Top Spots in Philadelphia to Enjoy Cuisine from South of the Border

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Photo courtesy of Makia Minich

Cucina Zapata

Cuisine: Latin, Mexican

10Best Says

This terrific Mexican-fusion restaurant experience comes to you via a food truck at S. 31st and Ludlow Streets on the campus of Drexel University. According to those in the know, these folks wrote the book on food truck experiences, and put together cuisine you'll be amazed comes from a kitchen on wheels. Visiting this culinary hotspot, however, does get rather crowded due to its delicious food options and adoring fans. Don't be put off, however. Venture up and select from options such as Cap'n Crunch crusted tilapia burritos, short rib tacos, veggie burger, Chicken satay tacos, fish burrito, or chicken katsu with egg.

Address:

3141 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Phone:

215-895-2000

EXPERT TIPS BY: Sharon Rigney
Philadelphia Local Expert

Mexican: "Leave yourself a bit of time in the event lines are long, but be assured the experience is usually worth the wait."

Best for Mexican Because: When a food truck wows city dwellers and visitors alike, it's worth checking into for a meal or two.

Appetizers
- Antipasti
  
  Cozze
  
  Sautéed mussels served with choice of white wine and garlic or fresh marinara sauce ($10.00)
  
  Vongole
  
  Sautéed clams with choice of white wine and garlic, fresh marinara sauce, baked or steamed ($11.00)
  
  Grigliata di Pesce
  
  A quick sear of shrimp, scallops and calamari topped with Samorillo ($13.00)
  
  Scallops
  
  Pan seared and served over baby spinach with balsamic reduction ($13.00)
  
  Grilled Asparagus
  
  Grilled asparagus paired with Parma prosciutto and shaved Locatelli cheese ($10.00)
  
  Polenta al Forno
  
  Creamy polenta topped with fresh tomato sauce, parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs, and then broiled ($8.50)
  
  Calamari Fritti
  
  Fresh baby squid battered and lightly fried served with fresh marinara dipping sauce ($10.50)
  
  Stuffed Long Hot Peppers
  
  Lightly fried and stuffed with Romano, Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese ($11.00)
  
  Antipasto per Due
  
  Grilled eggplant, grilled zucchini, roasted peppers, olives, Parma prosciutto and fresh mozzarella ($12.00)
  
  Bruschetta
  
  Fresh tomatoes, onions and basil mixed with extra virgin olive oil served over toasted Italian bread ($5.00)
  
  Broccoli Rabe and Portobello Mushrooms
  
  Sautéed in extra virgin olive oil and garlic ($9.50)
  
  Spicy Clams
  
  A dozen clams sautéed with pancetta and Italian long hot peppers finished in a white wine garlic sauce ($13.00)
  
  Fried Lobster Ravioli
  
  Lightly fried lobster ravioli served with a rosé dipping sauce ($12.00)
- insalata fresca
  Fresh Garden Salad
  
  Tossed with cherry tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, and carrots and choice of dressing ($5.50)
  
  Caesar Salad
  
  Crisp romaine lettuce topped with signature Caesar dressing, croutons and shaved Locatelli cheese ($7.50)
  
  Fiore di Latte
  Fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, red onions and finished with extra virgin olive oil
  
  $8.50
  
  Add Prosciutto: $10.50
  Insalata e Calamari
  
  Lightly fried or grilled calamari tossed with romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes and toasted pine nuts finished in a light citrus lemon vinaigrette ($11.50)
  
  Panzanella Salad
  
  Home made garlic croutons tossed with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, ricotta salata, red onions and choice of dressing ($9.50)
- Zuppa
  Zuppa
  Enjoy fresh hot soup, Ask about our home made soups of the day!
  
  Cup: $3.00
  
  Bowl: $4.00
  
  Quart: $8.00
Entrees
- Pasta
  Penne, Rigatoni, Spaghetti, Linguini or Angel hair
  With Tomato Sauce: $11.50
  
  With Meatballs Or Sausage: $13.50
  
  With Roasted Pepper Cream: $14.00
  
  With Extra Virgin Olive Oil And Garlic: $13.50
  
  With Rosé Sauce: $13.00
  Rigatoni Siciliano
  
  Prosciutto and fried eggplant tossed with ricotta and fresh tomato sauce ($16.50)
  
  Whole Wheat Penne Primavera
  
  Tossed with fresh garden seasonal vegetables in white wine garlic or tomato sauce ($15.50)
  
  Penne Arrabiata
  
  Long hot Italian peppers, crushed red pepper, garlic and tomato sauce tossed with penne ($15.00)
  
  Rigatoni al Pesto
  
  Rigatoni tossed with fresh basil pesto and topped with toasted pine nuts and shaved Locatelli cheese ($15.00)
  
