Isabel
2601 Pennsylvania Ave,Ste 5, Philadelphia, PA, 19130
Isabel Menu
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Address :
2601 Pennsylvania Ave,Ste 5
Philadelphia, PA, 19130 - Phone (215) 475-8088
- Website https://isabelbyob.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 pm - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
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.
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Felicia C.
Don't be surprised - this restaurant really is in the ground floor of an apartment building in the Art Museum district. But looks can be deceiving because the food here was very good. It was a little expensive for Mexican food ($90 with tip for four people), but at least we all enjoyed our food. I ate so much guacamole, and we still didn't finish it. They give you a lot! This restaurant is a BYOB, so you bring your own liquor, and then the restaurant makes all sorts of drinks, including sangria, with it. I would recommend this place, but with the warning that it is pricey.
(4)Dan H.
THIS REVIEW IS FOR FAIRMOUNT FOOD CRAWL ONLY SPOT 5 Isabel is one of those places that I wished I known had existed when I lived closer to the Art Museum. Food - Pork Tacos / Fish (Cod) Tacos / Chips / Salsa / Guacamole / Beverage - Hibiscus Iced Tea Since it was a pork event, we ordered a pork taco. Since I am who I am, we also ordered a fish taco. Pleasant enough, our waitress/hostess/food runner, brought two plastic glasses filled with ruby red iced tea. This ended up being our favorite non-alcoholic drink of the day. The hibiscus normally bitter, was perfectly balanced with sweetness with a hint of what seemed like cinnamon. The pork taco was tasty enough, but the flavor was off putting by some suspicious looking pork rinds. Surprisingly, the fish taco won me over the pork in this case. The cod cooked perfectly, garnished with some radish slices and a big shmear of a spicy mayo (most likely chipotle). It may have been a bit too spicy for some, as it had the potential to hide the delicate flavor of the fish, but was a much welcomed spice kick.
(4)Khusbu P.
Love having a byob restaurant in my apartment building! Just moved in and already went down to eat twice in one week. It doesn't open until 5pm on weekdays which is fine with me since that's when I get home. If I'm ever tired and don't feel like cooking, I can just go downstairs! The food and service is amazing! Really surprised to see poor reviews about this restaurant. Bring a bottle of tequila, they have so many different mixers. Be sure to try the empanadas, guac, and bread pudding! I also tried the fish tacos, pork belly tacos, crab and shrimp enchiladas, bean and cheese enchiladas, and nachos...making my way through the entire menu haha!
(5)Aria S.
I remember I started Yelping just because I needed to leave this place a review lol. So when my friends suggested this spot for dinner, I was like ...oh god. I find this place pretty unimpressive still. The ambiance doesn't really exist. There's nothing Mexican/Latin about it. It's just a lot of small tables in a small restaurant. The menu is really confusing and overwhelming and when we asked our server a few questions, she literally said "I'm not sure" to some. For a Mexican place to serve the usuals like enchiladas, tacos, burritos, etc, I feel like they should nail it. Or maybe, introduce some creative flavors/twists (I did see a thai something though). I didn't think they really nailed anything. I honestly felt like it was your run of the mill Mexican chain place type food except at $15 an entree. I give them the 3 stars as a bump up from last time because after Lolita's got their liquor license, this is the only "nicer" BYO tequila place I know. Their mixers are $9/pitcher and they have cool flavors like pomegranate, guava, etc. Again, I find them underwhelming but at least I didn't get an acidic heart attack like last time.
(3)Sarah A.
BYOT(equila) for margheritas (and BYO wine for sangria), this is a great lil'Mexican joint with no sign outside (other than the square tables and chairs in good weather) marking its presence. Although the service was on the slow end, it wasn't unforgivably so, and the food (cooked in an open kitchen) more than made up for it. Appetizer-wise, that was some fantastic guacamole (with pica de gallo--not spicy) and in-house made chips. The crab quesadilla was well liked, as were the Mexican Style Beef Tips, Pan Seared Rib Eye. And I truly enjoyed the Especial Pork Belly tacos (man I love pineapple mixed with spicy elements!). However, the star order of the night was the Cochinita Pibil. Something about the slight cinnamon, cumin, tomato sauce just clinched it (the chef wouldn't share the recipe, but that's understandable). Will definitely return!
(4)Dennis L.
The house chips and salsa are the best! They were surprising good, I just wish they threw the chips in the oven so it came out warm. The salsa was nice and flavorful, but not spicy. I ordered the cochinita pibil, which is a pork dish with a whole bunch of other stuff thrown in: Mexican rice, black beans, pickled onions, and a baked banana. The pork was tender, but not that flavorful, most of the flavor came from the fatty pieces. Everything else was pretty good, although I think a plantain would've been better than a banana. Definitely would go back to try something else, or atleast to see if i can get the salsa bottled to go.
(4)Joe B.
At first glance this place is in a secluded area, off the beaten path of most of the other local bars and restaurants. But don't let that detour you, the food at this place is absolutely remarkable, at a really good price.
(5)Casey L.
We visited Isabels for my birthday with a group of 6. I read the reviews and I was really impressed however readers beware things are not always as they seem on yelp. The restaurant was ridiculously small, which would've been fine if it wasn't for the tacky 1980s glass blocks that acted as a wall between the dining area and the lobby to an apt building. There was absolutely no ambience. It reminded me of a diner. It was close to 86 degrees (we were sitting next to the thermostat) and we could see into the kitchen. Not appealing. We had made reservations so thankfully we didn't have to wait long to be seated however that would be the only "short wait" of the night. once we sat down we waited for over 20 mins just for our waitress to come and greet us. No menus no water no glasses for our wine. After we asked multiple times for water and glasses we were told the wine glasses had to be washed and that they had ran out of menus...what? Now I will say that there was only 2 servers for the entire place so I guess slower service was to be expected. I tend to think that an 1:45 min wait for our entrée is a bit much. thank god we got appetizers otherwise I probably would've left. I would like to note that the food was actually excellent, which was probably the most frustrating part about the whole thing. Every other aspect of this establishment ruined what would have been a really great experience. Finally it came time for dessert, which was presented to us on an ipad. I understand going green and what not but I would much prefer to read a description rather than see a quick 30 sec slideshow with some pictures that look nothing like what I actually got on my plate. overall I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone.
(1)Therese M.
I've had dinner here twice and also gotten take-out twice since my initial review. I really like Trio and had my expectations set high when I found out both restaurants were owned by the same people. Maybe I haven't been ordering the right thing, but so far the quality of food hasn't been comparable to Trio. However, it's convenient and the food is decent so I keep finding myself back here. Mexican Style Beef Tips - I remember really liking this when I dined in, but was kinda disappointed with it as a take-out option. The beef was on the chewy side and drowning in sauce the second time around. Duck Quesadilla - My favorite thing I've had here so far. I got take-out and it came with sides of salsa, sour cream, and guac. I want to try the crab and carnitas quesadillas next. Duck Enchiladas - I was a fan of the duck, but not the enchilada as a whole. I think I'll stick to the quesadillas for now.
