10 Best Food Spots in Pampanga
Aside from being the home of the original sisig, Pampanga is also touted as the Culinary Capital of the Philippines. So if you, your family and your friends are planning to go north in the next coming days, you better ready up your tummy for the gastronomic slap-up meals that awaits you in Pampanga!
Of course, just like any other place in the country, there are more than ten Kapampangan restos that serve palatable feasts. This list is the first ten that i can readily remember, which speaks a lot about these food establishments. The directory is in no particular order.
1. Lola Nor's Meryendahan
I discovered this little spot of food heaven when it was still hidden in an inner street beside the Mabalacat church. The former place was equally beautiful, with a walk through garden and a small aviary. Today, Lola Nor's is situated along the main road, near the old municipal hall. Although bigger, the ambiance is still the same. In the past, i had the singular experience of meeting Lola Nor's herself when she went back for a visit from the US.
The food. What can i say? The taste of everything that comes out of that kitchen is simply amazing, from the main meals to the desserts. The Tapsilog's taste is unique and it stays in the mouth for a long time. For me, the killer was the putong babi. The taste reminded me of the giniling that my Mom used to make and it has never been replicated until i tasted their putong babi. I always bring home an extra order even after in have eaten one inside the restaurant.
Their sans rival is a bestseller. There are times when you would not be able to order even a slice because other customers have made several orders, depleting the supply for the day.
2. Jun Jun's Restaurant
Yes, Pampanga is the sisig capital of the country. Yet, if you go around, for some reason, no two sisigs taste the same. There is the dry sisig, the crunchy sisig, and the saucy sisig, Sisig nowadays is not only confined to pork. You can order chicken sisig, tuna sisig, and bangus sisig.
Jun Jun's serve one of the best sisigs in the land of sisigs. It's a combination of crunch and sauce. It is tangy and sweet and salty all the same time.
Aside from the sisig, they have another bestseller in their barbecue. Before that popular barbecue restaurant in malls came to be, Jun Jun's was already serving a better version. And Jun Jun's came u with meal packaged so that you can get the best of both world, sisig and barbecue.
You may also be surprised that the location of the Angeles Jun Jun's branch is right smack in the middle of what they call Korean Town, a long strip lined with Korean restos, groceries, and other Korean gangnam establishments. And it is still a blockbuster.
Yes, they also serve piping hot bibingka, which is okay. I said okay because i have my tummy set on another delicious bibingka sold by another Kapampangan restaurant.
3. Ribeye Steakhouse
The store transferred to a new location along the road going to Marquee Mall if you are coming from Balibago. Remember in another article, i mentioned that i will be talking about a better bibingka version? Ribeye is the restaurant that i was talking about. They serve the most amazing 3 cheese bibingka. You need to taste it to be able to determine if i am telling the truth or not.
I love their steaks but to me, the real showstopper in Ribeye is their steak salad. The meat on top of the vegetables melts in your mouth and the sauce is simply amazing !
4. Barney's Burger
The first time i tasted this mouth-watering burger was in Baguio. It was late at night, i woke up hungry and as i went down the hotel, i saw a Barneys Burger kiosk. Later on, i discovered another branch at the Dau provincial bus terminal. So, whenever i go to Manila (thrice or four times a week), i always order Fully Loaded minus the lettuce. Don't get me wrong, i love vegetables. Lettuce just don't cut easily, and i hate eating in the bus with vegetables dangling out of my mouth.
Barneys Burger is, for me, one of the best-tasting inexpensive burgers in the country! I love watching how the burger is cooked, with the crew scooping large amounts of burger meat, placing it on ht griddle, and flattening it with a spatula. Plus, their barbecue sauce is one of a kind.
5. Didi's Pizza
Me and my friends have had a lot of laughs while eating at this Angeles tradition go-to comfort food restaurant. Whenever eating in, we always create stories about the fish inside the aquarium with wooden sidings. One tip. Order the pizza burger. The best.
For pizza lovers, a fair warning. Didi's pizzas are in no way similar to the taste of Italian pizzas. They are baked to the delight of the Filipino palate. I personally prefer Western style pizza because it is a bit like what S&R sells.
The pizza is good, it is relatively cheap, and it's a nice respite from the usual Jollibee meal. .
6. Ala Creme Cafe Bistro and Cakeshop
Since i tasted my very first Ala Creme cake, their version of sans rival, i suddenly had a new benchmark on how cakes should taste. Believe me, most of the cakes in Manila would fall short on the taste of Ala Creme cakes, and i have tasted most.
Their Sinful Chocolate Cake is the most ordered cake. It is made with thick layers of chocolate mousse almost similar to what Coffee Bean serves. The Ube Macapuno poundcake is to die for.
Don't leave without trying their malt shakes.
7. Pinatubo Brewing Point
Yes, Pinatubo Brewing Point serves craft beer, one of the best in Luzon if i may say so. However, they also serve kickass food. You should try try their Fleisch-Leberkase or their Frikadelle and you will be amazed at the taste and enormity of the food being served there.
The restaurant is hidden. We went there late at night and the street was a dead end. The restaurant is an open space, with lots of expats. The beer was spectacular, and the food as well.
8. Cafe Fleur
I love old houses and great food. How can i say no to a combination of both?
Set up in an old house in Angeles City, Café Fleur is Chef Sau del Rosario’s European twist to Filipino dishes. I trid the pako salad with the watermelon appetizer. They also have catfish rolled in mustard leaves. I was simply surprised with the sumptuous taste of Cafe Fleur's twist on the classic kare-kare.
Never ever forget to order the Pandan Sansrival, a dessert that is not regularly available. Another winner is the Salted Egg Bibingka Cheesecake.
9. Angeles Fried Chicken
Angelenos lovingly call this restaurant AFC, one of the oldest running restaurant in Pampanga. They have a plethora of delicious food on their menu but of course, no one should leave without ordering their famous fried chicken. The restaurant is owned by a showbiz celebrity family. Just like Didi's, they also have this great-looking wooden aquarium.
10. Kabigting's Halo Halo
Yes, they serve perhaps the best halo halo on this side of the country. Many would definitely disagree. We all have our own bets. To me, the simplicity of the preparation which transcends to the taste of the halo halo is heavenly.
HOWEVER, the halo-halo is not may favorite Kabigting food. I love their tokwa't baboy. Order it and you will see why.