After serving authentic Mexican food through popups and bazaars for a couple of years, Cochi Loco Manila finally opened shop at SM Aura Premier in Taguig City last March 15, 2021. With its fresh food aroma and brightly-lit interiors, one would instantly get the joint’s casual and vibrant neighborhood taqueria vibe.
Johnny Rodriguez, owner and head chef, is the heart of Cochi Loco Manila. “We're a very new company as we started a little bit over two years ago and so far it's been amazing,” he shares. “We've actually tried to do as much as possible as we have more people coming through and more colleagues working with us, making us able to expand a little bit.”
With Mexican restaurants popping out in various corners of the metro, Cochi Loco Manila’s menu is what sets it apart. When asked for recommendations, Chef Johnny quickly gives a rundown of his favorites saying, “I'm a pork kind of guy, so I love the Carnitas. If I had to choose between Carnitas or Birria Queso Taco, of course I choose the birria only because it's really good.”
“But you know pork is always my fallback taco. The Carnitas is amazing and it's got a really nice orange taste to it as we marinated it in orange juice,” Chef Johnny continues. “The other would be Tacos Al Pastor. It's marinated pork strips that are usually like a doner kebab kind of style, but the way we do it here, it's already presliced, marinated, and then we grill it.”
Cochi Loco Manila’s main menu is divided into four: Tacos Locos, Quesadillas Chingonas, Burritos, and Mexican Torta Sangwich. Aside from chef favorites Carnitas (P370 for regular and P550 for XL serving), Birria Queso Taco (P370 for regular and P550 for XL serving), and Tacos Al Pastor (P370), their tacos offering also includes Barbacoa (slow cooked shredded beef), Baja Fish (fried fish), Carne Asada (grilled steak), Pollo Asado (grilled chicken), and Taco Dorado (ground beef)—all priced at P370.
The restaurant also serves Mexican rice, refried beans, and table side guacamole together with your favorite refreshments like soda and beers. Takeout kits good for groups are available for Cochi Loco’s birria taco (P850), baked enchiladas (P450), and coctel campechana (P450).
Cochi Loco Manila is located at 4F SM Aura Premier, Taguig.