I haven't actually tried the food and hereby delcare that I'm falling into the familiar Yelp trope of canning a place based on a bad service experience. Yes, cliche, but I think it needs to be said, particularly as other Yelpers are voicing their concerns about the treatment suffered on customers of 12th Street Cantina Pros -Lots of authentic Mexican food ingredients. Cons -Service - Sunday hours posted online and in compliance with Reading Terminal writ large are 9-5. Yesterday, I was getting set to plate some fish tacos at home for dinner and arrived at RT at 4:30pm on the nose. First stop: 12th Street Cantina for fresh-made flour tortillas. Instead I got tortilla-fail with a side of 'tude from the cash-register lady who was already busy closing her register. I asked with best sad face, whether it was too late to get some tortillas and she kinda glanced over her shoulder at the tortillas in the fridge, and then back at me, mulling it over before saying, no, I've already closed my register. That's bad business. -Price - the going rate for a little bottle of Cholula Hot Sauce is $3.95 pretty much as a given. 12th Street Cantina jobbed me to the tune of $4.99 (are you out of your mind?).
(2)
Tom H.
Bland flavors, half-assed execution, overpriced, and generally not very good. I've had several lunches here, including burritos, tacos, and taco salads. Every visit has been a disappointment. It should be hard to mess up the basic ingredients of Mexican food but 12th Street Cantina somehow manages. The beans are flavorless, the salsa is runny and has no kick, and the guacamole might as well be green spackle. The cantina's recipes are completely uninspired, too. The vegetarian burrito has beans, cheese, guacamole, salsa - but no rice, and conspicuously, no actual veggies. The taco salad has - you guessed it - nachos, meat, cheese, lettuce and salsa. Even Taco Bell will mix it up some, throw in some different flavors; these guys just do the bare minimum to get by. Combine the lackluster food with hefty prices - $8 for a burrito, for example - and 12th Street Cantina is actually worse than Taco Bell. Seriously, save your money and go to Taco Bell - at least your disappointment will be cheap.
(1)
Bernie S.
Holy hell what happened to this place!? I used to eat here all the time and loved it. I just moved back to Philly after being away for a few years and during my first stop back to the Reading Terminal I was so excited to go here. It was ungodly awful! The service was terrible from the start but I can let that slide at busy places, and at the end of the day all I really care about is my food. The food was disgusting and inedible. I threw away most of my plate after realizing I was only eating at that point because I paid for it. Im actually worried the cheese I ate was sour and I'll be paying for it later. Even the way the food was served, separate from the taste of it, was gross and half my taco ended up on the plate. All I can say is I may get over my disappointment of how much this place went downhill if I can save one other poor soul from wasting their time and money after they read this review.
(1)
Bethany T.
One of our group absolutely loved the fish tacos she got here. We ended up sitting here with our food from various booths in the market. Towards the end of our meal, I went up to the counter to buy another drink. I was waiting in line, small-talking with another customer in line. When it was my time to order, the employee gave me my drink for FREE after I had waited in line for a bit longer than I should have without ordering any of their food. He apologized for the long wait and the run-around of having me stand in the food line. GREAT service and friendly staff, not just this guy. Would definitely come back.
(5)
Romeo R.
I've been coming here since I've been 10 and I'm now 33. My father used to bring me when I was a kid, then I passed the tradition onto my nephew. Over the past 6 months things have changed, you have a woman who works at the register and she is flat out mean, rude and argumentative with everyone from what I see when I'm in line. The magnetic strip on my card wouldn't scan on your machine and she was enraged that she had to put it in manually. The other thing I overheard was one of the young men who was helping make the food tell his co worker how much he hated working at 12th street cantina. I remember when the owner Michelle would work the counter and she always remembered everyone's name and always have service with a smile. I came the other day and the friendly staff worked told me I should come in on Sunday thru Tuesday, that's when you will get friendly service. It's sad that after all of these years that I've been coming service has changed. The food is also not as fresh as well, but I'm still a loyal customer with the hopes that service will one day be what it used to be.
(1)
Michelle T.
Not quite sure why there are such mixed reviews on this place. I actually really liked it! First of all, they have tamales. Not most Mexican taco places have tamales. I love tamales but it's so hard to get them in places! Second, they make tacos the way I like it. The ground beef is just that - plain ground beef. None of that fancy, frilly stuff some taco places like to add into the meat here in NYC. I literally got everything I liked on tacos - ground beef, cheese, guac, sour cream and a mild sauce. And it really, really hit the spot. I wish there was more places like this in NYC for when you just want a plain, down-to-earth taco without all the frills.
(4)
Manosai E.
Came here for lunch on a Tuesday afternoon. I didn't know what to make of it based off the Yelp reviews but gave it a shot anyways. I ordered a burrito with grilled chicken, rice, refried beans, lettuce, queso fresco, verde salsa, and jalapenos. It tasted fresh and the jalapenos made it a bit spicier than I was expecting but overall, enjoyable. I was full and for ~7 bucks, it was worth my money.
(4)
M K.
This place was ok. It was the place with the shortest line in RTM which should have been a tip off, but I was in a hurry. Given three employees and no line, I still stood there and waited. I got a chicken burrito. It was pretty bland and boring.
(3)
Helen Z.
Portions are huge, ingredients are fresh, and service is friendly. I've been avoiding this cantina for years after having a couple bad experiences with poor customer service and mediocre food. But I decided to give them a second chance after noticing they went through some recent renovations. They not only updated their look, but brought in a more efficient & friendlier staff, and improved their menu. I got the chicken mole naked burrit which is very similar to the burrito bowl at Chipotle. It came with a huge portion of chicken mole, guacamole, fresh salsa, cheese, & sour cream over rice & beans. The ingredients all looked fresh and the flavors were all very good but the chicken was a bit overcooked & dry. For such a huge bowl at $8, I really can't complain. This isn't the most authentic Mexican food but it will certainly do in a pinch.
