During my recent visit to Cebu, I made it a point to visit Maya, purportedly the best Mexican restaurant in the Philippines.
After entering the big wooden doors, you won’t miss the giant golden mask hanging on the wall besides the stairs leading to the 2nd floor. Masks are a recurring theme around the restaurant from the outside to the bar.The place is tastefully decorated with some specially made lights on the side accented by dragonflies.
The waiters were very attentive and knew the menu very well since we asked their advise in ordering. Since we wanted to veer away from the usual tacos and burritos, he suggested a few of their specialties.
We settled on Maya Nachos (P335) to start, masa chips with salsa roja, sour cream, pickled peppers and chili con carne. This is by far the best nachos I’ve ever tasted. One bite of the chips and you can immediately tell its home made, they are much thinner than ordinary chips and have a nice flavor to them. They served this dish hot, putting it in the oven for a little while to melt the cheese as well as toast the chips some more.
For my main course I picked Costillas En Salsa Chiptole (P425), baby back ribs with smoky chipotle BBQ sauce. The ribs were much closer to ordinary ribs than to baby back ribs I expected. This slight inconsistency does not detract from the oh so wonderfully grilled ribs with a slight spiciness because of the chipotle(smoke dried jalapeno’s).
Irene saw Enchiladas de Queso Y Pollo (P385) on the menu and although she glanced at other items, I knew she would still order chicken enchilada. The dish might look like nothing special when it arrives on the table, one bite and you’ll see it packs quite a taste. Irene immediately commented that the tortilla is so chewy unlike the enchiladas she’s had. I had a taste and I have to say I agree.
Irene had a complimentary Margarita with her dinner, which we got courtesy of my Enjoy Card coupon. She commented that it was a weird way to served the drink and not in the usual margarita glass. I don’t drink so I did not taste this, Irene said it was ok.
All the two of us could say after the filling meal was wow, all the things we heard were true. This is the best Mexican restaurant we’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting. I wanted to have another meal but could not find the opportunity. They announced on their menu that they are going to be conquering Manila in 2011, I for one can’t wait to have the chance to eat at Maya again
Maya Taqueria and Tequila Lounge
Crossroads, Banilad, Cebu City
238.9552
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your pics look so good! :D i want to fly to cebu now! i want a piece of those baby back ribs
grabe mouthwatering nachos richard!!!
We’re going here on our upcoming trip to Cebu!!!! Yahoooooo!
I cannot wait to blog about this. I love Mexican and from the looks of it, with fingers crossed, it will not disappoint.
Janey
Between Bites
http://www.janedchua.com
can you post here? the burrito bar in btc they also have the best Californian-Mexican burrito in bar set up…
What the heck do the Mayans have to do with Mexican food? Especially, burritos, nachos and enchiladas. The Mayans were no where near Mexico. They were in Yucatan, and their civilization was already dead when the Spanish Conquitadors arrived. Nachos, burritos, tacos are not Mexican food. Those are all from Texas towns bordering Mexico. TexMex is what we call it in the states. Even the Mexican call it that.
The best Mexican Food in Cebu is at Banana Moon Cantina in Mactan Island. Just across the bridge from Cebu. Both the SunStar and The Freeman Newspapers agree. Maya just has a better publicist. Maya’s head chef is Vietamese. Banana Moon’s Chef is From El Paso Texas. You decide.
Banana Moon Cantina is the Best Mexican Food in Cebu. You can’t compare Maya at all. The people who eat at Maya obviously have never been anywhere near real Mexican Food.
SunStar Newspaper said Banana Moon Cantina is the Best. Banana Moon Could open tomorrow in San Antonio or Tijuana and be the best place in town.