Spirit Cruises January 2023 Leaderboard

Cheap Date: Kegs & Eggs at Distrito

Cheap Date: Kegs & Eggs at Distrito
Bloody Marys and mimosas are the traditional hair-of-the-dog hangover cures, but recently my date and I discovered weekend brunch at Jose Garces’ West Philly cantina Distrito, where it’s beer to the rescue instead! $10 per person brings your choice of a bottle of beer and one of three breakfast entrees. Brews on offer include Dos Equis Amber or Lager, Negra Modelo, and Dock Street Rye IPA, all solid day-drinking options.

On our visit, I paired the lager with classic Mexican huevos rancheros, served in a personal skillet with smoky black beans.  My date paired the amber ale with hurrache de tomate, a sandwich of roasted tomato, fried egg and baby arugula topped with smoked bacon lager vinaigrette. The dishes weren’t huge, but they were rich and complex, and – bolstered by the beer – ended up being the perfect midday meal.

The best part about Distrito was the decor. No matter how rough the night before may have been, when you arrive for brunch you can’t help but be cheered by the exuberant interior. Somewhere between a Mexican-themed tiki bar and a lawn party, every detail reinforces the fiesta feel. Bright pink walls surround deep wicker benches covered with colorful pillows, alternated with strappy neon deck chairs and candy-colored bar stools. Hundreds of fanciful lucha libre masks line the stairway, and there’s a one-of-a-kind “taxi dining booth” at front.

My date followed as I bounced between the two floors, delighting in every detail, from the Mexican floral print tabletops to the scorpions lacquered into the bar. By the time we left, the headaches we came in with had miraculously disappeared, and we wandered through University City with fantasies of being at a resort in Cabo instead.

How cheap we talkin’?:  $10 per person, plus tax and tip.

Why this will impress your date: Distrito is a Jose Garces restaurant, a group that includes the splurge-worthy Amada, Chifa, and Village Whiskey. Kegs & Eggs is a great way to sample the Latin cooking Garces is known for, without breaking the bank.

Inside game: While not always open for brunch seating, definitely go upstairs to check out the cool lucha libre mask wall and porch swing seats.

Score extra points: By asking your server to snap a picture of you and your date for their photo wall (if you’re not too bleary-eyed, that is).

Next date: Distrito’s Kegs & Eggs menu is available Saturday–Sunday from 11:30 AM–2 PM as a sub-set of their regular brunch offerings.
 
Photos by Cheap Dater
 
Recent Articles
spacer

Feedback

How are we doing? Tell us what you like or don't like and how we can improve. We would love to hear your thoughts!

*Name:
*E-mail:
*Suggestions:
 
Secret Garden Pop-Up Speakeasy Launches at Philadelphia Distilling

Secret Garden Pop-Up Speakeasy Launches at Philadelphia Distilling

Celebrate spring in style this April with Philadelphia Distilling at Botanicals in Bloom - a secret garden spe...read more ›

by Michelle Cryder Apr 2, 2025
Emmett: Inside Look at the Cozy Grandma's House Inspired Cocktail Menu

Emmett: Inside Look at the Cozy "Grandma's House" Inspired Cocktail Menu

From Executive Chef Evan Snyder and partner Julian van der Tak comes Emmett, a Levantine-Mediterranian bar and...read more ›

by Michelle Cryder Mar 25, 2025
The Drink Nation Presents: The Home Bar Project

The Drink Nation Presents: The Home Bar Project

Have you ever dreamed of having an amazing home bar, filled with bottles you actually use and the tools you need to execute a fine crafted cocktail? E...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Nov 14, 2014
SPONSORED
Spirit Cruises January 2023 Desktop Bottom Rectangle 1
Philly's Best Happy Hours: Almyra's $7 Cocktails, $8 Tuna Crispy Rice, & $8 Flaming Cheese, 7 Days a Week

Philly's Best Happy Hours: Almyra's $7 Cocktails, $8 Tuna Crispy Rice, & $8 Flaming Cheese, 7 Days a Week

This week's installment is all about Almyra, a modern Greek restaurant and bar in Rittenhouse Square that tran...read more ›

by Michelle Cryder Mar 18, 2025
Local Winery Spotlight: Vox Vineti Wines

Local Winery Spotlight: Vox Vineti Wines

Ed Lazzerini says his goal is clear - to make world class wine in Pennsylvania. From the taste of it, he is well on his way. ...read more ›

by Drink Philly Nov 21, 2020
Canada's Next Level Response to Tariffs Removes All U.S. Wine & Spirits From the Shelves

Canada's Next Level Response to Tariffs Removes All U.S. Wine & Spirits From the Shelves

Part of Canada's response, their retaliation, to the tariffs imposed on Canadian goods coming into the U.S. ha...read more ›

by Lew Bryson Mar 17, 2025
Philadelphia Craft Ice Co: Inside Look at the Ice Elevating Philly's Cocktail Scene

Philadelphia Craft Ice Co: Inside Look at the Ice Elevating Philly's Cocktail Scene

Philadelphia Craft Ice is the first artisanal ice company in Philly focused on elevating the quality of cockta...read more ›

by Drink Philly Mar 9, 2025
Franklin Mortgage Launches Pop-up Flower Shop & Speakeasy for Flower Show, March 2-8

Franklin Mortgage Launches Pop-up Flower Shop & Speakeasy for Flower Show, March 2-8

The Franklin Mortgage in Rittenhouse is transforming their entire space into a pop-up flower shop featuring a ...read more ›

by Drink Philly Feb 25, 2025
The 12th Annual Philly Bierfest Celebrates the Rich History of Brewing German-Style Beers in Pennsylvania, February 22

The 12th Annual Philly Bierfest Celebrates the Rich History of Brewing German-Style Beers in Pennsylvania, February 22

The German Society of Philadelphia's 12 Annual Bierfest returns February 22 with a selection of over 50 German...read more ›

by Michelle Cryder Feb 18, 2025
Behind the Bar: Solomon Thomas - Ambassador, Bartender, & Industry Community Advocate

Behind the Bar: Solomon Thomas - Ambassador, Bartender, & Industry Community Advocate

In this segment of Behind the Bar, we get a chance to speak with bartender and industry community advocate, So...read more ›

by Drink Philly Feb 4, 2025
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Home Bar Project Bottom Rectangle 2
View all Articles

Sign up to get weekly drinking news, bar reviews, events and more sent directly to your inbox!

Close