We like to celebrate Valentine’s Day early to skip the crowds and chaos that come with the actual day. My husband and I already had our date, but in true dad fashion, he couldn’t shake off the guilt of leaving the kids out. So, he decided they deserved a little pre-Valentine treat too. That’s how we ended up at Leon Mexican Restaurant, right in the heart of Antipolo—a solid 32-kilometer drive from our quiet cul-de-sac. Leon is located at Clean Fuel station Sumulong, Antipolo

Our first taste of Leon was on my birthday four months ago, and we enjoyed it so much that we promised ourselves we’d come back. This time, we did—only with extra company. My sister-in-law and niece joined us for the trip. Since it was a Sunday, the drive was a bit more manageable, though we somehow overshot the location and had to turn back. Lol 😹😹. We arrived past lunchtime, and while the restaurant wasn’t packed, there were still plenty of families enjoying their meals.

And here’s what we ordered

Mexican Mojos with ranch dip Php249

The mojos were good. We were all starving, so we were relieved that the food arrived quickly. The mojos vanished in minutes—lol. Of course, we loved them like any hangry person would enjoy anything remotely tasty. That being said, once our stomachs were full and no longer grumbling, I realized they were just okay. I mean, nothing beats Shakey’s mojos, IMHO. Also, I couldn’t tell what made them Mexican—maybe the seasoning? Either way, they did the job of keeping us satisfied while waiting for the rest of the food.

Carnitas Barbacoa Taco Php239

We ordered two plates of this appetizer, and the moment we squeezed the lime over it, we knew we were in for a treat. It was messy but absolutely worth it. The seasoning was spot on, and the combination of cilantro and lime didn’t just dance on our tongues—it practically did somersaults. It even reminded me of an episode of Mark Wiens in the streets of Mexico City, doing his signature “hmmm” with that unmistakable head tilt. We’d definitely come back for this.

Cheese Quesadilla Php399

I have no idea why we ordered this—I can make way better quesadillas than this. Sorry, not sorry. For the price, it should have at least come with beef or chicken filling instead of being so basic.

Chimichanga Php329

Whenever we eat at a Mexican restaurant, I always look for Chimichanga—I love the crunch and the glorious mess it makes. So far, this is the second-best I’ve had, with Mexican Express still holding the top spot. Leon’s version has a distinct spiciness that isn’t overpowering, which I really enjoyed. I also loved that it was loaded with lettuce and had generous portions of meat inside. That said, a touch of avocado would have taken this dish to the next level.

Pollo California Burrito Php419

Zaki ordered the California Burrito out of curiosity. And what made it Californian? Instead of the traditional rice, it had french fries inside. Zaki enjoyed his new discovery, but I guess it wasn’t quite filling enough—he ended up finishing all our leftovers too. Lol.

Carnitas Fajitas Php499

Papa ordered the Carnitas Fajitas because the last time we were here, he saw them at another table and couldn’t stop thinking about them. It came with several toasted tortillas on the side, and the steak pieces were tender and flavorful. The veggies had that perfect crunch, just as expected. It’s the kind of dish that’s fun to eat because you get to build your own masterpiece with every bite.

Shredded Carne Burrito Php 339

Kali and Avi both ordered shredded carne burritos, but for Avi, it was a first. It was funny watching her completely deconstruct the burrito and eat it Filipino style—one piece at a time. But she loved the flavors and found the presentation interesting. She especially enjoyed the cilantro sauce on the side, which we thought we could ask for more of—only to find out that an extra tiny ramekin would cost another ₱39. Oof.

OG Fried Pollo 5 pcs Php489

Now that I’m writing this review, I just realized how pricey this order was—almost ₱500. It was tasty but nothing spectacular. The chicken skin was crispy, and the meat was tender and juicy, but much like the mojos, I have no idea what made this Mexican.

Like I told you before, we never ordered beverages. We only had water, which the servers refilled when asked. Overall, we enjoyed everything, and even if it was pricey, we would definitely return for more. Another great thing about this restaurant is that, despite being located at a gas station, the comfort room was surprisingly nice. It was clean, super cold, as in (winter cold!) and well-stocked with supplies. So even if you’re coming from far away, freshening up wouldn’t be a problem.

If you ever visit Leon, make sure to prioritize the Chimichanga and Carnitas Fajitas. I promise you’ll enjoy and love them just as much as we did!

So how should we rate Leon?

Food 👨‍🍳👨‍🍳👨‍🍳👨‍🍳👨‍🍳

Beverage 🥂🥂🥂🥂

Service 🦸‍♂️🦸‍♂️🦸‍♂️🦸‍♂️

Price 💸💸💸