Dining Experience at Billy Jacks Panciteria in Tuguegarao

Billy Jacks Panciteria is famous for their Pancit Batil Patung. This is one of the must dine restaurant when you are in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan province. Is also favorite hang-out place for foreign tourists.

The panciteria is owned and managed by Mr. Billy Anchanzar Lim opened in 2014.

Pancit Batil Patung ordinary Php 80

Billy Jack’s Panciteria

Billy Jacks Panciteria interior

Billy Jacks Menu Board

Billy Jacks Panciteria sitting capacity is between 40 to 60 persons at any given time and it is always teeming with customers. We were lucky to visit this restaurant early mid-morning around past 10:00 am just before lunchtime.

Billy Jacks Panciteria

The vibe is mid -1970’s and 80’s with reggae/surfer atmosphere with poster of Bob Marley, surf, guitar with a lot of signatures from their customers and loyal clients.

signature and autograph from customers

Bob Marley photo collage

Pancit Batil-Patung

Pancit Batil-Patung (or patong) is the specialty of Tuguegarao city. Almost every carinderia, eatery or even in hotel serves this kind of noodle.

The name originated from Hookien and Ibanag languages- Pian e Sit- from Hookien-Chinese language “which means easy or convenient food”, “Batil “( to beat ) and “Patung” ( to put on top).iho

Before the 1970’s, Most of the pancit (noodles) serve in the province were miki, bihon guisado. It was in the early 1970’s when Theo’s Panciteria introduced this dish by adding carabao’s meat with poached egg. Triangle Panciteria offered this dish around 1972 and is one of the oldest known panciterias which still offers this well-loved noodle.

Out of the 160 or so panciterias in the province, Over 90 panciteria have sprung -up in the city. The city’s thus earn the nickname “Pancit Capital of Cagayan“.

Pancit Batil Patung with chorizo for Php 100

The noodle was introduced by the Chinese immigrants and was localized by using ingredients which are available in the region.

This is an all in one noodle dish which is heavy, the original version had a hand pulled miki noodles topped with sautéed minced carabao meat (carabeef/ karahay) with poached egg on accompanied with a cup of soup made from carabao beef stock complemented with another egg cracked and stirred in the soup.

It is also serve with chopped onions, chilies plus a dash of calamansi and vinegar to add taste.

The group ordered two kinds of pancit batil patung, the ordinary one and the one with chorizo. This is the first panciteria to offer pancit batil patung with balut.

Other popular variations of the pancit-batil patung at Billy Jack’s Panciteria comes by simply adding on some of the available toppings such as: balut,Tuguegarao longganisa, tapa, chorizo, sisig, chicharon bulaklak among others.

Visitors from Metro Manila and other places, specially returning college students after the semester break and summer break flock to the panciteria for some bouts of the famed pancit with their own variations of choice.

The restaurant is just few kilometer away and within 1 ride away from Hotel Carmelita.

Address: Buntun, Santiago- Tuguegarao road, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan province

Operations: Mondays to Sunday from 9:00 am to 8:30 pm

Contact : (078) 304-1888/ 0975-363-5435

Jonas Pares House : 40 Years of Love and Passion

Jonas Pares House is a MUST dine- in place when one is within the vicinity of N.S. Amoranto street (formerly called Retiro street) and near Banawe street. The Pares House specializes on beef, pork pares, siopao asado, bola-bola, dimsum, mami, kikiam, buchi, chopsuey and other home cooked dishes.

two kinds of siopao ( asado and bola-bola take out pack), Jonas beef pares, fried rice and free soup

Jonas Pares House is located within Mayon street corner Malindang street, Quezon City.

chicken feet with tausi

Our gang of friends would find time to eat at this pares house whenever we would visit nearby Lourdes church, Suki market ,Dapitan arcade during our thrift shop hunting

steamed siopao asado and bola-bola

History

Jonas started as a small carinderia / eatery with just a few seats available way back in 1979. It was the husband and wife tandem of Mr. Roger Tiu and Mrs. Lolita ” Lolly”  Tiu team up with a seed capital of Php 6,000 envisioned a restaurant providing fine-dining quality food at a price affordable to masses.

