Don Memo Mexican Restaurant

I went here for a friend’s birthday. We had a really big party. The place is small, it could hold two big parties of 14 and then a couple of tables meant for 4 – 6 people.
First of all, the service was great. The food, not so much. The place closes at either 9 or 10. I forget, but all I remembered was that we were there past closing hour and our waitress didn’t try to rush us out or anything like that. She let us hang out and drink until we were ready. Although when we found out we were there past closing hour, we wrapped things up. There was also another group there when we left. The waitress was really nice, she was patient and pleasant. Although we had to ask her a couple times for some chips and dip (it’s complimentary).
The food was dry and not that flavorful. I had the chicken quesadillas. The bread (or whatever it’s called) was super thick and the meat was sparse. I hear the burritos are the only thing that are good on the menu. Also, I hear the guac is pretty good too, they make it right in front of you. I’m a fan of guac but when we ordered it, they had ran out.
There’s two types of enchiladas. Green and Red. One is spicy. Don’t bother with the green, i think that’s the non spicy one. It really has no flavor. unless you like the regular taste of enchiladas.
If you bring your own tequila, they’ll bring out the margarita pitcher too. It’s BYOB
DONT TRY; chicken quesadillas
MUST TRY; Spicy (i think they call it Red) enchiladas

This place made me a fan of Mexican food. I love how fresh everything tastes here. I especially like the chicken empanadas, ceviche, tamales and soft tacos. I also enjoy the sauce they serve, especially the one with fresh avocado.
Don Memo is simply decorated, service is friendly and price is right. I would definitely recommend this place.

Love this place, great Mexican food and BYOT!
The service is slow, but the food is fresh and made to order. You must try the guacamole, they make it table-​side. Our favorites are the chicken sopes and mole enchiladas.

I’ve been to a lot of Mexican places but I always seem to find myself wanting to go back to Don Memos. Its a small place in Upper Darby with its occasional quirks… sometimes, wait is super long. sometimes, no avocados so no guacamole. But when they have guacamole, its SO SO good. My favorite is Enchiladas Verdes. I always think that I’ll go and try something different but I just love it too much. My friends rave about their cubano, tostados, burritos, etc. In the end, I don’t think you could really go wrong.

This is a Penn BYOB staple. Yes, the neighborhood is shady, and the food isn’t anything to right home about, but honestly, you’re there to get your drink on. Bring your own tequila, and Don Memo has the margarita mix. Guacamole is pretty good too. They make it table side in a mortar and pestle.
If you have a big party, make reservations. On weekends near the beginning and end of the semester, Penn kids take over this place. I’m biased and think this is awesome (yeah I’ve drunkenly broken out in song with fellow Quakers, complete strangers at the other tables… HURRAH HURRAH PENNSYLVAN-​I-​A!), but to anyone else, this is probably really obnoxious. The staff at Don Memo are saints for dealing with all of us.

Good food in a bad spot.
The location definitely stinks and the place itself isn’t the nicest, but they crank out some good food. The chips, salsas and guacamole were all awesome. Carnitas were also fantastic. Very tender and flavorful. Chicken mole was better than I’ve had at most places. If this place was in university city or somewhere similar, it would be incredible. Just a shame that it’s in a below average area.

The ultimate Penn BYO… I wish I could say I love it as much as everyone else I know does. In the past few years, I’ve come here with groups and, while the food wasn’t great, it was cheap and generally acceptable.
Unfortunately, I came here this past Friday (granted it was summer) and the food was as tasteless as possible. We started with guacamole, which wasn’t bad but I wouldn’t get it again. Multiple people at the table had terrible-​tasting tortillas, peeling them off their enchiladas. I had fajitas, and the chicken tasted bad (how?! why?! it’s a fajita!), so I only ended up eating the veggies. Somehow the meal was about $ 18 pp which was way overpriced. This would have been bad enough, and then I got violently sick almost immediately after getting home.
P. S. They also have a TV now-​another reviewer mentioned liking the fact they didn’t, so just wanted to mention that.

Delicious tacos, ghetto neighborhood. Authentic tacos, family-​like atmosphere.
Bonus: free chips and (not 1 but) 2 kinds of salsa! nom nom nom!

