ANDOK's Celebrates 40 Years and Return to foodpanda App

It was fun and festive over at Bridgetowne QC as Andok's celebrate their 40th year via "Pista ng Sarap - Pambansang Salo-Salo" together with the good folks from FoodPanda as they'll be back in the app.

At the event, they had several booths folks could take photos with. The display they had was like a full Andok's store full of the brands best sellers like the Liston Baka, Dokito Chicken, Dokito Burger and their Lechon Manok. I still have my picks like the Spicy Dokito Burger and Barbecue which they sell in 3's which is always a hit in our home. Mind you I order regularly, so seeing them back on FoodPanda just made me doubly excited since I'm subscribed to their PRO.

Andok's owners Vice Governor Sandy Javier his wife and Maverick (his son) plus his whole family was there to grace the occasion. foodpanda's Growth Manager Pat Jacinto says "Welcome guests, thank you for being here, to the QC LGU and everyone, welcome to the PISTA NG SARAP! Two very Filipino traits are love for convenience and love for food. The timing could not be more opportune, because it is also the 40th year of Andok's. To the team Andok's, for your dedication and grit, thank you! We want to bring our customers to the best brand with the food they love. We welcome you to the platform again, and recognize those who made it possible. This is the fastest on-boarding of 500 branches and we are live!  This is the beginning of a partnership that would hopefully last for decades, and we have a Father's day surprise coming very soon! It ties with our vision, here's to making Andok's successful around the country!"

Maverick Javier the President and CEO of Andok's Litson Corporation says "Paupau and Andie are friends now. Hi to our media partners and KOL's. Andoks started 40 years ago (and will be 41 this December) and our mission was survival, things changed over the years and it is now to give Sarap and Saya sa Bawat Pamilya. With FoodPanda, that is happening. Without my Andoks family, this wouldn't happen. They are doing an amazing operation, and reaching more people is within reach with the Foodpanda team. It's our pleasure to be part of your lives daily. Andok's is here to serve!"

They welcomed Foodpanda and said this partnership is essential to make sure they meet their goals of being in every Filipino home, and to create jobs around the country.

40 years is no joke and surely, this will now make those parties, birthdays, barkada nights or meals even easier to reach as the platform now has Andok's in it! Go download the app and search for Andok's as there will surely be a branch near you!

PS: FATHER'S DAY ANNOUNCEMENT!

From June 20-21, there will be a 50 percent off on Lechon Manok and 30 percent off on Andok's favorites only on the Foodpanda app!

New BEEF CARNITAS Offers at TACO BELL Philippines

I've always loved my weekly Burrito fix at TACO BELL in Gateway Mall Araneta City. I don't usually eat alone, but when I do, I make sure it's going to be with real comfort food. But of course, the pandemic happened. I am so thankful that they remained in operation and deliver well loved Taco Bell items to my own home via their 8911-11-11 and delivery apps where available. Now I've been a beef lover all my life, and as a treat for people like me, Taco Bell is now putting Beef Carnitas in Burritos and Quesadillas on a limited time til October 18, 2021. 

 

 

Imagine Beef that's slow cooked, mixed in with spices, garlic sauce and a hint of sweetness. They got that all wrapped up with your rice, veggies and made Taco Bell Beef Carnitas Burrito. If you prefer something that's enveloped in melted cheese and flour tortilla, go for the Taco Bell Beef Carnitas Quesadilla. It's available in meals, add Php 70 for Nacho Sprinkles and 16oz soda too. If you want the Beef Carnitas Burrito Big Bell Box that only costs Php 299, it's got a Beef Carnitas Burrito,  Crunchy Taco, Nacho Sprinkles, Cinnamon Twists and 16-oz soda. If you prefer an even bigger meal, go for the Php 369 Beef Carnitas Quesadilla Big Bell Box that comes with a Beef Carnitas Quesadilla, a serving each of Fiesta Potatoes, Nacho Sprinkles, Cinnamon Twists and 16-oz soda.

If you're a fan of intense beef flavor, this definitely hits the spot. The sides you see have always been a staple in Taco Bell meals so that's a given. You'll save a lot when you get them on these Big Bell packages so might as well order them like that. Take a bite of it today and say Live Mas!

Sizzlin Steak x Teriyaki Boy's Beef Belly Strips and Tempura All You Can!

Have you ever had the freedom to eat BEEF BELLY STRIPS as much as you can? How about tons of Tempura for your Japanese food cravings? If you haven't had that yet, things might need to change as both Sizzlin' Steak and Teriyaki Boy bring you All-You-Can weekdays just for that!

Get a serving of Rice and a glass of iced tea and let them fill you up with Beef Belly Strips for only P349. I had that and got about ten servings of it in one sitting. I couldn't move much after serving number 8 haha! My other friends got the Tempura for the same price, though if you want more rice you just order that off the menu and it is still affordable. If you wish to have more servings of hot sizzling plates of Beef Belly Strips or Tempura, just go and raise the signboards and you'll get them running to your table. My trick is to order ahead because I kinda measure what I can still eat, but don't waste food!

Smores

Pork Tonkatsu

Chicken Teriyaki

Gyoza

If you want other things aside from Beef Belly Strips or Tempura, they have tons to choose from including desserts. The All You Can Eat though is enough, but who's stopping you right?

The offer is only good on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday the whole month! You've got a few more weeks left this JUNE. 

Go get that sizzle!