(3)
Kim M.
This is one of my favorite places to eat in Reading Terminal, mainly because I am a sucker for fish tacos. I get them almost every time I come, except once and a while I will opt for the burrito bowl with chicken, which I also enjoy. Everything is very fresh and the staff has always been friendly. Its also nice that they have their own seating, as it can be hard to come by anywhere else in the market.
(4)
Laura F.
Wanted something small to hold me over between meals, so I thought a taco was a good option. I got a chicken taco here, with some spicy green salsa, lettuce, and tomato. It was around $4. Not anything amazing, but it was good. The green salsa was very spicy! Not sure if I will be back with all of the other amazing options in the market, but it wasn't horrible.
(3)
P E.
I was surprised by the mix of reviews after our stop here....we were tasting lots of things and my other half caught a whiff of the tacos so in we go for one soft and one crispy..one chicken and one pork. They were topped with lettuce, tomato and guacamole. The guacamole was fresh and quite good but could have used a bit more of a spicy bite. I like the fact that the hot ingredients were hot and the toppings were cold. Service was good too and they have their own seating area which was great.
(4)
Augustina G.
This place seemed to have such a mix of reviews, I had to try it for myself to see where I fell on the like-dislike spectrum. Got in line around lunch time, but felt like this line could have definitely moved faster. I was kind of surprised how slow it was given both the number of employees and the volume. I ordered the chicken mole burrito, which I found to be on the bland side, unfortunately. I think the only thing in the burrito that was well seasoned was the rice. I can't say that I was a fan of the burrito in general. The cherry on top was how the guacamole is put on using an ice cream scooper. Can't they just use a large serving spoon instead?! I do like how their POS system is iPad based unlike the majority, if not, all of RTM. I would much rather go to Chipotle.
(2)
Karen W.
Stopped by there when spending the day at the Convention Center at the Flower Show. I don't know which place was more crowded, Reading Market or the Flower Show. 12th Street Cantina had the shortest line while we were walking through and my friend and I were having a hankering for some Mexican food. We both had the quesadillas and fresh lemon/lime Ade which was the highlight of the meal.
(3)
Sheila B.
Great fish tacos!
(4)
Chris H.
Easily the worst chicken mole enchiladas I've ever had. I remember actually liking this place when it was in the Bellevue years ago but what I just experienced was complete garbage. The two enchiladas, refried beans, and rice were about as bland and dry as you can get which makes me wonder when they were actually made. It also didn't help that the two guys working there seemed absolutely clueless as to what they were supposed to be doing. If you're in Reading Terminal go absolutely anywhere else because everything there is better than 12th Street Cantina.
(1)
Jennifer C.
Second time here. Got veggie burrito with refried beans and +guac. So yummy! Added sriracha at home. This place is great because it has it's own seating area which on a busy day at Reading Terminal is much appreciated.
(4)
Wes N.
This place is ridiculous. I am amazed that the Yelp reviews about the horrible service date so far back and nothing's been done about it. There is one and only one employee who smiles. The rest aren't just disinterested, but aggressively rude, so rude you might think you're on a hidden camera show. It's mind boggling. They close when they feel like it, always by five during the week, and by four on Sunday, completely eliminating any dinner customers. Never expect that to be consistent. The last time I went they were closed at 3:20. The food isn't nearly good enough to deal with the attitude. They survive on the fact that tourists and conventioneers aren't return customers. If you want overpriced nachos, Chili's is right around the corner, and open.
(1)
Sam H.
just not good. The reading terminal market is supposed to be a collection of the best of Philly, oh and this place, apparently. My quesadilla was somehow crunchy, and not in a good way, after a mile walk back to my office. I was worried that it would be soggy. In addition to the inappropriate sogginess, the portion was meager and just not that great. Avoid, avoid avoid.
(1)
Morgan T.
I went here with a friend for lunch. If you're going to go here, get a burrito. It seemed a bit pricey at seven dollars, but it was giant. Like I couldn't even fit both my hands around it or bite it because it was so big. I got a Chicken Mole Burrito with slammin' refried beans. My friend got two tacos and mentioned that she thought Chipotle was better when it came to tacos. There's seating at the location in a little nook; its nice to get away from all the noise and commotions of Reading Terminal.
(4)
Loz L.
A friend who lives here recommended that I stop by Reading Terminal Market in the one day I had for Philly sightseeing. He neglected to recommend anything specific. Wandering around, I was overwhelmed by options. Do I go for a Philly cheesesteak, slice of pizza, bagel dog sold by a Pennsylvania Dutch group? I was having major choice issues so I went with almost a non-choice - mexican food. You can take the girl out of California but you can't take her away from burritos I guess. I had a chicken mole burrito. It was fine. No incredible mole flavor but not terrible. I left so full that I had no room to try anything at any other stall, making me regret wimping out on trying for a more quintessential Philadelphia experience. I would say I had the 'indifferent' flavor of service here rather than 'angry' that others have spoken about. But I don't have a problem with indifference from someone handing me a burrito in exchange for $7.
(3)
Megan G.
This is quite possibly the absolute WORST Mexican food I have ever had. I was wondering around RTM searching for something different to try. BIG MISTAKE. I ordered the enchiladas platter which came with a side of rice and beans. First of all, my food was COLD (this is something that really grosses me out). Secondly the rice was a combination of overcooked and undercooked rice. I was seriously chomping down on HARD pieces of rice. The enchiladas lacked any flavor. It was a huge disappointment and a complete waste of money. Not worth giving this place a second look.
(1)
Nina S.
I used to treat myself every Friday to a fantastic plate of simple yet delicious nachos when I worked in the city. I came into town for the flower show and couldn't wait for those nachos and that is where the one star comes in to play. The worker was spooning 'cheese sauce' on the chips (see picture)!! Hello? Where is the chihuahua? They explained that they didn't have enough cheese so during the flower show they were using sauce - which btw was horrible! Bye bye cantina - never again...
