El Fuerte de Loreto

5 Stars: A Hidden Gem in Philly!El Fuerte is a true hidden gem in Philadelphia. From the moment you walk in, you're welcomed with warm hospitality and an authentic vibe that sets the stage for an incredible meal. But the star of the show has to be the tlacoyitos. These little bites of heaven are perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection, with a blend of flavors that truly transports you to the heart of Mexico. Every bite is a delightful combination of texture and taste, making it an absolute must-try dish. The rest of the menu is equally impressive, and the ambiance only adds to the experience. If you're in Philly and craving authentic Mexican cuisine, El Fuerte should be at the top of your list!

Breakfast was good. I had their special this week, which was pineapple pancakes. The pancakes were great, just a touch dry on the inside, making them a bit difficult to slice into. I informed the waiter and he was nice about letting the chef know for the future. My husband had a fish sandwich that he liked, though he didn't rave about it. We both felt our meals were adequate, though not amazing.I did like how attentive our waiter, perhaps the owner or manager, was. He checked in us and was very kind all throughout. Because of this, I'd like to return and try some other dishes. It is a really cute place.

If I could give this place a 4.5 stars I would. Overall, my experience was great! A cute little byob with good value prices and lots of options. I thought the food was good but I was not blown away. I got an omelette and my partner got the French toast. He claims it's the best French toast he's had in the city and described it as "perfectly cooked and not too eggy". I got a side of the turkey bacon and it was nice and crisp, which is impressive for turkey bacon. Toast and potato sides were nothing to write home about. Service was kind and quick. My only comment is that I wish they would turn the music down in that spot - it was a lot of early 90s pop and far too loud for the few guests that were there. I think the only reason this place wasn't full was because we went during the heat wave.

Wow!!! We were in Philly for the day and dropped in for an early dinner based on Yelp reviews. The food was extremely fresh and very well executed, and the staff were friendly, helpful and attentive. We had chips and salsa (different than most, very fresh, excellent flavors), mussels (wow, the red broth with chorizos...crazy good), and fish tacos (honestly, the best we've ever had and we've eaten our fair share - and get this, even the tortilla was a highlight). We'll definitely be back - and next time for breakfast / brunch. Bravo...!

On Sunday morning this place was crowded. My husband and I were lucky to be able to get a table. Friendly staff and owners. The food took forever to arrive. Nice plating of my mole enchilada. My husband's ham and cheese sandwich was huge. We enjoyed our breakfast there.I will definitely come back to try their dinner.

The food is authentic, fresh, and delicious! The service is warm, welcoming, you never feel rushed. They greet patrons with handshakes and treat you like family at their dinner table. We will be coming back!

This small business needs more recognition. The French toast is the best I've ever had and the eggs Benny was also Their service is pretty good. There was only one other table, in here when we went so our server was very tentative and gave great recommendations. I would say it's a no frills spot it's a BYOB and the food is good so the ambience is fine

Enchiladas at 10:30am? Say less. Good vibes, extremely nice and attentive waitress who made sure our meal was 100% correct . Can't wait to go back w friends

My fiancé and I absolutely love exploring new places, especially when it comes to brunch! Let me tell you, this place we discovered completely blew us away! We had no idea we would be treated to such a unique and satisfying culinary experience! From the outside, El Fuerte may not seem like the kind of place that would captivate your taste buds, but for us, that's part of its charm! So, we decided to take a chance and try it out for brunch. Let me start by talking about the huevos rancheros my fiancé had. They were incredibly well-balanced, and the tomato salsa had this wonderfully light and fresh taste! It perfectly complemented the tortillas without overpowering the dish. And as for my steak and eggs, oh my goodness, it was absolutely to die for! The steak was cooked to perfection, and the chimichurri sauce on top added an incredible burst of flavor. It was served with home-cut fries and their mouthwatering signature hot sauce, which I believe deserves its own patent! It was truly phenomenal!After our meal, we had the pleasure of meeting the chef's father, "Johnny." Let me tell you, he was the epitome of amazing! He took the time to chat with us about the restaurant's monthly events and their upcoming Valentine's Day celebration. We were so impressed that we canceled our original plans and signed up for a night that I just know will be unforgettable!Before leaving, we couldn't resist trying a little bit of their Dulce de Leche French toast. Let me tell you, it was absolutely mind-blowing! I highly recommend it! Oh, and just a friendly heads up, this place is BYOB, so don't forget to bring along your favorite wine or other adult beverage to enjoy with your future incredible meal here!

I enjoyed the meal here. I had huevos rancheros. The only thing I didn't like was how the server explained the whole menu to menu to me when I asked about two items, because I didn't need all that information. All in all it was good food and good service and I would definitely come back.