mexican Restaurants anywhere in the World! Amazingly delicious food here. Fire grilled shrimp on the fajitas were especially great. My top recommendation- very cool vibe here too. Friendly staff and management and quite reasonable prices too. I have over 170 Million views to my Google reviews - please follow! Level 10 Reviewer.

I'd heard a lot about this place over the years, finally went. It was good. I wasn't blown away, but it wasn't bad. Food was good, service was good, interior was kinda cool. That's all. A solid 4 stars.

I went here for happy hour. The atmosphere is very nice. It turns into a nightclub after dark but I haven’t experienced that yet. Our waitress was very accommodating regarding my drink (I don’t drink alcohol) We ordered chips and salsa as a starter and we were given an option of how spicy we wanted it. The chips were warm and fresh. I ordered a virgin mojito, which tasted refreshing, and chicken enchiladas. The sauce was DELICIOUS, and the chicken was so tender. Our only complaint is that they brought my mother salmon tacos instead of chicken. Aside from that, our experience was great.

The portion sizes were poor, but the prices weren't bad so that makes sense. The food was very good honestly, and the staff was attentive and nice. I came for lunch, and there was plenty of seating, I enjoyed it, I'd come back to try out more of the menu.

Stopped in and had an amazing meal loved the salsa and guacamole with chips. The steak fajitas was absolutely amazing. My sister got the pork carnitas and it was so good. One of the best places I’ve eaten in Philly. Definitely will recommend.

I am Mexican and all I can say is that the food is very good and the price is great. I had one of the best chilaquiles with steak of my life. The second time I had quesabirrias , they were really good !! .. the micheladas are very good as well, but the glasses should be bigger! .. I will definitely come back a third time

My second visit for this place was a really bad experience. To start with, the tables were not clean when assigned. The place was packed with people on weekend, as expected. We found a strand of human hair in chicken tacos. The order was returned and we waited close to 25-30 minutes and eventually cancelled our order for tacos. The bill when arrived, included the cancelled order of taco and the server was not happy to correct mistake they made, we were told that it will be corrected later once we pay the amount. I was highly disappointed with service by specific server that served us. Mistakes can always happen especially when the place is so much occupied, but the instinct of restaurant should be to make it a priority to fix it. If pointed out about the mistake or issues, don’t be upset with customers. This is basic expectation from a hospitality business. If the business is too much to handle more servers can be hired or limit number of people who can be seated. The other staff was really polite and helpful. Food is good here. I would recommend this place for good food. Not at all if you expect a good service. Here is my review from previous visit: Good Mexican food, ambiance and music. Tried nachos Lucha, margarita and chicken empanadas. Flan was really amazing. Limited street parking, the restrooms and service was okay.

The menu is a diverse fiesta of options, providing something for everyone. Personally, the Birria tacos stole the show for me. While they could use a bit more flavor, the array of sauces offered managed to elevate the experience. Now, let's talk about the elote (the street corn) – absolute delight! The combination of flavors and that street-style flair really hit the spot. Service, thankfully, was on point during this visit, a noticeable improvement from some lackluster past encounters. An added bonus is the bar setup, perfect for those looking to unwind with a drink. Overall, it's a delightful and immersive experience. The vibrant Mexican theme, coupled with tasty dishes, makes this place a charming spot to enjoy a flavorful meal and a good time.

Waleed best bartender ever! You want something spicy. .see Waleed! At Lucha Cartel. Best Margarita's in Philadelphia!

The atmosphere is fun and the food was pretty good. Our group of 6 came in on a Wednesday evening for dinner. I got the steak tacos and refried beans. We split 2 baskets of the $3 tortilla chips and salsa. We did one red and one verde salsa. The red is a chunkier salsa and the verde is creamier. Both were fresh and delicious with ample chips to share! The steak tacos were tender and flavorful. The beans were creamy and had some cheese on them. The only reason for the 4 stars was the service. While our waiter was kind and pleasant, he took a very long time to take our order and a long time after we were finished to get us our bills. The place wasn't overwhelmingly busy and he was playing on his phone near the bar talking to other employees while we waited to order. He's human and we get it though. Overall, we enjoyed our food and drinks. We would visit again.