(3)Amber W.
We have ordered delivery from Isabel on 3 occasions and every time we have had issues. First, they take cash or check only. Tonight, our food was ordered an hour 45 minutes ago and still isn't here. We live 4 blocks away and called 16 minutes ago and they said the driver was on his way. We could have walked there faster. Last time, it also took an hour and a half and we had ordered 2 sides and never got either. Their customer service is absolutely terrible. I will not be ordering from there again. There is no reason an order should take that long, and then be incorrect...... 2 hours later, our order came. It was missing the aide again and our food was freezing when it got here.
(1)Catherine Z.
Yikes. I really wanted to like this place but from the moment I walked in I knew it was going to be difficult. Our waitress really ruined things for us. She did not smile at all. Not once. The entire time. My boyfriend even tried to crack a couple jokes with her but she carried on as if we weren't even speaking. Even when we said "thank you" we never got a "your welcome" in reply. Look, I understand we all have bad days, but come ON. I honestly have no idea why. We are your average looking couple and were perfectly pleasant as we always are to waitstaff. We ended up mentioning our displeasure to the manager at the end of the meal. Now for the food... eesh. We ordered the guacamole for our appetizer. The portion was enormous and the taste...well, not so much. It had just enough salt (nothing worse than over salted guac) but could have used more lime and cilantro. As far as my entree... I'm pretty sure my entire plate was microwaved. I ordered the beef shoulder and it was tough and chewy. The sauce was really enjoyable but obviously didn't make up for the texture of the meat. The fried plantain turned to mush as I tried to cut it and the rice and beans were bland. My boyfriend ordered a steak and while it wasn't bad, it wasn't anything special. There are way better Mexican choices in Philadelphia. Needless to say, we won't be back.
(1)Philly D.
BYO Tequila! The Guanabana margarita mix is the best. Isabel's was the scene of Philly Din Clubs July gathering. This was by far the biggest party we've had with 12 people total. The restaurant was on the smaller side but was able to accommodate us without any issues. We also had plenty of space despite our size. The management actually called us beforehand to see if we'd rather do a fixed menu, which we did choose for $25 a person. Each person was given the choice of one appetizer, entree, and dessert. Pretty good deal if you ask me! There were so many options it was difficult to chose. The duck enchiladas were a favorite and probably some of the best I've ever had. Other hits were the Mahi Mahi with garlic sauce and the pork shoulder with fried bananas. Everything was outstanding! And you can't not get the guacamole of course. One last thing....this place is BYO and we highly recommend bringing your own tequila to try their various margarita mixes. The Guanabana was our favorite and the guava was amazing too. Obviously, we highly recommend Isabel's for anyone looking for a great BYO Mexican place in the city. Great food, great service, and reasonably priced. Enjoy!!
(5)Kimberly M.
I was in this Saturday with a group of ten for the fright and bite package. There was a mistake on the website about pricing. The owner was more than accomadting and honored the prices on the website. Service was very good and I appreciate an owner who is willing to honor their advertising. The pork shoulder dish was very good .
(3)Christopher L.
For a long time, Fairmount didn't have any Mexican restaurants. Now there are several! But my favorite is Isabel. It's a BYO, so bring your own tequila! The margaritas are excellent...freshly prepared from scratch with a variety of flavor options. I've always enjoyed everything I've ordered, and the staff is great. We've brought several friends to Isabel for dinner and everyone agrees it is very good!
(5)Ashley S.
Although I had a really good time here last weekend with my friends, unfortunately I can't say too many good things about the food or drink mixers. There were 10 of us, and we ended up ordering 3 pitchers of margarita mix to go with the tequila we brought. The margarita mixes were so sour! We ordered the limon (lime) and passion fruit, and they both gave us pucker faces :(. At the end of the night, we just gave up on the mix and started taking tequila shots. The menu is tex mex and looked promising. I wasn't in the mood to have a heavy meal, so I ended up ordering the scallops. The dish was just ok...it tasted like the scallops were seasoned with soy sauce (weird for a tex mex place), and the rice was a bit mushy. It came with a side of grilled squash and carrots which were good, but that didn't really make up for the rest of the meal. My friends thought their dishes were ok, but none of us were really wowed by anything. I will say that the service was pretty good. Our waiter was super nice and kept the refills of chips and salsa coming as we waited for our meals. He was also very patient with our group of 10 when we tried to split the bill at the end of the night -- props to him for that.
(2)Rachel W.
BYO tequila/wine for margaritas and sangria... need I say more?
(4)Kristen M.
After googling BYOs in Fairmount, we decided to try Isabel for our New Years Eve dinner. Good service, decent food, and fantastic dessert. I absolutely recommend that you bring tequila for the guava margarita mixer. It is very tasty! We ordered regular guacamole for an appetizer, the homemade tortilla chips were great. The entrees were the most disappointing part of the meal. I ordered the Cochinita Pibil (pork shoulder) while my dining buddy had the Drunken Chicken. The meat was good, but the sides were just OK. I firmly believe the grilled banana that came with my meal should be served with every meal, because it is delicious. The dessert was absolutely amazing. Save room for the bread pudding and if you have more vacancy in your belly, the dulce de leche is also top notch. As one of the other yelp reviews I read indicated, the place has poor ventilation. My parka wreaked of Mexican food for about a week after I dined there. Overall, a decent meal for a reasonable price. I will definitely be back again for brunch.
(3)Matthew S.
Overall good dining experience. Our waitress was very pleasant and kept the chips and salsa coming. I could eat the salsa by itself as a gazpacho. Both soups on the menu were great. I'm not sure how I feel about the Thai basil burrito, but I respect the creativity. I would eat here any day over our other Mexican establishment in the neighborhood.
(3)Eric Y.
BYOB, Pork Belly Burrito, Fresh Guacamole, enough said!
(4)Josh O.
Great Mexican food with a variety of options. We had tilapia ceviche, queso fundido, cheese quesadilla with crab, and a veggie enchilada. All were very flavorful. The Margarita mixer options were unique and not too sweet. Service was slow for a very small restaurant (maybe 8 tables) but it was worth it. Definitely enjoyed the BYOB.
