mexican food – The Jellybeans Edit

Casa Crawford’s flavorful Tex-Mex creations delivered to your doorstep

If there’s one thing that unites food lovers around the world, it’s the sheer joy of indulging in comfort food. For Filipino television host and singer Billy Crawford and his wife, fellow host Coleen Garcia, this passion for comfort led them to embark on a flavorful journey in the world of Tex-Mex cuisine.

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In 2021, in the midst of the global pandemic, they introduced Casa Crawford, a cloud kitchen that brings the heartwarming flavors of Mexican comfort food directly to your doorstep.

Casa Crawford’s Tex-Mex Creations

Casa Crawford’s dedication to flavor is matched by the comfort its creations bring to Tex-Mex food lovers. These include:

Nachos (Php249). Who would say no to a plate piled high with crispy flour tortilla chips, generously topped with succulent pork carnitas, velvety cheese sauce, zesty pico de gallo, and a hint of pickles for that perfect tang? These nachos are more than just an appetizer; they’re a symphony of textures and flavors that turn any gathering into a fiesta. It’s perfect for game day gatherings – adding a burst of flavor to the thrill of the game – or for virtual gatherings – a sure crowd-pleaser when your family and friends come together to catch up over good food.

Quesa-Birria Rice Bowl (Php399). When comfort meets creativity, you get Casa Crawford’s Quesa-Birria Rice Bowl. Bolzico Beef Birria meat, slow-cooked to tender perfection, is paired with a lavish serving of cheese sauce, all atop aromatic Mexican rice. It’s a dish that wraps you in a warm embrace, offering not only a satisfying meal but also a reminder of the power of comfort food. Reach for this bowl when you’ve got late-night cravings or when you want to treat yourself to something new and tasty.

Taco Pork Sisig (Php239). Prepare for a delightful fusion of cultures with Casa Crawford’s Taco Pork Sisig. This innovative creation combines the beloved Filipino dish pork sisig—featuring crunchy sisg bits topped with fresh veggies with a squeeze of tangy calamansi encased in soft tortilla. The result? A tantalizing marriage of savory and spicy flavors that takes your taste buds on a global journey. Make your weeknight dinners extra-special with this fantastic twist to a classic ulam.

The Perfect Blend of Comfort and Convenience

At the heart of Casa Crawford’s success lies their commitment to providing comfort and convenience. Billy and Coleen share a vision of offering reasonably-priced, flavorful food that effortlessly bridges the gap between nostalgia and innovation.

In a world that’s constantly evolving, one thing remains unchanged—the universal love for delectable comfort food. With Casa Crawford, you don’t need to venture far to savor the authentic flavors of Tex-Mex cuisine.

From nachos that elevate your gatherings to the Quesa-Birria Rice Bowl that wraps you in comfort, and the Taco Pork Sisig that explores new culinary horizons, Casa Crawford’s offerings are designed to cater to your cravings, one delectable bite at a time.

To get your hands on these Tex-Mex delicacies, simply course your order through GrabFood or FoodPanda.

Stay updated on Casa Crawford’s menu and offers by following it on Facebook and Instagram.

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate this feature story.

Weekend lunch at Mexicali SM Megamall: Why this Mexican restaurant is a must-try

Mexican cuisine has gained immense popularity in the Philippines. This is hardly surprising, given the many cultural links between Mexico and the Philippines (both being end ports of the Spanish Galleon Trade) and the appeal of the bold and spicy flavors of Mexican food to Pinoy taste buds.

For the past thirty years, Mexicali has been the go-to Mexican food place for Filipinos. I used to enjoy Happy Lunches with my officemates at its SM Megamall branch back when our office was located in Tektite. Later on, during the quarantine lockdowns, Hubby would order his favorite burrito from the same branch for delivery.

Now that quarantine restrictions have considerably eased and the family can move around more freely, the fam can now have our family lunch here during weekends.

Let me give you five reasons why lunch at Mexicali in SM Megamall is a great choice for the fam.

Casual and Relaxed Atmosphere

The atmosphere at Mexicali is casual and relaxed, making it the perfect place to unwind during our family lunch hour. The colorful decor and lively music add to the festive vibe.

Wide Variety of Mexican Food Options

Mexicali offers a wide variety of menu options to choose from, so you’re sure to find something that suits your taste buds. They have burritos, tacos, fajitas, quesadillas, and more, all made with fresh and authentic ingredients and in portions great for sharing.

Carne Asada Burrito (₱369). A monster sized roll made with a large soft taco filled with grilled steak, beans, Mexican rice, fresh tomatoes, onions, cheese, sour cream and guacamole. Hubby’s favorite that my son #ExhibitB has been developing a liking for, too!