Don Memos is the best place ever… but actually.
I’m not alone in my affinity of the place. Don Memos is know across University City which is pretty ironic considering it’s located way in Upper Darby and a relatively small Mexican place. That said, Don Memos is incredibly authentic, cheap, and to be perfectly honest– good. The guacamole is like nothing i’ve ever tasted (made table side) and the cilantro is always fresh. I love their tacos (again more cilantro, fresh onions and a slice of lime for each). I love getting 3 or 4 tacos (they have 5 different types of meat to chose from) and using the green salsa that comes beforehand as an appetizer with the chips. If you go make sure you ask if they have fish tacos. It’s not on the menu but they have it as a special sometimes.
If you’re going on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday during the school be sure to make a reservation (yes, a reservation at a Mexican restaurant where the average dish price is about $ 8– it’s that popular with us Penn kids). Also, if you’re looking to avoid large, rowdy crowds this may not be the best place.
It’s BYO tequila (awesome) and they provide the glasses /​salt when you order a pitcher. The el is right there (about a 3 block walk) so it is incredibly accessible for anyone in the city. I may not remember all of the subway trips home but I do remember that Don Memos provides a great adventure for anyone looking to head out west. The walls are painted bright green and the Mexican music is always playing– what more could you ask for out of a restaurant by 69^th street!
Thank you, Don Memos… Thank you.

Have been twice and will definitely return. There are some high points and some ways that the food falls short. The high points are the freshness of the homemade tortilla chips, delicious salsa, homemade tortillas, the margharita pitchers that they make when you provide the tequila. All were delicious.
I had a taco w. chorizo, the taco had lots of fresh cliantro, which along w. the tortilla made it sing, however the meat was dry but tasted ok. Tamales had a fresh Masa, w. moist, well-​prepared chicken, probably a bit too much Masa, and overall, not much flavor, the mole wasn’t available so it came w. a green sauce but the overall effect was bland. The papusa was fresh, tasted good, but still needed something more to make it delicious. A chicken/​mole dish on my first visit was very good.
The waitresses are super nice, sweet, sometimes you have to work to get their attention, usually because of a table or two of 10 – 20 people. Yes, this place is mega popular w. Penn students, they get a bit loud, nothing beyond normal exuberance, but the energy definitely fills the small space. This was true on both visits, I could still hear and talk to the friend I was with, so I was fine.
Prices are very reasonable-​whether ordering ala carte or ordering entrees, Our bill with appetizers, entrees, and a small pitcher of margharitas (remember it’s byob) was $ 40 plus tip. The small pitcher provided 7 – 8 margharitas which was plenty!
Regarding a comparison w. California/​Arizona Mexican restaurants, I”ve most definitely had better food than Don Memo. East Tucson stands out as an amazing place for Mom and Pop style Mexican, and some places in LA too. I think the difference is the availability of the freshest produce and ingredients on the West Coast and a restaurant culture that supports and demands quality Mexican food. There’s crap Mexican on the west coast too, but always somewhere w. amazing food. In San Diego’s old city, they gave us a complimentary quesadilla made w. a fresh spinach tortilla as soon as we sat down, it was so good, it nearly made me cry. Once in a awhile I’ll eat a dish that has so much love, I get emotional – but only once a year or so – LOL!
If I compare Don Memo to other places in Philly, it’s definitely worth going back. El Azteca on Chestnut in CC is «glop on a plate” – this place is a couple of notches above that approach. I’d describe it as elevated Food Truck fare that needs a chefs touch to make it gourmet. I recommend trying different dishes and apps at Don Memo and finding what works for you.

Bring gobs of tequila (everyone else there will have done the same), and prepare to be pleased. They make the guac tableside, which is a nice touch. I don’t even like guac, but I eat it here. The food is quite authentic as far as Mexican food in Philly goes, and the staff won’t judge when you start singing/​shouting La Cucaracha at the top of your lungs. I’m sure they’ve seen it ALL by this point.
It’s also quite easy to get to by taking the Market-​Frankford. From the station, it’s a couple blocks walk. Cabs for the ride back can be tough to find, though the restaurant will call one for you if you ask.