(4)Maria L.
this place is gross. The margaritas were ok. the service wasn't good. We ordered the guacamole that was supposed to have crabmeat in it, and do not let them fool you, the crab meat was a "garnish" at best and it was way over priced - completely insulting! The chicken tacos were horrible and doused in sauce, there wasn't a lot of chicken with the peppers and onions. my bf got the pulled pork burrito and there were CHUNKS of hard meat "beef" in it. Overall, I'd never go back and I think people should re-evaluate choosing a night out at this place.
(1)Brandy S.
The prices and service are a little off but the amazing food makes up for all of that! The black currant mix is really good and the short rib tacos are beyond delicious!
(5)David H.
I am not in the habit of gratuitously slamming restaurants on Yelp but... Four friends and I had one of the worst service experiences we've ever had a restaurant at this place. We showed up on a Saturday, with reservations. We waited for several minutes before we were seated and then waited another twenty before our waitress stopped by to take our order. Entrees took over an hour to come out. Clearly there were some major kitchen or service issues that night and our server's solution to dealing with this problem was to just ignore our table. No once did we get an apology or even the suggestion that anything might be inappropriate about our dining experience. The meals ranged from 'ok' to 'really good' but there is no way I would put up with the awful service again.
(1)Erin F.
Isabel is a small yet spacious Mexican BYO in the 2601 Pennsylvania Ave building in Fairmount. Although it is in a condo building, you can't tell when you are inside. Large glass windows overlooking Pennsylvania Ave provide lots of light and ambiance. Decor is Mexican-themed of course. We have been here a few times and every dish has been excellent. Including desserts! Tonight I had two appetizer specials. One was raspberry soup with a hint of white balsamic vinegar, which was exquisite and not too sweet. The other app special was a watermelon with queso fresco. It was light and full of flavor. We shared the mushroom and cheese quesedilla which was delicious. The mushrooms were fresh and finely chopped, sauteed in white wine, and the right amount of cheese (not gooey or greasy). We finished dinner with the chocolate mousse cake which was excellent. One of the reasons why I love this restaurant is because it is BYO. Bring your own bottle of tequila and enjoy margaritas that are $3 by the glass or $9 per pitcher. They have a large variety of margaritas including guanabana, mango, peach, etc. All of the dishes are prepared with care and presented well. The menu is reasonably priced. Definitely a great choice for Mexican.
(4)Erin B.
We ordered delivery, living less than half a mile away. It took two hours for our food to arrive. When we finally got it, the food was ice cold. On top of that, the food was bland and extremely poor quality. Worst mole sauce I have ever had. I will not be ordering from here ever again.
(1)Emily P.
I have been to many restaurants in my 43 years of life and this bad review may be partly due to the fact that I am from New York and have high standards. That said, this is the worst dining experience I have had hands down. First off, we couldn't find the restaurant because there is no name sign outside as it is part of a hotel. Secondly, their kitchen is small and ill equipped to make the savory foods that Mexican cuisine is known for. I had the fish ceviche for an appetizer...the dish was small (thankfully) but the pieces of fish were as hard as erasers and overwhelmed with the taste of cilantro. My boyfriend had the empanadas...the crust was literally made of corn dog dough and the meat inside tasted like flavorless spam. The guacamole came in a portion too large for just one person to eat and It was not even spiced. It was just sprinkled with mozzarella cheese on top...HUH???? For the entree I had a skirt steak...which I always thought was a hard dish to mess up. Not for Isabel Restaurant. The meat was drowned in canned beef broth and tasted of cilantro. I found that Isabel's food includes way too much cilantro...even by Mexico's standards. By the time dessert came, I forfeited my right to any sweets because I couldn't stand the thought of being severly disappointed a third and final time. I ended it with a cappuccino...at least that was good. My advice to Philly: Guys, come to NY if you want good Mexican food. It's worth the trip!!!
(1)Michelle P.
Let me start by saying BYOB. That's always a plus in my mind. The restaurant is small but cozy. I believe they do delivery too but I've only had dine -in. I've been there several times with my last visit over the July 4th weekend. My husband and I brought our own tequila and got the pitcher of guava flavored margarita. That's always such a rough call because all the flavors are good and we like to try them all for variety. So far guava might be in the running for my favorite. We weren't looking for a fears so we skipped the appetizers and just munched on the chips and salsa. That's good enough for me because they were delish! You can taste the freshness of the salsa but in a well blended type of way- the slight kick is very enjoyable. For our meal we split the duck enchiladas with the salsa verde and the cochinita pibil. The one catch is that we ordered the enchiladas with the cheese on my side. It took a little while to get the side of cheese so a meltyness effect didn't occur on my enchilada which I wanted cheese on. I guess that's what happens when you accommodate your non-cheese eating significant other. It also took a while for our server to bring the sharing plate so our food sat for a bit. With all of that being said, I probably enjoyed the pork dish a little more. Although both were pretty good. I was just proud of myself for ordering the seafood enchilada- my tasty go to- and branching out. Since we weren't looking to bring home leftovers and cleaned our plates, we passed on dessert. As far as the service, it wasn't bad but it wasn't the quickest. We'll be back although with so many places on our "to eat" list it probably won't be too soon. I'd definitely recommend it to someone looking for a Mexican BYOB.
(4)Donna C.
Squash blossom enchiladas were great also get the guac and or nachos. Maybe not all at once that would be ambitious. The Paloma margaritas were also so good with our 1800 tequila. Definitely get pitchers of margaritas on the rocks. The pitcher goes quick but it's some of the best in the city!
(5)Jordan S.
THE best Mexican food. Been to sunny Mehico twice and have yet to have find better than this place right here in Philly. The carnitas quesadilla is phenomenal. The guac and the pico are so fresh and tasty. Love the pork shoulder enchiladas with the creme sauce (?) Checked out their brunch and the food was just as good, if not better (if possible). Went with the challah french toast stuffed with bacon and nuttella and it could have been the best thing I have ever tasted. Service is attentive without being overbearing. Props for memorizing the laundry list of daily specials too. Atmosphere is warm and welcoming with that family restaurant feel while incorporating modern features such as the iPad dessert menu. Can't say enough about this place. Highly recommended. Not to mention its BYOT. Can't beat it.
(5)Mike C.
I've been here at least a half-dozen times and never left disappointed. Check Groupon from time to time also. I'm leaving this review just to say the bread pudding is the best dessert I've ever had. Hands down. And as a foodie I don't make a statement like that lightly. It tastes basically like french toast and it's topped with malted vanilla ice cream with dots of chocolate syrup & whip cream. Presentation on point and all. After housing it in 2.3 seconds I just wanted to high five everybody in the place. Seriously, don't eat here and not leave room for the bread pudding dessert As for the meal itself, this particular time we split gorgonzola guac which was tasted fresh and overall pretty good, maybe a tad on the salty side. Although that's not the worst thing in the world when you BYO reposada tequila (hit the liquor store on 20th & Fairmount on the way). They have a bunch of house mixes for your tequila (@ $9 a pop, which seemed a wee high to me), but absolutely get the GUAVA Chicken tinga tacos were real solid, $13 and tasty.. sign me up! Cochinita pibil is usually a solid dish IMO. Always listen to the specials. Wifey had scallops this time, she loved the dish and said it hit the spot, but there really wasn't a sear on them
(5)Jim D.