(1)
Edward M.
This is still my go-to place for simple Mexican food around City Hall. I stick to the basics: chicken mole or fish taco platters with rice and beans - topped with a mix of hot green and mild red salsas. It's a filling - if potentially messy - and tasty meal, all for about seven bucks (sans drink). The staff is consistently friendly. And they have their own seating space, which is kinda key at the Reading Terminal Market during any midday. If you prefer your meals gargantuan, get one of the burrito platters, which will fill up all but the most monstrous of tummies.
(4)
Donna M.
I've been to 12th Street Cantina many times. The food is pretty good; Santa Fe Burrito was better but alas, they have closed up shop in the city. The pork at 12th Street is really just divine. However, service ranges from indifferent to insolent. After last time the cashier who took my order messed it up and then refused to fix it, I won't go back again. There's plenty of incredible food options in the terminal, and if I want a burrito, I'll go to El Fuego instead, where they'll make it correctly with a smile.
(1)
John K.
Had I read the reviews, I would not have stopped here, but the line at Dinic's was too long and I was hungry. I ordered the chicken mole burrito, which was a little on the dry side, but tasty and huge for $7. Refried beans were good and they have real coke although I opted for the Strawberry Jarrito's. Service was friendly and quick with none of the snarkiness noted in other reviews. It was nothing to write home about, but a decent, reasonably-priced lunch.
(3)
Amanda C.
12st cantina was just ok. I ordered a grilled veggie taco platter with refried beans and salad. I thought the taco platter would have more than 1 taco on it. The roasted vegetables were good but the taco was too floppy to pick up. The refried beans and guacamole were good. The side salad was just lettuce, which didn't make sense considering they had fresh cut ingredients right near the lettuce, they should throw some corn salsa and a cucumber slice or two on the "salad" The place wasn't bad if you really wanted some mexican food and you worked or were near the reading terminal. Compared to the awesome and cheapv taquerias located about 1.5 miles south I wouldn't come here again
(2)
Zachary H.
Getting a disappointing meal at RTM is especially disappointing. You're surrounded by so much incredible food that you suddenly feel envious of everyone around you. It's like going to an amusement park and watching everyone around you on the tallest, fastest roller coasters in the world as you sit fastened in your little tea cup. This place was my tea cup. An adobe pork taco was OK, but didn't do much for me. Slow roasted pork is almost an automatic winner, but this, while certainly not dry, wasn't squealing with life outside the cheese. The beans and rice were fine, if unmemorable. The chips were OK, but weren't as crunchy as they shouldve been. The salsas didn't offer any help. Good salsas are the ultimate lifeline. They can make up for any weaknesses in a dish and cover up any flaws. Good salsas--or sauces, for that matter--are like phoning Stephen Hawking as your mobile shout out on Cash Cab: don't worry that things are looking bleak, they've got you covered (Inappropriate irony: Stephen Hawking as a *mobile* shout out. Sorry). The verde was all heat and no flavor and the red had a worrisome note of ketchup. They do have the service down: genuinely friendly without being overbearing. But I'd spend my time in line somewhere else.
(2)
Jean C.
I live in Maryland and travel to Philadelphia quite often. I've eaten here for 20+ years and have never had a bad meal! Yesterday I tried the Fish Tacos and they were amazing! The ingredients are fresh, the service wonderful and the ambiance of the 'market' just adds to a great experience! Love this place, always have and will always go back again!!
(5)
Shirley M.
Went on a Sunday; had a casserole from the display case and a chicken mole burrito from the menu board. Key problem was that both were barely warm. The casserole was cold on the inside, and when they reheated it the styrofoam plate melted under it. We noticed that all of the food is microwaved on styrofoam (nasty for transferring phthalates, not to mention taste) except for those foods, like my mole, that are just taken from the warmers. My burrito was served on aluminum foil -- very irritating since it got cut to ribbons and I ended up with bits of foil in my food. Other problems: every table was dirty, the chairs were sticky with grease, the chairs were very wobbly, and the staff were on their cell phones. Just bring a screwdriver in once or twice! Final note: the food was pretty good; therefore this place has potential. Manager needed.
(2)
Ben P.
Grocery shopping in the Reading Terminal is the best. Eating can sometimes be hit or miss. Some places can be overpriced even if good, some places can be overpriced even if bad. 12th Street Cantina was just awesome! I don't mess around with Mexican food. I demand a certain level of...dope-ness. These guys serve up big-ass burritos (we ate the other half of them the next day) with some of the best refried beans I have ever had. Friendly service and fast, too. There's a lot of options for Mexican in the city, both chain and otherwise. If you're in the Terminal or close by, this is a solid, solid bet.
(4)
Kaitlin L.
I needed a few ingredients for fish tacos and was happy to see that 12th Street Cantina had an area devoted to canned goods, tortillas, and fresh salsa, kind of awesome. So why the two stars? The person behind the counter had no clue what he was doing. When I asked if they had chipotle in adobo sauce, he had no clue what that was. Ok. Can I also please have some chihuahua (cheese)? I had to point out where it was in the case. I also got some tortillas. This came to $9.59. Sweet. But no, he wouldn't let me use my credit card due to a $10 minimum. As an FYI, there is no legal minimum allowed for a credit card. Stores do this so that they are making enough off of the sale to pay for the transaction cost, which is fine, I understand. But for $0.41 cents you're going to put the sale in jeopardy? I ended up getting some fresh salsa (which, honestly wasn't very good) as well to put me over the limit, but you can assume I will not be returning here for future purchases. Good customer service is worth much more than $0.41, 12th St. Cantina.
(2)
Kevin C.
