Tasty Mexican Food & Specialty Drinks

‘Great Taste North of the Boarder’

La Calaca Feliz is a new Mexican restaurant located in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia, which opened on January 18th, 2012. Chef Tim Spinner and business person Brian Sirhal, who have been friends since high school, just celebrated their one year anniversary of Cantina Feliz in Ft. Washington, PA. Approximately a year later, they now have opened La Calaca Feliz.

The La Calaca Feliz Experience & Atmosphere

La Calaca Feliz translates into “the happy skeleton.” This might sound weird, but in Mexico, the Day of the Dead is a celebration of life. La Calaca Feliz tries to accomplish this thought and feel with colorful lanterns around the bar, the brightly colored murals, which was done by Alison Dilworth, and by their speciality drink list with drinks named for Grateful Dead songs.

Sirhal stated, “We just love the Fairmount neighborhood, and this was a great location in which we could not pass up. We just didn’t expect to open up this soon.”

Well, there is buzz and excitement around Fairmount with this new Mexican restaurant. Why? Chef Spinner, whose resume includes El Vez, Amada and Distrito, has created a contemporary menu which features a special take on tacos, nachos, enchiladas, and Mexican pizzas. Spinner has extended it to a more like-able and adventurous menu such as Pescada Skewers, which is swordfish, with vera cruz sauce, roasted tomatos, pickled jalapenos and sevilla olives or the duck en nogada which is duck confit-stuffed poblano peppers with a walnut sauce.

In addition to the fine menu, La Calaca Feliz boasts a strong array of 50 plus types of blancos, reposadas, and anejos tequilas. Every tequila offered is the highest of quality that has agave in it coming directly from Mexico. They also have 6 beers on draft, 7 bottled beers, and 5 red wines and 5 white wines from Chile, Argentina, Spain, and Portugal.

The hostess, waitstaff, owners, and other employees were all very nice. I was most impressed with the bartender, Chris Szalwinski, who definitely seemed to have an extensive knowledge of the tequilas, the Mexican culture relating to their foods and drinks, and just a good appreciation for what he did.

I had the pleasure of trying the Carnitas Taco on the recommendation of Brian Sirhal. It’s pulled pork with salsa roja, onions, cilantro, and onions on 3 soft circle-like shells. To me, it was mouth-watering and I enjoyed every bite. Everything is made in-house with the exception of the tequilas, beers, and such. They even make their own traditional salsa which is Passillo de Oaxaca and their own chips.

La Calaca Feliz in Fairmount, one of many Mexican Restaurants in Philadelphia, will become a hit with many. The restaurant seats 60 for now, until the patio opens up outside, which will seat an additional 30 people. And even though they currently just serve dinner, they will be adding lunch and brunch soon. La Calaca Feliz, welcome to Fairmount.