Rehashing Some Brews At Hashbrews Café Bistro

"Life's supposed to be an adventure, a surprise!" - Anton du Beke

I’ve been meaning to visit the place for a long time. I first noticed it when I was on my way to Cebu IT Park one evening. It looked like one of those American diner-type cafés in the 60s or 70s similar to the one we had here in Cebu back in the 90s. While I was able to have a bottle or two some time ago at the place, but I was really able to get the feel of the place. I finally got the chance one Friday evening, which is timely since I was craving a brew of a different kind.

Rehashing Some Brews At Hashbrews Café Bistro

Hashbrews Café Bistro

Hashbrews Café Bistro has been on my to-go-to list ever since I noticed it over a year ago. My curiosity was further piqued after I saw their Facebook Page. The pictures of their food, particularly their burgers had me salivating at the thought of taking a bite at them. My initial perception was an American diner-type of place. And when I first visited the place around a month ago, it had that diner vibe with the framed drawings and sculptures (not sure what you call them since I’m no artist). The bar also had a good inventory of drinks from whiskeys to rums and tequilas. But I’m more interested in their food, which was what attracted me to the place.

Hashbrews Café Bistro Coat of Arms

When I saw the pictures of their burgers posted on their Facebook Page, it not only piqued my interest, it also had me wanting to drop by the place. But as they say, fate had a different plan. When I got the chance to grab a bite at the place, I ordered something else . . . their Grilled Pork Belly with Rice.

Grilled Pork Belly with Rice

Food

While I was really looking forward to their burgers, their Grilled Pork Belly with Rice actually tasted great. In fact, I would have ordered an extra serving of rice if not for my so-called minimal-carb diet. But if I ate it at lunchtime I would likely order two extra servings of rice. So I guess fate was right to compel me (introvert mode activate) to ask for the house specialty rather than order the burgers, which I wanted in the first place. Aside from the burgers and Grilled Pork Chop, the place also offers a good variety of food items, including Beef with Onions, Beef with Broccoli, Fried Chicken (overheard someone saying this was good), Grilled Blue Marlin Steak, Sizzling Bangus, and everyone’s favorite, the Sizzling Sisig.

Grilled Pork Belly with Rice 

Appetizers while on a drinking binge aka pulutan, they Hashbrews offers Sauteed Hungarian Sausage and Mushrooms, Breaded Chicken Strips, Spring Rolls, and Bacon (who doesn’t love bacon?). The place also offers a good selection of soups and noodles, including the Chicken Mami, Cream of Chicken, Tinolang Isda, and Lomi, which I noted was served in a humongous bowl (I overheard the other table ordering this).

Interior of Hashbrews Café Bistro

If you are into vegetables, you may want to order the Ampalaya with Egg, Chao Pat Chin, or the Chopsuey. Their All-Day-Breakfast menu includes the Corned Beef, Beef Tapa, and Longaniza, all of which are served with two eggs and rice or bread. Pancake lovers will be keen on ordering their Classic Pancake with Butter and Maple Syrup or the Waffle with Bacon and Egg. For a taste of Italy, they also have the Spaghetti Bolognese, Creamy Pesto Pasta, and Carbonara. So Hashbrews offers everything for everybody.

Price

When it comes to prices, Hashbrews has a rather competitive price range. For their starters or appetizers, prices range from PhP99 for the Fried Pusit (Squid) Platter up to PhP205 for the Calamares. Their Main Courses have prices between PhP165 for the Sizzling Sisig and PhP450 for the Bagnet. The Soup and Noodles of the place have prices ranging from PhP135 for the Sweetcorn Soup up to PhP295 for the Sinigang Isda. Vegetable lovers can look forward to prices between PhP95 for the Ampalaya with Egg and PhP185 for the Chao Pat Chin. The price of the pasta at Hashbrews is from PhP165 for the Pasta Pomodoro up to PhP195 for the Spicy Danggit Pasta. Fruit Shakes are priced at PhP95 for the Banana Shake up to PhP145 for the Banana & Mango Shake, while sodas cost PhP55 each.