In Reading Terminal Market the only option you have for "Mexican" food is 12th Street Cantina and the management/employees are definitely aware of this fact. The food is really hit or miss, I've had great meals there and I've had abysmal meals, it really is just luck of the draw. When I worked in the market I would stop by about once or twice a month to pick up lunch so I was able to sample pretty much everything on their menu, as well as most of their "take home goods" such as tortillas, cheeses, and salsas, and I can honestly say that out of all their products my favorites are their quesadillas and salsa verde and my least favorites are their nachos and black bean burritos. First, the good. The counter personnel are very nice and they keep the line moving at a quick pace, plus they know all about their products which is a big plus. They also have a dedicated seating area for their customers which is a great thing to have in a crowded place like Reading Terminal and because of this it makes eating your meal a munch more relaxing endeavor than if you had to find a seat somewhere else in the market. The salsa tastes fresh and they have a wide variety of flavors (mild, hot, pico de gallo, verde, etc...) to choose from, plus they don't mind if you want to mix more than one variety. The serving sizes are very generous, especially the burritos which are so packed full of ingredients that they usually fall apart within 30 seconds of getting them (I guess this is sort of a bad thing as well though). Their quesadillas are just as big and they have no problem stuffing them with whatever ingredients you request (try the pinto beans with chicken, salsa verde, and cheese with guac on top!). Now for the not so good. 12th Street's nachos are legitimately the exact same kind you made at home as a kid for an after school snack. A plate piled with chips, topped with cheese, and nuked in the microwave before being topped with salsa and lettuce before being served. I really wish they would melt the cheese in a way that didn't involve a microwave but it is what it is I guess. As for the burritos, they are very filling which is a plus, but that's only because they add a tremendous amount of filler such as beans and sour cream. As I mentioned before they never stay wrapped for more than 30 seconds, seriously I've never eaten one their that has stayed together, ever. The beans also taste like they came straight out of a can bought from Sysco and at times they are unevenly heated (half steaming hot/half barely luke warm) which isn't how I expect my beans to taste when I get Mexican cuisine. All in all 12th Street Cantina is an "OK" place to eat, but better options definitely exist within Reading Terminal. Give it a try and see what you think for yourself, if you like it, great, if not just head to another eatery in the market next time and chalk it up to a learning experience.
(3)
Jessica R.
This place was SUCH a letdown! The food was okay (probably 2 1/2 stars), but the service was absolutely awful. The lady taking orders was incredibly rude - when my friend tried to pay with a $20 she asked in a disdainful voice if we had anything smaller. It's a TWENTY! How can you not have change?? Then we offered to pay with credit card instead and were informed there was a $10 minimum. So let's review - you don't have change for a $20 AND you have a $10 minimum for credit cards - how exactly do you expect people to pay?? I ordered a taco platter, but noticed that she wrote down "taco" instead of "taco platter" so I politely said, "Oh I'm sorry, I want the platter" and was given a look of death. It was not as though any action had even been taken - I would understand if I had said this AFTER the food was already made, but all that happened was she had to add the word "platter" to her order pad. I've never experienced such attitude - even if the food was five stars (which it wasn't), I would never come back here. Her attitude totally ruined my lunch.
(1)
DL F.
Mediocre food, surly service, prices high for what you get. Oh, and if you have a bright yellow sticker on your shirt that says "Juror" don't expect to get the 10% juror discount without asking for it. The Terminal deserves better
(2)
Tom D.
I don't go to Reading Terminal nearly enough. I just got off the chinatown bus and would you believe it, but I missed the 48. I hadn't eaten lunch, so why not stop in. This time I went to 12th St. because I was in the mood for fish tacos and the line was short. It was quite tasty, and the fish was very filling and the portion was not bad (it was one taco, but it was over stuffed, and needed a fork.) I opted for the guac salad which was refreshing, but appeared in a color that was borderline inedible--though it tasty fine. Back in '07 when I had jury duty, I remember having eaten here. It was good then, too. If the hot sauces are filled, I recommend the green ones. Otherwise, the Tapatio is always a fave.
(4)
Mari C.
The burritos here are the size of small babies. I had the bean, rice and cheese burrito and for 6 bucks it filled me up for at least 8 hours! They've got great side sauces at the condiment bar (go for the green one).
(5)
Jon W.
THE SERVICE HERE IS TERRIBLE! I just got back from RTM, on a sunday afternoon. Normally this is always a great time, because it is not Saturday afternoon ( which is Wicked busy as we all know ). The cook and the register man / server moved as if they would die if they took more than one step a minute. Do not go back on Sundays. Also, the food is not great - beans were dry, tortilla was dry and tasteless, chicken was not even worth ordering it. Visiting this place almost ruined my day. Terrible.
(1)
Charity C.
I really hate to give anything a bad review, much less a restaurant. I can appreciate how hard they work. I am always in the Reading Terminal and wanted to try this place. I love Mexican and Southwestern food and thought this might be a regular place for me. I thought I would start slow by getting the salsa to go with the tacos I made at home. I was so disappointed with this salsa. It was old, tasteless, and really horrible. It was really my fault for not making my own but I thought this place would at least have good salsa. I mean, even Chipotle has good salsa and that's a chain! It should at least be fresh. I am so glad I did not get anything else. I will never go there again. Very, very disappointed.
(1)
Caitlin V.
I paid $6.50 for a burrito with nothing but beans, guac, and a little salsa on it. sort of disappointed. The ingredients tasted fresh, but I think I could have gotten something much better at a chain restuarant like Qdoba. The guy who helped me seemed like he was confused when he was looking around for the ingredients to start making it. It's one of the only Mexican places I know of in that area of the city, so I guess if you're really in the mood, it's worth it. But it's definitely not going to be somewhere I go back to anytime soon. I mean, it was good. Just not good enough.
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Loud Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : No
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
Bethany W.
(5)Suzy G.
