Benjamin tacos + quesadilla — Restaurant in Lubao

WOW!!! Mexican food in the Philippines? No, seriously I've already tried a few of the Mexican restaurants here and none of their food made me say mmm.

I had low expectations going here, we went for a road trip, decided to find something to eat near by and this place showed up on Google. I figured we're hungry it can't be worse than the other places we've eaten at may as well give it a try.

After walking around for 20 minutes looking at all the cool decor and appreciating the tranquility of the environment we decided to order.

The food came quicker than I expected, looked good but my eyes have deceived me before.

I took a bite, a little puzzled I took another bite taking my time to chew it and then I blurted out OMFG this is good! I don't like to use the word authentic BUT and there is a big BUT here, this is by far the most authentic tasting Mexican food I've had in the Philippines and even in many parts of the US.

The only thing that would make this a true Mexican meal is if there were refried beans and Spanish rice but make no mistake it is the BEST Mexican food I've had yet in the Philippines and I believe it would be almost impossible for another place to be better.

All the staff was on point very attentive and seemed happy. One of the owners/family member was there and was hands on with checking on the guest, awesome guy that seems to really love what he does.

Definitely will be back...

Benjamin Tacos + Quesadilla is a homegrown restaurant/cantina located in a small town in Lubao, Pampanga.

The place has this relaxed vibe, with sturdy wooden tables, and a myriad of farming tools and household contraptions of decades past hanging from the walls. The dining area is well-ventilated, taking advantage of the wide open space with its outdoor seats. There are also seats on the veranda of the house on which it stands for those who prefer the indoors.

The food tastes great to say the least. They offer the usual Tex-Mex fanfare with their Tacos, Quesadillas, Fajitas, and Nachos, all of which are highly recommended for their flavor and price. They also serve pasta and rice meals, which will satisfy a single diner. Local beers are also present if you'd like to liven up your conversations with a little drink.

The staff are very attentive and courteous as well. The moment you enter the establishment, a bell is rung by the personnel at the front gate, alerting the staff inside that a new guest has arrived and needs to be seated. This kind of pomp is simple in execution but gives Benjamin its unique flair compared to others.

If you're craving for affordable, delicious Tex-Mex style food and you're nowhere near the city, this is the...

First time to dine here and wala akong masabi kung hindi MASARAP ang kanilang mga pagkain.

Food: Tasty food! The beef of their tacos and nachos supreme are flavorful, aside from generous serving. The carnitas, carbonara, and soy garlic chicken are all delicious and flavorful.

Service: They give you a device and just need to press a button for them to attend you immediately. Their staff are courteous, neat, clean-looking and alert. I liked how the bell is rang each time a guest enters the restaurant. It serves as a welcome notice for the staff. We asked for left-overs to be taken out and they gladly obliged. Our take-out order for tacos were packed nicely. One container for each ingredient to maintain the crispiness of the shell. How's that for superb service?! ☺️

Ambiance/Cleanliness: You will be dining in an open, relaxing and semi-modern environment. We arrived before 5pm and never felt uncomfortable given the summer heat. They have fans to boot. I liked how they utilized pitcher-style water pumps as faucet. You just have to raise the handle and water will flow freely. Restrooms were clean when we dined in there.

I heard this resto opens from Friday to Sunday only. Check them out. You'll...