Menu of Hashbrews Café Bistro

If you want to have breakfast . . . in the evening, you can have them at PhP165 for the Corned Beef with rice and egg up to PhP175 for the Beef Tapa with rice and egg. Beer prices are between PhP50 for the Pale Pilsen and PhP75 for the Smirnoff Mule. And last but not the least, the price of their burgers and sandwiches are quite competitive from PhP125 for the Ham and Egg Sandwich up to PhP185 for their Hashbrew’s Cheese Burger.

Menu of Hashbrews Café Bistro

Location

Hashbrews Café Bistro is located on the ground floor of Northwinds Hotel along Salinas Drive, Lahug, Cebu City. It’s a short walk away from the Cebu IT Park and close to some of the best restaurants the Lahug area has to offer.

Getting There

If you are coming from Ayala, you can get on a jeepney headed for Lahug (04M) and tell the driver to let you off at Northwinds Hotel. You can immediately see the place when you turn towards the hotel. You also have the option of getting on a Beep bus and get off at IT Park. You can ask any guard in the area to point you in the direction of the hotel. You can also ask the guard to point you to where Chikaan sa Cebu restaurant is located. You can either ride a jeepney or walk towards the place (it’s probably a five- to ten-minute walk away). The café bistro is right across the restaurant. If you are coming from SM City Cebu, you can get on a jeepney headed for the Cebu IT Park and tell the driver to let you off at Chikaan sa Cebu restaurant.

Interior of Hashbrews Café Bistro

While I was not able to take a bite off their burgers, Hashbrews is definitely one of the places I will not think twice of visiting on any given Friday night.

PS: The place has a live acoustic band playing on Friday and Saturday evenings. If you are overflowing with confidence in your bathroom voice, you can also ask if you can sing your heart’s out with the band.

Bai Ron, Back Ribs Ta sa Byron’s Back Ribs Grille

“Good food is good food. It doesn't have to come with pretense.” - Christina Tosi

It’s been over a year since I last visited this blog. In fact, in four months it will be two years since I wrote something here. While I visited several hole-in-the-wall places here in Cebu, I haven’t really gotten to take pictures, let alone write about them. But my recent visit to a place I discovered recently encouraged me to write about it.

Byron’s Back Ribs Grille

Byron’s Back Ribs Grille

Byron’s Back Ribs Grille actually opened around three years ago, but I only got to try the place when I decided to take a trip to uptown Cebu. Several food bloggers already wrote about the place in the past. And they all agree that the place offers great-tasting baby back ribs.

Byron’s Back Ribs Grille

Food

Yes, there are already several restaurants in the Queen City of the South offering baby back ribs. But Byron’s is Bacolod’s Best, and it has made its way to Cebu. This place uses their own barbecue sauce. And it’s not your run-of-the-mill barbecue sauce, it’s their own concoction that easily tickles your taste buds. I ordered the Backribs Jr. and I was in for a treat. 

Backribs Jr.

The meat was suitably tender and succulent. I could just put my finger on the taste of the sauce since it was a festival of flavors that took my tongue on an amazing ride. I wanted to order the Backribs Regular, but I am supposedly on a self-imposed diet. Well, more of an intermittent eating diet or something. If you are planning to visit the place with your family or group of friends, you can order the Family Platter or the half slab or whole slab of backribs.

Backribs Jr. 

Aside from the baby back ribs, the place also offers Grilled BBQ Chicken, which is one of the staples in Bacolod similar to Manong’s. They also have the Grilled Sizzling Bangus and Pork BBQ. Another item on their menu that I want to try soon is the Porksteak. All these items come with one cup of rice. If you are not keen on eating rice, you may want to try their Backribs Burger (I should try this the next time I visit the place). And last but not the least, they also have their own version of the Sizzling Pork Sisig.

Byron’s Back Ribs Grille

Price

The price of their meals is quite affordable, especially since the place is located in one of the malls in the city. The Backribs Jr. is priced at PhP99 while the Backribs Regular costs PhP175. On the other hand, the Half Slab of Backribs and Whole Slab of Backribs are priced at PhP598 and PhP1,188, respectively. Their family platter costs PhP1,288. Of all the rib meals, only the Family Platter comes with two liters of iced tea or lemon juice. Their Grilled BBQ Chicken and Grilled Sizzling Bangus are priced at PhP128 and PhP178, respectively. The Pork BBQ meal costs PhP128 while the Sizzling Pork Sisig is priced at PhP138. Their Backribs Burger and Porksteak are both priced at PhP128.

