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Movies and food make a beautiful combination, and Philly will get to explore that partnership in full flavor next week.
The 11th annual Philadelphia Latino Film Festival, which runs May 29 through June 5, is partnering with Gusto Philly for Gustos Grub Guide. The guide offers sweet deals on several Latino restaurants throughout the city, including well-known spots and newcomers, and also brings pop-up vendors to in-person screenings and events.
Part of the goal of the festival is to celebrate Latino cinema and other creatives in the city, but at its core, it’s about community building, said Marángeli Mejía-Rabell, who is cofounder of Gusto and the film festival director.
“We’re all about the calorsito, the idea that we are together, we’re family, that’s the most important, and it’s what motivates us to do the work we do,” said Mejía-Rabell.
Gusto Philly was launched to help Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria in 2017. The devastating hurricane still affects life on the island today with frequent power outages and several homes and buildings yet to be fixed. The organization raises money for different initiatives on the island by hosting various events with local chefs and makers, said Gusto cofounder Amaryllis Rivera Nassar.
“Gusto is a platform to showcase all of the beautiful and diverse and thriving culinary pockets of the city that oftentimes don’t get the attention that they deserve, especially in the food world,” said Rivera Nassar, who is also the owner of Amy’s Pastelillos.
During the run of the film festival, you can use code GUSTOGrubGuide to get special deals at select restaurants for dine in, takeout, and delivery. See below for a brief rundown, or follow Gusto on IG for live updates:
- Mixto: Slice of tres leche cake with every entree.
- Bar Bombon: In-restaurant: half-price margarita with any tacos order. Pickup: Free plantains with any order of $25 or more.
- Queen & Rook: Pickup or phoneed-in: Free ice cream or brownie.
- Puyero: 5% off of online orders (code GUSTOPuyero)
- Las Cazuelas: Free dessert
- Pharmacy: Two empanadas de yuca relleno de rez and side salad for $15
- Lightbox: 20% off orders
- La Chingonita: 10% off order (code GUSTO10)
- Cantina La Martinez: 20% off for a three course dinner.
Small vendors like Mexipino, Amy’s Pastelillos, Kouklet, and Cantina La Martina will be on-site at the festival’s various in-person events (find the detailed event schedule here):.
- May 31 at Taller Puertoriqueño on North 5th Street
- June 2, at the Parkway Central Library on the Ben Franklin Parkway
- June 4, at Norris Square Park in Kensington
- June 5, at Fleisher Art Memorial in Bella Vista
Philly has a remarkable talent pool that should be supported, Mejía-Rabell said.
“There are real ways to support small businesses so they continue to operate and we need to think of that,” Mejía-Rabell said. “Buy locally, support local creatives, and just share with your networks so that audiences can continue to learn about what the Latino market offers.”
