Carnitas de Pollo (left), Carrillada de Cerdo (right)
If you tried to grab YOUR weekly bite at Xochitl a few weeks ago, but found it closed, there was a good reason why. A revamp of the interior, a new chef and a new menu have all been put into place. Details here at Mealticket.
My recent visit approves of the changes. The now partially open dining room wall lets you get a peak at those eating at the declothed tables (I spotted Marcie Turney of Lolita, Bindi, Verde, etc. that night) smartly extending the jovial bar vibe throughout the space. Prices are more economically friendly, and happy hour is a real deal, $5 Margaritas daily, 5-7pm. Thankfully, some things haven’t changed, Thursday nights the entire menu is still half off from 10pm-1am. In the front of the house GM Sergio Ruiz is still making sure the bartender keeps the margaritas flowing, but back in the kitchen, newly appointed Chef Lucio Palazzo is saucing up spicy bites of small Mexican plates that are the perfect accompaniments to your tequila.
Antojitos (appetizers), Mariscos (variations of seafood and fish mostly ceviche-style), Tacos, and Tortas (sandwiches) now comprise the newly scaled down, one page menu. The tortas, something I’ve been craving since my last trip to San Diego, are filling and flavorful, the Milanesa de Pollo ($10) being my favorite.
However, it’s the Tacos at Xochitl that I truly can’t resist. Tacos have to be one of the best food creations in the world, and Xochitl has 5 renditions! The standout; Carnitas de Pollo ($10) combines chicken prepared carnita-style with a touch of sweet tamarind, shaved celery for a hint of brightness, crema which adds a rich smooth texture, and crisps of chicken skin sprinkled on top like croutons all pulled together by the fold of a soft blue corn tortilla. What a texturally interesting morsel of goodness. With just 3 to a plate be prepared to fight over the last one if there happen to be two of you sharing. Warning: Don’t dare fight me for it 
Filed under: Bites Tagged: | Mealticket, Mexican Food Philly, Philly Food, Tacos Philly, Weekly Bite, Xochitl
