Happy Birthday Dos Segundos. Hard to believe it’s been a year since we first visited bright colored walls. It was a fine time then and now.

Tonight the spot known by many as the “other Cantina” is throwing it’s first anniversary party. There will be specials on margaritas and live DJs. Dinner specials start at 5 and the music at 9.

The Bite wonders if your holiday barbecue can rival some of these dishes around town.

• Kobe Beef hot dogs at Varga Bar
• Dry-aged burger at Barclay Prime
• Grilled octopus at Johnny Brenda’s
• Corn on the cob at Cantina Dos Segundos
• Apple pie from Jones

Holiday barbecue to rival your own [Metro Philadelphia]

This Thursday, Cantina Dos Segundos is hosting Fiesta Herradura, a fun night pairing Herradura añejos, reposados and blancos tequila with Mexican finger foods. There will also be tequila shots served in carved out cucumbers and chorizo corn dogs available. 

The festivities kick off at 6pm. 

Cantina Dos Segundos [Official Site]

Yards Brewing is pouring a firkin of their new Cocoa Porter tonight at Dos Segundos. Get over to Northern Liberties and check that out. Also pouring is Philly Pale Ale, ESA and Brawler.

It’ll be $2 a pint and the promo starts at 7pm.

Kelly White checks out the new $25 prix fixe Sunday brunch at Tinto. [UWISHUNU]

A new vegetarian food blog, Veggicurious checks out the huevos Mexicanos at Dos Segunodos. And by the way why are so many of Philadelphia’s food blogs vegetarian? [Veggicurious]

See, this is what we mean. Living On The Vedge checks out Carman’s Country Kitchen and finds French toast worth paying attention to. [Living On The Vedge]

And in things that still don’t suck, Philebrity salutes The 700 Club. [Philebrity]

Phillyist’s Angela counts down her top 10 Philadelphia area meals of 2008. [Phillyist]

This week, Craig LaBan’s Sunday Drink column focuses on “tequila’s wild and rustic cousin: mezcal.”.

Sip one of the rare “single village mezcals” from Del Maguey, an importer that has collected artisan, clay-pot-distilled brews from remote outposts around Oaxaca, and you’ll know why these are among the most intense and interesting spirits out there. Chichicapa ($15), my favorite, is like a fiery, fruit-tinged, liquid bacon. Some liken Minero to watermelon-flavored bubble gum.

Sample mezcal at Cantina Dos Segundos where you can get a flight of three for $20.

Drink [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Cantina Dos Segundos [Official Site]

Self-employed, work nights, unemployed? Cantina Dos Segundos gives you a reason to get out of the house by 11am as they’ve added brunch to every day of the week.

Dos Segundos [Official Site]
Cantina Dos Segundos [Facebook]

David Snyder visits Dos Segundos, the Northern Liberties’ sibling of Cantina Los Caballitos and finds the East Passyunk scene may not have come along but there’s plenty of other reasons to make the visit.

There’s enough originality here to spawn its own fan base. For starters, I can’t stop craving the house-made chorizo. The deep flavors of cumin and juicy rendered pork fat shine best in the tacos.

In the tasty torta al pastor, a Mexican sandwich, pork legs soak up a traditional marinade, which includes sweet ground canella (Mexican cinnamon), before roasting on a trompo, or vertical rotisserie. The fat telera rolls sourced from Las Lomas Bakery drink up the al pastor’s delicious caramelized juices.

Dos Def [City Paper]
Dos Segundos [Official Site]

Philadining has been to Cantina Dos Segundos a few times already and has plenty of raves for the kitchen. [Philadining Blog]

The Beer Lass recaps the Mexican Beer Dinner she enjoyed at Iron Hill West Chester. [I'll Have Another Stout]

We are seriously starting to dislike David McDuff. He goes to Talula’s Table more than we visit our parents. He was there again and has the pictures to prove it. [McDuff's Food & Wine Trail]

This Friday Cantina Dos Segundos will be opening at 4pm. In what has to be the quickest turnaround time in Philadelphia history (whoever gums up the works of getting restaurants open in this city must be on vacation) the former Azure will be opening as the second Cantina in the Royal Tavern/Khyber/Cantina Los Cabbalitos family.

After the jump you can find the latest draft of their menu and it’s a long one.

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