Jonas history by Mr. Cirilo F. Bautista (poet, columnist)

The recipe came from her father who would often got invited during fiesta or special occasions to cook for the guests. His love and passion for food that would define his legacy which left lasting impact in the culinary world. Eventually, he taught his daughter the art of cooking pares and its ingredients.

meal viands

Mr. Roger Tiu would cooked the beef pares while Mrs. Lolita Tiu would serve to their clients. Most of the early customers were from nearby Lourdes church and outlying areas.

What makes Pares so special is how the beef was prepared and cooked. Seventy percent (70%) of the beef is lean meat from beef flanks; the rest of the 30% is from fat. The beef is tender because it was slow-cooked in a charcoal-fed fire for at least 12 hours !

customers

They started cooking 5 kilos of beef pares in 1979 and increased to at least 100 kilos of beef meat everyday by 2019. Jonas Pares is credited and popularized the term “Pares” which means the pairing of beef and fried rice. Pares meal which started within the district then soon spread to different parts of the city and in far flung provinces.

shrimp hakaw -one of MUST try dimsum

Jonas Pares started adding more dishes and enlarging their restaurant by the 1990’s. The restaurant floor space was increased, its facilities upgraded, and air-conditioning installed.

Sitting Capacity and Ambiance

Jonas Pares House is well lighted with modern fixture and cozy ambiance with a sitting capacity of between 70 to 80 persons at any given time. Mixing both native, modern while having a community bulletin board for those who wanted to post their messages.There is also a counter where one can get free service water, tube ice, condiments and chili paste.

take out counter

There is also a small take out counter inside the restaurant where one can buy some dimsum, cakes, canned drinks, buchi, pastries, nuts among others.

community bulletin board

blueberry cheesecake

Blueberry cheese cake– One of their best selling desserts (Php 110 per slice). We tasted their famed blueberry cheese cake which is a little bland for our taste.

In- House Promo

There is an in-house promo which enable customers to buy 6 siopao ( steam buns) for just Php 270.00. It comes with its sauce and special package. Ideal for pasalubongs and treats.  One can order a combination of asado and bola-bola.

The restaurant is also listed under popular travel and restaurant site zomatoph, booky and tripadvisor.

Note and full disclosure:  The prices quoted in this website is base on the prevailing prices. Prices of their meals, pares and in-house promo are subject to change without prior notice from the management of the establishment. The author is not connected with the management or employed by Jonas restaurant.  Just an ordinary “suki” customer at the place.

Address: 561 Mayon street corner Malindang street, Santa Mesa Heights, Quezon City, 1114 Metro Manila.

Operations: Everyday from 6:30 am to 10:00pm

Contact (02) 712 6261

How to Commute: ( There are many ways on how to commute going to Jonas Pares)

1.) From Mayon street and A. Bonifacio Avenue- Take a jeepney ride with Mayon street going to Welcome Rotunda jeepney ( Php 9.00 minimum fare)  One can opt to walk along the Mayon/ Del Monte Avenue intersection which can take between 25 minutes to 35 minutes walk.

2.) From Santa Cruz / Blumentritt -Manila – Take a jeepney with Retiro street signage ( aka N.S. Amoranto street route) – From Blumentritt ( Php 9.00 minimum fare to Php 12.00 per head depending on the route)

3.) From PNRI station Blumentritt – Take jeepney route going to Retiro/ Muñoz ( Php 9.00)

4.) From LRT line 1 -Blumentritt station – Take jeepney with the route Santa Cruz/ Retiro to Muñoz

5.) From Quezon Avenue/ MCDO- There is a jeepney route which ply Quezon Avenue to Banawe street.