Isabel is located in the building where we live so it's a convenient place to eat from time to time. It's an above average restaurant and I recommend people try it. I really enjoy the crab and shrimp enchilada. It's fun to bring tequila and buy marguerite mix. On the downside service can be slow though I generally like to take a long time dining. It's tough when I bring guests who like fast service. They are pricey though the quality is good. When I ask for light cheese or cream in my sauce it makes no difference. At times they over season, and are not consistent in the way food is prepared between times I've dined there. Two more plusses: 1. They are truly wheelchair accessible through the building's lobby. 2. They have a varied dessert menu, and all desserts are delicious.
(3)Gei V.
Love it. This is one of Fairmount's hidden secrets, probably gets underrrated because it's in an apartment building and doesn't have too much fake Mexican kitsch. The food is done with care, and for some reason it seems that the menu now seems like more value for the money when it first started. I've taken quite a few picky guests over there a few times and they're always impressed. The negative reviews (especially the obviously fake one) seem a little shady. I can see someone not raving about it, but I'd be surprised at someone hating it. Give it a go over the other Mexican restaurant in the area - that one's not bad but I definitely prefer Isabel! 4 stars only because I"m fussy.
(4)Thomas R.
I had my third dining experience at Isabel's last evening and it proved to be as disappointing as the previous two visits. Restaurant was half full. After our orders were taken our server was on the phone for at least fifteen minutes taking a call in order. After she hung up she brought our chips and salsa. It took another 45 minutes for the food to come out. This was the same experience on previous visits. I won't even go into the food. No more dining at Isabel for me.
(2)Shereen C.
My Isabel experience was a mixed bag. Food ranges from pretty good to blah. 1. Crab guacamole is pretty good. The chips are great -- crisp and homemade. 2. Scallop entree is surprisingly bad. Scallops were overcooked, not fresh, flavourless, and had a bad texture. Rice is mushy but tastes okay. Mango salsa is fresh, though not particularly great. 3. Cochinita Pibil (braised pork shoulder) was flavourful, but overcooked -- pork was rather dry and tough. Fried banana was very good -- simple but pleasant. Beans are blah, but edible. 4. Bread pudding is solid, comforting. Service is a bit weird but generally okay.
(2)Robert G.
Four people, each ordered a different dish. All four thought that theirs was the best! Shrimp/Garlic sauce, crispy duck, seafood risotto, and cod fish tacos!!! We were stuffed and still talking about the food after we left.
(5)Matt D.
We had a really nostalgic experience at Isabel this past weekend: we remembered the space as a coffee shop when we were on our first apartment search in the city. I don't drink coffee, but I do love to eat inspired Mexican food! While the space is small, it is certainly lively, nicely decorated, and smells great. We had the fried cheese and ceviche for appetizers. The cheese was not memorable, but was good, but the ceviche was excellent. Our mains: Yucatan pork specialty (x2), skirt steak, and seafood enchiladas. I thought all were very tasty, well presented, and enjoyed by all. We also had the pot de creme w/ marshmallow and the key lime pie as desserts. The pie was fantastic, but I wasn't thoroughly impressed with our other selection. The BYOB (including tequila with housemade mixers), atmosphere, incredible deal through Groupon, and concise, well-planned menu made this a wonderful night out.
(4)Monica L.
PROS: Generous portions, quality ingredients, tasty desserts CONS: Uncomplicated flavors, some dishes didn't tie together well, sloppy service With a Groupon, the food was quite satisfying. The portions were more than generous for what we paid. However, the appetizers and main courses themselves were not outstanding in flavor. Without a Groupon, I do not feel inclined to return.
(3)Maya O.
Went here on a Sunday for brunch and was totally turned off by the service. The food was delicious but the waiter ruined the dining experience. Don't come with a large party!
(2)Nate A.
Food was good, decor good, service B- (very rushed, disorganized) and we were made to wait although we had made a reservation. Also, my dining partner ordered the scallops, and was up vomiting in the night. I had the pork, which was delicious at mealtime and as leftovers, and I did not have any vomiting. Many dessert items were sold out at 8pm on a Friday night, but the key lime pie and carrot cake were excellent, and also did not appear to cause any vomiting.
(2)Nicole M.
After purchasing a Groupon for Isabel, I went here with three other people for dinner. The food was just ok. My sister and I both got the special, it sounded delicious but it was soggy and mushy. My brother in laws steak was a little to over done, at least for my taste and my fiance said his was ok as well but we all agreed that had we paid full price for our meal, it wouldn't have been worth it.
(2)Fran H.
Im a sucker for BYOB. Isabel was a google search Mexican find. The restaurant was plain and oddly shaped but had some charm. The service was slow at first but swiftly picked up. The restaurant was crowded and everyone seemed to be enjoying the fare. I had a pollo enchilanda and it was great seasoned well. Overall a 4 star place.
(4)elisa s.
I am Californian so my Mexican food standard is pretty high. All in all this place is a-ok. We ordered the shrimp empanadas which were super tasty. So we set our bar even higher for the entrees, which is where they fell flat. I had the shrimp tacos which were good, but very commercial. My husband had the fluke in a ver-blanc sauce. The rice was delicious, am I hope the way they cooked it was an unfortunate fluke. It had a syrupy taste. If you do go to Isabel's I would highly recommend the desserts. We split the bread pudding and the flour less chocolate cake and they were incredible!!! 5 stars for desserts and apps, 3 stars for entrees. Bring tequila because they have a plethora of yummy mixers!!!!
(4)John B.
What a gem. Reasonably priced and BYO Tequila. Had the Pomegranate mixer with Blanco tequila. It was so good, they were kind enough to put the leftovers in a little container for me to take home. Kids split a carnitas tacos and there were leftovers so the servings are generous. They also had some of the delicious guacamole and queso - both of which were quite good. My Pibil was excellent - you just have to know what to expect. My wife had the crab and shrimp enchiladas which were good if a little bland. Only one waitress but she did a good job even with a rush of patrons. I will be back.
(4)Melissa M.
Overall a nice evening and great value with the groupon. Not sure if I would return without another coupon. Decent food but overpriced. I found the food tasty for the most part. Chips, salsa, guac were all very good. The bread pudding was delicious. The ceviche was disappointing. The key-lime pie had a mousse consistency which I did not enjoy.
