At long last, Guacamole Mex-Grill (Facebook page) has opened its brightly painted storefront at 4612 Woodland Avenue. Judging by yesterday’s noontime crowd, the eat-in/take-out taqueria has already become a popular choice for folks who live and work in the area around the University of the Sciences of Philadelphia. Guacamole is owned and operated by the de Luna family, whose food expertise stems from their grandmother’s mole (pronounced MO-lay) business in Mexico. As a mole aficionado, I’d been looking forward to trying it. The quality food, quick service, and colorful setting will no doubt draw a dedicated following.

In casual style, you order at the register — the food arrives quickly and packaged to go. With only 15-18 seats in the dining room, there is not a lot of room to sit, so if it’s peak lunch or dinner, don’t rule out take-out. Tacos, tortas, tostadas, and gorditas come with one of four basic fillings, priced from $5.50 to around $7.50. We ordered carne asada tostadas ($6.50 for two) and gorditas al pastor ($6.50). The grilled beef carne asada was flavorful, but the al pastor — marinated, grilled pork chopped with pineapple and chiles — was a revelation. It was seriously delicious, and next time I’ll order torta al pastor: mexican pork sandwich on a Portuguese roll. The mole poblano on the chicken enchiladas ($8.50, platter with rice, beans and salad) was rich, dark, and deeply flavored. Enchiladas also come with red or green sauce, and all the variations on the taco/tostada theme are available with grilled vegetables. The chips ($.75) are real, deep fried, crunchy/salty tortilla chips, and the guacamole ($2.50) is about as good as the packaged kind from Trader Joe’s. If it’s your favorite topping, order it, but don’t come to Guacamole specifically for the Guac. Come for the mole.

Guacamole Mex-Grill features rich flavors but not intense spice. Order extra salsa if you need more heat. You can choose from a range of sodas, juices, or bottled water, but plain tap water is not served. The Mex-Grill is primarily a take-out joint, with a straightforward and familiar menu. Though some of us like to go BYO, Guacamole is not that kind of place. After less than a week in operation, the menu will continue to adapt to the tastes of the neighborhood, and is subject to change. For the time being, it’s great to have a locally owned, small scale alternative to the “mexican” chain restaurants.

– Jen

• The building that houses the bar Watusi II at 45th and Locust is for sale and it looks like it will be the end of an establishment that has had sometimes tumultuous relations with its neighbors over the past 20 years. According to the Philadelphia Revenue Department, $67,472 in back taxes is owed on the building at 232 S. 45th St. The four-story, 4,600-square-foot building, which includes upstairs apartments, was listed for sale three weeks ago for $635,000. The building is a former boarding house and the sale includes the Watusi II’s liquor license and long u-shaped bar. Serious renovation would be required on the upstairs floors.

The Watusi II reportedly closed several weeks ago after a neighbor complained of code and zoning violations. The building is owned by Noel Karasanyi, who also owns the Watusi I at 46th and Walnut and the New Third World Lounge at 49th and Catherine. Back taxes are owed on all three properties, according to City records. Karasanyi, who fled Uganda in 1973 and whose home address is in Yeadon, also faces several lawsuits from the City. Complaints about excessive noise and trash have been made by many living near all three places for many years.

• Further north on 45th Street, a small pharmacy is opening in the small strip of shops on the 100 block of S. 45th. We don’t know much about this one yet, but it appears that it will be opening soon.

• Many of you will be delighted to know that Guacamole, the Mexican restaurant many have waited a long time for, opened today at 4612 Woodland Ave. The restaurant is a welcome addition to the cluster of shops on that block of Woodland, which includes Four Worlds Bakery and the Whispering Leaves tea shop. The restaurant has about 18 seats and will feature a cooking style from central Mexico. Our trusty reviewer is chomping at the bit to get to this place so look for a story later this week.

• Finally, talk about the Subway opening at the old Pickles and Pies (and many things before that) location at 4533 Baltimore Ave. has heated up in recent days as the Spruce Hill Community Association Zoning Committee prepares its decision for the City zoning authorities (a decision which in the end is not binding). During this discussion, a rumor surfaced that another chain restaurant, Domino’s Pizza, was interested in the old Philadelphia Federal Credit Union Building and small parking lot, which is on the triangular strip of land hemmed in by Baltimore Avenue, Cedar Avenue and 46th Street. We have confirmed that report. Domino’s was interested, but has so far failed to get the required zoning variances.