I was brought to Don Memo when visiting my friend in Philly. He was celebrating the last day of his internship with his fellow interns, so I felt a wee bit out of place with the group, but had an overall positive experience here. (Despite the fact that I do NOT eat Mexican food, authentic or Tex-​Mex. It’s just not something I really find appetizing, I’m sorry, Unilocalers!)
That being said, when I found on Don Memo was a Mexican restaurant, I was a little let down because I was kind of counting on stuffing my face that evening. BUT I was determined to have good food and a good time.
We had a really large group of 20 people, and we were all seated at a loooong table, 10 on each side. It was a little bit cramped, but we made it and I guess we had to bond over it. Margaritas are BYOB, so the group brought a lot of alcohol with them. (There was vodka. I am not a drinker, but I believe you don’t make margaritas with vodka. XD) They supplied the glasses, the salt, the lime, and the mix, and the patrons are responsible for supplying the alcohol. (I was a good girl and I abstained from drinking.) (Like I do all the time.)
We ordered a large guacamole as an appetizer to start us off. The description in the menu was something like, we prepare the guacamole fresh at your table and it’s AWESOME (maybe not quite like that, but you know). They then brought us tortilla chips and guacamole. … And then after a little delay, brought us two kinds of salsa — a tomato-​based one and a green lime-​y one. My table was a bit bewildered because this was definitely not what we were expecting. We asked the other tables if they ordered guacamole or if this was just standard for all customers. It turns out our entire party ordered guacamole at all our tables, so… it seems that was it. Pretty disappointing, if you ask me, considering chips and guacamole+salsa is one of the few items of Mexican cuisine I do eat.
Oh well, we moved on. I ordered flan to play it safe for my palate (and also because I’ve never had flan but really wanted to try it). The dudes at my table ordered things steak fajitas and tacos. The food kind of took a while to come out, but when it did it was a joyous moment! The first person to get his steak fajita has his platter of steak still sizzling. It smelled so good, I was extremely tempted to ditch the flan and to get some meat myself.
Everyone seemed to really enjoy their food, and my flan was fantastic. Very delicious, with 2 maraschino cherries and a chocolate whipped cream? Was that it? It was yummy. So yummy. I tore that thing up while a Spanish song tickled my ears above all the craziness of our table and a birthday table behind us.
All in all, good experience despite the fact that I’m not big on Mexican food. Who knows, maybe next time I’ll push outside of my comfort zone and try to order an actual entrée? Maybe. Because despite my objections to it, Don Memo does seem to serve authentic Mexican fare and not Tex-​Mex.

Good, authentic Mexican. I do, however, prefer Hidalgo in Clifton Heights (as far as Delco Mexican goes).
I had the guacamole, which was wonderful and plentiful! Also tried the queso fundido; tasty, but it conjeals so quickly so don’t bother if you’re getting take out. Also tasty is the cactus.
For my entrée, I had chille rellenos. I really liked their sauce, but the pepper itself was just ok.
Hubby had a burrito… said it was «good.». Nothing more, nothing less.
If I get a Mexican food craving on a Tuesday (when Hidalgo is closed), I will go back.

Me and my hubby feel that Don Memo’s is merely an extension of our living room.
I’ve never been to a restaurant that was as low-​frills as this one, but for some reason, I really really really like it. The wait-​staff don’t talk much, but they still give off a warmth that is unusual to find. Once we were here when a family was celebrating a birthday, and the family so unexpectedly & so kindly passed us pieces of their delicious strawberry shortcake! That still makes me warm and fuzzy.
You will always be served munchies with delicious dips while waiting for your food. You will always ask for 2nds and you will always be tempted to ask for 3rds — ok, maybe that’s just us, but that stuff is so good. Esp when you’re starving. Try to save room for your actual meal.
There are no televisions, which I *LOVE*. Hate how tvs are randomly everywhere in bars, eateries, malls, banks, doctor’s offices, elevators, and the freaking gas pump.
We always grab tacos. One of each plus several chicken ones ~ my fave.
The first couple of times we went here, I was disturbed by how the waitress would appear for a minute and then disappear… for 20 minutes. Or 30. The Don Memo experience is full of long gaps where you are on your own (after coming inside, after ordering, after you are finished eating, after you request the check, etc). I was pretty pissed at first, but now I don’t notice it anymore, & for some strange reason find it almost charming. Like… maybe we really ARE in our living room in another dimension & that’s why there’s no waitstaff! Tee hee these tacos are so good I luuuuuuv Don Memo chomp chomp chomp. But seriously, if you are a first-​timer, don’t expect to be checked on often or to receive your order very quickly. At this point, we order right when we sit down to cut a half hour off of the visit.

After seriously craving a good burrito I decided to hit up Tacos Don Memo truck, my go to burrito place. However I was disappointed when I found out they weren’t there on Sunday, at least not at 2pm when we went. Undeterred I remember Don Memo having a Mexican restaurant not too far away in Upper Darby, we decided to take our business to the headquarters.
There were plenty of street parking available when we arrived, just make sure to pay the meter even on Sunday to avoid tickets since it says enforced 7 days a week. Luckily for me I scored a broken meter WOOT.
The place was quaint with a few tables and solid décor complete with a guy singing in Spanish to give the shop an extra dose of authenticity. The waitress brought out glasses of ice water with authentic tortilla chips with a green salsa dip and a chili dip right after we sat down and then there was the burrito.
It tasted as expected, my al pastor burrito had similar flavors to the taco truck with its crunchy bits but it lacked size and customizability of the truck, the burrito came out with the avocado on the side instead of inside and had sour cream on top in a squiggly design. Probably trying to give it a fancy edge since its a «restaurant» when compared to the truck I’m guessing.
All in all a solid experience if you are in the area, but if you want barebones burrito munching goodness then I would stick to the truck.
4 stars!

I hope I’m not crazy but I really think that the red salsa that comes with the chips n’ salsa tastes of kimchi.
The chile rellenos with beef beats the enchiladas in a head-​to-​head battle.

