Cantina Dos Segundos

It’s mid-morning at Cantina Dos Segundos and the tables are filling up.

After weeks of snow and slush, I was craving something sunny. I kidnapped two friends and headed to this Northern Liberties Mexi-bar, where comfy vegetarian-friendly fare and cocktails are the name of the game. Dos Segundos has been open for just under two years as part of the Royal Tavern/Khyber/Cantina Los Cabbalitos family.

As my friends and I settled into raised seats by the window, our eyes wandered to the next room, where hip diners were pawing through racks of dresses and funky shirts on display from a local vintage boutique and DJ was spinning a comfortable mix of reggae and soul. The orange and whitewashed brick interior, paired with distressed wood tables and mismatched chairs, gives this neighborhood bar a very friendly feel. Our waiter was friendly, though a bit distracted, but promptly brought us complementary chips and salsa before taking our orders.

We started off with a few drink specials.

I enjoyed the fresh and girly twist on a traditional mimosa, blended with Blood Orange juice, but craved something a bit more substantial. My dining companion ordered the bacon-infused Bloody Mary, a hearty blend of the typical vodka and tomato juice, but with a smoky edge. For an added touch, the rim of the glass was crusted with salty bacon bits. However, we were put off by the various skewers (armed with olives, lemon and celery) that crowded the glass.

The group favorite was my guava margarita on the rocks, just one of the dozen fruit-infused versions available (they also sell them by the pitcher for $20-24).

The menu is vegetarian and vegan friendly, with affordable price points. We managed brunch for four, with several drinks and two desserts, for about $20 per person.

The brunch menu is available daily from 11am-4pm, but a regular menu also offers a mix of tacos, botanas (snacks). A platos fuertes section (big hearty plates) has dishes like chile-rubbed pork chops and over-stuffed vegan fajitas.

One dining companion opted for something off the lunch menu, which was also available. We tried the tamarind barbecue pork ribs, topped with grilled pineapples and pickled jalapeños. They were tender, smoky and slathered in fantastic house-made sauce.

My sweet-toothed best friend ordered the hotcakes, which came topped with cajeta caramel sauce and fresh berries. We loved the fluffiness of the massive pancakes, but the bottom had a strange caramelization going on that messed with the texture.

I went with something savory, the traditional huevos rancheros; two poached eggs over corn tortillas and refried beans, topped with guajillo chili salsa. A squirt of sriracha helped perk up an otherwise tame dish. I was disappointed by the texture; it would have benefitted from crisp tortillas. The fried breakfast potatoes, however, were perfectly greasy and full of intense flavor. I could eat an entire plate of them.

For a relaxed atmosphere and comfortable Mexican brunch (every day!), I’d certainly return.

Cantina Dos Segundos, 931 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA, 215-629-0500.

Open daily 11am-2am.