(3)Patricia H.
This is a decent place wit fair prices. It's Byo which increases the value. I had a groupon when I went. I had the empanadas as the appetizer. I ordered the crab but received the beef which was tasty. I had the mahi mahi special which was good and the read pudding for desert. The service was a bit slow but very friendly. I'd return but wouldn't go out of my way
(3)Rebecca W.
I first heard of this restaurant through Groupon. I didn't buy the Groupon, but proceeded to look up the restaurant and read reviews. The reviews were a mix. The website looked good and I decided to give Isabel a visit with my two friends. The first strange part about this restaurant is that it is located in an apartment building. No signage either. The website is swanky whereas the restaurant looks like a worn down cafeteria. The kitchen is open and the tables are placed around the remaining space haphazardly. Second problem, if you have to go to the bathroom you have to walk out of the restaurant and into the apartment building. Then you have to walk down the long lobby of the apartment building and utilize their public bathrooms. Just strange. Food: We ordered the chips and guacamole which were good. The rest of the meal - really not good. We ordered the special with short rib and received chewy meat and frozen veggies. We also ordered the shrimp and crab enchilada. Too creamy and no crab or shrimp. Really surprisingly bad. I won't go back as there are plenty of Mexican restaurants that are much better in the city. Isabel - get your act together!
(2)Lesley P.
Three of us went and we brought a small bottle of tequila for the pitcher of margaritas. The servers were adorable skinny boys and very sweet. The free chips and salsa were good and two of us really liked our food. The other person was underwhelmed because she really likes Tex-Mex and anything but that freaks her out. We all liked the the guacamole. I had chicken enchiladas with verde sauce. One friend had fish ceviche and shrimp wrapped in bacon. The unhappy friend had seafood enchiladas in jalapeno cream sauce and she was not happy. Have I said that enough times? The three of us shared a rocking dessert - kind of a caramel leche cake thingy and we swooned. So, friend #1 and I would go back for sure. Beware if you are expecting Tex-Mex type stuff. That is not their thing.
(4)G T L.
Isabel is my new favorite place in the neighborhood. The guacamole is to die for (ask for more chips if you need them--no problem!), the skirt steak was perfect, and the service is wonderful--courteous, knowledgeable, friendly. Brought a bottle of wine, and was good to go. OH--and the flan is fantastic. I can't wait to go back. Ole!!!
(5)Stacey B.
I really wanted to like this place, because it's right by my house, but I didn't. We got tacos. They came as a pile of meat and a couple of tortillas with a very bland assortment of sides--shredded iceberg, sour cream, cheese, and a tragically small pile of chopped tomatoes. My date's skirt steak had a good spice, but my carnitas were just really dull. For $16 tacos, you expect more. And the service was very friendly, but the place has a serious ventilation problem. A smoky haze drifts from the open kitchen into the dining room and puts a major damper on the atmosphere.
(2)David E.
I tried this small BYOB for the first time on Saturday. I ordered the duck quesadilla and steak tips. The food was good and prices fair for the area. The staff was very friendly and service relatively quick despite it being busy. They also provided a generous helping of chips and salsa no charge. I will definitely return.
(4)Katie M.
Went back to try brunch with a friend. Sat outside on a lovely day. Quick service, decent coffee, and a generously-sized well-made Huevos Rancheros. Friend liked her dish too, but can't remember what she got. Will go back to try the pancakes (blueberry ricotta, I think). Still a fan.
(4)Maureen B.
I was very excited to try this new Mexican restaurant in my neighborhood. Although the staff was very friendly, I was really disappointed with the food. I brought a bottle of tequila to add to a margarita mix. The server poured our tequila into glasses that looked like water glasses...not margarita glasses...and then topped off the unmeasured amount of tequila with the margarita mix. I had to stir the drink myself. My understanding is that you're supposed to pour the tequila into the pitcher, mix and then serve. The experience was odd. The guacamole appetizer was just okay. The presentation was nice but it was pretty bland. My friend and I both ordered the mahi-mahi special. Unfortunately, it will rubbery and over cooked. The restaurant was having an issue with its credit card machine therefore we had to wait a good 10-15 minutes for the check. Even though we didn't complain, they gave us dessert on the house which was very thoughtful. I went to Isabel within the first month of its opening. I'm hoping to go back in a few months to give it one more try.
(2)Amith M.
Best Mexican food I have ever had. The Scallop Ceviche was incredible and so was the grilled Cesear salad. Save room for the deserts. the Key lime pie is to die for.
(5)christine h.
Very good BYOB. The appetizers were fantastic, and main dishes very good. I had the soft shell crabs, and they were very good. Service was great. Very tough to find the first time, and tough to park, but worth it.
(4)bros s.
I'm a resident of the building and was initially thrilled at the idea of a convenient decent restaurant so close to my hungry belly. get in mah belly! We ordered take out from them one night because I dont think I could deal with the lack of ventilation from the stoves stinking up my clothes. my husband ordered carne asada or some steak thing with rice and beans, and I had the shrimp tacos. They were just awful. the steak was this slab from junior high school lunch looking thin steak thing that could have come from a diner. and a tiny little unappealing pile of zzzzzzzzzzzz beans, oh, sorry, I just woke up after tasting those beans that were so boring, and the zzzzzzzzzz rice. and not spicy, not flavorful. the shrimp was worse. it was rock shrimp which should have been great, but it was weirdly bitter tasting and bad and swimming in this kind of thin broth of meh that didnt belong and was inappropriate to try and put in a tortilla. it was just ick and it kept coming back on me all night. a slice of lime, three insipid tortillas, and some shredded lettuce and sad tomatoes in a pico de gallo attempt rounded out the sides for me to put in those sad little tortillas. to the tune of over 40 bucks for a sparse amount of weird geriatric diner food and some questionable swimmy bitter shrimp. I want to like it because its so close! but alas, my heart belongs to others.
(2)Susan S.
My husband and I love this restaurant. We live in Fairmount and were delighted to see a small Mexican restaurant open in a location which has had eating establishments come and go. Isabel is a jewel. We have probably been to Isabel six or seven times and have never been disappointed. The staff is friendly and attentive and the food always seems to be authentic and well prepared. They are on the top of their game during the week when the restaurant is not as crowded as the weekends. We love Isabel and wish them nothing but continued success.
(5)TMM M.
This place is great! It's not the typical cheesey, beans and rice tex-mex type of place. The menu is not huge, but there is a great selection. My favorite apps are the scallop ceviche, grilled cesear salad, and the queso fondido (amazing). I also loved the skirt steak and the shrimp tacos. We also have had the super delicious mango margarita mix for our tequila. The key lime pie is the best I have ever had!
