NYC's Calexico Mini-Empire Expanding to Philly

South Street West is gunning for East Passyunk's crown as the hottest restaurant street in the city, and the announcement that NYC's Calexico is opening at 1600 South Street later this fall solidifies that sentiment. For those not in the know, Calexico is one of the hottest restaurants in NYC, a Brooklyn-based Mexican restaurant with a focus on authentic, yet healthy cuisine.

The restaurant was started as three Cali transplants missed their hometown food while living in NYC, and decided to start cooking it for themselves and their friends. Those who were lucky enough to be in that early test group told the trio that they should open a real deal restaurant, but NYC isn't known for being gentle with newbie restaurateurs, so they opened a taco cart instead.

That cart, which was way ahead of the food truck trend, was attracting a massive line in their second year in business and soon led to a brick-and-mortar in Park Slope. Now they've got three restaurants and two carts, and Philly is next on the list for domination.

But, Philly already has a phenomenal authentic Mexican food scene, and it will be interesting to see how this all turns out. But, at the end of the day, it's never bad to have more great Mexican food.

· Philly Real Estate Blog [Official]
· All Mexican Restaurant Coverage [~EPHI~]