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After finishing as runner-up for the past three years to the reigning pick for top ethnic restaurant (non-Italian), Cantina Los Cabillitos has won the readers’ hearts this year.
“I think its because we’re a neighborhood spot,” Renee Rowlett, a manager at the Mexican establishment at 1651 E. Passyunk Ave., said. “People feel welcome when they come in because the service is friendly and personable, we have great margaritas and our food is reasonably priced.”
Those margaritas come frozen or on the rocks in a variety of flavors, including the crowd-favorite blood orange. In the kitchen, chef Mark McKinney and sous-chef Paul Martin create a variety of popular Mexican delicacies such as nachos and tacos that allow the customer to chose the contents that range from goat to vegan beef.
Cantina, which will celebrate six years on the avenue in May, took home best outdoor dining in 2010, but since then, it has expanded its outside atmosphere.
“We are no longer on the sidewalk,” the North Philly resident said “We have a patio that’s open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.”
Regardless of the season, the East Passyunk Crossing eatery is always packed with a variety of patrons around the clock, especially since it starting serving brunch seven days a week earlier this year.
“I think we get a broad spectrum of guests for sure,” Rowlett said. “Definitely people come from the suburbs, but it’s also a lot of local people, but you also get people that come in for the vegetarian stuff.”
Losing its title, Johnny Chang’s slipped to No. 2 while Adobe Café was seated at third.
Contact Managing Editor Amanda L. Snyder at asnyder@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.
2012 Readers’ Choice Award winners
Cuisine
Fuel: Soup; Hummus; Lunch menu (sit down); and healthiest menu
Geno’s Steaks: Cheesesteak
PrimoHoagies: Hoagie
John’s Roast Pork: Pork sandwich
SliCE: Specialty pizza
Penrose Diner: Diner
Ippolito’s Seafood: Seafood selection
Scannicchio’s Italian Restaurant: BYOB; Italian Restaurant; Dessert menu; Chef
Birra: New restaurant
Night on the Town
South Philadelphia Tap Room: Craft beer selection
Popi’s Italian Restaurant: Celebrate a special occasion
Chickie’s & Pete’s: Friday happy hour; Bar menu; French fries
Sweet Tooth
Termini Bros.: Cannoli; Cookies
Italiano’s Water Ice: Water ice
Caffe Chicco: Iced coffee
People
Barbara Capozzi: Civic leader
Dr. Steven Moskowitz and Dr. William Mestichelli: Dentist
Johnny Looch: DJ
D. Olivieri Jewelers: Jeweler
Rev. Joseph Kelley: Priest/minister
Dr. Gail Avicolli: Principal
Sports
Carl Arrigale: High school coach
Neumann-Goretti Saints: High school team
St. Monica: CYO program
Mike Schmidt: All-time pro athlete
Antonio "Scoop" Jardine: Local current college athlete
And the Rest …
Mummers Parade: South Philadelphia tradition
East Passyunk Avenue: Shopping center/district
Headhunters Hair Design: Salon
Roast beef sandwich: Category not on this list
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