MARIACHI CANTINA MEXICANA

Location: 52 Sgt. Esguerra Ave, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00am – 10:00pm
Facebook: Mariachi Cantina Mexicana
Instagram: mariachi_cantina

Quezon City never ceases to amaze me. Until now, I keep on discovering hole in a wall places that very few people know of. Aside from La Taqueria Amiga Mia, Mariachi Cantina Mexicana is another Mexican restaurant that rides with the year that was ~ 2014. Yes, 2014 was the year when Mexican cuisine became one of the popular choices for food trips, especially with the fame of El Chupacabra’s street tacos and affordable Silantro’s Filipino Mexican cuisine. Mexican cuisine is bound to stay here.

Back when I was still working at Makati City, I would go to this shady, unknown, dilapidated building along Ayala Avenue to buy traditional Mexican dishes at a certain Cantina Deliciosa Mexican stall owned by Mexican couple. My previous coworkers know who he is and he serves the cheapest Enchiladas, Soft Tacos and Burritos that one can find, and the line will just drive you crazy! But we always go there to buy food because it’s just that good. Never mind the stinky atmosphere that sticks to your clothing afterwards. Those chicken enchiladas are so damned worth it.

I was pretty much educated with Mexican cuisine through that lovely old Mexican guy whose friendliness jives with everyone. But I have a love-hate relationship when it comes to Mexican cuisine. It’s packed with calories and it will really, really make you gain weight. That’s a warning.

Mariachi Cantina Mexicana falls short of my love for Mexican food. It was cheap and delicious in its own way, but my benchmark is Cantina Deliciosa. (which I have no way of knowing if it’s still existing!)

Enchiladas Pollo Asada – P260

Mariachi’s Enchiladas Pollo Asada is good, but the maize tortilla is just a bit tough to slice, and really drowning in sweet tomato sauce. It’s good for 2-3 people to share though.

Mexican Skewers – P155

Mariachi’s Mexican Skewers are just okay, the beans and rice really blending well together. The salsa is pretty good, but didn’t neutralize my palate after. Too ketchup-y.

I’m kind of hesitant to return to Mariachi, to be honest. The place is cramp so the ventilation isn’t so good, plus the Mexican designs are just too distracting, creepy and didn’t feel Mexican at all. The smell is just stuck inside and could be a little suffocating. For some, maybe it’s best to sit outside then.

But then, I could still give it another go. It’s just that Cantina Deliciosa is still my first Mexican love, along with fond memories that go along with it.

From the Archives: In memory of Cantina Deliciosa?