  Gnocchi Rose
  
  Gnocchi's simmered in our delicious Rose blush sauce ($15.00)
  
  Bella Ravioli
  Fresh made ravioli topped with marinara sauce
  
  $14.50
  
  With Spinach Cream: $16.00
  Tagliatelli alla Diana
  
  Tossed with fresh tomatoes, basil, fresh mozzarella, garlic, onions and extra virgin olive oil ($16.00)
  
  Fettuccini Alfredo
  
  Egg and spinach fettuccini tossed in creamy Alfredo ($14.50)
  
  Tortellini alla Bolognese
  
  Cheese tortellini tossed with fresh carrots and meat sauce ($15.50)
  
  Penne Boschaiolo
  
  Tossed with broccoli rabe, sweet and hot sausage, olive oil and garlic ($16.00)
  
  Penne alla Vodka
  
  Tossed with mushrooms and pancetta in a vodka sauce ($16.00)
- Pollo & Vitello
  Cutlets
  Breaded and lightly pan-fried served with fresh lemon wedges, potatoes and vegetables
  
  Chicken: $16.50
  
  Veal: $19.50
  Parmigiana
  Lightly fried and topped with fresh tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese
  
  Chicken: $16.50
  
  Veal: $18.50
  Voldastano
  Stuffed with smoked mozzarella cheese, broccoli rabe and proscuitto finished in a mushroom sauce
  
  Chicken: $20.00
  
  Veal: $23.00
  Citrus Pepper
  Marinated in lemon zests, black pepper corns, garlic and olive oil then grilled and topped with Samorillo, served with potatoes and vegetables
  
  Chicken: $18.00
  
  Veal: $21.00
  Piccante
  Sautéed in a white wine lemon sauce
  
  Chicken: $16.50
  
  Veal: $19.50
  Sausage Scaloppini
  Sautéed with sausage, mushrooms, peppers and onions with a touch of marinara
  
  Chicken: $18.00
  
  Veal: $21.00
  Sorrento
  Sautéed with roasted peppers and artichokes then topped with fried eggplant and baked with mozzarella cheese
  
  Chicken: $20.00
  
  Veal: $23.00
  Oscar
  Topped with crabmeat, asparagus and provolone cheese finished in a lemon burtter sauce
  
  Chicken: $21.00
  
  Veal: $24.00
  Saltimbocca
  Sautéed with mushrooms and onions then topped with prosciutto and mozzarella cheese, finished in a white wine sauce with a touch of marinara sauce
  
  Chicken: $18.50
  
  Veal: $21.50
  Francese
  Egg-dipped and finished in a lemon white wine sauce
  
  Chicken: $17.00
  
  Veal: $20.00
  Amber Dolce
  Mushrooms and onions simmered in a sweet Marsala wine and tomato reduction, topped with prosciutto and mozzarella cheese
  
  Chicken: $20.50
  
  Veal: $23.50
  Scalloppini
  Sautéed with mushrooms, bell peppers and onions in marinara sauce
  
  Chicken: $17.00
  
  Veal: $20.00
  Shrimp and Crabmeat
  Topped with shrimp and crabmeat finished in your choice of marinara or white wine garlic sauce
  
  Chicken: $21.50
  
  Veal: $24.50
  Giampino
  Egg-dipped and topped with grilled eggplant, grilled zucchini and mozzarella cheese finished in an Aurora sauce
  
  Chicken: $20.50
  
  Veal: $23.50
  Marsala
  Sautéed with Marsala wine, mushrooms and onions
  
  Chicken: $17.50
  
  Veal: $20.50
- Carne
  
  New Zealand Rack of Lamb
  
  Pine nut crusted and served with potatoes and vegetables ($24.50)
  
  Grilled Pork Loin
  
  Topped with creamy spinach, fresh tomatoes and crunchy onions ($21.50)
  
  NY Strip Steak
  
  Topped with Samorillo and served with potatoes and vegetables ($22.00)
- Risotto
  
  Risotto con Formaggio e Sugo
  
  Carrots, celery and risotto tossed in a mozzarella and parmesan tomato sauce ($16.50)
  
  Risotto Primavera
  
  Tossed with fresh seasonal garden vegetables in white wine garlic or tomato sauce ($16.00)
  
  Risotto con Pollo
  
  Risotto, chicken, asparagus and button mushrooms finished in a white wine garlic sauce ($19.00)
  
  Shrimp and Escarole Risotto
  
  Sautéed shrimp and fresh escarole over risotto in a light lemon butter sauce ($21.00)
  