Byron’s Back Ribs Grille

For their drinks, a glass of either lemon juice or iced tea is priced at PhP45 while a pitcher costs PhP105. They also offer canned soft drinks at PhP55 each while their bottled water costs PhP25. If you want more rice, plain rice costs PhP20 while the garlic rice is priced at PhP25. On the other hand, if you want extra BBQ sauce, you can get it for PhP15.

Byron’s Back Ribs Grille

Location

Byron’s Back Ribs Grille actually opened its first branch in Robinson’s Galleria at the North Reclamation Area. The branch I visited is located on the second floor of Robinson’s Cybergate Mall in Fuente Osmeña. It is just a few steps away from the Manga Café. So if you are looking for something sweet after chowing down on the baby back ribs, you may want to check out the Manga Café. It is open from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM or based on the mall hours.

Byron’s Back Ribs Grille

Getting There

If you are coming from Ayala Center Cebu, you can get on a jeepney marked 14D or the one headed for Ramos St. You can tell the driver to let you off at the jeepney stop close to Robinson’s Cybergate. It will likely be at the intersection close to the National Labor Relations Commission office or Anita’s Bakeshop. Robinson’s Cybergate is just several steps away from the jeepney stop. Just ask the driver or your friendly sidewalk vendor to point which direction you should head for. Once you get to the mall, just go up to the second floor. Like what I said earlier, it is just a few steps away from the Manga Café.

Byron’s Back Ribs Grille

Cebuanos got acquainted with the baby back ribs after a homegrown restaurant offered this meat dish nearly two decades ago. Since then people have been lining up to taste the best ones offered in the Queen City of the South.  With the opening of Byron’s Backribs Grille, the rib gurus of Cebu should step on their rib game.

Burgers Charbroiled To Perfection At Burgaholic

Cebuanos are a picky bunch, and it takes a lot of effort before you can satisfy this particular market. In fact, Cebu has become the test market of some food companies who want to make it big in other parts of the archipelago. If you will survive the Cebuano market, you will survive in the big city up north. So when a small stall opens up in the Queen City of the South and continues to provide great-tasting food after a couple of years, it definitely is one store to watch out for in the future.

Burgaholic along Maria Cristina Ext.

One hole-in-the-wall eating place that has continued to build a reputation of offering great-tasting food is located at the garage of the owner. Despite being a relatively new player in the market, Burgaholic has created a niche of its own in the Queen City of the South. A couple of weeks ago, I went to the place to try their burgers. When I went to Burgaholic, I was joined by my brothers and nephews. 

Burgaholic Story

Burgaholic was borne out of a passion for eating and the need to have an outlet from the daily grind. Juan Ismael Arceo is the man behind the place. When we were there, the dad was manning the cash box at that time since his son was at work. The main reason they did not open another branch was that they could not find a suitable location in the city. 

The Quarter Pounder at Burgaholic

The place is nearly three years old and they were featured on Sun Star Weekend sometime in 2015. When they started, people flocked to the place. Word-of-mouth marketing brought in different types of customers. From casual customers to food bloggers and even people who were simply curious about their burgers. 

I was arrived at the place at around 6:45 PM, and they were already cooking burgers. Apparently, a number of their return customers call ahead for their orders and pick them up after they’re already cooked. There were at least two people who picked up their orders before my brothers and nephews arrived at the place. 

Unassuming Dining Area at Burgaholic

The Burgers

Burgaholic offers three variants of their burger: The Classic, The Quarter Pounder, and The Half Pounder. The Classic burger comes with lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, and their signature Cheesy Mushroom Sauce. You can also add bacon into the mix for an additional PhP20. The Quarter Pounder comes with all the ingredients of The Classic Burger plus bacon and jalapeno. On the other hand, The Quarter Pounder is specifically made for people who have huge appetites. 

The Quarter Pounder

They cook their burgers over charcoals on a customized grill made of a metal barrel. If you want to cook burgers at your backyard, you can either make a similar customized grill or you can buy a grill online. Since the cooking area and dining area are in one place, you can see your order being cooked right before your eyes. If you ask me, watching my order cooked in front of me is somewhat excruciating once you get a waft of the aroma coming from the burgers. 