Covered outdoor seating, excellent nachos with a generous amount of toppings, and insane quesabirria tacos (available Friday-Sunday only per the menu). Service was a bit slow but we weren't in a rush.

The decor of this place is amazing and the service was friendly and fast. We split some nachos and each got a taco platter--quesabirria for me, sweet potato for my friend. The quesabirria was excellent and the portion was generous. My friend enjoyed her sweet potato tacos quite a bit.

We had the shrimp enchiladas, asada & al pastor tacos, bean dip, and elotes (roasted corn). Everything tasted good including the spicy salsa. We ordered a large pitcher of the El Santo Margarita which didn't taste any different or better than a regular margarita, I would skip on that one. It is priced higher than the others so we were hoping it would be better or stronger. Service was also lacking. Not sure if it's because we were a group of 6 or more which meant automatic 20% gratuity is added. The decor is very cool and unique.

Delicious food, fun funky vibe and a drink list that worked for everyone's varying tastes in our party. Get the churros filled with chocolate and cayenne sauce, they were an incredible ending to a great meal. We'll be back!

Margarita pitchers were awesome. They had a pork belly taco as a special... I crave these tacos every day now. They need to add to their regular menu! Excellent!!

Absolutely delish. Have been at least twice in the last month!!! Amazing tacos especially the special fried chicken ones.... Margs also made me feel cray

Mysterio margarita- YES. MA'AM Carne asada taco- YAAAASSS Chips & guac- Also yaaaasss Service- fabulous

Never again am I eating here. First I used the bathroom it smelt horrible and there was no soap to wash your hands so how are the staff washing their hands ? Two we paid our bill with a credit card the waitress came over to give it back . She then says so you didn't leave any tip on card do you have cash ? Excuse me a tip is earned not asked for . We were going to leave a cash tip obviously. Then she goes you don't ever have to eat here again fuck off!!! Don't eat here !! Unprofessional as hell !

For some reason I thought this place would be light bright but it's a very dark pub bar sort of feel. I opted for just the empanadas which isn't really ground chicken as described on the menu but more pulled. I reallyyyy enjoyed them. My friends had the quesabirria which they liked - very filling. It's been awhile since I've had a good margarita and this place had some good ones. I had the pineapple jalapeño. We also did 6 shots of patron ($90) which was a wee bit pricey but to fair they were pretty hefty shots. Id come here for drinking and apps again but not for dinner.

Solid little Mexican restaurant in the heart of old city. I was leaving work and walking back to the hotel. Just wanted some tacos and chips. Nothing too special. It was a rainy weekday so the restaurant wasn't too crowded. I was able to get a table right away. My waiter came over and took my order. I ordered steak tacos. It came out hot and fresh. I would recommend them. The waiter kept my water glass filled and checked in on me. I do recommend this place.

Came here for a quick bite on a Saturday afternoon and it was surprisingly quiet, but we had a great experience! There was one bartender/server taking care of tables and drinks and doing a great job. The margaritas were tasty and so was the food we (guac, tacos, and empandas)! Overall a nice experience and felt relaxed since it wasn't too busy. Prices were good for old city as well. I'd definitely come back here!

First time in the city and as a Mexican American, I was excited to try this place out but was a little dissatisfied all around. The server asked us to follow her then told us to go back and wait. The staff nearly walked into me when I was walking from the bathroom to my table. The tacos fell apart as I was eating them because they used single tortillas for each taco. The meat was cut think which meant it was fairly chewy and not what I'd expect from an asada taco. The rice was not Spanish rice (it was a white rice with some veggies). Taste was okay over all. The green salsa was by far the best thing I had here. It was perfect and I wish it had complimented the food better but I ended up needing to use it to flavor my rice since it was quite bland.

I have not been to this establishment in a while and was treated to lunch. I noticed a new menu item (salmon tacos) and decided to try them. I only ate one taco after having to add my own salsa and seasoning. I basically only tasted the corn tortillas. *Portion was smaller then the Wahoo fish tacos I had in the past. *Absolutely NO flavor *Dry *Not worth the price.

