Rising from a Tragic Fire, A New Tequilas Emerges
Philadelphia, PA — The Suro family proudly announces the re-opening of Tequila’s their Mexican restaurant at 1602 Locust Street. After a tragic fire in February 2023, the restaurant officially opens for dinner reservations on Resy on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Tequilas is a cultural and culinary hub, offering a fresh, contemporary take on Mexican hospitality and culinary artistry.
Tequilas fosters a symbolic connection between the Suro family’s native Guadalajara and Philadelphia. David, 64, opened the restaurant with his late wife Annette in 1986.
A Philadelphia Institution Faces Disaster
Tequilas was Philadelphia’s first authentic Mexican restaurant and quickly became more than a dining destination: it was a cultural movement. For nearly 40 years, Tequilas served as a bridge to Mexico, sharing authentic cuisine, educating guests about agave spirits, and celebrating the rich traditions of Mexican culture. In February 2023, tragedy struck when a devastating fire destroyed the kitchen at Tequilas and caused extensive damage throughout the historic building. What could have been the end of an era instead became the beginning of a powerful new chapter.
“After two years of rebuilding, we are honored to reopen our doors and welcome
Philadelphia back to Tequilas. This journey has been one of resilience and dedication, and we could not have done it without the unwavering support of our community,“ said David Suro Sr. “For almost four decades, Tequilas has been a place where tradition, hospitality, and authentic Mexican cuisine come together. My children and I are humbled to begin a new chapter, continuing that legacy with the same passion and commitment as before.”
The new, 75 seat, white tablecloth Tequilas Casa Mexicana blends fine dining with festive, celebratory hospitality and authentic Mexican flavors, ingredients and techniques. The Suro’s children, Elisa, Dan and David Jr. are all participants and partners in the business. Through their sister company, Siembra Spirits, they have long been champions of the agave industry, offering American consumers a deeper understanding of Mexican culture through their spirits that are sold in 45 states. David Sr. is the co-author of Agave Spirits, The Past, Present, and Future of Mezcals, for which he won the 2024 James Beard Foundation’s Award for Beverage Writing without Recipes.
Clarke & Cohen Steps In
The Suro family engaged Clarke & Cohen, a fourth generation, family-owned Philadelphia public insurance adjuster, to help them with the sensitive and historical loss. Clarke & Cohen had worked with many noteworthy property losses, including the fire that swept through Jim’s South Street.
