I’ve been hearing all about Silantro Fil-Mex Cantinaa from my friends. They go all the way to Kapitolyo to have a taste of their Mexican food tweaked to suit the Filipino taste buds. (if you’re looking for authentic mexican food, this isn’t it!) Staying in Mandaluyong for most of the week, you’d think that I’ve explored the different restaurants in Kapitolyo and would be in-the-know about what and where to eat there. To be honest, I haven’t eaten in that many restaurants there since it’s a bit difficult to commute to, especially if by myself. Silantro has been on my eat-list for a while now and I’ve attempted to eat there before but the long lines and my grumbly tummy have discouraged me in the past. Thankfully, I was lucky enough to see a relatively short line (around 3 groups before us) this one time we passed by so I decided to finally see what the hype is all about.

Silantro is a small restaurant, as is the norm in the Kapitolyo area. The inside could probably fit around 20 people with a few tables outside for smokers and those who don’t mind the heat. The tables and chairs aren’t anything special, just wooden stools and tables. It’s really a no-fuss place to eat. Ambiance wise, there is pretty much none. It’s a no-nonsense place that serves affordable food. No artsy fartsy anything here.

Their menu has quite a bunch of interesting things. Before coming here, you can check their menu on Zomato and see if anything catches your eye. I usually do this when I go to new restaurants so I’ll know what to expect. Silantro has different nachos, quesadillas, burritos, tacos, and other main dishes for those who love rice. I knew what I wanted to order even before I went here: Beef nachos, chicken quesadilla, and soft tacos.  A few minutes after being seated, we were served our food. Good job to the quick service!

The beef nachos arrived and I had to stop and take a photo. It looked so good with all of the different toppings piled over the chips. The serving is quite generous, especially for the relatively inexpensive price you pay. It has cubes of well-seasoned beef, sliced tomatoes, onions, and parsley, some guacamole and melted cheese and sour cream. This was a great appetizer. I’d order this again. Loved it!

I honestly didn’t expect to see the quesadilla this way, looking more like a soft taco then a traditional quesadilla. Whenever I think of a quesadilla, I think of a tortilla folded in half with both sides pressed together, making it a flat and portable dish. Silantro’s quesadilla is different. First of all, there were big chunks of chicken and mushroom mixed in with the creamy, thick, and cheesy sauce. It had an interesting flavor, kind of felt like there was mashed potatoes in it, a bit over-seasoned for me but perhaps perfect for the normal Filipino, and definitely very filling. One of these is enough for a meal, making it great value for money! Try eating the fries together with the quesadilla for more crunch and texture.

For the taco, Silantro gives you the option of having it crunchy or soft. I personally don’t like crunchy tacos so I opted for the soft one. You can choose how many kinds of meat you want to put in your taco and they have enough choices to satisfy anyone: chicken, beef, ox tripe, lengua, lamb, etc. I chose lengua and lamb and it was really so good. It was tasty and well-seasoned, adding a bit of variety. They put a generous amount of tomatoes and lettuce on top, making it a complete and satisfying meal. I wouldn’t mind having just one of this for a meal. And with that price, it’s really a steal! The sauce they provide goes really well with this too. Only downside is it’s hard to eat with your bare hands since it’s huge.

I will definitely eat at Silantro again. I’d probably take out a taco for a meal with meat and veggies or a quesadilla for something heavier. Good food and very affordable. I hope they get a bigger space because I’d love to eat here more regularly. As it is, it’s always full and the turnover time is quite long since a lot of people go here to drink. Good job to them though for getting a lot of customers even with all the other restaurants around the area. Try it here!

Silantro Fil-Mex Cantina
75 East Capitol Drive, Kapitolyo
(near the end of Kapitolyo, beside the Church)