Planning a food trip to La Union soon? You can get the best of both (or many) worlds at this must-visit beachfront restaurant in San Juan, La Union.

Alegrita x Mang Jose is a new food spot that’s located right on the sandy shores of The Surfing Capital of the North. This collaborative restaurant is a taqueria, casual inasal food spot, and an exciting bar.

You’ll love the vibrant interiors of Alegrita x Mang Jose—especially the colorful walls, and the intimate balcony on the second floor where you can enjoy the ocean breeze and the beautiful beach view while sipping your choice of cocktails.

It’s such a refreshing and exciting space to enjoy a great meal!

Their menu is a combination of Alegrita’s bestselling items from their taqueria, and hearty rice dishes and chicken inasal from Mang Jose Chicken Inasal.

We started our feast with Alegrita’s famous ceviche—so fresh, so flavorful, and the tuna had a perfect texture.

Of course, we also had to try Alegrita’s iconic tacos. The Fritos Tacos had perfectly fried fish that was super crispy on the outside and tender on the inside—super flavorful, too!

Another instant favorite was the mouthwatering Sisig Tacos. I personally loved feeling the extra crunch of the crispy sisig whenever I took a bite.

The Pares Birria was another delicious highlight and my personal favorite. The consomme complemented perfectly with the flavorful and juicy beef pares-inspired filling of the taco. With its crunchy shell, it was an explosion of textures and flavors in each bite.

Craving for grilled goodness to enjoy by the beach? The Mang Jose Paa Inasal is massive and is perfect for anyone who’s looking for a hearty rice meal. I mean, check out the size of that chicken!

The saucy Mang Jose Liempo is another must-try rice meal. It’s super savory, especially with its delicious barbecue sauce!

Of course, you can’t finish a hearty feast by the beach without enjoying cool and refreshing desserts.

Alegrita x Mang Jose’s dessert selection includes Mais con Hielo, Saba con Hielo, and a filling Halo-Halo. My personal favorite was the sweet Saba con Hielo because of the yummy banana slices served with milky and creamy shaved ice.

Their space is so cozy and homey that it wouldn’t be a surprise if you ended up staying for a few hours after your meal, especially when they have awesome cocktails to enjoy.

(RELATED: Ycasa Villas: A Serene Tropical Escape in La Union)

The Alegria Sour, Puesta del Sol, and Hola Marga! are great choices if you’re looking for citrusy and refreshing drinks. The Promitto and Callista are also delicious sweeter options if that’s your preference.

One thing I can assure you is that Alegrita x Mang Jose offers such a relaxing spot for you to enjoy hearty meals and awesome drinks while on the famous San Juan beach.

The view, the food, the drinks, and the awesome vibe at Alegrita x Mang Jose will definitely make your next La Union trip extra memorable!

Alegrita x Mang Jose

inside Monaliza Surf Resort, Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union

Facebook: Alegrita X Mang Jose
instagram.com/alegritaxmangjose

Do you have a story for the WhenInManila.com Team? Email me at vivien.wheninmanila@gmail.com or send us a direct message at WhenInManila.com Facebook Page. Join our Viber group to be updated with the latest news!