Two words: Unlimited Cocktails!
Tex-mex marries the best of America and Mexican cuisine: barbecue, tortillas and tons of cheese. But what makes Tex-mex different from its Mexican counterpart? Two things: the kind of cheese used, and the type of spices found in these dishes.
While Mexico only uses white cheese, Tex-mex is distinctly known for its use of cheddar. So when you see bright yellow cheese on your nachos, you know it's Tex-mex for sure!
Another difference lies in the spices used to add flavor. Authentic Mexican dishes use a wide variety of spices, from oregano to Chilean peppers, cilantro and a lot more uncommon ones, while Tex-mex often uses Cumin for that strong barbecue flavor. With all these and more, it's probably safe to say that Tex-Mex is the Americanized (and dare I say tamer) take on Mexican cuisine.
For someone who isn't a fan of cilantro and beans, but still appreciates the smoky and tangy flavors of barbecued meats, I have to say that Tex-mex strikes the right balance for me. It combines the exotic flavors of Mexican cuisine, along with the more familiar taste of American dishes, making it a go-to choice for my cravings. And more often than not, the top of mind options include international brands like Chili's or TGI Friday's.
Which made me wonder: do we even have a local Tex-mex equivalent? Sure enough, there was one right under my nose: Fiery Style Southwestern Flaming Grill!
Unbeknownst to me, this local restaurant has been going strong for quite some time, with branches along Eton Centris, Eastwood and even SM Mall of Asia. And to add to their roster of branches is their twelfth one, which just opened in Assembly Grounds at The Rise, a newly-built commercial space by Shangri-la.
Perfect for office parties, dinners with friends and family, Fiery Style serves up affordable Tex-mex favorites such as tacos, nachos, and fajitas, along with American classics like steak and burgers. With flame-grilled meats as the star, you're guaranteed hearty, filling meals at prices that don't burn a hole in your pocket.
And you know what I love best about Fiery Style? They've got pork and chicken alternatives that a non-beef eater like me can enjoy! (They've even have a wide selection of booze, but we'll get to that later)
Note: The Supremo size is good for 2 to 3 people, while the Ultimo can feed 4 to 5 people.
My favorites:
1. Fiery Nachos (P388): much like the trash can nachos I've seen, this dish is served in a metal container. With a loud exclamation of "Sopresa!" from the server, the mold is lifted to reveal a mound of multi-colored corn chips topped with layers of gooey queso sauce, guacamole, tomato salsa, beans, and olives.
What used to be ground beef was replaced with barbecue pulled pork, which I really appreciate cause I've missed one too many plates of nachos during my no-beef stint. The result is a complex medley of flavors that ranges from smoky to savory, and a touch cheesy. Just remember not to move it around too much, since these toppings hang precariously over the chips, and may fall over in a messy surprise.
2. Galleon of Bones (Supremo: P998, Ultimo: P1,578): inspired by the giant ships that sail across the sea, the Galleon is a majestic silver boat filled with tons of meat— barbecue Pork Ribs, Chicken Wings, Beef ribs with Nacho Chips, Pork Hammers and Chorizo Rice. It even comes with their own Texan-style BBQ Sauce if you like it extra saucy, and a creamy coleslaw. Perfect for sharing, this hefty plate is like a sampler of sorts that lets you try the best of what Fiery Style has to offer.
My favorite includes their BBQ Pork Ribs. Delightfully tangy with a touch of sweetness to it, the meat falls right off the bone. It's tender, saucy and tasty, and even better once you pour in more of that sauce. Definitely something I'll get on its own next visit.
3. Mexican Cheese Quesadillas (P378): a classic featuring flour tortillas, bright yellow Mexican cheese, ranchero sauce and lettuce. Comes with a trio of sauces— Guacamole, Sour Cream or Salsa. It's a go-to choice for me in any Tex-mex restaurant, especially on Meatless Mondays or when my family gets steak, and as always, I like it best with a fresh salsa. Now what I like about theirs is that it has a good balance of cheese to tortilla ratio. And by that, I mean more cheese and filling compared to other variants I've had.
4. Chili Chocolate Fudge (P278): a tiny dessert featuring two chocolate cakes topped with vanilla ice cream and finished off with some chocolate syrup. If we're talking about chocolatey dessert, this really hits the mark, but if it's about the chili, there's a noticeable absence of heat to it. But no matter, kids can enjoy the dessert without having to worry about the spiciness at all.
5. New York Frozen Cheesecake (P228): a frozen cake uncommon in Mexican cuisine, but a real treat for the Americans, this dessert features a creamy, almost frozen cheesecake layer and a thin crumbly graham layer with a buttery mouthfeel. Although different from the usual New York Cheesecakes, eating this is akin to having an ice cream cake— a lovely experience nonetheless.
6. Southwest Churros (P238): deep-fried strips of dough served with a chili-chocolate dipping sauce. The churros were crispy and airy, and I liked how the dipping sauce finally had thay spiciness it so promised.