(5)Sang D.
I really wanted to like this place. It was closeby to where I used to live, reasonably priced and mexican done right is up there with the best. I think I ate here 3 times, each time worse than the last. First for brunch, then dinner, then lunch. The breakfast was pretty mediocre. Bland, but not offensive. I think my girlfriend enjoyed her breakfast burrito. Lunch and dinner, I was just really disappointed and wanted to ask for my money back but that seems like such a rude thing to do. The guacamole was so bad. Clearly they just take packaged pulp and mix it with maybe half an avocado and slop it in the bowl. Maybe it doesn't make sense to stock fresh avocados and make fresh guac to order. Fine, can't argue with that. But I don't want to pay good money for trash either. Another reviewer reminded me I ordered the Cochinita Pibil (braised pork shoulder), I didn't want to finish it, but I was really hungry. I ate as much as I could and just wanted to put the whole experience behind me. It just doesn't make any sense, like is the chef here inept? Bored and disgruntled after years of cooking? Did the sous chef, or someone lower on the totem make our food, someone with no skill? Thats forgivable I guess, if they don't know what they're doing. I know it can be hard, and I know I can be picky, but I feel like I was served garbage. I feel like whoever was doing the cooking isn't tasting the food, because if they did, they might realize it's lousy and needs to be reworked. Sorry.
(1)Dana M.
It's been a long time since I've been to a restaurant that had me thinking about their food way into the next day. Isabel is the first in a long time. Thanks to Groupon, I was introduced to this Mexican style restaurant. I must warn you, it's a very small establishment that we probably would have passed if we weren't looking for it. The mister and I went on a Friday night with a reservation and it wasn't crowded at all. Major plus! The complimentary salsa and chips were top notch. I don't think I've ever encountered salsa that good that wasn't homemade. We scraped the bowl clean. For appetizer, I had the Queso de Freir (fried cheese). Unlike many fried cheeses I've had in the past, it was not at all greasy or too burnt. It was just right. It was served with a white dip, but the cheese was good without it. The dip neither added nor took away anything. The mister had nachos that were pretty good as well. For our main entrees, I had the pork shoulder with rice, beans, fried banana, and salad. Though the fried banana was very tasty, it tasted more like a pastry than something to add to a main dish. I skipped it. The pork shoulder was *OMG close your eyes and think of heaven* GOOD! I'm not even a fan of pork but this dish was divine! Hubby had steak tacos that were okay. Not bad at all, but nothing to write home about either. Our desserts made up for his unremarkable entree. He had the chocolate mousse, which was probably the best chocolate mousse either of us have ever had. wow! I had the bread pudding served with icecream that was also amazing. It was perfect. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. This is definitely a place we'll be returning to and making a favorite of ours. If you haven't been yet, GO! You're missing out!
(5)Elizabeth D.
I'd like to keep this a secret, but if you haven't been here for Sunday brunch you're missing out. We finally checked it out and it is a great neighborhood spot. True, it's alcohol free, but the amount of food you receive for the price is INSANE. I had the crab & brie omelet and an OJ for the cool price of $10. This omelet was gigantic and chock full or brie and crab. Plus a generous side of breakfast potatoes and two thick slices of toast with honey butter. My husband had the burrito which is massive, and full of eggs, rice, beans, cheese, tomatoes for about $10. Our total bill was $23! There was no wait, an attentive server, complimentary mini banana muffins, and in nicer weather, outdoor tables. It is super for people watching too.
(4)Regina F.
Let's be real about three things: 1. The location of Isabel isn't super ideal, unless you're fortunate enough to live just a few floors up. 2. The food at Isabel rocks socks - so much so that I've actually ordered/eaten here at least 6 times since the beginning of February. 3. It's a BYO and the food is fantastic, so you should go anyhow. Admittedly, I'm not much of a Mexican food fiend - growing up in Kansas, I developed a sort of Pavlovian aversion to beans, rice and cheese thanks to Taco Bell and On the Border. Isabel is different. The guacamole is an indulgence worth every succulent bit of saturated fat. It's chunky, but the chunks aren't hard...they're soft, palpable bites oozing with avocado richness. It's flavor is accented and accentuated by a scarce squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of cilantro. Mild Mexican white cheese rests so gracefully upon that green mountain, which then sits on a texture-ally pleasing bed of shredded iceberg lettuce. The homemade tortilla chips are neither abundantly greasy nor do they exhibit desert dryness. They're never stale, and always replenished without question if you're eating in. The salsa borders between a tomato gazpacho and a true salsa. There are just enough onions to satisfy any flavor seeking tongue without repelling your dining partner provided you eat the entire bowl as if it were cold soup instead of just a mere dip.
(5)Robert S.
Within half an hour tasty food was delivered to my door on a rainy winter evening. So far the tacos, nachos, and quesadilla were okay. I'll explore other parts of the menu with future orders.
(4)Elle A.
I've been here three times. The first time I was blown away (also, had a few margaritas) but both return visits have been good too. My favorite features are the BYOT margaritas & the bread pudding dessert. I've ordered a few specials (they usually have a few inventive ones) and the fish tacos. All have been great. Recently, a friend and I went here (while running very late) before seeing a show on Broad Street. They were very accomodating to get our orders, dishes and check quickly and the food/drinks were just as good. I will note that every time I've been there they've had at least 1-2 LARGE (15-20 people) parties. Might be a good option in the future for parties of this size. I should also note that our service was exceptional even with the larger parties nearby. Lolita is one of my favorite restaurants in the city, so I was excited for what I consider to be a cheaper, more local alternative.
(4)Samantha B.
Isabel is the Mexican restaurant in the lobby of my old apartment building. Naturally, I was excited about this, as I love Mexican and convenience. However, I was less than thrilled each time I ate there. Isabel is BYO and does both brunch on the weekends and dinner daily. Both times I had brunch I got the blueberry pancakes, which are pretty good. For dinner, both the Cochinita Pibil and the Crab and Shrimp Enchiladas were also pretty good. Despite the fairly decent meals I've had, the service is pretty horrible. It is never busy, but the one waiter that staffs the restaurant can't seem to take care of everyone. One hungover brunch comes to mind, when I was tempted to go back up to my bed after not being helped for 10-15 minutes. AND the ventilation is horrible. You walk out reeking of grease. Granted, I have been told I have a very sensitive nose, but smelling like food is just not my idea of a good time. Especially if the food is only decent. I gave Isabel a handful of tries, and will be going elsewhere to satisfy my Mexican cravings from now on.
(3)Cate L.