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(2)J P.
(4)Terry C.
(5)Susan R.
(2)Kandy K.
(1)Nicole R.
(3)Megan T.
(2)Nate A.
I haven't actually tried the food and hereby delcare that I'm falling into the familiar Yelp trope of canning a place based on a bad service experience. Yes, cliche, but I think it needs to be said, particularly as other Yelpers are voicing their concerns about the treatment suffered on customers of 12th Street Cantina Pros -Lots of authentic Mexican food ingredients. Cons -Service - Sunday hours posted online and in compliance with Reading Terminal writ large are 9-5. Yesterday, I was getting set to plate some fish tacos at home for dinner and arrived at RT at 4:30pm on the nose. First stop: 12th Street Cantina for fresh-made flour tortillas. Instead I got tortilla-fail with a side of 'tude from the cash-register lady who was already busy closing her register. I asked with best sad face, whether it was too late to get some tortillas and she kinda glanced over her shoulder at the tortillas in the fridge, and then back at me, mulling it over before saying, no, I've already closed my register. That's bad business. -Price - the going rate for a little bottle of Cholula Hot Sauce is $3.95 pretty much as a given. 12th Street Cantina jobbed me to the tune of $4.99 (are you out of your mind?).
(2)Tom H.
Bland flavors, half-assed execution, overpriced, and generally not very good. I've had several lunches here, including burritos, tacos, and taco salads. Every visit has been a disappointment. It should be hard to mess up the basic ingredients of Mexican food but 12th Street Cantina somehow manages. The beans are flavorless, the salsa is runny and has no kick, and the guacamole might as well be green spackle. The cantina's recipes are completely uninspired, too. The vegetarian burrito has beans, cheese, guacamole, salsa - but no rice, and conspicuously, no actual veggies. The taco salad has - you guessed it - nachos, meat, cheese, lettuce and salsa. Even Taco Bell will mix it up some, throw in some different flavors; these guys just do the bare minimum to get by. Combine the lackluster food with hefty prices - $8 for a burrito, for example - and 12th Street Cantina is actually worse than Taco Bell. Seriously, save your money and go to Taco Bell - at least your disappointment will be cheap.
(1)Bernie S.
Holy hell what happened to this place!? I used to eat here all the time and loved it. I just moved back to Philly after being away for a few years and during my first stop back to the Reading Terminal I was so excited to go here. It was ungodly awful! The service was terrible from the start but I can let that slide at busy places, and at the end of the day all I really care about is my food. The food was disgusting and inedible. I threw away most of my plate after realizing I was only eating at that point because I paid for it. Im actually worried the cheese I ate was sour and I'll be paying for it later. Even the way the food was served, separate from the taste of it, was gross and half my taco ended up on the plate. All I can say is I may get over my disappointment of how much this place went downhill if I can save one other poor soul from wasting their time and money after they read this review.
(1)Bethany T.
One of our group absolutely loved the fish tacos she got here. We ended up sitting here with our food from various booths in the market. Towards the end of our meal, I went up to the counter to buy another drink. I was waiting in line, small-talking with another customer in line. When it was my time to order, the employee gave me my drink for FREE after I had waited in line for a bit longer than I should have without ordering any of their food. He apologized for the long wait and the run-around of having me stand in the food line. GREAT service and friendly staff, not just this guy. Would definitely come back.
(5)Romeo R.
I've been coming here since I've been 10 and I'm now 33. My father used to bring me when I was a kid, then I passed the tradition onto my nephew. Over the past 6 months things have changed, you have a woman who works at the register and she is flat out mean, rude and argumentative with everyone from what I see when I'm in line. The magnetic strip on my card wouldn't scan on your machine and she was enraged that she had to put it in manually. The other thing I overheard was one of the young men who was helping make the food tell his co worker how much he hated working at 12th street cantina. I remember when the owner Michelle would work the counter and she always remembered everyone's name and always have service with a smile. I came the other day and the friendly staff worked told me I should come in on Sunday thru Tuesday, that's when you will get friendly service. It's sad that after all of these years that I've been coming service has changed. The food is also not as fresh as well, but I'm still a loyal customer with the hopes that service will one day be what it used to be.
(1)Michelle T.
Not quite sure why there are such mixed reviews on this place. I actually really liked it! First of all, they have tamales. Not most Mexican taco places have tamales. I love tamales but it's so hard to get them in places! Second, they make tacos the way I like it. The ground beef is just that - plain ground beef. None of that fancy, frilly stuff some taco places like to add into the meat here in NYC. I literally got everything I liked on tacos - ground beef, cheese, guac, sour cream and a mild sauce. And it really, really hit the spot. I wish there was more places like this in NYC for when you just want a plain, down-to-earth taco without all the frills.
(4)Manosai E.
Came here for lunch on a Tuesday afternoon. I didn't know what to make of it based off the Yelp reviews but gave it a shot anyways. I ordered a burrito with grilled chicken, rice, refried beans, lettuce, queso fresco, verde salsa, and jalapenos. It tasted fresh and the jalapenos made it a bit spicier than I was expecting but overall, enjoyable. I was full and for ~7 bucks, it was worth my money.
(4)M K.
This place was ok. It was the place with the shortest line in RTM which should have been a tip off, but I was in a hurry. Given three employees and no line, I still stood there and waited. I got a chicken burrito. It was pretty bland and boring.
(3)Helen Z.
Portions are huge, ingredients are fresh, and service is friendly. I've been avoiding this cantina for years after having a couple bad experiences with poor customer service and mediocre food. But I decided to give them a second chance after noticing they went through some recent renovations. They not only updated their look, but brought in a more efficient & friendlier staff, and improved their menu. I got the chicken mole naked burrit which is very similar to the burrito bowl at Chipotle. It came with a huge portion of chicken mole, guacamole, fresh salsa, cheese, & sour cream over rice & beans. The ingredients all looked fresh and the flavors were all very good but the chicken was a bit overcooked & dry. For such a huge bowl at $8, I really can't complain. This isn't the most authentic Mexican food but it will certainly do in a pinch.