Got stuck in traffic next to this place and thought it looked really cool from the outside, not far from me and I wanted to check it out. We went for dinner at 8pm absolutely no one else but other staff members inside and they were sitting at the bar. The bartenders partner also seemed to be sitting at the bar so we didn't get much service. Food and cocktails were great but overall ambiance and lack of energy and service. I would suggest sticking with takeout if you choose this restaurant.

Already at the entrance the guard asked us questions about our Jewish surname. When we sat down at one of the tables to order food, the waitress told us to get up because she preferred to seat her friends even though we arrived before them. At the end when we ordered to eat, we discovered that the food was not tasty to say the least. Black lettuce and other vegetables are not fresh and it is better not to mention the quality of the meat. Towards midnight, after the waitress, the bartender and the guard informed the crowd of guests that we were Jewish, people started attacking us while shouting free Palestine. This place hates Jews and has no shame in showing it. The place admits many more people than it is allowed by law, and therefore a terrible overcrowding and crowding is created. The food is of a very poor standard and the DJ is an amateur. On top of all that, the owner Paul (also a guard in the entrance) calling me a liar. Shame on you Paul! Instead of taking care of your sick system you argue with customers and call yelp to report that the review is fake. Everyone is equal, Jews, Arabs and Christians. If you don't respect religion or race find another job.

Popped in here for a quick bite during July 4th festivities! Very good Mexican food. The peach sangria was a nice summery cocktail. A variety of mega Rita's are also available. (Next time!) The empanadas were delicious. They were filled with ground chicken, some chopped veggies and mildly sliced. They were fried but not greasy. The pork carnitas tacos were also good. It had chunks of pork with a mild pineapple flavor. The sauces with both were good and added to the flavor of the food. We were seated as soon as we walked in and our server came over right away. The decor is cute. Bathrooms are downstairs.

Good spot for happy hour. The tacos were not too impressive but the empanadas and Marg were good. The atmosphere is nicely themed but a bit dark and lackluster.

Tasty food with a good vibe from the restaurant. We went on a Saturday night and there were many empty tables, but the hostess made a comment about not having a reservation. Not all staff knew their menu options (asked someone who helped our table but she had no idea and did not offer to get the information). The tacos al pastor were delicious but not overly filling. Would definitely go back!

Dropped by hoping that this would be a good go-to place for a random Taco Tuesday in the neighborhood. We were wrong. This place was super divey. The dust on the bottles around the bar looked like they hadn't cleaned it in decades. Normally this would be signal to walk away but we were hungry, it was late, and we were trying to loo beyond the appearance and give this place a shot. We were not surprised when the food was way below par. Our food came out cold. The fajita plate literally had no sizzle. Dont get me started on the black beans :-/ It was a disappointing venture and we will not return. Womp womp

If you run through most reviews of Luncha Cartel the food is described as mediocre and the drinks meh. I have been here at least four times that I can recall and am officially writing it off my list. The decor of the restaurant is interesting with a Mexican Wrestling vibe where most of the wrestlers wear face masks. I will give Luncha that, the decorations are on point. Their newest Happy Hour Philly Taco sounds good and with cactus in it added points in my book for being unique. Hey, if you want to come here for HH M-F 3pm-6pm go for it but coming here for a dinner will not be a cheap Mexican meal. Also, the Churros filled with chocolate dessert is a bust. They are premade so if you are allergic to chocolate or just do not want an overpowering melty gooey chocolate in every bite of a traditional Churro appetizer you have no choice. I love Churros but am not a fan of the modification made on this dish. As always people SYOY!!!

I tried this place a few months ago. The Lucha Nachos were delicious and had a really beautiful presentation. I loved all of the topping including jalepeno, radishes, melted cheese, black beans, cilantro, crema, corn, and pico de gallo. I also love that they added black olives. That's an ingredient I don't see too often in nachos. I wish I would've settled with the nachos as my main meal instead of the steak burrito. The burrito had absolutely no flavor. It was served with gauc on side and that was bland too. I asked if they could include a spicy sauce on the side but it wasn't spicy. It didn't have much flavor at all. I didn't eat the entire burrito. I'm sure this place is great, you probably have to know what to get. I'd definitely go back for the nachos.

Nice place. Bar type atmosphere. Friendly hostess and our server, Rosemary, was friendly and checked on us often. We really like that! My wife and I shared a burrito (pork carnitas). Very good. Enough to share. Good prices.