Customized Grill at Burgaholic

Burgers Grilling at Burgaholic

We ordered a Quarter Pounder each. The patty they used for the burger was huge when compared to the ones offered in a number of popular fast food restos. The dad of the owner said they have their own recipe for their patties, which is a thing among a number of hole-in the-wall eating places. Similarly, the dishes at the King of Chicken were also the brainchild of owner-cum-chef of the establishment. The Quarter Pounder was crisp on the outside but juicy on the inside. Each one of us finished the burger in no time. 

The Grilled Pork Belly With Rice

After demolishing our Quarter Pounders, we decided to try the Grilled Pork Belly with Rice. The pork belly was thicker than the ones you can find in supermarkets. It is seasoned by their signature dry rub and slathered with their home-made barbecue sauce. The dad said they do not use salt on the pork belly, which gives it the right amount of juiciness. It also has the right amount of sweetness in it. While some people I know may not appreciate the sweet taste of the Grilled Pork Belly of Burgaholic, its juiciness will definitely win them over. 

Grilling Those Huge Pork Belly Cut

The Grilled Pork Belly is Served

The Place

The dining and cooking area is the garage of the owner, which is typical of a number of hole-in-the-wall places here in the Queen City of the South. They have monobloc tables and chairs, which is suitable enough for their patrons. People do not go there for the ambiance; they go there for the food. In fact, when we were at Burgaholic another table was occupied by two customers who were also there for the food. Some tenants of the apartment also came out to eat. 

The Dining Area-cum-Cooking Area

The Prices

The Classic is priced at PhP100 while the Quarter Pounder costs PhP175. The Half Pounder is priced at PhP295 while their Grilled Pork Belly with Rice costs PhP100. 

Burger Offerings at Burgaholic

The Location

Burgaholic is located along Maria Cristina Extension, right beside the Bordz Bar. When I went there, I thought I missed the place, but after seeing burgers being grilled, I knew I was at the right place. If you are riding a taxi, just tell the driver to bring you to the Bordz Bar along Maria Cristina Extension. If you burgaare commuting, you can get off at Cocomall and walk along Maria Cristina Street until you reach a point where the road turns left. Burgaholic is located a few meters from the turn. If you are coming from National Bookstore, walk towards Juana Osmeña Street until you reach Maria Cristina Street. Turn right and follow the road until it turns left. The place is on the left side of the road.

The Quarter Pounder

Burgaholic is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant that has piqued the taste buds of residents and visitors to the Queen City of the South. While it is a relative newcomer in the market, it has definitely made its mark and is one place to watch out for in the coming years. And, oh, on my next visit, I'll probably get the Half Pounder or two of them Classic burgers.

Have you tasted the burgers and Grilled Pork Belly at Burgaholic already? Tell me about it on the comments section below.

A Taste Of Authentic Batchoy In The City - Batchoyhouse328

Batchoy is a noodle dish consisting of pork organs, chicken stock, beef loin, crushed chicharon or pork cracklings, and round noodles. One variant of the dish has an egg added to it. The dish originated from the La Paz district of Iloilo City in the Philippines.

Batchoyhouse328

While my dad was an Ilonggo, I never really got to live in Iloilo since we lived at the hometown of my mom. I was able to visit Iloilo, particularly the hometown of my dad, a long time ago but was not able to get the chance to get a taste of this delectable noodle dish.

Batchoy

The first taste I had with batchoy was at Carlo's Batchoy at the old Food Street. Their batchoy tasted great, and was one of the places me and my friends used to go to after painting the town red. But, it appears Carlo's Batchoy will have to deal with a newcomer in town, Batchoyhouse328.

Batchoyhouse328

Batchoyhouse328

Batchoyhouse328 is a small batchoy place situated in the Guadalupe area. The place is actually the garage of the owner of the place where table and chairs were set up for their customers. You can actually see how they prepare the batchoy since their cooking area is right beside the garage.

Batchoy is prepared right before your eyes

The place is owned by Vance Borja, who was the chef behind Chop Chop Food Centre and Uncle Noodles. While I was not able to talk to the owner, I learned that his mom was also an Ilongga. After the two restaurants closed, he decided to recreate this mouthwatering noodle dish from the hometown of his mom.