  Risotto del Mare
  
  Sautéed mussels, clams, shrimp and scallops served over risotto in your choice of marinara or white wine garlic sauce ($22.50)
- Pesce
  
  Parmesan Crusted Salmon
  
  Baked parmesan crusted filet of salmon topped with pomodoro fresca and crunchy onions ($21.00)
  
  Tilapia Caponatta
  
  Pan seared tilapia served over garlic, fresh tomatoes, eggplant, capers and black olives ($21.00)
  
  Marsala Cream Scallops
  
  Mushrooms and asparagus simmered in a sweet Marsala cream sauce, topped with pan seared scallops over linguini ($22.50)
  
  Frutti di Mare
  
  Mussels, clams, scallops and shrimp served over linguini in your choice of white wine and garlic or marinara sauce ($22.50)
  
  Pescatore
  
  Mussels, clams, scallops, shrimp and lobster tail served over linguini in your choice of white wine and garlic or marinara sauce ($25.00)
  
  Lobster Ravioli
  
  Lobster filled ravioli sautéed with a lobster tail in Rosé sauce ($24.00)
  
  Lobster fra Diablo
  
  Two lobster tails simmered in a spicy marinara sauce and served over spaghetti ($24.00)
  
  Shrimp and Crabmeat Florentine
  
  Sautéed shrimp, crabmeat, spinach, garlic, and cream over angel hair pasta ($22.00)
  
  Stuffed Flounder
  
  Flounder filét stuffed with crabmeat then broiled and topped with citrus herb butter ($22.00)
  
  Grilled Shrimp Skewers
  
  Shrimp, red onions, bell peppers and artichokes grilled and topped with zesty citrus herb oil ($19.50)
  
  Shrimp Scampi
  
  Shrimp sautéed in garlic white wine lemon sauce over angel hair pasta ($18.50)
  
  Linguini and Clams
  
  Served over linguini in your choice of white wine and garlic or marinara sauce ($19.00)
  
  Chicken and Shrimp Massimo
  
  Chicken and shrimp sautéed with fresh tomatoes, garlic and onions in a white wine sauce over penne ($19.50)
  
  Lobster Francese
  
  Two egg-dipped lobster tails sautéed in a lemon butter sauce served over angel hair pasta ($24.00)
  
  Linguini and Mussels
  
  Served over linguini in your choice of white wine and garlic or marinara sauce ($18.00)
- Kids Menu
  Spaghetti
  $5.00
  
  With Meatballs Or Sausage: $5.50
  Mozzarella sticks
  
  served with marinara sauce ($6.00)
  
  Chicken Fingers
  
  With French fries ($6.00)
  
  Ravioli
  $6.00
  
  With Meatballs Or Sausage: $6.50
  Fried Flounder with French Fries
  
  ($6.50)
  
  Italian Bread Cheese Pizza
  
  ($5.00)
- Baked Dishes
  
  Tortellini "AL" Forno
  
  Baked tortellini rose topped with mozzarella and crispy pancetta ($17.00)
  
  Eggplant Parmigiana
  
  Layered and lightly fried eggplant topped with mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce ($16.50)
  
  Baked Gnocchi
  
  Prepared with proscuitto, peas and Romano cheese in a light cream sauce and baked with mozzarella ($15.50)
  
  Lasagna
  
  Layered with ground beef, mozzarella cheese, Ricotta cheese and tomato sauce ($15.00)
  
  Manicotti
  
  Light crepes filled with Parmesan and Ricotta cheeses topped with tomato sauce ($14.00)
  
  Stuffed Shells
  
  Stuffed with Parmesan and Ricotta cheeses topped with tomato sauce ($15.00)
  
  Baked Penne
  
  Penne layered with mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce ($13.50)
  
  Baked Rigatoni con Broccoli
  
  Rigatoni baked with fresh broccoli in a light Parmesan Alfredo cream sauce ($15.00)
Catering Menu
- Additional Antipasti
  
  Focaccia Pizza
  
  with basil, tomato and onion ($1.50)
  
  Broccoli or Cauliflower Fritters
  
  ($1.50)
  
  Stuffed Mushrooms
  
  with Crabmeat ($3.00)
  
  Chicken Fingers
  
  ($3.00)
  
  Bruschetta Tray
  
  ($2.75)
  
  Grilled Asparagus
  
  with Proscuitto ($4.00)
  
  Cheese and Olive Tray
  
  ($4.00)
  
  Vegetable Tray
  
  ($2.50)
  
  Proscuitto Tray
  
  ($4.25)
  
  Grilled Zucchini Tray
  
  ($2.50)
  
  Grilled Eggplant Tray
  
  ($2.50)
  
  Roasted Peppers
  
  ($3.25)

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