Why Tex-Mex at an American diner?
The combination is not random. In the southern United States — Texas, Arizona, California — Tex-Mex food is as common as the burger. It is what you eat on a Tuesday, not only at a festive Mexican restaurant. Quesadillas, burritos, nachos — all are part of the daily vocabulary of everyday American cooking.
Monica and Claudiu, the Big5 founders, lived nine years in Huntington Beach, California — a place where Tex-Mex is not a separate category but simply part of the menu. When they built the Big5 menu in Iasi, they wanted to bring this side too, not just the burgers.
The result: a Tex-Mex section with ten dishes, from classic chicken quesadilla to beef burrito and loaded nachos. It is not a full Mexican menu, and it does not claim to be. It is Tex-Mex filtered through the standards of a diner that takes food seriously.
Quesadillas: five versions, none of them ordinary
The quesadilla is probably the most underrated dish on the menu. Toasted tortilla, melted cheese, a substantial filling — simple as a concept, but the difference is in the ingredients and execution.
At Big5 you have five versions:
- Chicken Quesadilla (350g) — slow-cooked chicken thighs with vegetables, mozzarella, cheddar, olives, jalapenos, salsa and Spicy Mayo. The most ordered and the safest choice if you have not tried Tex-Mex at Big5 before.
- Chilli con Carne Quesadilla (350g) — chilli con carne, jalapenos, salsa, olives, double cheese, Spicy Mayo. More substantial, spicier, more complete as a standalone meal.
- Chorizo Quesadilla (330g) — chorizo sausage brings a smoky intensity that works excellently with melted cheese and jalapenos.
- Shrimp Quesadilla (300g) — the premium version. Shrimp is a less common addition, but it works surprisingly well with cheese and salsa.
- Veggie Quesadilla (330g) — mushrooms, double cheese, salsa, Spicy Mayo. Vegetarian but not lacking in substance.
All come with salsa and Spicy Mayo. Guacamole is available as an extra — generous and house-made. Check the menu for current prices.
Nachos: three platters made for sharing
Nachos at Big5 are not a side dish. They are serious platters of 400–450g, designed for two.
- Chicken Nachos — nachos, chicken breast, mozzarella, cheddar, jalapenos, sour cream, salsa, olives, guacamole.
- Beef Nachos — same base but with chilli con carne instead of chicken. More intense, more satisfying if you want something substantial.
- Veggie Nachos — cheese, jalapenos, sour cream, salsa, olives, guacamole. Simple but balanced.
Nachos work well as an appetizer for two or a light meal for one. The combination of crunchy texture, melted cheese and fresh salsa is hard to beat as a group snack.
Burritos: Chicken or Beef, both serious
Big5 has two burrito options, both at 450g plus sauce:
- Chicken Burrito — tortilla, slow-cooked chicken thighs with vegetables, Mexican rice, jalapenos, mozzarella, cheddar, salsa.
- Beef Burrito — tortilla, chilli con carne, Mexican rice, jalapenos, salsa, mozzarella, cheddar, Spicy Mayo.
The portions are generous — a 450g burrito is a complete meal. You do not need a side with it. If you are choosing between a quesadilla and a burrito, the practical difference is that the quesadilla is crunchier and lighter, while the burrito is more filling and more satisfying as a lunch.
Wings and the rest of the non-burger menu
Beyond Tex-Mex, the "More meat" section rounds out the offering:
- Buffalo Wings (300g) — spicy wings with Blue Cheese sauce. The American classic that belongs in every serious diner. The heat is real — if you are not used to spice, order Classic Wings instead.
- Classic Wings (300g) — crispy wings with garlic sauce. Milder, just as crunchy.
- Dirty Potatoes (450g) — fries with chilli con carne, mozzarella, cheddar, jalapenos and sour cream. This is not a side dish. It is a platter.
- The American Dream Dog (270g) — hot dog with cheddar, pickles, Animal Style sauce and caramelized onion. A quick, affordable alternative.
For something lighter, the Caesar Salad (450g) and Big5 Mexican Salad (450g) are substantial salad options, not decorative sides.
Milkshakes: five options, two with alcohol
The American diner milkshake is a ritual in itself. At Big5, you have five options:
- Ice Cream Milkshake — the classic. Milk, ice cream, whipped cream, topping.
- Oreo Milkshake — with Oreo cookies. The most popular, especially for dessert lovers.
- Peanut Butter Milkshake — peanut butter is a taste you either love or you do not. If you love it, this is your milkshake.
- Kahlua Milkshake — with coffee liqueur. Works as a liquid dessert after dinner.
- $5 Milkshake — with Jack Daniel's. The name is a reference to Pulp Fiction, the film that made the diner milkshake famous.
All are 300ml, served with whipped cream and topping. They work as dessert or as an accompaniment alongside a burger.
How to order Tex-Mex at Big5
You can dine in (Tuesday–Saturday, 11:30 AM–9:30 PM), order through Glovo or Wolt, or call +40 771 517 752 for take-away.
If there are two of you and you want to sample more, a good strategy: a nachos platter to share as an appetizer, a quesadilla and a burger, plus two drinks. At Big5, variety is the best way to explore the menu beyond burgers.
See the full menu or read the FAQ for details on delivery, payment and reservations.
