Ay Chihuahua!

Who doesn’t love a damn good taco with lots of fresh habanero sauce? A huge bowl of tortilla chips covered in beans, guacamole, salsa, jalapeños and probably the best chili in town? Top it off with a frozen slushie margarita? I know I do. And I want it extra hot!

Brainchild of Elian Habayeb and Ines Cabarrus, Chihuahua is your quick fix for the Mexican craving. Being the masterminds behind Manila’s Best-Kept Secrets, a widely successful book that sought to reveal the best resto finds around the Metro — plus Ines being a well-established wine connoisseur and a part of the Chaine des Rotisseurs, and Elian being a well-known face on the DJ scene with his sexy house music — there is no doubt these two know a thing or two about what it takes to please a crowd.

Chihuahua owners Elian Habayeb and Ines Cabarrus sure know how to please a hungry crowd.

Chihuahua has a great, no-frills appeal. They’re not trying to sell you 15 minutes of Mexico with cheesy Mexican hats, colorful ponchos, faux cacti, Disneyland-esque adobe-type walls with painted-on cracks (those kind of joints make me feel more like I’m in a Pancho Villa horror movie than by the Rio Grande). This place is slick and modern, in-your-face fresh food but fast, efficient, I-want-a-burrito-now, slam-bam-thank-you-ma’am! Fabulous salsa music plays as you enter, and it reminds me more of those So-Cal burrito joints south of El Camino.

As you approach the counter, you’ll find an impressive display of hot sauces — some of which are collector’s items with crazy names like “Ass-Burn” and “Near Death” sent in by Elian’s mother living near the border in Texas. Although you can try them (unless they’re opened), why would you want to, since you can have their homemade habanero sauce? It comes in three levels of intensity and nothing beats the punch of fresh chilies and limes.

Chick-mate: The chicken burrito is truly a bang for your buck.

Ordering is easy. It’s just four easy steps. Step 1 - Start: Steak, Chicken, Pork or Veggies. Step 2 – Getting There: Tacos, Burrito, Burrito or Salad. Step 3 – Almost Done: A choice of sides… Mexican Rice, Chili, Nacho Grande, Chips and Queso or Tortilla Soup. Step 4 – Finished! Tequila, margarita, Michelada, beer, beer on tap and soft drinks to wash it down. You know what you’re in for because this is one place where alcohol tops the beverage list. Soft drinks? What’s that?

So saucy: Chihuahua’s Sauce Gallery boasts an impressive display of hot sauces some of which are collector’s items with crazy names like “Ass-Burn” and “Near Death.”

We were waiting in line to place our order and a huge bowl of their Nacho Grande was shoved under my nose. “You have to try this,” Ines says. Hmmm… One tortilla chip down, I was hooked. I’m one of those people that need to have everything on that one chip. Frustration got the best of me and I took a fork and attacked it like Zapata on his revolutionary day, stabbing at those incredible flavors with my fork. The Zorro soundtrack played in my head in tune with the crunch-crunch rhythm from the tortilla chips. A touch of heat, velvety avocado, creamy frijoles, tangy limes, fresh tomatoes and that oh-so-delicious chili… This had to be the night’s winner. Simply because half a giant burrito, a tall margarita, and two tequila-spiked Micheladas later, I ordered another bowl and shamelessly shoved it into my face. Conversation? What conversation? It’s just me and my nachos grande, baby.

Beer with a kick: Try out the Michelada, Mexico’s zesty, spicy version of the Bloody Mary, at Chihuahua.

I had the chicken burrito. Trust me: hefty portions in this place for very reasonable prices. Cheryl and I shared a giant burrito and I could barely finish mine. The rice was well seasoned, the chicken had a great char-grilled flavor. Truly bang for your buck. Jonathan had the pulled pork tacos, which were excellent. Those soft tacos will definitely be a hit. Suggestion, guys: For the confused or plain matakaw clients like myself, maybe you could do a taco sampler with three tacos of one each: steak, chicken or pork! That way you can have it all!

That margarita is a traitor. Be ready to sell your soul as you down that dangerous drink. Fabulous flavor, slushed-up perfectly with loads of tequila. Oh, you won’t taste it… but you will feel it later. For those wondering what a Michelada is, well, let me tell you. A Michelada is pure genius. It’s the epitome of love or hate. I’m a Bloody Mary kinda woman, so when I tried this I was hooked. It’s ice-cold beer, with three dashes of Worcestershire sauce, three of Knorr or Maggi seasoning, one of Tabasco and a squeeze of lime. You can have it this way or have my crazy version with five dashes of Tabasco and a shot of Tequila. It’s the Stephanie Special: ask only if you dare. Your mouth will be pleasantly on fire and you’ll definitely be doing La Cucaracha like Speedy Gonzalez all night long! Andale!

Burrito munchers: Cheryl Tiu and the author Stephanie Zubiri having their chicken burritos.

What is most commendable about this place is the effort to make everything fresh. Mexican street food is quite simple but my, oh, my, haven’t we all had some duds? Cheap tortillas, faux guacamole, terrible neon orange cheese and the mother of all kitchen disasters: bottled salsa with its dubious bright red color and strange watered-down flavor. These guys do it from scratch, turning the simple into the incredible. Located smack in the heart of bustling Makati, in front of A. Venue Mall and right beside Makati’s newest night club, Time, Chihuahua is the perfect place to start or end your night. The lively music, hits-the-spot food, unbeatable prices and that Michelada. Come on, now! Sing it with me! “Uno, dos, tres… Pam-pam-param… Pam-pam-param… Ay Chihuahua!”

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PS: Chihuahua opens next week. For inquiries, call 0917-8160413.