Specialties of Mang Tootz Foodhaus

Mang Tootz Foodhaus was named after Mr. Edwin “Mang Tootz”  Vergara a former OFW who opened a carinderia or eatery with a twist.

Mang Tootz Foodhaus signage

The carinderia had a huge following among students of UST, FEU, UE and residents of Sampaloc district within Manila. Proof to the pudding is that hundreds of students would queue in line just to eat even before lunch.

We would find time to eat at their eatery when we have long breaks. The price of their student rice meal is affordable and it comes free with soup.

Some of the dishes are newly created like chicken kebab. Rice value meals starts at Php 78.00 and Php 83.00 depending on the viand. One can order other dishes.

History

Mang Tootz started in 1991 as a tapsilogan and was used to be located in a small corner along J. Barlin street within Sampaloc.

It used to be called Tootzilog. The eatery eventually moved to Padre Noval street because the proprietors thought that it would be wiser to transfer location since they will be situated near the university with higher foot traffic. Technically, they are in the business for almost 30 years!

Television Program and Celebrities

Several television program had featured this eatery like My Puhunan of ABS-CBN channel 2, TV channel 5, Kapuso Jessica Soho, Pinas Sarap, Unang Hirit of GMA channel 7, Solar TV, Tomasino and Food Vloggers like Mark Wiens, Erwan Heussaff, The Hungry Syrian Wander, Yummy Kitchen, Coconuts Manila among others.

UAAP athletes, former President Benigno Aquino III were among those who have eaten at the eatery.

set meal

Dishes

There were 16 to 18 dishes being rotated on an everyday basis in Sampaloc and Makati.

Pork Bulgogi– Their pork is well marinated and their pork is tender. There are also some vegetables included and topped with sesame seeds.

Chopsuey – All time favorite with a lot of vegetables. Their vegetables is not soggy compared to others within the vicinity.

Breaded Chicken– Their breaded chicken is deep fried with minimal batter, better than other restaurants or fast food joints.

Bangus Steak – This is another well  loved dish. The bangus is cooked just right with generous amount of sauce.

Bicol Express– Another MUST try dish when you visit this eatery, the pork meat is cooked just right with right amount of coconut milk ( not aguado/ watered down) and the right amount of banana chilies and bird’s eye chilies.

Pork Binagoongan– The right balance of sweet, sour and salty combination.

Chicken Kebab – Right amount of spice, chicken is well grilled along with the vegetables.

banana rhum-a

 Banana rhum-A is an all time favorite since it was first introduced in 2006. They cook an average of 3,000 to 4,000 pieces a day. One must pre-order at least 1 day in advance for bulk orders. During Christmas season, their order are up to 8,000 pieces per day.

Their banana rhum-A – is smaller compared to the ordinary turon being sold in street corners in Metro Manila. It is a saba banana sliced into 4 pieces with jackfruit wrapped in lumpia wrapper then deep fried. coated with a syrup made from a combination of margarine, pineapple juice, rhum, banana essence and brown sugar. It is topped with powdered sugar, skim milk, cinnamon powder and sesame seeds.

Pork Liempo – This is an all time favorite among students. However this was not available when we came.

Sisig – Another MUST Try, This was not available when we ate at the eatery.

There is no secret to why this is a favorite hang-out place. Their food is delicious,  affordable, staff are friendly and the neighborhood vibe would surely keep anyone from returning back.

Mang Tootz Food Haus and Catering Services Sampaloc
1135 P. Noval St., Sampaloc, Manila

Contact :  +63 2 735- 68 55/404-45-61 (0917-856-9240)

Operations: Mon-Sat 8 am-9pm.

