Quick Bites: Achiote's Guacamole

When I was a tiny foodie, I associated avocado with breakfast. Growing up in Antipolo, we had seasonal harvests from the avocado tree in my grandma’s backyard. Naturally, we would eat them the way my mother grew up eating them, and that is grated into thin, spaghetti-like strands, showered with white sugar, and doused with a lot of fresh milk. Groggy, my sisters and I would eat them before we left for the five-minute ride to school, energized soon enough by the fatty fruit and strung out from all the sugar.

When I discovered Mexican food, I became aware that avocado can be savory, too. And it is delicious. Guacamole is an avocado-based salsa which is served alongside some of the more popular Mexican dishes, such as quesadillas, tacos and nachos. But once in a while, it does take center stage, such as in Rosa Mexicano at Columbus St. in Manhattan, where young and trendy New Yorkers scarf them down with blue corn chips and pomegranate Margaritas. The first time I tried them almost a decade ago, prepared table-side and served in what looks like an Aztec artifact, I was immediately hooked on the stuff and would search far and wide for something that would come close in flavor and quality.

Finally, and without much fanfare, I discovered the Naked Guacamole in Achiote. Matt and I were excited about their other dishes- tortas for Matt, tacos for me- and ordered their guac with chips and salsa more as a mandatory appetizer. “Pre-game”, if you will. It arrived quickly in its chilled margarita glass, majestically rising an impressive four-inches from the base. I scoop up a sizeable amount with a crisp tortilla chip and very little expectations.

It was love at first bite. The pronounced flavors of scallions, tomato and cilantro with the creamy chunks of avocado were immediately addicting. This guac is not your run-of-the-mill condiment that you slather on top of a cheese quesadilla- it commands your full attention, with only a crisp corn chip acting as a tasty spoon. I am happy and smitten… and delighted that I no longer need to hop on a plane for excellent guacamole.



Achiote Tequeria
G/F Powerplant Mall
Rockwell, Makati City
Tel. no. (632) 9229336