Mexicali, Robinsons Galleria

Well, I just want to make a note that I ate here again... for the lack of choices again. It's holiday today so most of the shops are closed.

It wasn't an illusion last time that they were decreasing the size of the order. My enchilada (vegetable) can be consumed in less than 10 minutes and I am a slow eater because I try to chew my food at least 20 times per bite.

I'm now looking for other places to eat...

Mexicali, Robinsons Galleria

I am a fan of this franchise until recently when I got quite distasteful behavior from the cashier -- a woman, with long hair, seems chinese and about 5 ft 3 inches tall. I made my usual order and because I got too curious about how to make my vegetarian enchiladas, I went to the counter to view the preparation process. Then this cashier looked at me. I saw it but since I didn't need anything, I kinda ignored her. Then she said, "Yes may I help you?" (despite having people in front of her ready to order). So I simply said, "Oh just checking my order". She said, "It's *being* prepared and yes we will serve all orders at the same time." It would have been a neutral statement hadn't been that she was not smirking.

From that incident, for some reason, when I got my meal, I kinda felt like I got fewer vegetables, less cheese, less rice. This is probably how my perception was changed after that surprising customer service.

So, will I go to Mexicali again? Probably only when I have no other choice.

I am sorry if I would be too strict. However, customer service needs to be consistent or the total dining experience is just ruined. There used to be another cashier, a very short, perky woman who would always smile at you. I have not seen her for weeks. I would have preferred to be attended by her.

This restaurant is still a 3 to be fair. Perhaps that woman just had a bad day. However, I doubt if I will go to Mexicali as happily as I would before.

Mexicali, Robinson Galleria, Ortigas Center

I have been to Mexicalli a lot lately, specifically that branch in Robinsons Galleria. Mexicali in this location, is located on the ground floor of the mall, near the East wing. It's just right in front of the parking lot if you are entering from the entrance from Crowne Plaza Hotel.

I started liking the Vegetarian Buritto. It's actually my treat since I decided to control my food intake lately.

The vegetarian buritto can be bought for only Php 125, just that you have to pay extra for some service charge so normally, I would pay around Php130 for 1 meal. Not bad.

The food is prepared quickly, served hot. It has tortilla chips and tomato side dish as appetizer. Of course, this part I give away as I can't eat tomatoes.

The buritto itself is very filling. It has rice, beans, grilled vegetables like eggplant and zuccini I think. You may add some garlic sauce or chili sauce if you like. However, the mixture is already quite tasty that I don't bother adding extra sauces.

Today, I went out with my brother and he like the Chicken Enchilada that he ordered. He got it for Php153, including all charges.

So I give this restaurant 3.5 to 4. The service is good and acceptable. The place is neat and clean and you get what you pay for. The restrooms are inside the mall. This branch is quite small so no provision for rest rooms.

Mexicali, Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas Center, Pasig

I had a healthy, good-sized vegetable burrito. I was pretty satisfied. The location was simple yet clean. The price was cheap, just Php125 for one regular burrito. Cashier was accommodating. Yes, I'd love to have another burrito in a few days.

Take note, I had to vegetable burrito.

Mexicali, Megamall

How many minutes does it take to wrap a burrito? I went to Mexicali in Megamall, Mandaluyong to order a beef burrito for P125. Good enough price. In USA, I pay US$6-$7. The serving size however, was 60% less. I gave my order to the cashier. One beef burrito take out. I asked it to be sliced in half. She said sure. She charged me P131.25 They put tax. I asked my order to be served "to go" and inquired how long it will take. She said 5 minutes. So I sat for 5 minutes. I still didn't have my order. I went up to the counter and I saw 3 people "starting" to work on my burrito. I was surprised because there were only 3 tables occupied in this restaurant and I was one of them. So I watched the man make my burrito. He put some beans and rice to my burrito crust (whatever that's called) with utmost care. Then he got a strainer, poured ground beef to it, probably to drain the fat. Then he slowly put drained ground beef on top of the colored rice. Then he heated it in the microwave for 2 minutes. After heating in the microwave, he went to another counter section to add vegetables. I asked him not to put tomatoes because I can't eat tomatoes. Then he said OK. He was a bit anxious now that I have broken his routine. I asked if they can put the lettuce instead. He asked another helper and they obliged. Then they put grated cheddar cheese. That's it. They served it to me with nachos and tomatoes in a plate. I reminded them that my order was "to go" and that I don't like tomatoes. They said OK. I also asked them for the 2nd time to slice the burrito in half. From the time I ordered, it's now been 15 minutes that I was there. Finally, they gave me my order, in a Mexicali box. I opened it. Smelled ok. I saw the tomatoes! I guess life can't be perfect but at least I had my order. I liked the combination and the taste. However, this is not a meal I will have every week or every month. Probably good if I have Mexicali once a year... or if I get generous, once every 6 months.

It's not too healthy food for now. The price of P130 for a meal is reasonable but Mexicali has small service size so. The service is slow and unattentive.

So my rating here is 2