The new taqueria combines the best of both Mexican and Filipino cuisine.

There&rsquo;s a new restaurant in town and it&rsquo;s calling out to all the Filipino-Mexican lovers! Compa&ntilde;eros was founded by Philip Gonda and Regine Estillore-Gonda, a couple who are lawyers by profession and absolute foodies at heart. Though Mexican restaurants are no stranger to the streets of Poblacion, Compa&ntilde;eros changes the game with its infusion with Filipino cuisine.
The owners shared that Mexican cuisine is the best platform to elevate Filipino food because we share similarities with their culture. And apart from it being a beloved comfort food here in the Philippines, it's very versatile because a tortilla basically acts as a blank canvas. &ldquo;Pinoy food is way beyond basic, and that's what we hope to [show] with Compa&ntilde;eros,&rdquo; they furthered.
The restaurant&rsquo;s name is derived from the Spanish word for &ldquo;companions&rdquo; as its food is meant to be enjoyed with company. At the same time, its name is also an homage to the couple&rsquo;s profession.

The mastermind behind the menu is Chef Kevin David, a young Filipino Chef with passion for Mexican cuisine with experience in Michelin Guide US restaurants. The food is carefully prepared by three talented chefs on the daily. Chef Jun Mendoza is a veteran of the food scene and is the team&rsquo;s leader. Chef Mark Labor is Compa&ntilde;eros&rsquo; very own birria master and Chef EJ Fajardo is behind the beautiful plating served for your enjoyment.

The Compañeros Team

While the five tacos infused with rich Filipino-Mexican flavors are the highlight of their menu, they also offer original beverages, appetizers, and three different types of salsa with a Compa&ntilde;eros twist.

Taco Flight (5 tacos in one platter)

Watermelon Dayap Agua Fresca

Melon Horchata

Chicharron Bulaklak & Guacamole

Chilaquiles con Longgarizo

Compa&ntilde;eros Quesabirria

Indulge in this Mexican staple. Compa&ntilde;eros&rsquo; version of the quesabirria is truly authentic as the team reached out to their Mexican friends in its creation. This taco is unique as it features a cheese-crusted corn tortilla and house-made original beef birria recipe. Each bite leaves you wanting more of the tender and flavorful meat.

Al Pastor Filipino Pork BBQ

Compa&ntilde;eros transforms a Filipino classic into a taco bursting with flavor. &ldquo;The vision is &lsquo;pag kumakain ka ng barbecue sa gilid ng street,&rdquo; Philip Gonda shares humorously. The pork is&nbsp; slow-roasted on a tropo or a vertical pit to retain the distinct sweetness of Filipino pork barbecue, while incorporating different flavors for balance. The sweetness of the grilled pineapples pair well with the acidity of the spiced vinegar aioli, elevating the taco.&nbsp;

Crispy Fish

Made of Filipino beer-battered seasonal local fish, Compa&ntilde;eros&rsquo; crispy fish taco is a highlight from the selection of tacos. The mangga ensalada-pico de gallo and Compa&ntilde;eros Asian tartar sauce add an almost refreshing and tangy mouthfeel that is sure to become a crowd favorite.

OG Pork Sisig

As the father of Filipino-Mexican cuisine, it&rsquo;s only fitting for the restaurant to incorporate sisig into their menu. This taco is made of fried and grilled pork cheeks for that smoky sisig flavor with a slight crunch, topped with mirin pickled green chilis and a special Compa&ntilde;eros soy sauce crema. You can never really go wrong with sisig, and with a dish that perfectly encapsulates the marriage between the two cuisines, this taco is definitely en route to becoming a Poblacion classic.

Tapa Carne Asada (Grilled Steak)

This taco is slightly more expensive than the other four on the menu and for good reason. It&rsquo;s made of premium Australian ribeye coated in a house-made Korean tapa-galbi marinade that makes your mouth water at the smell of it! "This taco is more on the sweet side because we Pinoys [typically] love things sweeter," the Gondas shared. The meat is tender and has just the right amount of sweetness to satisfy cravings.

Despite the abundance of taquer&iacute;as around the Metro, Compa&ntilde;eros stands out as a promising option. "We don't want to view other taquer&iacute;as as competition because there's room for everybody," the couple warmly stated.
What makes Compa&ntilde;eros unique is their homage to both Mexican cuisine and Filipino street food, blending authentic Mexican street tacos with a Filipino twist. This careful consideration and research are evident in both the restaurant&rsquo;s aesthetic and menu development. Compa&ntilde;eros is the perfect place to catch up with friends over delectable food and drinks.
Compa&ntilde;eros, located at Poblacion, Makati, is open from 5 PM to 12 MN on Tuesdays to Thursdays and from 5 PM to 2 AM on Fridays and Saturdays.&nbsp;
For updates and promos, follow them on Instagram at @companerostaqueria.

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