Compañeros: Taqueria x Carinderia | Must-try Taqueria in Poblacion, Makati
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I was invited to the official press launch of Compañeros: Taqueria x Carinderia. Since this was my first time attending such an event, I was really excited to be included in an intimate dining experience and to try their offerings. For transparency, I will provide my honest restaurant and food review for my readers.
Compañeros: Taqueria x Carinderia is a hole-in-the-wall taqueria, specializing in Mexican street tacos. Owned by a husband and wife Philip Gonda and Regine Estillore-Gonda, both lawyers by profession, the couple ventured into the startup restaurant business. Their concept draws inspiration from authentic Mexican Taquerias.
Located at the heart of Poblacion, Makati, Compañeros: Taqueria x Carinderia offers a chef-driven take on a Mexican tacos, incorporating Filipino flavors. They began their soft launch operation in May 2024 and celebrated their grand opening on July 11, 2024.
While the dishes and flavors sticks to tradition, the inspiration for the design of Compañeros: Taqueria x Carinderia comes from street culture, modern luxury street wear and hole-in-the-wall restaurants of Harajuku and Iteawon. The restaurant has two floors, with the first floor operating mainly as an open kitchen. The dining area, located on the second floor, is accented by neon lights and a graffiti on a wall. The dining space is small and has a few tables. Compañeros: Taqueria x Carinderia also features a veranda with several tables for those who prefer al fresco dining and want to enjoy the scene of Poblacion.
Compañeros: Taqueria x Carinderia’s offerings includes appetizers, their specialty tacos, rice bowls, house-made juices and alcoholic drinks.
The event started with two entradas or appetizers: Chilaquiles con Longgarizo and Chicharron Bulaklak & Guacamole. Compañeros: Taqueria x Carinderia also served their house-made drink to compliment the dishes.
The Chicharron Bulaklak & Guacamole is a deep fried pork flower served with guacamole dip. While I am accustomed to eating Chicarron Bulaklak with only vinegar, I was pleasantly surprised by how well the combination of flavors matched.
Chilaquiles con Longgarizo is their take on nachos. Compañeros: Taqueria x Carinderia used shredded spicy garlic loggarizo, mozzarella cheese and sunny side up, all drizzled with their salsa verde.
The first house-made juice served was the Watermelon Dayap Agua Fresca. It is a mixture of watermelon, dayap or lime and crushed basil.
Transitioning to the main event, Compañeros: Taqueria x Carinderia allowed us to sample all 5 tacos and their three signature salsas.
The first taco served was the Compañeros Quesabirria. This is a beef birria with mozzarella cheese on a cheese-crusted corn tortilla. It wouldn’t be a birria without the beef stew broth, or consomé. Their version was thicker and had more flavors compared to the other birrias I’ve tried. Definitely my top choice in Compañeros: Taqueria x Carinderia.
Taco number two was Al Pastor Filipino Pork BBQ. This is Compañeros: Taqueria x Carinderia’s version of the most famous taco in Mexico. It is prepared by slow-roasting pork on a trompo, or vertical grill. Adding their signature BBQ sauce to create a taco with a Filipino BBQ flavor. This one is my second top pick.
The third taco served was the Crispy Fish. It consists of bee- batter fish, Mangga Ensalada and their Asian tartar sauce. What is unique about it dish is that they use a local seasonal fish to create it. If you are a fan of fish, then this may be a perfect option for you.
The list of top Filipino dishes wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Sisig. So, for our fourth taco at Compañeros: Taqueria x Carinderia, we tried their rendition to this dish, their OG Pork Sisig. While their version is decent, I feel it lacks the traditional sisig flavor.
Last taco on our list was Tapa Carne Asada or Grilled Steak. Compañeros: Taqueria x Carinderia uses premium Australian Ribeye for this taco. I appreciate that they grilled the steak to medium rare, which keeps the meat juicy and flavorful.
To wrap up our experience at Compañeros: Taqueria x Carinderia experience, they offered us a taste of their Melon Horchata. Inspired by Melon Samalamig, this drink has a slightly sweet flavor, making it a perfect dessert option after enjoying their tacos.
I am grateful to my friends from Compañeros: Taqueria x Carinderia for the wonderful experience. My first press launch is truly a memorable one.
Recommendations: Top picks are Compañeros Quesabirria, Al Pastor Filipino Pork BBQ, Chicharron Bulaklak & Guacamole and both the agua frescas
Tip: Best to try their Taco Flight, it includes all 5 tacos with 3 signature salsas.
Here’s a list of Restaurants to try in Makati
IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER IN COMPAÑEROS: TAQUERIA X CARINDERIA
Compañeros: Taqueria x Carinderia Information
FB: @companerostaqueria / IG: companerostaqueria
Address: Unit 6, Ground Floor and Mezzanine, Matheus Building, Poblacion, Makati
Compañeros: Taqueria x Carinderia’s store hours:
Tuesday to Thursday – 5:00PM to 12:00MN
Friday to Saturday – 5:00PM to 2:00AM
Closed on Sunday and Monday
Compañeros: Taqueria x Carinderia has aircontitioned and al fresco dining.
Compañeros: Taqueria x Carinderia has limited seating. Expect queues during peak hours.
Compañeros: Taqueria x Carinderia accepts walk-ins.
Limited parking slots in front of the building. There are several pay parking spaces nearby.
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Must-try Pizzeria in Makati.