Mang Tootz Foodhouse- Makati
G-7 Valero Plaza, 124 Valero, Makati, Metro Manila

Contact : +63 2 425-9910/ (0917-856-9240)

Operations: 11:00 am to 3:00 pm

Healthy Lemon Pepper Roasted Chicken opens at Goodwill Homes 1

The Lemon Pepper Roast Chicken recently opened their stall at Goodwill Homes 1 within Barangay San Bartolome in Novaliches. The proprietor had their own special blend of herbs and special seasonings.  They were able to secure the rental space on the later part of November 2018.

The Lemon Pepper Roast Chicken stall ( photo taken last December 15, 2018)

The outlet used to be a local eatery ( carinderia). They had an introductory price of Php 230 ( roasted whole chicken) and one can purchase Php 99 for another ( total of Php 329.00 ). The in-house opening promo was until December 31, 2018.

oven roasted chicken

A few days ago, They had another promo of this month. They lowered the price of their roasted chicken at Php 199 per piece. This is about 10% to 20% cheaper than the other roasted chicken outlets which retails between Php 210 to Php 260 per piece. There are at least 4 other roasted chicken stalls within the vicinity.

The Lemon Pepper Roast Chicken signage

Those living within Goodwill Homes 1, San Pedro IX subdivision, Kingspoint Subdivision, California Village, Sierra Vista and nearby areas can enjoy the promo until the end of this month.

They also had small wooden chairs and table for those who wanted to eat these roasted chicken with rice value meal which starts at Php 65.00

Address: Katipunan Avenue, Goodwill Homes 1 , Barangay San Bartolome , Novaliches, Quezon City

Operation: Everyday from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm

Note : We will try to update this blog, since the roasted chicken outlet does not have any social media accounts and contact details.

 

 

 

Savoring the Taste of Adam’s Pizza

Adam’s Pizza was our second stop at the San Miguel, Bulacan Culinary and Heritage tour. The quaint restaurant is the ancestral home of Mr. Ariel Adriano Roura. The house is located just a few step away from the municipal hall. Adam’s pizza name was derived from the couple oldest son ( Adam).

Adam’s Pizza tarpaulin menu board

There used to be a eatery (carinderia) stall for 33 years. Then, the couple decided to specialize in selling local pizzas, buko pie, bicho-bicho pops, samalamigs like buko juice and sago’t gulaman about 3 years ago.

bicho pop dough

Among the clear stand-outs were the sisig flavored pizza which gave the pizza a native twist ( with a little bit sour taste), hawaiian, supreme, all meat, buko pie and the bicho-bicho pops had almost similar taste like the Portuguese malasadas.

bicho pop ( Photo courtesy of Architect Chieo Ongteco)

The bicho dough are deep fried in hot oil. The fried dought is cut into small bite size pieces then coated with powdered sugar and flavorings. These are served in small cups.

freshly baked pizza

The ham and cheese flavored pizza is just being sold for Php 55.00 with generous toppings of ham and cheese. There was a small marked down from Php 69.00

Hawaiian flavored pizza sells for Php 79.00, Adam’s Supreme sells for Php 99.00, Sisig Pizza sells for Php 99.00, BBQ Chicken pizza sells for Php 99.00, Pepperoni Pizza for Php 89.00 an their All Meat pizza only cost Php99.00 – ideal for sharing between 3 to 6 persons.

Samara’s buko pie  ( photo courtesy of : Architect Chieo Ongteco)

We also liked the Samara’s buko pie with its soft dough and generous buko fillings. The buko pie was named after their daughter.

different kinds of pizza to choose from

What is amazing about Adam’s pizza is that they also cater delivery service within the town of San Miguel. The business is also open for franchising.

sisig pizza

Mr. Ariel Adriano Roura, Sarah, Samara and Adam

Adam’s Pizza

 Address:  353 Libertad Street Poblacion, San Miguel, Bulacan 3011
Cellphone :0917 623 9606 /0906 359 4426

Operation Hours: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm

Note: Prices posted are subject to change without prior notice. For the latest updates and promos, Please visit their FB page.

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/FreshlyBakedAdamsPizza/