Mexicali, a longtime homegrown favorite known for its California-style burritos and Tex-Mex staples, opened a new branch on Mother Ignacia Avenue in Quezon City, expanding its reach to northern Metro Manila.
The opening follows the closure of the restaurant’s Glorietta 2 branch in Makati, which had served diners since 1993. The Makati location, one of the first locally owned Mexican restaurants in the country, officially closed on Jan. 31.
Founded in the early 1990s by siblings Dennis, Gonzalo, and Francesca Mabanta, Mexicali was inspired by the family’s time in San Francisco’s Mission District and their craving for Mexican cuisine. The brand quickly gained popularity by offering burritos, tacos, enchiladas and quesadillas with a blend of Latin and Filipino flavors.
The new Quezon City location aims to preserve that legacy while introducing its offerings to a new neighborhood. It’s the same menu that people love, just in a different place.
Mexicali’s expansion reflects a continued appetite among Filipino diners for casual, flavor-forward dining options rooted in international traditions. Despite the loss of the Glorietta branch, long a fixture for office workers and loyal customers, the restaurant’s latest move signals a new chapter for the brand as it marks over three decades in business.
The Quezon City branch is now open to the public.