After reading all the great reviews stopped by for a late dinner (8:15) on Monday. The place was slow with just two other tables occupied.
We were greeted by a very pleasant waitress and she continued to be efficient and competent throughout our meal.
Everyone raves about the margaritas but it was a week night so we passed. I regret my decision and on my next visit I’ll definitely bring my tequila.
Now for the food. The dips and chips are really good. These are some of the best tortilla chips around. I ordered the three enchilada platter with red sauce. The wife ordered a chicken breast dish with a long name I don’t remember. Both were large portions, fresh ingredients, and delicious.
There are a lot of four and even five star reviews for this place. For me it takes more than «delicious» food and fine service to earn four stars. Maybe it’s because I wasn’t on my third margarita! For now I’m going with three stars. I’ll revisit (with tequila) and update this review.

Go early, before they run out of lengua. And before the nearest liquor store closes and you can’t buy tequila. Those points aside, the food is delicious, the margarita mix (our kind neighbors shared their leftovers with our tequila-​less table) is spot on, and the service is really nice (even when you show up with a party of 7 an hour before closing).
I can attest to the joy of ordering several different types of tacos and having an amazing taco platter in front of you. That is an experience i would like to repeat here. And maybe next time, my whole dining party won’t rush off to see Conan O’Brien (and Tina Fey!) and the Tower theater without me. Or if they do, I’ll take comfort in all those tacos.

Mom’s in town this weekend and we were looking for a BYOB spot that was close by to grab some dinner tonight. Something that WOULDN’T break the bank. Thanks to Unilocal,we found Don Memo’s!
Contrary to some of the other reviews, I thought this place was pretty easy to find — but, I DO live right around the corner in Lansdowne, so I had the advantage of knowing the area slightly. My mom had called ahead (the staff speaks some English, but it’s definitely a plus if you speak Spanish… which my mom does) and we arrived about 10 minutes early for our 8:30 reservation. Our table was waiting for us! There was only one other open table in the restaurant — the rest were taken up by larger parties, so I would definitely recommend calling ahead (we called at 7:45 for 8:30).
Our waitress was very friendly and knowledgeable and was able to help Mom with some special requests when it comes to things she can’t eat. We brought a bottle of Cuervo and it was whisked away to be turned into a yummy pitcher of margaritas!
While we were deciding, the waitress brought out a basket of fresh tortilla chips and two dipping sauces (see picture). The red sauce was DEFINITELY spicier than the green, but they both had a kick to them. I was a fan of the green — not only is it my favorite color, but it also had a pico de gallo sort of taste that I was hooked on! We ordered the guacamole to start with (and another app that they were out of), thanks to the Unilocal reviews that I read beforehand. The reviews did not lie — it was ADDICTIVE! Not only was it made at tableside, but the server made sure to take special care to leave out an ingredient that my mom can’t eat (green peppers). Even after I was done with my dinner, I kept going back to the guacamole! YUM!
I ordered the tostadas with marinated chicken and my mom ordered the chicken flautas. My only complaint with the service was that as soon as our server was done making the guac, our dinners hit the table. My dinner, however, was DELICIOUS! The chicken was moist and all of the toppings complimented the overall meal. My mom wasn’t as thrilled with her dinner, unfortunately. I tasted it and her observations were correct — the flauta itself was over-​fried (burnt) and the chicken inside was dry and bland.
Because Don Memo’s is on the smaller side, the larger, rowdier party on the other side of the restaurant seemed much louder than I think they realized. After a couple of margaritas, I barely noticed. My vote is «sí» for Don Memo’s!

Went there last night for a friend’s birthday. Don Memo’s kind of out of the way, but really fun to go with a bunch of friends to get shwasty and a little rowdy. The guacamole they make tableside is delicious, with unlimited chips and salsa. Everyone loved their tacos and burritos and ceviche.
The only complaint I heard was from the Panamanian about their tamale. he said it was pretty bad but I enjoyed it, it was probably the first I’ve had though. There wasn’t a whole lot of meat in it though. Also, some of the staff is really bad at English so we had difficulty there — my friend got his entrees maybe 15 minutes before everyone elses’ came out (tsk tsk) so he asked them to take it back to keep warm and they ended up wrapping it up in a to-​go box for him. Our Spanish-​speaking friend saved the day though. just be VERY clear about what you want, I guess.
We brought a handle of tequila, which they split between 2 large pitchers of margarita! That meant about 1.5−2 drinks a person… so BYO accordingly. We ended up having to buy another bottle off of the staff to make another pitcher. they were really nice about it though!
Everyone in the restaurant was there for a birthday, so we engaged in a bit of a battle of the loud happy birthday songs. our table won. They bring out a cake and candle and it was adorable :) I would definitely go again.