(3)Kim M.
This is one of my favorite places to eat in Reading Terminal, mainly because I am a sucker for fish tacos. I get them almost every time I come, except once and a while I will opt for the burrito bowl with chicken, which I also enjoy. Everything is very fresh and the staff has always been friendly. Its also nice that they have their own seating, as it can be hard to come by anywhere else in the market.
(4)Laura F.
Wanted something small to hold me over between meals, so I thought a taco was a good option. I got a chicken taco here, with some spicy green salsa, lettuce, and tomato. It was around $4. Not anything amazing, but it was good. The green salsa was very spicy! Not sure if I will be back with all of the other amazing options in the market, but it wasn't horrible.
(3)P E.
I was surprised by the mix of reviews after our stop here....we were tasting lots of things and my other half caught a whiff of the tacos so in we go for one soft and one crispy..one chicken and one pork. They were topped with lettuce, tomato and guacamole. The guacamole was fresh and quite good but could have used a bit more of a spicy bite. I like the fact that the hot ingredients were hot and the toppings were cold. Service was good too and they have their own seating area which was great.
(4)Augustina G.
This place seemed to have such a mix of reviews, I had to try it for myself to see where I fell on the like-dislike spectrum. Got in line around lunch time, but felt like this line could have definitely moved faster. I was kind of surprised how slow it was given both the number of employees and the volume. I ordered the chicken mole burrito, which I found to be on the bland side, unfortunately. I think the only thing in the burrito that was well seasoned was the rice. I can't say that I was a fan of the burrito in general. The cherry on top was how the guacamole is put on using an ice cream scooper. Can't they just use a large serving spoon instead?! I do like how their POS system is iPad based unlike the majority, if not, all of RTM. I would much rather go to Chipotle.
(2)Karen W.
Stopped by there when spending the day at the Convention Center at the Flower Show. I don't know which place was more crowded, Reading Market or the Flower Show. 12th Street Cantina had the shortest line while we were walking through and my friend and I were having a hankering for some Mexican food. We both had the quesadillas and fresh lemon/lime Ade which was the highlight of the meal.
(3)Sheila B.
Great fish tacos!
(4)Chris H.
Easily the worst chicken mole enchiladas I've ever had. I remember actually liking this place when it was in the Bellevue years ago but what I just experienced was complete garbage. The two enchiladas, refried beans, and rice were about as bland and dry as you can get which makes me wonder when they were actually made. It also didn't help that the two guys working there seemed absolutely clueless as to what they were supposed to be doing. If you're in Reading Terminal go absolutely anywhere else because everything there is better than 12th Street Cantina.
(1)Jennifer C.
Second time here. Got veggie burrito with refried beans and +guac. So yummy! Added sriracha at home. This place is great because it has it's own seating area which on a busy day at Reading Terminal is much appreciated.
(4)Wes N.
This place is ridiculous. I am amazed that the Yelp reviews about the horrible service date so far back and nothing's been done about it. There is one and only one employee who smiles. The rest aren't just disinterested, but aggressively rude, so rude you might think you're on a hidden camera show. It's mind boggling. They close when they feel like it, always by five during the week, and by four on Sunday, completely eliminating any dinner customers. Never expect that to be consistent. The last time I went they were closed at 3:20. The food isn't nearly good enough to deal with the attitude. They survive on the fact that tourists and conventioneers aren't return customers. If you want overpriced nachos, Chili's is right around the corner, and open.
(1)Sam H.
just not good. The reading terminal market is supposed to be a collection of the best of Philly, oh and this place, apparently. My quesadilla was somehow crunchy, and not in a good way, after a mile walk back to my office. I was worried that it would be soggy. In addition to the inappropriate sogginess, the portion was meager and just not that great. Avoid, avoid avoid.
(1)Morgan T.
I went here with a friend for lunch. If you're going to go here, get a burrito. It seemed a bit pricey at seven dollars, but it was giant. Like I couldn't even fit both my hands around it or bite it because it was so big. I got a Chicken Mole Burrito with slammin' refried beans. My friend got two tacos and mentioned that she thought Chipotle was better when it came to tacos. There's seating at the location in a little nook; its nice to get away from all the noise and commotions of Reading Terminal.
(4)Loz L.
A friend who lives here recommended that I stop by Reading Terminal Market in the one day I had for Philly sightseeing. He neglected to recommend anything specific. Wandering around, I was overwhelmed by options. Do I go for a Philly cheesesteak, slice of pizza, bagel dog sold by a Pennsylvania Dutch group? I was having major choice issues so I went with almost a non-choice - mexican food. You can take the girl out of California but you can't take her away from burritos I guess. I had a chicken mole burrito. It was fine. No incredible mole flavor but not terrible. I left so full that I had no room to try anything at any other stall, making me regret wimping out on trying for a more quintessential Philadelphia experience. I would say I had the 'indifferent' flavor of service here rather than 'angry' that others have spoken about. But I don't have a problem with indifference from someone handing me a burrito in exchange for $7.
(3)Megan G.
This is quite possibly the absolute WORST Mexican food I have ever had. I was wondering around RTM searching for something different to try. BIG MISTAKE. I ordered the enchiladas platter which came with a side of rice and beans. First of all, my food was COLD (this is something that really grosses me out). Secondly the rice was a combination of overcooked and undercooked rice. I was seriously chomping down on HARD pieces of rice. The enchiladas lacked any flavor. It was a huge disappointment and a complete waste of money. Not worth giving this place a second look.
(1)Nina S.
