About Us

In 1985 Chef Vargas emigrated from Mexico to The United States with dreams to own his own business in the food industry. At a very young age, Jose’s dad would take him to work and it was at that time that Jose discovered his passion for the kitchen. José attended the School of Mexican Gastronomy (Escuela de Gastronomía Mexicana) and has been cooking ever since for over 35  years. 

Besides cooking, he also enjoys spending time with his family. Jose has lived in California, Puerto Rico, and Philadelphia where he has worked as an Executive Chef for major hotel chains like The Wyndham Hotel, El Conquistador, and Embassy Suites. 

He’s also cooked at very important events, such as The inauguration of Ronald Reagan library in California, and The Democratic Governor’s Association at El Conquistador Resort. 

Chef Vargas is a small city type café that offers a variety of delicious foods with a mixture of our American, Mexican, & Puerto Rican culture. Although the biggest challenge for our customers is getting to find our location inside The Elkins Park House, once they taste our food, they tell us it was well worth it. 

Chef Vargas offers plenty of SATISFYING platters at affordable prices. We concentrate on serving quality products and fresh ingredients. We feature a delicious brunch with modern culinary dishes. We also offer tacos, burgers, and seasonal drinks.

Executive Chef Jose Vargas has a diverse culinary background with over 30 years of experience. The Chef’s secret ingredient is his passion for cooking and to serve others! 

Established in 2015.

Chef Vargas opened its doors on 5/10/15. We were offered a partial equipped space within our budget. Aware of the high risks involved in opening a restaurant, we decided to start small and work our way up!

The support and positive feedback is amazing!