Loading ...Popp Guns Down El Camino
Posted by Foobooz on February 12th, 2009
El Camino Real may not serve anything on skewers but City Paper’s Trey Popp brought his own.
Margaritas are so sickly sweet they’d embarrass the bartender at a sorority social. The thick sludge masquerading as a michilada was “like drinking Old Bay,” one companion marveled. Too much of the meat was fatty and/or tough. Straight through to a final cobbler made by someone who had evidently mistaken salt for sugar, it did not get better. Forgotten side dishes, inexplicable delays, inconsistent portion sizes: By night’s end, it was hard to avoid thinking that dinner at El Camino Real verged on fraud.
Tex-Meh [City Paper]
1040 N Second St, Philadelphia, PA
Related Tags: El Camino Real, Mexican, Northern-Liberties, Reviewed, Trey Popp
February 12th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
This place is a joke. I had high hopes given that Owen Kamihira (Bar Ferdinand) was behind the effort. But the food is absolutely horrendous. The meat in the BBQ dishes is the lowest grade out there and it’s not prepared correctly. Most hot dishes come out cold. I purchased a dish that was listed at $13. When the bill arrived, it showed up as $20. When I asked the waitress, she was mostly unapologetic about it and explained it as “well, yeah, we increased our prices, but I’ll do you a favor I guess and charge you 13″. The space and concept are great, but, please Owen, fire the cook, staff, and manager and start from scratch on this one. I can’t imagine anyone returning to this place.
February 12th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Couldn’t agree more with the review, actually. Beyond the fried pickles, theres not a whole lot else the place does well. Decor and vibe is great, but the food- why cant BBQ be done right in this town? Staff is a whole nother story….
February 12th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
sadly…the only decent thing i had was the grilled seitan…not even meat….
the brisket was grey and dry and tasteless…
it was just all around bad
February 12th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
I, too, agree with everything mentioned above!
Absolutely horrible meal there including bad service. Some items were so bad that at least they were taken off the check, but I would never return.
February 12th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
I was trying to stay out of this debate, but I’ve been there three times and thoroughly enjoyed my food and service. The ribs were meaty and perfectly smoked, and the barbecue sauces piquant. Try it for yourself!!!!
February 12th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Felicia, you must work for them. I agree with the above commenters- there is no possible way you could think that the food is even halfway decent. It was plain disgusting and inedible. I almost asked for my money back when I took a few bites of the food.
February 12th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
ive been there a couple times and, like felicia, enjoyed my meals. i thought the barbacoa burritos were tasty. to each their own.
February 13th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Why does every dissenting commenter immediately accuse me of working at the restaurant in question? I WORK AT THE BELGIAN CAFE! I just liked my food at El Camino Real. Grow up, Meebles . Not everyone had the same experience you did.
February 13th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Felicia,
I also had 3 good meals there. I found the sauces to hit the spot, and quite enjoyed the ‘cloying sweetness’ of the apricot finish on the jalapeno popper. Perfect match against its legitimate burn and searing quality. I also enjoyed the little pot of mac and cheese. so cute, so tasty.
Big flavor, and nothing better than the Rogue Chipotle to wrap it all together.