I used to treat myself every Friday to a fantastic plate of simple yet delicious nachos when I worked in the city. I came into town for the flower show and couldn't wait for those nachos and that is where the one star comes in to play. The worker was spooning 'cheese sauce' on the chips (see picture)!! Hello? Where is the chihuahua? They explained that they didn't have enough cheese so during the flower show they were using sauce - which btw was horrible! Bye bye cantina - never again...
(1)Edward M.
This is still my go-to place for simple Mexican food around City Hall. I stick to the basics: chicken mole or fish taco platters with rice and beans - topped with a mix of hot green and mild red salsas. It's a filling - if potentially messy - and tasty meal, all for about seven bucks (sans drink). The staff is consistently friendly. And they have their own seating space, which is kinda key at the Reading Terminal Market during any midday. If you prefer your meals gargantuan, get one of the burrito platters, which will fill up all but the most monstrous of tummies.
(4)Donna M.
I've been to 12th Street Cantina many times. The food is pretty good; Santa Fe Burrito was better but alas, they have closed up shop in the city. The pork at 12th Street is really just divine. However, service ranges from indifferent to insolent. After last time the cashier who took my order messed it up and then refused to fix it, I won't go back again. There's plenty of incredible food options in the terminal, and if I want a burrito, I'll go to El Fuego instead, where they'll make it correctly with a smile.
(1)John K.
Had I read the reviews, I would not have stopped here, but the line at Dinic's was too long and I was hungry. I ordered the chicken mole burrito, which was a little on the dry side, but tasty and huge for $7. Refried beans were good and they have real coke although I opted for the Strawberry Jarrito's. Service was friendly and quick with none of the snarkiness noted in other reviews. It was nothing to write home about, but a decent, reasonably-priced lunch.
(3)Amanda C.
12st cantina was just ok. I ordered a grilled veggie taco platter with refried beans and salad. I thought the taco platter would have more than 1 taco on it. The roasted vegetables were good but the taco was too floppy to pick up. The refried beans and guacamole were good. The side salad was just lettuce, which didn't make sense considering they had fresh cut ingredients right near the lettuce, they should throw some corn salsa and a cucumber slice or two on the "salad" The place wasn't bad if you really wanted some mexican food and you worked or were near the reading terminal. Compared to the awesome and cheapv taquerias located about 1.5 miles south I wouldn't come here again
(2)Zachary H.
Getting a disappointing meal at RTM is especially disappointing. You're surrounded by so much incredible food that you suddenly feel envious of everyone around you. It's like going to an amusement park and watching everyone around you on the tallest, fastest roller coasters in the world as you sit fastened in your little tea cup. This place was my tea cup. An adobe pork taco was OK, but didn't do much for me. Slow roasted pork is almost an automatic winner, but this, while certainly not dry, wasn't squealing with life outside the cheese. The beans and rice were fine, if unmemorable. The chips were OK, but weren't as crunchy as they shouldve been. The salsas didn't offer any help. Good salsas are the ultimate lifeline. They can make up for any weaknesses in a dish and cover up any flaws. Good salsas--or sauces, for that matter--are like phoning Stephen Hawking as your mobile shout out on Cash Cab: don't worry that things are looking bleak, they've got you covered (Inappropriate irony: Stephen Hawking as a *mobile* shout out. Sorry). The verde was all heat and no flavor and the red had a worrisome note of ketchup. They do have the service down: genuinely friendly without being overbearing. But I'd spend my time in line somewhere else.
(2)Jean C.
I live in Maryland and travel to Philadelphia quite often. I've eaten here for 20+ years and have never had a bad meal! Yesterday I tried the Fish Tacos and they were amazing! The ingredients are fresh, the service wonderful and the ambiance of the 'market' just adds to a great experience! Love this place, always have and will always go back again!!
(5)Shirley M.
Went on a Sunday; had a casserole from the display case and a chicken mole burrito from the menu board. Key problem was that both were barely warm. The casserole was cold on the inside, and when they reheated it the styrofoam plate melted under it. We noticed that all of the food is microwaved on styrofoam (nasty for transferring phthalates, not to mention taste) except for those foods, like my mole, that are just taken from the warmers. My burrito was served on aluminum foil -- very irritating since it got cut to ribbons and I ended up with bits of foil in my food. Other problems: every table was dirty, the chairs were sticky with grease, the chairs were very wobbly, and the staff were on their cell phones. Just bring a screwdriver in once or twice! Final note: the food was pretty good; therefore this place has potential. Manager needed.
(2)Ben P.
Grocery shopping in the Reading Terminal is the best. Eating can sometimes be hit or miss. Some places can be overpriced even if good, some places can be overpriced even if bad. 12th Street Cantina was just awesome! I don't mess around with Mexican food. I demand a certain level of...dope-ness. These guys serve up big-ass burritos (we ate the other half of them the next day) with some of the best refried beans I have ever had. Friendly service and fast, too. There's a lot of options for Mexican in the city, both chain and otherwise. If you're in the Terminal or close by, this is a solid, solid bet.
(4)Kaitlin L.
I needed a few ingredients for fish tacos and was happy to see that 12th Street Cantina had an area devoted to canned goods, tortillas, and fresh salsa, kind of awesome. So why the two stars? The person behind the counter had no clue what he was doing. When I asked if they had chipotle in adobo sauce, he had no clue what that was. Ok. Can I also please have some chihuahua (cheese)? I had to point out where it was in the case. I also got some tortillas. This came to $9.59. Sweet. But no, he wouldn't let me use my credit card due to a $10 minimum. As an FYI, there is no legal minimum allowed for a credit card. Stores do this so that they are making enough off of the sale to pay for the transaction cost, which is fine, I understand. But for $0.41 cents you're going to put the sale in jeopardy? I ended up getting some fresh salsa (which, honestly wasn't very good) as well to put me over the limit, but you can assume I will not be returning here for future purchases. Good customer service is worth much more than $0.41, 12th St. Cantina.