This review is LONG overdue, but better late than never! A huge group of us (about 12) dined here and had an absolute BLAST! The place has incredible views, with windows galore, but is cozy, so feels intimate and open at the same time. For a smaller-ish place, they accommodated our large table beautifully, from the water to the timing of the food, they were so attentive! Because it's a BYOB (YAY!) we brought several bottles with us and even got a bit rowdy....such a pleasant atmosphere! Now onto the food....we started with several things, the chocolate duck salad being one of them. Really? Do I need to state that this was ridiculous!!??? Delicious! The daily ceviche choice was excellent as well, totally fresh and zesty! Everyone left happy, full of amazing food and completely satisfied in the experience. Thanks so much and so sorry it took so long to write this....it's well deserved!
(5)Joyce K.
This is the deal with this place. The one chef rocks and the food is delish. However when he isn't there it's disappointing. I went there to eat I side three times and the servers were terrible. I think they have high turn around.
(3)Eoghan J.
We tried a take away one night and weren't very impressed at all. The fiery habanero salsa is flavorless and not in anyway spicy. The jumbo shrimp burrito is very bland and almost all beans. The king nachos were also a let down. Guacamole was very tasty. Mushrooms enchilada flavor was very overpowering... after reading a lot of good reviews we thought we'd try it but it was a big let down.
(2)Jon M.
What can I say other than AMAZING. This is the kind of 'hole-in-the-wall" treasure I've been trying to find in Philly since I moved here about a year ago. We only found this place through a Groupon, because, honestly, driving by I would have NEVER stepped foot inside (it's in a condo building, go figure). So glad we tried it though. We got the queso with delicious chorizo crumbles. Sea scallops and "drunken Chicken" for dinner. And the most delicious, delectable, gooey, sweet, warm bread pudding I've ever had in my entire life. Service was great, owner was talkative, kitchen was busy. Overall it was the best treasure I've found in the city. Just make a reservation because they were booked up. We will be back PLENTY of times.
(5)Julie X.
Guacamole and empanadas were great. I got the drunken chicken and it was sooooo spicy. Too much for me-- get it only if you like spicy food!
(4)Tori K.
I've had many good meals at Isabel BYOB. The food is phenomenal. You can't go wrong with an order of the guac to start. It is out of this world. Isabel's fruit juices are great with or without bringing your own tequila. They have many flavors, but I recommend the guava. The queso fondito is a must! It's great to share! Sometimes you have to wait a bit longer than most restaurants for food, but it is well worth it, as everything is made fresh to order. They have an open kitchen with small dining room as well as outdoor seating.
(4)Shannon P.
About 6 months or so ago, us Fairmounters were griping about needing a good Mexican joint in the neighborhood. Shortly after, our demands were met with not one but TWO Mexican joints, Isabel and La Calaca Feliz. Thanks to Groupon and my doting boo, we finally got a chance to check out the BYOB Isabel on a Monday night. The restaurant is very small and had only one waitress working but she handled all the tables like a pro. It was pretty crowded for a Monday but that's the power of Groupon. As they were out of the scallops, I ordered the ceviche tacos. Boo had the shrimp and crab enchiladas, and we split the appetizer of crab guacamole. The guac was good, but the crab was very teensy. We didn't really mind because it was still covered by our groupon. We munched on the complementary chips and salsa, using the remaining chips to shovel guac into our faces. I was wary of my ceviche tacos...once I make up my mind to order something and I'm told I can't, my world is thrown and I can't make a decision. The ceviche of the day was tilapia and it was refreshing in taco form. Boo's enchiladas were creamy, hot, and seafoody with a small hint of spice. We finished the dinner with the much raved about bread pudding that we ordered technology style...off an IPAD. As the boo says, we are dining in 2012. The bread pudding, on the other hand, was an old fashioned classic fave. Served warm topped with toffee flavored ice cream, it came with little pools of dark and white chocolate. We waddled home happily.
(4)M N.
Please file this under "I meant to review their good dinner, glad I waited to review their AMAZING brunch" Isabel gets a bad rap because they are located in a condo building (seriously guys, can't you put up a little signage?) but you don't really feel like that once you're inside. Been here twice for dinner and thought it was a solid 4 stars, including service, price and food. Stopped back here the other day for brunch and WOW it's going to be hard to top that one! Order the huevos rancheros and you'll be a happy camper.
(5)Carol H.
I've been to Isabel BYOB twice now and I had a wonderful meal each time. I highly recommend getting the specials of the day- our last visit we had the seafood soup (the broth was just heavenly) and the shrimp in chipolte sauce and found both to be so delicious. The duck quesadilla is also a great dish, and the house salad is light and refreshing. Plus the staff is extremely friendly and the prices are quite reasonable. My only negative is that the first visit they served us never-ending chips and salsa, but the second visit they did not. Boo hoo hoo! :)
(4)Nina R.
I wasn't initially drawn here although I pass it everyday because it didn't seem very vegetarian friendly. We got a Groupon and got to check it out though. Incredible! Quinoa ~ With Black Beans, Fresh Corn, Bell Pepper, and Spiced Pepitas over Baby Greens in a Sherry Vinaigrette 7 Quesadilla ~ Grilled Flour Tortilla with Chihuahua Cheese and your choice of: Huitlacoche (Mexican Corn Truffle) 8 Tacos~ {Fresh Vegetables 13,} All Served with Pico de Gallo, Crema, Warm Soft Corn Tortillas, and Shredded Romaine Desert was INCREDIBLE! Their presentation of the pictures on the iPad was really appealing. I thought it was going to be typical Mexican restaurant desert but they blew me away! We didn't BYOB but this looks yummy: Tequila Mixers Margaritas: Fresh Lime, Mango, Passion Fruit, Guava, Peach, Guanabana, Scarlet (Pomegranate) ~ Available On Ice by the Pitcher 9 or Glass 3 OR Frozen by the Pitcher 9) They seemed a bit stressed, I think the Groupons brought in a lot of business, but they were so sweet and caring that I didn't care much :) I would love to see more outside seating if possible.
(4)Jade D.
We enjoyed our meal overall, but there were a few misses... Highlights: -Steak Quesadilla - delish -Shrimp+Crab Empanada -Scallops Entree -Skirt Steak -Beans -Guac -Chips+Salsa -Loved the iPad presentation of the Desserts!! Fun!! Misses: -Mahi mahi special was a bomb and not in the good way - Bland, undercooked and tasteless -Diablo Scallops+Shrimp - good but too spicy (and believe me I like spicy!!) Rice - Mediocre at best. Too light and fluffy, I like rice with substance. Neutral (not bad, not particularly great): -Service - The waitress was a little slow--(the busboy was great)--and definitely not attentive as I like and left us sitting just a little too long. After the sitting period and the initial order was taken, it picked up. -Desserts were just okay. I have read reviews where people loved the Bread Pudding. Meh. Toffee topping was good and the Tres Leches Cake was moist but didnt knock my socks off... We would likely go back with a bottle of wine and sit at the counter and get the Guac + an App. for a cheap date (and a few surefire winners)...
