What do Burberry-clad yuppies, chimichangas and tequila have in common? All can be found in abundance at Mexican Post, Old City's numero uno Tex-Mex joint and arguably the best place for happy hour margaritas in Philly.
At Mexican Post, don't expect five-star cuisine. The fare doesn't deviate from the standard Center-City-goes-South-of-the-Border tostadas, burritos and soft tacos. The sizzling steak fajitas ($12.95) were edible, if not amazing. The "Big Max" enchilada ($8.95) -- three tortillas layered with chicken and cheese -- was similarly nondescript. The best menu options are undoubtedly the combination platters, with choices including "El Ultimo" for $10.95. Be warned, though -- if you manage to eat all three separate dishes in this combo, you won't be able to finish your pitcher of margarita. That's right, get your own pitcher, or two, if you can handle it -- if the food at Mexican Post leaves something to be desired, then the tropical fruit margaritas more than make up for it.
Come on weekdays from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and sample all six exotic flavors -- that is, if you can brave the hordes of Oxford-shirted 20-something couples making eyes at each other over bowls of endless nachos. The crowd at Mexican Post is far more homogeneous than most Old City restaurants, with everyone seemingly there for the same reason: a pitcher or five of the restaurant's famous strawberry daiquiri. The bar snacks are only $0.99, and since you'll probably be waiting for a table, you might as well order up some quesadillas.
The atmosphere at Mexican Post is typical upscale Tex-Mex, with retro neon signs and Cerveza advertisements. Think of Qdoba without the fast food feel and unflattering lighting, Copa without the drunken sorority girls and ... well ... Chilis without the Drexel kids, and you get the picture. The ambience doesn't hold a candle to other well-known local Tex-Mex spots like El Vez, but no one comes to Mexican Post for the d‚cor. If the margaritas don't float your boat, try the Mexican Breeze, a potent mixture of rum, orange juice and coconut cream. After a few glasses, you'll forget that the food's not great, and you'll be counting down the days to Cinco de Mayo for another excuse to head down to Mexican Post.