(2)Kevin C.
In Reading Terminal Market the only option you have for "Mexican" food is 12th Street Cantina and the management/employees are definitely aware of this fact. The food is really hit or miss, I've had great meals there and I've had abysmal meals, it really is just luck of the draw. When I worked in the market I would stop by about once or twice a month to pick up lunch so I was able to sample pretty much everything on their menu, as well as most of their "take home goods" such as tortillas, cheeses, and salsas, and I can honestly say that out of all their products my favorites are their quesadillas and salsa verde and my least favorites are their nachos and black bean burritos. First, the good. The counter personnel are very nice and they keep the line moving at a quick pace, plus they know all about their products which is a big plus. They also have a dedicated seating area for their customers which is a great thing to have in a crowded place like Reading Terminal and because of this it makes eating your meal a munch more relaxing endeavor than if you had to find a seat somewhere else in the market. The salsa tastes fresh and they have a wide variety of flavors (mild, hot, pico de gallo, verde, etc...) to choose from, plus they don't mind if you want to mix more than one variety. The serving sizes are very generous, especially the burritos which are so packed full of ingredients that they usually fall apart within 30 seconds of getting them (I guess this is sort of a bad thing as well though). Their quesadillas are just as big and they have no problem stuffing them with whatever ingredients you request (try the pinto beans with chicken, salsa verde, and cheese with guac on top!). Now for the not so good. 12th Street's nachos are legitimately the exact same kind you made at home as a kid for an after school snack. A plate piled with chips, topped with cheese, and nuked in the microwave before being topped with salsa and lettuce before being served. I really wish they would melt the cheese in a way that didn't involve a microwave but it is what it is I guess. As for the burritos, they are very filling which is a plus, but that's only because they add a tremendous amount of filler such as beans and sour cream. As I mentioned before they never stay wrapped for more than 30 seconds, seriously I've never eaten one their that has stayed together, ever. The beans also taste like they came straight out of a can bought from Sysco and at times they are unevenly heated (half steaming hot/half barely luke warm) which isn't how I expect my beans to taste when I get Mexican cuisine. All in all 12th Street Cantina is an "OK" place to eat, but better options definitely exist within Reading Terminal. Give it a try and see what you think for yourself, if you like it, great, if not just head to another eatery in the market next time and chalk it up to a learning experience.
(3)Jessica R.
This place was SUCH a letdown! The food was okay (probably 2 1/2 stars), but the service was absolutely awful. The lady taking orders was incredibly rude - when my friend tried to pay with a $20 she asked in a disdainful voice if we had anything smaller. It's a TWENTY! How can you not have change?? Then we offered to pay with credit card instead and were informed there was a $10 minimum. So let's review - you don't have change for a $20 AND you have a $10 minimum for credit cards - how exactly do you expect people to pay?? I ordered a taco platter, but noticed that she wrote down "taco" instead of "taco platter" so I politely said, "Oh I'm sorry, I want the platter" and was given a look of death. It was not as though any action had even been taken - I would understand if I had said this AFTER the food was already made, but all that happened was she had to add the word "platter" to her order pad. I've never experienced such attitude - even if the food was five stars (which it wasn't), I would never come back here. Her attitude totally ruined my lunch.
(1)DL F.
Mediocre food, surly service, prices high for what you get. Oh, and if you have a bright yellow sticker on your shirt that says "Juror" don't expect to get the 10% juror discount without asking for it. The Terminal deserves better
(2)Tom D.
I don't go to Reading Terminal nearly enough. I just got off the chinatown bus and would you believe it, but I missed the 48. I hadn't eaten lunch, so why not stop in. This time I went to 12th St. because I was in the mood for fish tacos and the line was short. It was quite tasty, and the fish was very filling and the portion was not bad (it was one taco, but it was over stuffed, and needed a fork.) I opted for the guac salad which was refreshing, but appeared in a color that was borderline inedible--though it tasty fine. Back in '07 when I had jury duty, I remember having eaten here. It was good then, too. If the hot sauces are filled, I recommend the green ones. Otherwise, the Tapatio is always a fave.
(4)Mari C.
The burritos here are the size of small babies. I had the bean, rice and cheese burrito and for 6 bucks it filled me up for at least 8 hours! They've got great side sauces at the condiment bar (go for the green one).
(5)Jon W.
THE SERVICE HERE IS TERRIBLE! I just got back from RTM, on a sunday afternoon. Normally this is always a great time, because it is not Saturday afternoon ( which is Wicked busy as we all know ). The cook and the register man / server moved as if they would die if they took more than one step a minute. Do not go back on Sundays. Also, the food is not great - beans were dry, tortilla was dry and tasteless, chicken was not even worth ordering it. Visiting this place almost ruined my day. Terrible.
(1)Charity C.
I really hate to give anything a bad review, much less a restaurant. I can appreciate how hard they work. I am always in the Reading Terminal and wanted to try this place. I love Mexican and Southwestern food and thought this might be a regular place for me. I thought I would start slow by getting the salsa to go with the tacos I made at home. I was so disappointed with this salsa. It was old, tasteless, and really horrible. It was really my fault for not making my own but I thought this place would at least have good salsa. I mean, even Chipotle has good salsa and that's a chain! It should at least be fresh. I am so glad I did not get anything else. I will never go there again. Very, very disappointed.
(1)Caitlin V.
I paid $6.50 for a burrito with nothing but beans, guac, and a little salsa on it. sort of disappointed. The ingredients tasted fresh, but I think I could have gotten something much better at a chain restuarant like Qdoba. The guy who helped me seemed like he was confused when he was looking around for the ingredients to start making it. It's one of the only Mexican places I know of in that area of the city, so I guess if you're really in the mood, it's worth it. But it's definitely not going to be somewhere I go back to anytime soon. I mean, it was good. Just not good enough.
(2)