Two new pickup sites for the Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative’s affordable produce have been established in West Philly, according to the cooperative’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program Manager Evan Elizabeth Miller. The previously established site at CHOP has been recently suspended by the hospital.

CSA is currently working with two residents in the area, one in Spruce Hill, and the other in Garden Court, who will serve as site hosts for this program. A site host is a volunteer who provides an area where the CSA produce boxes are delivered.

Lancaster Farm Fresh is a non-profit organic farmers cooperative with the headquarters in Lancaster County, PA. One of the cooperative’s goals is to increase access to local, fresh and organic foods to inner city neighborhoods, like West Philadelphia. According to Miller, farmers markets are a great way for people to get produce in the summer months, but it is rarely affordable to lower income families. The CSA program is offering the farm’s produce at the same prices as those given to their wholesalers.

CSA also has a Fresh Food Fund, which grows through contributions given by the members, used to subsidize the costs of CSA shares to families and individuals in need. They were recently approved to accept Access card/SNAP benefits and are looking for an organization in West Philly to sponsor them (manage their EBT machine), so they can establish an additional pickup site where the membership can pay for their food with their access funds.

To sign up for the CSA membership please go here and fill out an application form. West Philly residents can either pick the ‘Garden Court’ or ‘Spruce Hill’ options. The Winter Share program begins January 16, 2012. You can find detailed description of winter product offerings here. If you have questions please email: csa [at] lancasterfarmfresh.com or call 717-656-3533.

Former Pickles & Pies storefront. (Photo West Philly Local)

A deal is in the works to bring a Subway franchise to 4533 Baltimore Ave., the former site of Pickles and Pies. Franchise representatives reportedly shared plans with members of the Spruce Hill Community Association last night.

No zoning variance is required for the location, but there is a Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing scheduled for December.

Barry Grossbach, who handles zoning issues for the Spruce Hill Community Association,  said that the Subway franchise has applied for a takeout certificate, which is required of any restaurant. The Subway will likely have limited seating.

“Our zoning committee is still discussing the application for a take out certificate,” said Grossbach by e-mail. “[A zoning hearing] is scheduled for December 21st. We expect to have a decision before then.”

The zoning hearing will likely be at the regular ZBA spot – 1515 Arch St., 18th Fl.

Today is a Small Business Saturday and everyone is encouraged to support small businesses by shopping locally.

We have a lot of great businesses in our neighborhood, so please consider supporting them today. Do your grocery shopping at the Farmer’s Market, Mariposa or Milk & Honey. Have a pet? You can buy your pet supplies at Baltimore Pet Shoppe. Want a new book? Stop by Bindlestiff Books (Facebook link). While shopping, don’t forget to refuel at one of many awesome local cafes and restaurants.

Finally, consider buying your holiday gifts at local shops. VIX Emporium has a very nice selection of handcrafted holiday gifts and today you can get a free “West Philly” tee or tote with a $100 purchase. Also, American Express card holders will get a special credit on their account when they use the card at any of thousands of participating small businesses, including VIX. VIX Saturday hours have been extended until 7 p.m. and the store is now also open on Sundays from 12 to 5 p.m. until Christmas.

Here’s a list of Thanksgiving schedules at some local stores and cafes. If you know of others drop them in the comments.

CVS Pharmacy (43 & Locust)
Thursday – Store: open 24 hours, Pharmacy: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Earth Cup (45th and Pine)
Thursday and Friday – 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Four Worlds Bakery (4634 Woodland)
Wednesday – 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thursday – 8 a.m.-noon.

Fu-Wah (47th and Baltimore)
Thursday – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Green Line Cafe
Wednesday – Baltimore Ave closes at 1 p.m.; Locust Street and Powelton Village close at 2 p.m.; Green Line at PennVet open normal hours
Thursday & Friday – All shops are closed

Mariposa Food Co-op (47th & Baltimore)
Thursday – closed

Milk & Honey Market (45th & Baltimore)
Wednesday – 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; Thursday – closed; Friday – 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

ROOST (45th & Springfield)
Wednesday & Thursday – closed

Supreme (43rd & Walnut)
Thursday – 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

The Fresh Grocer (40th & Walnut)
Thursday – open 24 hours