Buddy's Longganisang Lucban

Buddy's Longganisang Lucban

         In the small, quiet town of Lucban in Quezon is a restaurant that serves the best Longganisang Lucban. People from various parts of the country travel to Lucban, which is nestled at the foot of Mount Banahaw, to savor Buddy's famous specialty. Longganisang Lucban is a Philippine sausage made of ground pork with lots of garlic, oregano and pepper added to it.

         Travelers passing through Lucban on their way to the innermost parts of Quezon province make it a point to stop at Buddy's. And during the Pahiyas Festival, when thousands motor to Lucban to pay homage to the town's patron saint, San Isidro Labrador, Buddy's is filled to the rafters. Buddy's also serves Pancit Habhab, also called Pancit Lucban, which has thick noodles, sizzling sisig, sizzling gambas, fresh lumpia and many more.

          But Lucban is far from Metro Manila. It is some 135 kilometers away. With this in mind, the owners of Buddy's have opened a branch at the Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City. It is right across the world famous Araneta Coliseum. It is also very near the Gateway Mall.

          When dining at Buddy's in Cubao, noticeable are chandeliers decorated with colorful kipings and walls painted with flowers, fruits and other figures reminiscent of Lucban's Pahiyas Festival. And as you place your orders at the counter, you read that signage: "Dito sa Buddy's, Parang Laging Fiesta." As you look around you, as you smell the aroma of Longganisang Lucban and as you begin to savor its distinct taste, you tell yourself: "It's simply the best !"

- Konted

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Buddy's has an outlet at the Araneta Center.

You can feel the Pahiyas Festival atmosphere while dining at Buddy's.

Yes, para ngang Fiesta !!

Buddy's :Longganisang Lucban is the best. SuperSarap.

Buddy's Pancit Lucban is incomparable. Pancit Lucban is also called Pancit Habhab

Pancit Lucban is served on banana leaves.

Beef Bulalo

Mixed Seafood & Vegetables

Sizzling Gambas

Fresh Lumpia

Halo Halo

This lady is awed by the wall paintings.

Konted

Buddy's is right across the Araneta Coliseum.

Dine at Buddy's after watching a PBA game.

Or after watching a beauty pageant at the Big Dome.

One Rainy Sunday Afternoon at Hap Chan

One Rainy Sunday Afternoon at Hap Chan

             Clear, clean water was dripping down the glass panel, giving that relaxing feeling to onlookers. It was actually an indoor water fountain. Several Chinese lanterns were swaying as waiters and waitresses, garbed in red outfits, were busy attending to diners that had started to occupy every available table. The aroma of food being cooked and, then served to customers, made the craving stronger.

Hap Chan at Ali Mall in Cubao, Q.C.

Waiting area

             Hot Chinese Tea, brewed in ceramic tea pot, was first served with small cups for everyone. It is standard procedure as the place is a tea house. There was no need to strain or to infuse, no tea bags to dip as the tea was already mixed and blended. I savored the aroma, sipped a little, with the tea getting to the palate, down to my throat and to the stomach. 

Free hot Chinese Tea

             Stretching her right arm a little over my left shoulder, the waitress served the noodles next. It was Mixed Meat Pancit Canton. There were portions of chicken, pork and shrimps and mixed with the thick noodles.  I started slurping, unmindful of the loud, sucking sound.  And then I suddenly remembered my father.  He knew almost all kinds of noodles - bihon, lomi, miki bihon, lo mi, misua, cho mein, etc - and he would tell you where they were served best.

Mixed Meat Pancit Canton

              Next was the Fried Chicken, said to be a best seller.  I got a piece, dipped it in a specially-made gravy and made a big bite.  It was tender and juicy.  It was so good that I got another piece while still feasting on the first one. It was so good that I have included it in my list of top ten fried chickens.

Hap Chan Fried Chicken

              Served a little bit late was the Yang Chow Fried Rice. But the waitress made up for it by serving in quick succession the Salt and Pepper Spare Ribs and the Beef Broccoli with mushroom sauce.  They were delectable.  As I had another serving of the Spare Ribs, I remembered the little dogs.  I shoved some pieces in an extra plate and reserved them for the little ones.

Yang Chow Fried Rice

Salt and Pepper Spare Ribs

Beef with Broccoli

               Then there was the Steamed Fish Fillet with garlic. It was served with soy sauce as condiment. It was well marinated, cut in the right size and had that freshness. Then the Salt and Pepper Squid. They were tender, not rubbery. And then came last were the doughnuts.  There was Al Capone. There was Oreology. There was Avocado de Caprio.  And other flavors too.  I consumed three in three minutes. And as I drank my second glass of water, I again remembered something.  I remembered that I was the one tasked to pay for all those delicious food items served to us. I placed my bet on the Miami Heat and lost. I wished I didn't remember.  I wished that all I had to do was stand up, wash my hands and leave the place. Anyway, I had a grand time at Hap Chan. Like the rest of the group.

- Konted

Steamed  Fish Fillet

Fried Squid with Salt and Pepper

Cooks of Hap Chan are from Hongkong.

Avocado de Caprio, Oreology, Don Mochino, etc

Mr. Green Tea and Al Capone

Satisfied diners

All winners

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Pancit ng Taga Malabon: Across The Terminal

Pancit ng Taga Malabon:   Across The Terminal

            

           The Cagsawa bus had just left the Cubao terminal.  In 45 minutes, the Isarog bus bound for Albay would begin its long trip.  Peter, leaving his Fortuner behind at Dominican Hill in faraway Baguio, was seated at the fourth row of the air-conditioned bus.  Feeling hungry, he alighted and started looking around.  He saw a restaurant just across the terminal. He walked right in as he wanted to try Pancit ng Taga Malabon.

What used to be Rustan's Shopping Arcade at the Araneta Center is now a bus terminal.

Pancit ng Taga Malabon is right across the terminal.

Pancit Malabon is the pride of the town of Malabon.

            Pancit ng Taga Malabon, as the name implies, serves delicious Pancit Malabon.  Pancit Malabon consists of thick noodles with golden sauce and mixed with shrimps, sliced boiled eggs, chicharon and oysters. Fish sauce, or Patis, is used as condiment.  The town of Malabon, where it originated, has achieved immortality through the noodles called Pancit Malabon.

Pancit Malabon in Bilao good for 5 persons.  Price is P250.

Pancit Malabon served with Lechon Kawali

Pancit Malabon and Binagoongang Baboy served with rice

            To go with the Pancit is the equally famous Putong Polo.  Polo here refers to the old town of Valenzuela, which was known then as Polo, where they make delicious Puto. A glass of iced tea completes the light meal. Pancit ng Taga Malabon also accepts big orders placed in bilaos. Waiting time is about 15 minutes.

Polo refers to the old name of the town of Valenzuela which was then a part of Bulacan province.  It is famous for delicious puto.

Pancit Malabon and Putong Polo go together.

Prices of Pancit Malabon vary depending on  the size of the bilao.

              The bus driver was now wiping his hands with a small towel.  He shifted the gear to rear position as the conductor, as a force of habit, began shouting: atras, atras, atras !!!! Peter, after picking his teeth, burped twice with the taste of the Pancit Malabon still lingering in his palate. Peter then adjusted the lazy boy type seat, positioned himself well, aligned his Rayban and began to close his eyes.  It would be a very, very long journey.

The bus terminal at the Araneta center is near Ali Mall and SM Cubao.

The King Long Bus of Isarog Line bound for Albay (flicker)

San Francisco boy Peter M. is now based at Dominican Hill in Baguio City.  He regularly travels to the Bicol Region.

- Konted

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