Our restaurant scene is nothing if not resilient. Take Juvelyn and Saul Mellado. The couple closed Mi Casa Su Casa, their delightful Mexican-Filipino fusion restaurant, in early 2019 after less than a year in its St. Paul space.
When they returned for a second act, the Mellados had a new name (Órale Mexican Eats), a new location in South Minneapolis, and really unfortunate timing. Órale Mexican Eats opened for business on March 13, 2020. Ever nimble, the Mellados quickly refocused on takeout and delivery — and have been making happy customers of neighborhood folks ever since.
We dig Órale because everything is scratch-made, from the scorched-chili salsas to the blue corn tortillas. And though the regular menu leans more Mexican than Filipino, you’ll still find Pinoy twists here and there – like tacos made with sisig (slow-cooked, spiced, and griddled pig ears and cheeks).
If you’re lucky, the couple may have a few Filipino specials on offer: lumpia rolls, halo-halo, or maybe pancit bihon (stir-fried noodles with meat). Our fingers are 🤞 they’ll eventually bring back dinuguan (pork blood stew), our favorite dish from Mi Casa Su Casa.
Another Órale hit is the Swimming Burrito, pictured above. It’s a jumbo deep-fried tortilla stuffed with your choice of chicken tinga, pollo Maria, lengua, pollo en adobo, al pastor, carne asada, tripa, carnitas, chorizo, barbacoa, chile verde, or veggies and smothered in red, green, or adobo sauce.
Órale has limited indoor seating and patio tables available now, in addition to curbside pickup. Eat on site and you can order yourself a local draft beer like the Petal Pounder hibiscus mango saison from Inbound Brew Co. 🇲🇽❤️🇵🇭
Órale Mexican Eats
5447 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis, MN; 612-354-3350.
