Lagrima's Back in Makati With a Stylish New Space

Lagrima 
G/F Paseo Parkview Suites, Salcedo Village, Makati City
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lagrimanila 
Open from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., Monday to Sunday

(SPOT.ph) Growing up in Glendale, California helped Mano Lotho cultivate a love for tacos—a love he pays ode to at Lagrima, which first opened in Legazpi Village in 2016. This store closed down in 2021, and though they opened a second branch in San Juan the following year, those in Makati were left wanting to reunite with Lagrima's tacos sans the drive to the North. Well guess what: they're back in that part of the city with a savvy new home in a new address, this time in Salcedo Village. 

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Take a look at Lagrima in Salcedo Village, Makati:

Currently on soft opening, the new branch is semi-hidden on the back side of Paseo Parkview Suites. Still, its red sign bearing their striking logo has a quiet—but effective—way of drawing your attention to the shop, and luring you in. 

Like Lagrima in San Juan, the Salcedo Village outpost is more design-oriented than its Legazpi Village predecessor. "I think a lot of that San Juan DNA translated into this [Salcedo Village shop]. Our concept for this is just San Juan with aircon," Lotho jokes. This not untrue, nor is it a bad thing, what with its similar minimal, hip yet industrial look that's effortlessly cool, for lack of a better word. Compared to San Juan (which retains a cozy neighborhood-spot sort of charm), the Salcedo Village shop is notably more spacious—still modest in floor area, but with high ceilings that keep the store from feeling crowded or congested.

"We're both creative. Our design inspiration comes so much from fashion... [and] lot of the elements here in Salcedo and in San Juan were inspired by our travels," says Daryl Chang, style maven and Lotho's partner. In particular, she praises the city of Seoul in South Korea (to which they frequently travel, as they own businesses there) as a major source of inspiration for the taqueria's interiors. "The city kasi is so dynamic... like every three months there's a new kind of flooring, lighting, walls. And also, we're super into concrete, design-wise. Minimal talaga kami."

The relative simplicity of their interiors puts the spotlight on their food, which has no shortage of explosive flavors. Lagrima's Salcedo lineup is mostly similar to that of Legazpi Village and San Juan—just more "streamlined," per Chang, focusing on tried-and-tested faves their customers love the most. You'd be well to start with the Chips & Salsa (P240, additional P100 for Queso or cheese sauce), served seemingly fresh off the fryer for a satisfying crisp crunch—just the thing to down with an order or two of their Strawberry Horchata. 

Tacos can be had in three styles—Street (with soft  tortillas), Gringa (with soft tortillas and cheese), and Crunchy (self-explanatory, with a crackly hard shell), with each style having its own set of filling possibilities. You are, of course, more than welcome to opt for classic Carnitas or Carne Asada—or you can go for the less-explored Surtido (available on street tacos, P140), a decidedly rich mix of pork offal that's brightened with the piquancy of their salsa and pickled onions. Of the Tostadas, the Avocado (P220) especially can't be missed, what with the superb contrast you get between the crackly-crisp tostada, lush guacamole, tangy crema, and nutty refried beans.

Though Lagrima's roster doesn't stray too far from that of a good ol' taqueria, they're happy to take liberties where it works—as with the Kimchi Quesadillas (P440) that allows the Korean condiment's salty, acidic, umami punch to balance out the gooey cheese. And if the only thing that'll do is a mammoth meal with rice, order up one of their Burrito Plates. You can choose from Carnitas (P400), Surtido (P400), Pollo Asado (P400), or Kimchi Asada (P500) as your protein, to be served with refried beans, salsa, cabbage, and rice.

Much as Lotho and Chang turn to fashion for inspiration, there's a timelessness to how they approach things at Lagrima—where it's less about what's hot and happening, and more about honest-to-goodness, good food with flavors that satisfy any day.

Also read: 
Your Essential Manila Taco Guide: 10 Taquerias You Should've Tried by Now
Let's Taco 'Bout It: Great-Tasting Tacos You Can Feast on at Home

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