El Chupacabra

Street tacos are really the heart and soul of Mexico’s diverse cuisine. From the North to the South of the country, tacos are eaten by everyone, rich or poor, worker or businessman, famous or not so famous. Street tacos are the most democratic of Mexican foods. And now they are available in Makati for the first time. At El Chupacabra, we have our local taco expert Gonzo making sure that what you get is the real thing, a proper, authentic Mexican taco. The familiar u-shaped crispy corn shell filled with ground beef, lettuce, cheese and tomato does not exist in Mexico; it is an entirely American invention.

A Mexican street taco comes in a freshly made soft corn tortilla (made from corn masa, not from regular white flour), and can be ordered with fillings such as carne asada, carnitas, lengua, pollo, pescado, camaron, chorizo, barbacoa and tripa. It is then topped very simply with chopped onions, fresh cilantro, and a zingy fresh salsa. No lettuce, no cheese, no gringo-style ground beef. It is served open-faced on a little plate, and fresh lime is squeezed on by the diner, then picked up and folded slightly, and into the mouth it goes in three or four bites. A simple, supremely satisfying taste explosion. Commonly in Mexico, people will eat three, four, five or more tacos at a time.

At El Chupacabra, you can now experience this amazingly delectable Mexican contribution to the world of food (average price per taco: P80), along with cheap 35 peso beers, and some gourmet pork bbq on the side. Watch for our daily Mexican specials too, written on the chalkboard.