Good Mexican food in Old City with indoor and outdoor seating. Started with chips and salsa (fresh). Main course included enchiladas with the mole sauce (very good mole) and quesadillas. Excellent service from multiple staff members.

My new favorite Mexican spot! I don't know how I lived my whole life in Philly and am just trying this place for the first time. My pineapple jalapeño margarita was amazing - both flavors were spot on!! I asked for it half sweetened which, was easily accommodated. The portion of guacamole is big and comes with fresh, crispy tortilla chips! This was enough for 3-4 people as an app. Both the red and green salsas are amazing too! I slightly preferred the red because it's the roasted tomato kind and has a good kick of garlic. The Philly taco is a MUST try if you're in for happy hour - great quality steak with peppers, onions, cheese and fresh fries. Definitely rivals your favorite cheesesteak! The carne asada tacos and shrimp tacos were both simple and delicious. I love how they come on 1 small tortilla instead of 2+ stuck together like a lot of other places do. Service was also great - our waitress was very friendly and attentive. Food came out quickly and in a good order! Overall, can't wait to come back here and tell everyone I know about it!

I've been here more than once. The space is really cool. I love the set up and the sort of dance floor. However that's where it ends for me. I've never had anything great to eat here. The fish tacos are what I had most recently and they were very underwhelming. For being a Mexican joint that's pretty bad. My friend got the chicken tacos. I asked him now they were. He says "Eh... I've had better." We shared the chips and salsa. Those were good. Wait staff is always great. So really all the stars go to the staff and the building. I will probably end up here again but it won't be my suggestion.

The only thing good here was the strong margarita. Got Al pastor tacos, and the pork had no flavor what so ever and was super rubbery. Ordered red salsa, got green instead? Mind you, it was pretty dead there so it's not like they were super busy and backed up! I should have turned around and went somewhere else as soon as I saw the disco ball in the dinning room

Fantastic atmosphere for a Friday night, very authentic Mexican decor w an edgey twist, good music (though a bit too loud for a casual dinner- had to raise voice to hear anything the person sitting directly across from me was saying), amazing, loaded finger food perfect for a pre-game food spot for the club or the next adventure. I shared the pollo (chicken) nachos with my date, perfect amount for two when the only other item we ordered was Seabass ceviche. If you're out with a group and everyone is getting entrees in addition, you could share the nachos with 4, there is plentiful meat/cheese/beans. :) Only slight downsides were the quantity of seabass for the price (11$? But dang it tasted good) and the Medium jalapeño-infused tequila margarita pitcher we shared was PAINFULLY spicy, and hurts your throat when it goes down. Context: I casually will eat pickled jalapeños from the jar as a snack, which shows my tolerance, and I still thought it was rough. Might try this place again but go during a less "party" hour so I can hear my date, and order a different pitcher. Overall, rockin!

Lucha Cartel Is a family favorite especially for the Wahoo Fish Tacos and Pork Belly Al Pastor. Unfortunately when I stopped in for a night cap the other day I noticed the menu has changed slightly and both of those tacos were gone. There is still a fish taco option but it's not the same. The Al Pastor tacos were regular shoulder cut and totally lacked any flavor. They also used red onion instead of the traditional and much sweeter white. Major disappointment. The margaritas are still top notch.

My first time here. I wasn't in the mood to try Mexican food but I'm glad I stopped by because the food was great!! The chicken was seasoned really well. The nachos had a great combination of flavors and were very tasty. My friend enjoyed the beef fajitas. I only wish they gave more chips and salsa or that they provided the chips and salsa complimentary at the beginning. Price was pretty reasonable. Overall worth a visit!

you HAVE to go to the bi-weekly Bachata class here!!! I would give it 7 stars if I could, it was just that good. The instructors were amazing, the people were friendly and a lot of really good dancers were there (which is great for someone like me who does not know how to dance and was just learning) so I met some really lovely new people while leaning to bachata! Margs were tasty also! I didn't try the food because I was there for dancing. The ambiance overall was perfect for a night out either meeting new people or hanging with friends.

