SPOT.ph Roundup: New Taquerias Where You Can Go Loco for Tacos
Go to these recently opened spots for birria, carnitas + more.
(SPOT.ph) Handheld and full of flavor, tacos pretty much always please. Manila’s long seen numerous dining spots that do ‘em, and the list just keeps growing—to which we say, keep them coming. Looking for new tacos to try? These recently opened restaurants and eateries in Manila serve up flavorful versions of the dish.
Also read:
The SPOT.ph Guide to Mexican Food
10 Best Shops in Manila for Birria Tacos
Let's Taco 'Bout It: Great-Tasting Tacos You Can Feast on at Home
These new taquerias in Manila deserve a spot on your bucket list:
Los Tacos at Magallanes Bistro Café
Remember how birria tacos exploded during the pandemic? Los Tacos—then a delivery-only venture—was one of those who gained fame for their take on the dish, and earlier this year they started a physical long-term pop-up at Makati’s Magallanes Bistro Café. It’s relatively hidden from plain sight, being on the third floor of Oakridge Plaza in Paseo de Magallanes, but diners keep flocking in—and no wonder. Their Quesabirria (P570/three pieces) boasts a complex-tasting meat filling that’s cooked low and slow for hours, inside corn tortillas they make from scratch every day. Be sure to save room for the surprisingly bright Suadero (P230) with beef brisket confit and chopped veg; the lighter Tuna tostada (P260) dressed with their homemade salsa macha; the Ceviche (P520) with a balanced leche de tigre; and the deceptively simply, beautifully smoky starter of Cabbage (P300).
Los Tacos MNL is at Magallanes Bistro Café, 3/F Oakridge Plaza, Paseo De Magallanes, Makati City.
La Toca Taqueria
The Taft kids are onto something. This small shop marries flavor-forward tacos, great beats (they have a DJ on board for their weekly Taco Tuesdays sessions), and a hip atmosphere all the cool kids would feel at home at. You can stay fairly classic with the Carnitas (P220/two pieces, P310/three pieces) that pairs fried pulled pork with roasted pineapples, or the Quesabirria (P270/two pieces, P390/three pieces) served with their beef consomme for dipping into. But we’re all for the subtle twists they give—e.g. the addition of a bone-marrow butter in the Carne Asada (P310/two pieces, P440/three pieces) and crushed pork cracklings in the Sisig Chicharon (P220/two pieces, P310/three pieces). These protein combos are also available in rice bowl, quesadilla, and burrito format.
La Toca Taqueria is at 2223 Fidel A. Reyes Street, Malate, Manila.
Taqueria Franco
What happens when a classical French-trained chef takes on tacos? Perhaps Taqueria Franco can lend you some insight. It’s here that Chef Miko Calo—best known for helming Metronome—shows us tacos, tostadas, and quesadillas her way: by using buckwheat tortillas as a base, and French flavors and elements as fillings (duck confit, béarnaise sauce, gruyere cheese, just to name a few). Some items here are vibrant—the Breaded Oysters taco (P400/two pieces) with Aklan oysters and pickled veg, and the Octopus Tostada (P435) with lime-dressed pulpo—while some others, like the Eggs Benedict Tostada (P350/piece) and buttery-zesty Foie Gras tacos (P800/piece), are happily rich.
Taqueria Franco is at G/F LPL Center, San Agustin Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City.
Al Pastor Taqueria
Over in Quezon City you’ll find Al Pastor Taqueria, which also began as a delivery brand selling taco kits during the pandemic before opening a brick-and-mortar spot in Quezon City in July. They’ve got your essential fillings covered—Birria (pulled beef), Al Pastor (grilled pork), Carnitas (pulled beef), and Pollo Asado (grilled chicken) that are spiced and flavorful in their own right, but not too far off from the flavor profile familiar to Filipinos. The Birria Tacos (P165) is a crowd fave, as are their Steak Burritos (P290) with chunks of rib-eye steak and Nacho Bake (P320).
Al Pastor Taqueria is at 38 Scout Santiago corner Scout de Guia Street, Diliman, Quezon City.
La Elotes
There’s something eternally charming about finding great food in unexpected places—consider the case of La Elotes, for example. The small eatery is located in what seems to be a house along Bautista in Manila City, where a roof covers a small spread of wooden tables and chairs and the city breeze keeps you cool while you wolf down your orders. As the name implies their flagship is Elotes a.k.a. grilled corn—the Classic (P75) and Flamin Hot (P90) variations make for great starters—but leave room for the tacos: choose from Birria (starts at P310/three pieces), Fish (starts at P270/three pieces), Pork Chipotle (starts at P290/three pieces), or Assorted (starts at P610/set of six).
La Elotes is at 2611-C Bautista Street, Manila.
El Poco Cantina
Yet another gem that's a hit with students in the Taft area, El Poco Cantina's got the makings of a great taco spot—from the striking interiors matched with a laid-back vibe, to the A+ branding, to, of course, great tacos that don't hold back in the flavor department. Beef Barbacoa (P200), Por Carnitas (P200), Chicken Chipotle (P200), and Shrimp (P250) are just some of the options available, all topped with pickled veg, pico de gallo, and salsa. And if you love yourself a good birria, you've got a number of options to sate that hankering—from the plain Birria (starts at P250/two pieces), to the Quesabirria (starts at P270/two pieces) with cheese, to the Birria Tostada (starts at P250/two pieces) with a crispy base of fried tortilla.
El Poco Cantina is at 945 Estrada Street, Malate, Manila.
Gustaco
Repping Marikina is Gustaco, a hole-in-the-wall where locals flock for Mexican-inspired bites with the Filipino taste buds in mind. Their short but sweet taco menu spans your basic proteins: Quesabirria (P299) that’s generous on the cheese, Barbacoa (P239), Chicken BBQ (P219), and Fish (P209), best paired with one of their fries plates (try the the Honey Sriracha Chickfry, P219) and Sweet Corn Milkshake (P129) for good measure.
Gustaco is at 33 Champaca Street, Marikina Heights, Marikina City.
Bonus: Alegria Manila
Okay, granted, Alegria isn’t a taqueria per se; they’re best known for their tasting menus, where with Chef Charles Montañez showcases his creativity and love for Filipino and Latin American flavors. But here’s a pro tip: you can also order tacos ala-carte—they’re not on the menu, but approach the servers and they should know what you’re talking about. Filling options include octopus, fish, shrimp, chicken, beef, and pork; vegetarian options are also available. (Let's just say Montañez also has something up his sleeve in the coming months.)
Alegria Manila is at G/F Uptown Parade, Uptown Bonifacio, 9th Avenue Corner 38th Street, Taguig City.
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