Lágrima San Juan — Restaurant in San Juan

This is one of my most favorite restaurants. I was already a patron back when they first opened in 2016 when they still had a Mexican chef (I wonder what happened to him?)

Now I am so happy that they have a branch near my workplace.

FOOD I like to get the street tacos. I always get 2, but when I’m super hungry I get their combos that come in 3s. The gringa which is a street taco with cheese is also good but sometimes I prefer to go without the rich flavor.

The Al Pastor is my ultimate favorite. The chicken is seasoned just right and the pineapple slices add a refreshing taste. The runner up Is the shrimp taco. The flavors are just right, and the shrimp is so crispy. And they are generous with it too.

I tried the burrito once but because I cant finish it I rarely order it.

The agua frescas are good too. I always get the limonada or the calamansi.

The restaurant here is smaller than the Salcedo branch but I like that it has a speakeasy vibe. In fact when they opened, I drove past it because they didn’t have a sign! They do now though.

Parking used to be a problem, since the space in the compound is limited and also shared by the nearby salon. Now I think you can park in the parking building right in front.

I always bring my friends here. It’s still the best taco place! Very authentic! Other taco places tend to make the meat sweet. And their salsas are also sweet! But here, the salsa rojo and salsa verde are very good. The salsa rojo tastes like it was made with roasted peppers. My favorite is the salsa verde. It has the right acidity, less spice but it complements the tacos so well.

This place is perfect after a long day. Get a beer...

Arrived, no parking, parked a little ways off, walked back. When we got there, some bikers arrived, i walked in the door first but they insisted the bikers would take priority because they saw them first, but fine whatever, decided to get take out to save time.

The wait was 45 minutes.

And then they overcharged me, which i had to point out. The refund however was fast and fuss free so no harm no foul.

Cash or gcash only, at these prices having a credit card terminal would be appreciated, who even carries cash these days?

Carnitas quesadilla was overly soggy at the bottom, but maybe it's my fault and it wasn't meant for takeout. It was a giant quesadilla but at close to 500 it didn't feel like a bargain at all. Taste was nothing special.

Carne asada taco: was excited for the pickled peppers, peppers didn't look, or taste, pickled. Much disappointment.

Pollo al pastor: pineapple in a taco, i feel the same way about it as pineapples on pizza, take from that what you will. I was expecting the pineapple to be more roasted though, but nary a grill mark to be found.

I did like the sauces though, but 1 tiny cup was barely enough for the tacos, much less the quesadilla.

I'd say taste is about average, but not very good value for money, recommend dining in due to my less than ideal takeout experience but since space and parking are few and far in between that's easier...

What is this green elixir of life?! It makes my mouth so happy! Tastes like guac with cilantro, but avocados are expensive so it can't be guac. Or can it? Can it? I can (and did) eat this green sauce by itself. It's that good.

I forgot to take pics of our order because we were sooo hungry, but we ordered the: classic shrimp burrito classic pollo asado burrito cheese quesadilla triple threat set (street fish, gringa pollo al pastor, and crunchy chorizo) O.G. horchata fresa horchata (x2)

I only ate the seafood orders and they were delicious. I grew up in SoCal, so I'm very honest about the authenticity of Mexican food outside of North America. I can say Lágrima passes my test. My Mexican friends and tias would approve of their flavors - the kind that stays in your mouth long after you finish your meal. Yes, there's still something Filipino about their smaller portions and seasoning, but so far, Lágrima has been the closest to authentic (non-pretentious) Mexican food that I've tasted in the Philippines. Definitely coming back to this place again.

Keep in mind that seating is limited, but I think that also adds to it authenticity. In SoCal, Mexican food is usually ordered to-go, to eat at home or inside the car at the parking lot. When I finally get a car in the Philippines, I'm doing exactly...