(3)Lauren M.
This is really a 3.5.....The food is so yummy. I have been here several times and gotten something different each time. The scallops are probably my favorite, but in a surprise twist, the guac this past time was exceptionally delicious. The added fresh crunchy celery which was the perfect textural addition! The only reason that I am giving Isabel a 3.5 is due to the physical space. They have no signage and very minimal decor. If you didn't know Isabel was a mexican joint, you would not be able to tell by looking around. All in all, I will never say no to a byob (especially not one that has great food), but Isabel, let's get it together and add some flair girl!!
(3)Chuck P.
Haven't been disappointed yet - I'm also excited to check out the new expanded menu. I wish I could put chorizo on everything.
(5)Colin M.
My reviews are reserved for meals that are particularly special to me. Isabel's should be named when listing the best Mexican restaurants in Philly. The plates are well executed and even if they miss your particular standard, they don't cut corners. My fiancé and I had a groupon and decided to use it. My fiancé had tilapia ceviche, carne asada, and we shared a tres leches. I had the queso fundido, cochinita pibil, same dessert. Firstly: in-house tortilla chips that were NOT greasy--well done. Salsa is loaded with cumin, interesting and fresh. Tilapia ceviche: tasted like anything but tilapia. Huge portion, loaded with the right ingredients (SIMPLE: cilantro, tomato, onion, lime) and they were crisp and fresh. Fiancé added their in-house habenro hot sauce for a kick. Carne Asada: we were disappointed in the asada because you can't choose the temp and they inevitably over cooked it. Guac, beans, and rice were phenomenal--would have traded the meat for a double side of rice and beans. Queso fundido- a universally welcomed comfort food. Chorizo is the high-light with a smokey, cinnamon finish. Mushrooms compliment the chorizo with a necessary earthy note. Cheese is a good quality Oaxaca, fresco blend. Cochinita pibil- 5 out of 5, amazing, and totally unexpected. Usually cochinita pibil is crispy and in danger of becoming dry, but not this version. The pork is cubed and probably cooked longer on a lower temp; the reason why I think it's cooked longer than usual is because the achiote sauce is incredibly dense with flavor--only time produces such results. Rice, beans, and an unnecessary well executed caramelized, baked banana. Without pickled onions, the dish looses a star--such a nice balance. Tres leches- sweet, sweet, sweet. Nothing new, but nothing lost. I'm still shaking a bit, hours after the fact. The "fluff" top borders on ridiculous, but I didn't mind it. Three stars because I'm marrying a Colombian and have been to multiple Mexican weddings: we simply don't have the ingredients and time/patience to eat Oaxaca/Yucatan meals. The service was well intended and the atmosphere was warm an friendly. If you want "complex" go to Starr. If you want "good" support your independent restaurateurs.
(3)David R.
With a Groupon or other deal it's definitely worth a visit, maybe not if you have to pay full price. Being a BYOB does help the value. Dining room with big windows looking out on Pennsylvania Ave make for nice ambiance. The menu is a bit limited and the service can be slow, especially when crowded. The guacamole starter was very good. The entrees can be hit or miss but portions are pretty good size. Most are served with rice and beans which are excellent. Isabel has only been open less than a year, so I'm sure they are still working out the kinks. This definitely has the potential to be a great restaurant.
(3)Christine G.
I thought the place was pretty good, maybe a little over-priced if anything. The service was really nice, seems like a mom and pop place. Our food was great, chips and guac and salsa were all really good. I had an arugula salad that was okay, then the crab and shrimp enchiladas with jalepeno cheese sauce which i thought was nice - not too heavy, really delicate flavors with the jalepeno and seafood. I'd say the tequila mixers were a bit of a rip off - bring your own wine if you really want a deal....
(4)Elise K.
Surprisingly solid for being randomly located in the lobby of a condo building. This BYOB is right across the street from the Art Museum and just down the block from the Perelman Center, so get your culture fix and then grab some grub at Isabel. We came here for brunch on Sunday. Breakfast Guacamole, holy guacamole, this is simply genius! Hardboiled egg and thick crunchy crumbles of bacon mixed in with top notch house-made guacamole on thick slices of toast - totally inspired. I ignored the envious stares at my glorious green goodness and gobbled this down in seconds. Other choices enjoyed by my brunch companions were the huge-newborn-baby-sized breakfast burritos filled with yummy things like chorizo and carmelized onions and a Mexican version of the classic grilled cheese (quesadilla) and tomato soup (tomatoey tortilla soup). Another great attribute - you get a lot of bang for your buck - prices are super-reasonable for such good portions and uber-fresh ingredients. The dessert case looked tempting, but we were all stuffed - Tres Leches cake first on our next visit.
(4)Angie S.
We dropped in here after a quick search looking for a nearby restaurant that we could walk to. Great that it is a BYOB and close by but the food is not worth the price in my opinion. I had the scallop entree (which I get a lot at restaurants) which came with 4 jumbo seared scallops and some mango relish and a little scoop of Spanish rice lacking in flavor. This all for over $20.00. It was a relatively tasteless and unimaginative. The scallops where cooked perfectly but I still left the restaurant feeling very unsatisfied and not feeling full enough to justify the price of the entree. I can appreciate simplicity with food but that does not mean forgoing flavor and substance.
(2)A. M.
Was a little concerned when this place was picked for our Mothers Day dinner, but when I heard it was the same owners as Trio (one of the best Thai and BYO spots in the city) I felt much better. Then when we arrived to amazing smells and a beautiful dessert case, I was nearly sold that this was a good choice. We orders their Queso Fundido to start and it was devoured in less than 5 minutes. We didn't even care that it really was too hot to eat, the chorizo in top was amazing. We ordered 4 of the 5 specials for the day including a short rib in mole sauce, a stuffed chicken breast, and a marinaded pork shoulder. Everything was fresh, well spiced, good portions, very flavorful. Dessert was shared, as we were pretty full already, but we should have ordered two of the key lime pie since it went so fast! A great end to the meal. Would go back since I hear they have a great brunch. Also a bonus, even though a BYO, they accept credit cards so it saves your cash for the cab home.
(4)Irma V.
Ate there a few months ago was just looking around on Yelp. When a saw all the good reviews I was really surprised. I'm not a picky eater, but I really didn't like the food here. Both me and my mom had the chicken enchilada's and we really didn't like it. The chicken tasted like it was already used to create a chicken broth and the leftovers of that were used for our meal. The serves was good though.
(2)Melissa W.
Yummy food. BYOB.
(3)