Other Dishes Served:
1. Lord of the Wings (Promo Price: P998, Regular Price: P1,198): these bites of chicken are hung on metal rods for easy picking. Includes 24 pieces of flavored wings total for easy picking. There's Hot sauce and Jalapeno for those who like spicy stuff, Nacho Sauce and Bacon for those who want something rich and creamy, and Texan-style BBQ as a classic, sour-sweet choice.
2. Baja Supremo (Supremo: P928, Ultimo: P1,578): a dish for seafood lovers. Set on a silver boat platter, this roulette includes deep-fried salted egg calamares, fried cream dory strips, grilled salmon loin, and spicy butter-garlic shrimps. It even includes the classic Chorizo rice and salsa or creamy aioli sauce.
3. Steak ala Familia (Promo Price: P998, Regular PriceL P1,198): an Oktoberfest promo item, this beefy grilled rump steak is flame-grilled for smoky flavors, and served alongside a Fiery gravy sauce. Served on a black sizzling pan, this dish is great for sharing!
4. Mexican Hot Chocolate (P280): a spicy hot chocolate meant to warm you up nicely, Fiery Style's Mexican coffee features a blend of bittersweet Tablea, and a touch of chili. It features creamy notes of hot milk and a subtle chocolatey taste, but a notable absence of peppery spice from the chili. It could have been spicier, since they hyped it that way, or it could just be me and my tolerance for spicy things.
And the highlight of every evening: booze! Fiery Style features one of the cheapest beers, with local brews coming at P88 a bottle (minimum), and imported ones going for P128 and up. They even have what no other Tex-Mex has offered on a regular basis— unlimited cocktails!
Unlimited Cocktails and Drinks
1. Unlimited Margaritas (Classic: P278, All Flavors: P378): a tequila-based cocktail served with a sugar-rimmed glass. Flavors include Mango, Strawberry, Lychee (a rare and favorite flavor of mine!), Strawberry Banana and El Tamarino, which is a tamarind, lemon and lime blend. The classic version, on the other hand, is a House Southwestern Margarita with classic cirtusy lime and lemon flavors. you can enjoy this on the rocks, or frozen, and let me tell you: the latter is the best for me!
But if you're not the type to enjoy tons of booze, you can get single orders of these Margaritas too (price varies depending on flavor). And don't worry! Their drinks are more on the sweet side, so you don't get too much of the bitter alcohol taste.
2. Unlimited Minty Mojitos (Classic: P278, Flavored: 378): this white rum-based cocktail is more refreshing, thanks to the abundance of mint leaves. While you do get a distinct alcohol taste compared to the margarita, it's still got sweet flavors that mask the bitterness. Their House Minty mojito is a classic choice that features fresh lime in the mix, while the flavored ones are more for the adventurous type. Flavors include Fresh Mango, Strawberries and Cranberry, Green Mandarin, and Lychee. Got the lychee one to try because I have a bias towards that flavor, and it didn't disappoint.
Just like all other cocktails, you can enjoy this in single servings too.
3. Unlimited Fiery Paloma (Classic: P278, Flavored: P378): a first for me, this cocktail makes use of tequila just like its cousin, the margarita. But that's where the similarities end. A Paloma has a unique element added to it— chili— for the extra touch of heat. Its served too on a salted rim to really tamp down the bitterness of the alcohol (though I didn't need it because again, their cocktails are really more on the sweet side). Can be enjoyed on the rocks or frozen, but I tried it with ice this time. Flavors include the Classic Paloma, a grapefruit and lime blend, along with a Mango, Strawberry, Green Mandarin and Lychee Paloma. Got a lychee one, and dare I say that I love it so much that I could keep drinking it time and time again?
Single servings are available with varying prices, depending on the chosen flavor.
4. Unlimited Wine (House Red or White: P698): team red or white wine? I have to say I'm more of a white wine kind of person, but red wine aficionados can relish in bottomless heart-healthy drinks. It may not exactly be a cocktail, but this was too good to be missed.
Woth a a first for me, this cocktail makes use of tequila just like its cousin, the margarita. But that's where the similarities end. A Paloma has a unique element added to it— chili— for the extra touch of heat. Its served too an a salted rim to really tamp down the bitterness of the alcohol (though I didn't need it because again, their cocktails are really more on the sweet side). Can be enjoyed on the rocks or frozen, but I tried it with ice this time. Flavors include the Classic Paloma, a grapefruit and lime blend, along with a Mango, Strawberry, Green Mandarin and Lychee Paloma. Got a lychee one, and dare I say that I love it so much that I could keep drinking it time and time again?
With a wide selection of meats and drinks at affordable prices, Fiery Style really is the place to be for celebrations, bonding with friends, sit-down dinners with family and even dates with your significant other.
Thank you for having me!
For more details on their menu and latest promotions, head on over to their Facebook and Instagram pages.
Group photos from Miguel Dela Rosa.
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