El Chupacabra Pollo Asado (₱173) and Carnitas (₱193) Street Tacos. Authentic Mexican street tacos filled with grilled chicken and roast pork popularized by the Poblacion establishment El Chupacabra.

Grilled Chicken (₱323) and Arroz Ala Cubana (₱293) Dinner Plates. Grilled chicken and salsa, and seasoned ground beef and grilled plantains, served with hefty servings of Mexican rice.

Chili con Carne (₱409). A tasty stew made with beef, beans, tomatoes and aromatics generously seasoned with chili. This goes so well as an appetizer with nacho chips or as a side dish to the dinner plate or burrito.

They also have vegetarian options, so diners can opt for healthier meal alternatives (but it just so happens that this family consists of omnivores!).

While fresh fruit shakes and beers were available, we instead opted for Sodas in Cans (₱105) for our drinks.

Generous Portions

Mexicali is known for its generous portions, so you can be sure the fam won’t leave feeling hungry. The burritos and dinner plates were particularly filling, while the tacos are perfect for a lighter lunch and the nacho chips and chili con carne are perfect for sharing.

Affordable Prices

Despite the generous portions and quality ingredients, Mexicali’s prices are affordable, making it a great option for our lunch on a budget. We were able to enjoy a delicious and filling meal without breaking the bank.

Convenient Location

Mexicali is conveniently located in SM Megamall, making it easily accessible for after Sunday Mass or during our weekend errands.

If you’re looking for a quick bite to eat or a leisurely weekend lunch for the fam, Mexicali is a great choice.

This Mexicali branch is located at Upper Ground Floor, SM Megamall Building A, 1550 Doña Julia Vargas Avenue, Mandaluyong City, open Mondays to Thursdays from 10am to 9pm and Fridays to Sundays from 10am to 10pm. For inquiries, call +63 977 0313054 or +63 2 82566074.

Other branches are located at:

Glorietta 2, Ayala Center, Ayala Avenue, Makati City (Tel: +63 905 3652309 or +63 2 88945354)
Recess Food Alley, 19-B General Vicente Lim, San Juan City (Tel: +63 995 8237493)

Mexicali also delivers via GrabFood and FoodPanda.

Stay updated on its promos and offers by following Mexicali Philippines on Facebook and Instagram.

Say hello to satisfying paella at Hola Paella, SM Megamall

I’ve always had a soft spot for paella. As one of the most well-known Spanish dishes with a long history, it enjoys great visibility, not just in Spanish restaurants but also in Pinoy fiestas.

The paella got its name from the shallow frying pan in which it is cooked and even served. Originating from the Valencia region in Spain, it combines both the Roman and Arab culinary traditions. Most iterations of this dish is characterized by its vibrant yellow color owing to the generous use of saffron which also contributes to its unique taste. One of the exceptions here is the Paella Negra which gets its color and flavor from the squid ink mixed in with the rice.

Having been colonized by Spain for three centuries, it is hardly surprising that the Philippines would develop a love for this dish, even making our own version – the arroz ala valenciana – which uses glutinous rice with chicken and longganisa or chorizo.

Well, the good news for us paella lovers is that we don’t have to travel far nor wait for a fiesta to get a taste of our favorite dish.

At the newly opened stall at SM Megamall’s Eatogether Food Hall, we can get this flavorful rice dish and pick the toppings we want to go with it.

Together with my fellow foodies, I was able to sample some of its solo servings.

Check them out:

Roasted Chicken Paella (Php235).

Pork Belly Paella (Php215).

Seafood Paella (Php185).

Paella Negra (Php290).

Aside from its many paella iterations, Hola Paella also serves appetizers such as:

Chicken Burrito (Php250).

Nachos with Pulled Pork (Php160).

It’s great to see that one of my favorite dishes is so readily available.

In fact, I brought home a Paella de Carne (Php710) for the fam’s dinner the next day. All I had to do was reheat the rice (with a little bit of stirring at first) in a large cast iron skillet and leave it alone on the stove for a few minutes to form a little bit of soccarat – the toasted and caramelized rice crust that forms at the bottom of skillet which gives the dish a whole new dimension of flavor.

Hola Paella is located at Eatogether Food Hall, Second Floor SM Megamall Building A, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.

If you want to have your paella at home, you can order from Hola Paella via GrabFood, FoodPanda or Poodtrip.

For more info on Hola Paella and its latest offers, follow it on Facebook or Instagram.

Disclosure: I attended a food-tasting here together with fellow foodies. All food items mentioned here were served for us to sample the fare and elicit our honest feedback.

Check out my posts on other stalls at Eatogether Food Hall: