by Homerun Nievera | via SouthOfMetro |
The laid back nature of southern Metro Manila residents is mostly felt through its bars and eating places.
Anyone who has lived in these southern suburbs for at least a year will feel the local vibe of friendly people who are ready to go on a gimmick in their shirts and shorts in under a minute. And why not? Bars and foodie places are within a few minutes from one’s residence — if not a few meters away.
Among the famous eateries in the south are the ‘tapsihans’ — the quick-serve restaurants that dish out Filipino urbanites’ favorites of Beef Tapa and Sinangag (garlic fried rice) with fried egg (aka itlog). Thus, the full monicker: Tap-Si-Log. Of course, there are those who serve Pares, Chops and anything charcoal-grilled (ihaw-ihaw!).
And hey, we love comfort food!
We made a quick run down of all these famous tapsihans in Parañaque and Las Piñas and listed the top 5 favorites of Tapsi habitues through the years. Let’s see if they are among yours, too.
#5 Lolo Pedro’s
Probably the newest addition to the tapsihan list, Lolo Pedro’s is found near Naga Road in Las Piñas City. It’s landmark is the Puregold supermarket. They boast of a large serving of Garlic Rice and free soup (of the day). The setting is kubo-kubo style (nipa hut) and the food is served balot-balot style (on a banana leaf).
The ambiance is airy and the food is awesome with its all-time favorites and the combination of pipino (cucumber) and any other fresh veggies available. Most of the customers go there at lunch time and many order for take-away. For those looking for a place to recover after a night of drinking, just go there before drinking as they close at 10pm but open at 7am (for the early risers). They are also closed on Sundays.
Lolo Pedro’s is located at #3 St. Joseph Ave., St. Joseph Subdivision, Pulanglupa in Las Piñas City. Their contact number is via cellphone (63947) 993 4073.
#4 KumPares
Carbo-loading? Kumpares is the place to be in the south.
I am not sure if this is a southern original or it started somewhere else. But for one, almost all of their branches are in the south (Parañaque, Las Piñas and Alabang) while I have seen a branch in Manila (near corner of P. Ocampo Street and Taft Avenue). It’s easy to find a Kumpares branch. Just ask anyone around especially in the inner roads leading to main villages in the south like Valley One (Parañaque) towards the City Hall, Naga Road in Las Piñas, and CAA Road.
Kumpares is known for its unli-fried rice and of course, its yummy Pares! The pictures below will let you get the drift.
Kumpares is open for franchise. That probably explains it why they are slowly branching out of the south. Their contact number is (639160 312 0921.
#3 Mang Raul’s BBQ Haus
From tapsihan to ihaw-ihaw, this is where we bring you Mang Raul’s. Another favorite among metro southerners, Mang Raul’s BBQ Haus is located at CRM Avenue, BF Homes Almanza, in Las Piñas City. Open from 230-930pm, Mang Raul’s is a certified bestseller. Here you can indulge in hot-off-the-grill pork barbeque, isaw (chicken and pork), tenga (pork), hotdog and more. Rice is available on the spot.
In fact, if you intend to order in bulk on a weekend for your house parties, you’d better order two days in advance to make sure you are accommodated. They are open on Sundays but close on Mondays. They don’t deliver. Mang Raul’s contact number is (63920) 612 2150.
#2 Sinangag Express
“SEx tayo?”
When you’re new in the south and you hear southern peeps ask you that, don’t easily get offended. They might mean, “let’s go to Sinangag Express — or SEx for short.”
Sinangag Express is one of the most popular tapsihans to go to after a night’s drinking binge among millennials in the south. It’s also a favorite place for the so called pagpag — or when you need to go someplace else before going home from a wake.
No unli-rice here, but for sure, you’d go for extra rice! The pricing is very affordable. Remember, in the south the going rate for a standard tapsilog is 45 pesos (as of this writing). So in the top comfort food places, it doesn’t necessarily follow.
#1 Maty’s
Classic tapsilog spells Maty’s. usually referred to as the original tapsihan of Dongalo in Parañaque City, Maty’s has actually 3 branches almost across or beside each other along Quirino Avenue in the city. These are the original branches and the most crowded. They have been here for at least 25 years.
The latest branch to-date is at BF Homes Parañaque, along Aguirre Street.
When in Maty’s, the beef tapa or the full suite of Tapsilog plus extra rice are the staple orders. The rest in the menu are also good. For me, the pansit bihon and the pansit canton are favorites.
There are runners-up to the top 5 comfort food places in the south, as well. And maybe, some will rate them with their top 10. For now, Atoy’s Porkchop makes it to the runner-up post.
Atoy’s at BF Aguirre (and at BF Resort) deliver the best-tasting porkchop in a comfort food. Have it with fried egg!
There you have it southern folks. Let us know what other comfort food places you want us featured in this blogazine space soon, ok?
Till next time.
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Homerun Nievera runs SouthofMetro.com and is a certified southener.
