Mama mia! It's Tia Maria's!

MANILA, Philippines - These days when the lights go out, one place packs up a crowd. It’s a place that dates back to 1990. Now, about 20 years later, it’s still a notable chill-out spot where people can lounge around, have some great Mexican food and, more importantly, have a drink.

Open invitation: Help yourself to some Mexican open burrito at Tia Maria’s.

I don’t know about you, but I find myself at Tia Maria’s every so often just to chill out and have a glass (or two) of their famous frozen margarita. Tia Maria’s Classic Margarita has been one of the restaurant’s signature drinks for decades. It’s a potent combination of lime juice, Mexican tequila, and triple sec, blended with ice and served perfectly in a salt-rimmed margarita glass.

For something a little more on the fruity side, Tia Maria’s also mixes up a mean Zombie. It’s a blend of rum, three fruit juices, and grenadine. Have it by the glass, pitcher or tower (serves nine to 10), if you’re sharing with a lot of friends.

Of course, your night out at Tia Maria’s is never complete without its equally famous food. For a big gang, start out with a platter of nachos grande, tortilla chips topped with Mexican beef, olives, cheddar cheese sauce, jalapeños, salsa, and sour cream. There are also the perfectly fried and humongous buffalo wings, marinated with Mexican spices and served with a cool bleu cheese dip.

As always, your night at Tia Maria’s is never complete without the restaurant’s signature Tex-Mex food. My personal favorite is the carne asada burrito, soft taco filled with tender slices of grilled pork, Mexican rice, pico de gallo, refried beans, and chili ali-oli. There’s also the classic tacos, which may be served soft or crispy. Then, there’s Tia Maria’s enchiladas, tortillas filled with chicken or beef and ranchero sauce, then topped with cheese and served with Mexican rice.

Spice, spice, baby: Tia Maria’s perfectly fried and huge buffalo wings are marinated with Mexican spices and served with bleu cheese dip.

Aside from these, Tia Maria’s also serves up some serious platters that are good for four to five persons. There’s the Tia’s Mexi Grilled Grande platter that features Tex-Mex spareribs, Mexican chicken inasal, Mexi pork barbecue grande, grilled squid, and nacho chips. There’s the Mexican platter that’s got grande burrito, enchiladas, soft taco, and quesadillas.

There’s the seafood platter, featuring Tia Maria’s shrimp Acapulco, calamares, and breaded fish fillet. And then, there’s the super sampler, featuring appetizer favorites such as Mexican pizza, buffalo wings, cheese & jalapeño flautas, taquito wedges, and more.

Meanwhile, for dessert, Tia Maria’s whips up an addictive banana con rum, fresh bananas soaked in syrup made with sugar, rum, and butter.

Whatever you do, come here hungry and ready to drink!

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Watch for Tia Maria’s margarita and zombie promos coming out this month. Tia Maria’s is located at Festival Supermall, Alabang; Mall of Asia, Pasay; De La Rosa Carpark 1, Makati; and Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City.