This spot looked very cute and I popped in here quick after my drive in. I started with chips and guac, because you always gotta, and I was nearly scraping the bowl when my mains came. I ordered the al pastor and wild mushroom tacos. The al pastor tacos went down super easy, lots of flavor variance and depth. That's a high recommendation on that dish for me. The wild mushroom fell a bit flat to me. I also had a strawberry infused margarita and have no complaints there. I also forget how quick a margarita can flatten you. The staff was kind and considerate and the restaurant seems to be taking great precautions in terms of practicing social distancing. Safety could not be more important! The decor in the place was very cute and I wish I snapped a few pics but I was very hungry and there was lots of good food in front of me to devour...oh well.. next time, or just peep everyone else's photos here to see what I mean

Went for lunch on a sunny September day with my three other coworkers we decided to get Mexican food down 2nd street area. Initially we thought of going closer to El Azteca but instead decided that it was too pleasant of a day to be stuck indoors. We got a nice seat outside. Our server was pleasant and hospitable. We ordered the guacamole with queso fresco, simply amazing. I love the chips, fried tortillas. I ordered a lunch order of the soft tacos, they did not disappoint but if you're hungry I'd order a little extra. Overall, we had a very pleasant lunch and definitely looking forward to coming back.

an old city gem! I love the selection of tacos & drinks and the ability to customize your chips and guac. I personally loved how the tacos automatically came with 3 tacos. Came after happy hour so it was loud and busy, definitely seems to be the place to be!! Margaritas were 10/10.

I've been to Lucha Cartel twice, but the first time was too long ago. I came here again in May with my bf with a reservation for 7:45 pm. The restaurant was packed when we got there, but we were seated right away thank god. Our waitress was nice, but I felt she kept trying to rush us to order. We were seated for maybe 3 mins and she asked us if we were ready. When we told her we needed a little more time, she literally came back again after maybe a minute. Anyways, I ordered their Sweet Potato tacos which were so so so delicious. Only complaint I have is that there should have been 1 more taco. 3 corn tortilla tacos are not filling enough for a dinner. We also ordered a strawberry margarita pitcher which was super delicious but a little overpriced in my opinion. It also got watered down super quickly because there was so much ice. I still recommend because their food is good & the atmosphere is worthwhile!

'BYO Limes' or 'How to Ruin a Good Experience by Being Stupid' Spent over $200 there with a couple friends, ordered six different plates of tacos (3 each) and they only served one wedge of lime with each plate of three tacos. Asked the server to bring out enough wedges for the rest of the tacos, and he came back saying the kitchen would only give us five more. WTF?? Are you rationing lime slices? THEY MAKE YOUR FOOD TASTE BETTER WHY THE F*CK WOULD YOU BE STINGY ABOUT IT. Tried takeout a few days later, two orders of 3 tacos this time and I was given a grand total of... ZERO LIMES. Also, your green salsa is really bland.

First time here with my girlfriend and this place is great. Chicken nachos was a good bar good idea. Walled made delicious drinks and was friendly. We got the mango & coconut margarita

Food was phenomenal. Forgot utensils. Nice and warm and feel welcome to this restaurant.

Lucha Cartel is fun with decent food and great staff. It's owned by the same folks as National Mechanics, but don't worry -- the food is significantly better at Lucha. If you like the pew seating at National Mechanics, Lucha has it too. I've been several times for lunch and happy hour/dinner. I prefer it for lunch, since it's not nearly as cacophonous as dinner. There's a lot of metal on the ceiling and in the artwork on the walls, so acoustics are rough. When the place gets packed, it gets LOUD. The food is decent but not great. The happy hour specials include $5 tacos (pricey but they're stuffed full), empanadas, house margaritas and sangria (SKIP THE SANGRIA -- TOO SWEET), and $3 draft beer (Yards, Dos Equis, Yuengling).

I came here on a Friday night around 8pm. I was surprised at how lively the restaurant was. It's quite a nice vibe. I ordered the Quesabirria tacos and let me tell you... they definitely hit the spot! I'm quite picky when it comes to tacos but I will definitely return for these. So flavorful! As for my drink, I ordered a Long Island. The server was a bit thrown off, guess not to many people order Long islands here. Nonetheless it came out in a small margarita glass. Definitely won't be getting that again. Overall a nice experience.

Cute place except the bar lights are way too bright, I nearly always prefer to just sit at the bar when I dine out but the fluorescence is pretty blinding. Feel bad for the bartenders. Food's delicious though, had a very well prepared steak dish, but the highlight was our server Alyson. So sweet and familiar. I come from a rural area and you don't get that kind of warmth in the city so often, it was truly refreshing. She really tied the room together.

Came to Lucha to grab margs with some friends. Ended up getting some chips & guac, nachos, and empanadas. The food and drinks were perfect for a warm and sunny day in the city. Our waitress was awesome as well! I would definitely recommend going for their happy hour. It's a fun spot :)

Lucha Cartel is great for the ambiance. Expect it to be loud, yet still festive and enjoyable. I love their fish tacos! If you're a drinker, they have good margaritas. It's a great place for dinner, or a weekend hangout.

The restaurant is in Old City very close to the Delaware River and within a few minutes' walk from the BlueCross River Rink, a nearby skating rink and imitation lodge venue (consider pairing the two during the winter months for a fun afternoon). The restaurant has a strange name but everything else about it is awesome---from the food to the decor to the location. My boyfriend and I had lunch here last week on a trip to Philly and enjoyed our visit. The host was friendly and prompt and directed us to a table without any issues. There was no wait to be seated. Our server, Nailah, came by shortly after we sat down, was super energetic and funny, made the requisite small talk, and kindly offered free chips and salsa to start. We also ordered a small pitcher of margaritas ($27), which was amply four 12 ounce glasses, Luchas Nachos ($12) and Enchiladas Vegetarianos ($10). I also asked for hot sauces, and instead of giving me bottles of Cholula hot sauce or McIlHenny Co. tabasco sauce like other places do, I received a homemade sauce trio (mild, medium, and tongue-burning), the third of which is the Azteca sauce, which I first had in Cancun and which tastes so, so spicy but so, so good. The margaritas were freshly made with salted rims, a slice of lime, and a comfortable amount of tequila. The Lucas Nachos entree was a huge portion, with crispy chips bathed in cheese, plenty of minced tomatoes and cilantro, and a crosshatch of sour cream. The Enchiladas Vegetarianos were extremely fresh, tasty, and satisfying, even though I could not finish it all. They were served up hot and cheesy in a boat of green sauce and with plenty of garnish on each expertly baked enchilada. I can tell the chef puts heart into perfecting these entrees! We were going ice skating afterwards so I didn't finish my meal or overeat just to get my money's worth. I felt both entrees and the margaritas were fairly priced. The server was very attentive throughout our meal, offered boxes (which we declined) and a check in a timely manner, and suggested dessert. The interior was unique with all kinds of eye-catching decor including Day of the Dead-themed skulls and car parts and skateboards inside a giant gilded frame. Highly recommended! We will definitely be back!

Make a reservation! Restaurant was better then expected with reasonable prices. The decor inside is amazing and the theme is cool. Our server was very good and had our drinks and dinner orders in quickly. Theres some many good options on the menu. From looking around the restaurant I had one of the fan favorites. "The elote" was a roasted whole corn with cheese and chili powder. It's was so good. The main course I shared the "parrillada" with the wife and we enjoyed it. Everything was cooked exactly as we order and the veggies and fried cheese were delicious. The cactus was also surprisingly good. To end they also have plenty of delicious and filling options from the vegans of the world. Great restaurant!!

If you need large portions to satisfy you, then this isn't the place for you... BUT I left full and happy. My shrimp tacos were amazing. The sauce had a bit of a kick. The service was great. The drinks were really strong. The decor and atmosphere was really chill but the focus was on the food. Definitely coming back... maybe on an exciting night or happy hour.

Did some pandemic takeout from them. Enjoyed the chicken empanadas highly. The mushroom empanadas were decent but I definitely prefer the meat ones more. The street corn was ok. I've had better versions of this personally. But not too bad. I'd give them a shot again just for those empanadas.

The atmosphere is great and the food was delicious. We got the crispy fish tacos, salmon tacos, mushrooms tacos and crispy fish burrito. All excellent. The tacos were just the tacos though. We wish they had a side with them. The burrito came with a side salad which was perfect. Definitely would recommend.