This charming little bar/restaurant is a Northern Liberties hot-spot, and not just because of the hipster-friendly décor and loud early 80’s punk soundtrack. Dos Segundos is exactly what we always expect of a Tex-Mex restaurant: bright, fun, delicious, and cheap! We even got to sit outside on this visit, which only added to the atmosphere. We must admit that the service may have been a little slow this time around, but we must forgive them because it was a Saturday night, and there was a wait of over an hour to get a table (after we sat down of course—we got the LAST table in the place!). We highly recommend Dos Segundos, and this is why:
The Drinks
I was very pleased with both the drink selection and my drinks. As you would expect they have a good selection of cervezas, but I did not come to a Mexican place to drink beer, Oh No, we’re talking tequila. In terms of just straight up tequila they have probably around 80 different bottles, as well as an offering of some very affordable flights focusing either on distillery, style, or region. I was intrigued, but as DD I held off and got some margaritas. Yes, you can get your adult slurpee margaritas here in a variety of flavors from passion-fruit to watermelon, but more importantly they have a dozen signature margaritas that are actual cocktails at only 7 dollars a glass. Its important to note that all of the specialty margaritas have a suggested upgrade that adds a better tequila if you so choose (most at around 10 dollars total). This time around I went with the well tequila, and while I don’t know what their well tequila is, it certainly is decent. I had the El Dorado (Tequila, Gran Marnier, lime, and pineapple juice) and the El Hevidor (Tequila, lime juice, and grapefuit soda). Both were well mixed and all the flavors balanced so you could taste the tequila without it being overwhelmed by the fruit flavors. Dos Segundos is definitely a place a would recommended for a guys night out or just drinks if you’re not hungry (though you may be later).
The Food
Before you even order, your waiter will provide you with free chips, salsa, and salsa verde. And these aren’t just some Tostidos and a can of Pace. The salsas are house-made and absolutely delicious, and the chips actually taste like the corn they are made from. The red salsa has a slight chipotle heat, and the salsa verde is fresh, bright, and actually tastes “green.” What great way to start a meal. Also–if you go there for just drinks the chips keep coming (like the stereotypical peanuts or pretzels at a bar).
Appetizer: Nachos Pecunos
Pecunos may mean “small” in Spanish, but at Dos Segundos it means “big enough for 2-3 people.” I am afraid to even see the Grande size because the epic amount of deliciousness might be overwhelming. These nachos are heaping with cheese, beans, jalapenos, crema, roasted corn and your choice of proteins if you so desire. Somehow, even under this mess of tasty ingredients, the chips remain refreshingly crisp, and they are able to hold your inevitably huge scoops of tasty toppings all the way from the center of your table to your mouth.
Main Courses
Josh: Brisket Burrito (off the Specials menu)
I’d had a carne mechada burrito the first time I ate at Dos Segundos which was great, and when you order a burrito off the normal menu you can add specific ingredients to your liking (jalapenos, cheese, etc.). This was not that; this was magical deliciousness. The brisket was as good as brisket at a barbecue place and while the burrito had avocado and crema in it (both ingredients I usually prefer to go without) I was perfectly fine with it all. The burritos are huge and are a meal unto themselves. They must be eaten with a fork and knife–though this doesn’t stop them from wrapping it in tinfoil 3/4 the way up, as if a mere mortal could even attempt to eat this with their hands.
Holly: Carne Asada
This is off of the Platos Fuertes (main course) menu, and thus was a little pricier than most of their other items, but man was it worth it. A large spice-rubbed steak, topped with pico de gallo, pickled cactus, drunken beans, and fried sweet plantains. The steak was perfectly cooked (although if I were to order it again, I would take it medium rare rather than medium) and the spice rub was deep and flavorful—but not overtly “Mexican” in its profile. The drunken beans immediately made me say “MMMMMMMM” when I tasted them, and the pickled cactus was the perfect bright acidic bite to cut through all of the richness in the beans and the steak. The fried sweet plantains were soft and tasted almost like a caramelized banana, except slightly more savory. It was almost like my dessert came on the same plate as my meal! Now THAT is a good dinner.
Dessert: Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake
Okay, you’re probably thinking “What? No Tres Leches? No Sopapilla?” No. I (Holly) don’t like Tres Leches (and this makes me sad – Josh), and we will go back for the Sopapilla. Trust us on this: the shortcake is amazing! Tier upon tier of light yellow cake, layered with cream and strawberry jelly, topped with a rich chocolate shell and chocolate covered strawberries, with fresh blueberries (and they were amazing blueberries in of themselves. I grew up on Jersey roadside produce so I know – Josh) and strawberries on the side. It’s a good thing we decided to share this—our piece was easily an eighth of the whole cake and the was probably 6 inches tall.
And I’ll tell you a secret that’s even more amazing than the tastiness:
THE CAKE WAS VEGAN. shhhh DON’T TELL
Yes. vegan. Besides the Tres Leches and Sopapilla which are made on-site, the variety of tasty cakes and desserts come from a local vegan bakery. Now, don’t go running for the hills. You would never know it were unless the waitress told you. It was a great way to end a delicious meal.
The Design
If I was going to seriously review the design of a place like this, I would be required by my training and sensibilities to tear the décor apart. But that’s what’s so great about dives: they are SUPPOSED to be dive-y! Dos Segundos is too crowded, too loud, too uncomfortable, and kind of cheesy—and that’s why it’s so great. The sign itself looks like it’s been there for 100 years with peeling paint and barely readable text. The interior is swathed in primary colors that immediately let you know that your food is also going to be bright and fun. I especially love the bar, which looks like a mish-mash of wooden moving boxes they had left over slapped up on the wall. This industrial “non-design” look is very popular in Philadelphia right now, but it often isn’t right for the kind of food you will be eating. A 5-star restaurant that makes me to sit on a cheap wooden chair in low light next to an unfinished wall and then expects me to pay 100 per plate was not thinking their restaurant experience through. At Dos Segundos, the industrial no-frills interior is exactly where I want to be when I enjoy the best nachos I’ve ever had while drinking pitchers of sangria.
The Overall Experience
We mentioned earlier that the service was slow. This happened because our waiter missed our table, and we ended up being served by what seemed to be the head waitress. She was great—polite, well-spoken, and every time she came to our table and saw that we hadn’t received our orders yet, she immediately went to find out why. She even complimented Josh on his Street-Fighter reference t-shirt on our way out. She provided us with great service, considering she was probably managing a wait-staff and serving elsewhere in the restaurant as well.
Since we were sitting outside, it was not as loud as it sometimes is in the restaurant itself. This made it much easier to have a nice conversation. The people watching (and puppy watching) is also fabulous in Northern Liberties—and if you do happen to own a pooch, you’re welcome to bring him to sit outside, and the restaurant will treat him to a doggie biscuit! How sweet.
I hear tell that there is also Brunch offered every day. We’ll have to make a return visit and report on that. I’m sure that Dos Segundos is just as amazing for brunch as it is for dinner.
The Receipt:
And all of this great experience for less than $100. Our total was only $74 for the both of us to have drinks, appetizers, a full meal, and dessert. Dos Segundos is not only delicious, but completely budget-friendly.
Our Ratings
Drinks: 5/5
Food: 5/5
Design: 3/5 (Hey, it might be great for a dive, but it’s still a dive)
Service: 3/5 (We think this was an unfortunate mis-hap. Our first visit our service was great)
Budget: 5/5
Overall Experience: 4/5
Will We Visit Again: Definitely, and you should, too because the specials change daily, and there is always something delicious to be offered up in the way of a ceviche, a taco, and a burrito.
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