8 Popular Chefs Will Put Their Own Twist on Cemitas and Compete at Cantina la Martina’s 3rd Annual Cemita Festival
Cantina la Martina’s 3rd Annual Cemita Festival is back and bolder than ever, taking place Sunday, August 10th, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at—you guessed it—Cantina la Martina (2800 D St.).
If you enjoy global flavors and food festivals with serious local flair, this one’s got your name (and appetite) all over it.
For one tasty afternoon, top chefs and pop-up stars from across Philly will gather to serve up their unique spin on the legendary cemita—a stacked Mexican sandwich traditionally built on a sesame-seeded roll and packed with layers of flavor. But forget “traditional” for a second—this lineup is taking your tastebuds on a wild, international ride.
Here’s a taste of what’s on deck:
Mariangeli Alicea Saez of Cantina la Martina: Joojeh Kebab Cemita with Khiar Mexican herb yogurt sauce, roasted cherry tomatoes
Elvia Zavala of Mija Mexican Table: Cemita de Milanesa de Res
Karla Torres & Ernesto Ventura of La Ingrata: Chicharrón Adobado Cemita with homemade Oaxacan style cheese, papalo from their garden, avocado
Amy Rivera-Nassar of Amy’s Pastelillos: Papalo Pernil (Roast Pork) Cemita with queso blanco, chipotle sweet plantains, pickled onion, garlic papalo sauce
Ange Branca of Kampar: Chicken Saté Cemita and Tofu Saté Cemita Alejandro Gonzalez Duarte of Señor Slices: “The Puebladelphia!” Cheesesteak Cemita
Jake Loeffler, Dan Griffiths, & Sam Kalkut of Paffuto: Crispy Fatty Baddie Cemita with Italian
carnitas, whipped ricotta, salsa verde, cabbage slaw
Alejandro Gonzalez Duarte of @senor_slices: “The Puebladelphia!” Cheesesteak Cemita
Brian Mattera of Gilda: Steak Cemita with marinated skirt steak, papalo salsa verde, avocado, grilled queijo coalho, slaw
Reuben Asaram of Reuby & Cory Powell of Make’m Bake’m: Knafehmita Cemita with rose water brioche cemita bun by La Ingrata, vanilla glaze, ground pistachios, dry rose petals, kataifi queso Oaxaca, frozen cardamom cheesecake by Make’m Bake’m, rose simple syrup, pistachios, frozen cardamom cheesecake, and more sweet surprises.
The festival is free to attend and pay-as-you-go. Each cemita will be $15 with 100% of proceeds going straight to the vendors—so you’re not just indulging, you’re supporting Philly’s incredible food scene. Heads up: some vendors are cash only, but don’t panic—there’s an ATM on site.
Come hungry. Bring your friends. Get ready to discover what happens when the classic cemita meets creativity, culture, and a whole lotta love. This is one Philly food fest you don’t want to miss.
