TACLINGS: Bite-Sized Tacos Hit @MercatoCentrale

Text by Nikka Sarthou and Photos by Michael Angelo Chua

Tacos are tasty treats but I veer away from eating it because of the likely mess it would make. There’s a high probability that the hard tortilla shell would crumble with each bite. Luckily, Michelle Turabin thought of creating custom-made bite-sized taco shells. Thus, the birth of Taclings.

Her frustration with this messy Mexican street fare and her love for experimentation inspired this tiny treat. She tried to make smaller servings of tacos in her own kitchen and brought them to her office as sort of a taste test, which produced positive feedback. That was three years ago. Now, she and her husband, Frederick, have gone full-time with this food business. 

Flavors of Mercato Series 2:

• CHEF BAB’S SISIG: “A lot of restaurants and bars serve sisig but only Chef Bab of @MercatoCentrale can offer eight variants at one time!”
• JUANA BOWL: U.S. Rib-Eye Steak and Norwegian Pink Salmon @MercatoCentrale
• TACLINGS: Bite-Sized Tacos Hit @MercatoCentrale
• B. WINGS: The Home of the Black Mamba @Mercato Centrale
• LU CHI: From Siomai to Shabu-Shabu @MercatoCentrale Midnight Snack
• GIGA-BITE: One-Stop Shop for Barbecue and Kebab @IsaKebab @MercatoCentrale

The husband and wife team joined various bazaars and night markets to peddle their products. Taclings only has two variants—Taco Beef and Tuna Mushroom. The first is the original flavor that is made with 100% homemade ground beef, which is served with fresh salsa and special garlic sauce. While the tuna variant has a hint of curry, which gives it some kick. Don’t worry, it’s not at all spicy. The interesting thing about it is that it comes in a green taco shell that is flavored with malunggay (moringa). I like how this is more guilt-free because of the addition of the healthy ingredient.

A single serving consists of six pieces and costs only P70, while a double serving has 12 pieces and is just P120. Although best eaten when freshly made, foodies may bring home these treats by ordering a party pack that contains beef, salsa, garlic sauce, shells and tray, which you can assemble yourself at home. The pack has a total of six order and costs P350. It’s a nice treat to bring in parties and get-togethers. 

Even if Taclings only has two variants, it has become a hit already, as the brand is about to go into franchising.

Thanks to Taclings, I can now satisfy my taco cravings minus the mess and fuss.

FMT TACLINGS
Telephone number: (+63 2) 623-1012
Mobile number: (+63 917) 563-9145 
Email: taclings@yahoo.com.ph
Facebook: www.facebook.com/taclings
Twitter: @taclings

Available at Midnight Mercato, Mezza Norte and Levante:

MIDNIGHT MERCATO
Address: Corner of 34th & 8th avenue (near MC Home Depot), BGC , Taguig
Telephone number: (02) 812-0102
Mobile number: (+63 917) 840-1152 
Email: admin@mercatocentrale.ph or mercatocentraleph@gmail.com
Operating hours: Every Friday and Saturday, 10pm-3am 

MEZZA NORTE
Address: Trinoma’s Mindanao open parking lot, corner of Mindanao and North Ave., Quezon City
Telephone number: (02) 812-0102
Mobile number: (+63 917) 840-1152 
Email: admin@mercatonorth.com
Operating hours: Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 4pm-3am 

LEVANTE
Address: Eastwood Citywalk 2 (in front of Café Bene and CBTL, near the cinema)
Telephone number: (02) 812-0102
Mobile number: (+63 917) 840-1152 
Email: admin@levanteeastwood.com
Operating hours: Every Friday, 6pm-3am

Flavors of Mercato Series 1:

• CARLO’S KITCHEN: It’s Crunchy Belly Time!
• CUISINIERS: Have you tried the Best BBQ Pork Skewers in Manila?
• MERRY MOO: One of the Best Artisan Ice Creams in Manila!
• WRAP BATTLE: The Pita Wrap of the Filipinos
• JOHNNY STEAMS: Yankee Burger – Peanut Butter, Crispy Bacon, Oozing Mozzarella Cheese
• OLVERA’S: Authentic Home Cooked Mexican Cuisine
• AUNTIE MAY’s: U.S Beef Tapa, Angus Beef Salpicao and Home Cooked Meals-on-the-GO
• RICE POTS: The Real Fried Rice Stuff!
• MACHEESEMO: Cheese Stuffed Burgers!
• BUMBLE TEA: The Milk Tea Buzz
• NEW YORK MINUTE: Freshly Made Paninis
• @HEY_FISHY_FISHY: Fish & Chips with San Miguel Pale Pilsen Beer Batter

Flavors of Mercato Series 2:

• CHEF BAB’S SISIG: “A lot of restaurants and bars serve sisig but only Chef Bab of @MercatoCentrale can offer eight variants at one time!”
• JUANA BOWL: U.S. Rib-Eye Steak and Norwegian Pink Salmon @MercatoCentrale
• TACLINGS: Bite-Sized Tacos Hit @MercatoCentrale
• B. WINGS: The Home of the Black Mamba @Mercato Centrale
• LU CHI: From Siomai to Shabu-Shabu @MercatoCentrale Midnight Snack
• GIGA-BITE: One-Stop Shop for Barbecue and Kebab @IsaKebab @MercatoCentrale

P.S. Would you like to become the next big food entrepreneur at Mercato Centrale group of markets? Please get in touch with us at (+63 917) 840-1152 or (+632) 812-0102.