Special Batchoy

The Batchoy

Batchoyhouse328 serves two variants of this humble noodle dish from La Paz, Iloilo, regular and special. The regular batchoy consists of pancit miki, meat, chicharon, and soup stock. The special batchoy consists all of the ingredients of the regular batchoy and an egg. 

Batchoy of Batchoyhouse328

Price

The price of the regular batchoy is at PHP50 while the special batchoy is priced at PHP65. If you decide to order take out, you have to add an additional PHP15, which is understandable since you would have to pay for the packaging and other stuff to make sure your batchoy does not spill while you take it home.

Can't get enough of their batchoy

You also have the option of adding an extra egg, soup, noodles, meat, and bone marrow. They also sell Pan de Sal at PHP5 per piece. For this summer, they have a special offering for their customers, their Summer Espayshal Halo Halo for PHP50.

Prices at Batchoyhouse328

The Place

If you plan on going to the place, you should not expect an air-conditioned dining area. Despite its humble appearance, they serve really great-tasting batchoy. In fact, when I was there I noted that their customers were well-to-do people. While only one other table was taken, there were two other people who ordered takeout. 

Humble yet cozy dining area

Location

Batchoyhouse328 is situated along M. Veloso St., Guadalupe, Cebu City. To get to the place, you can hop on a jeepney headed for Guadalupe Church or those marked 06B, 06C, 06F, or 06H. You can get off in front of Villa Fatima Compound and walk along the street on the opposite side of the compound. Once you reach the first corner, turn right. Batchoyhouse328 is situated several meters away from the corner on the right side of the road.

Summer offering at Batchoyhouse328

I will not be surprise if Batchoyhouse328 will grow bigger and offer more food choices in the future. It may even expand and open other branches in and around the city since they offer one of the best batchoy dishes in the Queen City of the South.

The King of Chicken

Hi again! I know it has been eons since I wrote my first post since I got tied up with trying to make a living. Anyway, this will be my first post in a series of posts (I hope) about some hole-in-the-wall eating places in Cebu.

The first hole-in-the-wall eating place I visited actually started off as a small store in the Urgello area. The King of Chicken is a relatively-unknown eating place in Cebu that has gradually created a good following among the food-loving residents of Cebu.

Frontage of the The King of Chicken

While the original location in Urgello Street only sold chicken, it was one heck of a chicken. They initially had three flavors of their chicken, regular, cheesy, and spicy. It was an instant hit in the neighborhood as residents in the area took to their chicken like fish to water. 

The chicken of the The King of Chicken

The customers even compared their chicken to the one offered by that old colonel who used 11 secret herbs and spices on his products. Similar to new eating places, the King of Chicken in Urgello was run by the husband and wife team of Ags and Dayang Geverola. The place slowly made a name for itself and eventually led to the opening of its first sit-down restaurant along Osmena Boulevard on February 13, 2013. 

Chicken of The King of Chicken

Aside from their signature fried chicken dish, the King of Chicken also offers beef, fish, and vegetable dishes. People ask why the place is called the King of Chicken even though they offer other dishes aside from chicken. The owner, Ags, said their chicken tastes so good that the fish and other animals all wanted to become a chicken.  

Lumpia at The King of Chicken

The best-seller at the place is their steamed bangus, which usually runs out after lunch. So, if you plan on getting the chance to taste this mouthwatering dish, it is advisable for you to go there just before the lunch rush. The King of Chicken also has a number of Healthy Options for health-conscious guests. 

Healthy Options at The King of Chicken

While most of their customers are nurses and doctors from Cebu Doctors' University Hospital, they are also one of the fave places for medical representatives who drop by the King of Chicken after making their rounds.

Vegetables at The King of Chicken

The prices of their dishes are really cheap, considering the fact that they served their dishes piping hot and fresh from the stove. If you look at the menu board of the King of Chicken, you will get to notice that they do not sell any pork dishes. 

Glazed Chicken at The King of Chicken

Even as they offer deliveries, it is limited to the Cebu Doctors' University Hospital block. But, they are planning to expand their delivery area in the future. They also accept bulk orders for their products. Just make sure you call up at least a day or two before your event.

Chicken at The King of Chicken

The King of Chicken is located along Osmena Boulevard, a few meters away from Cebu Doctors' University Hospital. You can get in touch with them through 0942-452-6732.