Korean Grill Goodness at House of Gogi

Kris Bernal has been wearing different hats since I have known her. Aside from being an actress, singer, dancer, business woman, here she goes again delving into a restaurant in Dapitan Street, Manila called HOUSE OF GOGI. That sounds like a fashion house but do know this stems from the Bulgogi which is a Korean beef dish that she fancies, we tried it out for ourselves a few days ago to know what it was all about.

The concept is simple, if it's lunch time you pay 399, if it's dinner you pay 488. What do you get for that amount you say? You get A LOT!

The Banchan (customary side dishes) consists of Fish Cake, Corn and Cheese, Potatoes, Korean Pancake and dried anchovies. They also refill at will so if you are a buffet Olympian like me, skip breakfast and bring your appetite to lunch with your friends and family. 

The meats? It's what they are known for. GOGI goodness comes in Beef Samgyupsal, Beef Bulgogi and Kimchi Beef varieties. Pork also comes in Pork Samgyupsal, Pork Bulgogi and Spicy Pork viands. I went for the Beef Samgyupsal and had it with fresh greens which they serve with a table top one burner stove. Lay all the meats on the grill and wait for your cheese to melt (takes a few minutes) and all this comes with the price you paid for lunch. I asked how she was able to keep the prices of lunch and dinner so low, Kris shares because she gets them straight from the source. She tells us the supplier is the family of her non showbiz boyfriend which she has known for quite a while now. Remember MEAT KRIS? All the patties she used from that burger  business came from that same supplier. She closed down shop because she felt that was all a testing ground before she decided to open a full blown restaurant - hence House of Gogi.

The meat becomes doubly good with their sauces, the gochujang was exceptionally good, kudos whoever made that because it has a little sweetness and not just super spicy.

The kimchi wasn't too strong, a little on the less spicy side but you can fix that with the gochujang. Your grilled pork will have even more love if you get melted cheese with it, not the cheddar type but real Mozzarella. You can ask for refills if you need to. This is so good!

Things like Beef Bulgogi and this steamed egg dish makes this place even better. Oh and did I forget to mention that they serve unlimited BIBIMBAP instead of the usual rice? Now how can you not try this place no?

The place is also instagrammable if there is such a term, so make sure you bring your phone cameras so you can share the experience.

After a good meal, we asked Kris Bernal a few questions about her upcoming show and a few details of who's going to be in it. She will be opposite Thea Tolentino on another ground breaking drama which GMA is known for.

Additionally we also learned she's planning to put up her own brand of lipstick, which dumbfounded me because everyone thought she was just quiet and doing nothing apart from her show, but NO. She's doing businesses left and right, some real estate investments, several shows and movies in the  pipeline, even got a brand launched very soon. 

Kris Bernal wants you to also experience House of Gogi for yourselves so head on to #55 Dapitan Street in Manila or just search House of Gogi in WAZE or Google Maps. It's this food park that has a car wash shop in the center. Just go up the small flight of stairs in the center and enter House of Gogi. Kris and her partners usually are there to say hi while you dine.

Congratulations Kris! Can't wait to see your other branches and other restaurants soon!

KUMAGCOW
Fresh Blogs Fast!

Great Comfort Food at BEEFFALO by HotRocks in San Juan

It was a nice afternoon for a great lunch so we headed our way to BEEFFALO by Hotrocks located at 135 Hoover Street in San Juan City. If my memory serves me right, I think I've already eaten in one of their defunct branches at Club 650' in Eastwood Libis which closed down because they stopped the lease and making that a community of condominiums. Now this place is off the beaten track, only a few restaurants exist in this place with the exception of the nearby Wilson Street area.  

The restaurant was conceptualized by a husband and wife team - owners who adored grilling in their backyard in Marikina. Back then, their guests often comprise friends and family who absolutely adored their home cooking. The weekend parties became pretty frequent, even bigger and they kept on going back. The crowd became huge and later on found themselves spending a lot for food, then the husband thought about putting up a restaurant. His lovely wife thought he was crazy but decided to go through with it because he already paid for the space. The place in Marikina was barren land - where you would often see grass growing wildly, people often get lost as it was right in the middle of nowhere but people still flocked as a destination restaurant. 

Today the whole street has been lined with shops, some commercial establishments jumped the opportunity to also open there. They decided it was time to open BEEFFALO so they could cater to more people in Manila, a place that would still have shades of HotRocks food people love, a chill spot for home cooked food, coffee and good desserts.

The Place

This place is quaint, a little rustic, got that shabby chic kind of decor with a touch of color here and there. During our time there, they were already preparing for Halloween and the General Manager Louie Abad told us how they take this occasion seriously. They really dress up and find it was good to entertain their customers too.

It could probably accommodate around 50 people in one go. Lines are a normal scene during lunch and dinner so they'd appreciate if you reserve ahead if you plan to have a meal here. Though if you're really in the mood, go here on weekdays and you'll probably have a better chance to dine.

I was actually excited to see they had the BEEF to put up decors like these cows in the mix. I felt right at  home because you know, we're KUMAGCOW after all.

For small groups who plan to have intimate parties, might I suggest you get this section of the restaurant for more privacy. This would be fit for meetings as well.

Now all these nice things on the restaurant got me worked up. I think it's time to get to the more serious stuff and try out their food. Here's what you can expect from BEEFFALO.

The Food

Their dishes were pretty much a mix American comfort food, the ones that Filipinos love. The difference is the way they make it. I think it stems from the way their food is prepared because she (the wife) isn't formally trained, a proud home cook (a very talented one at that). You get to see the care and heart put in on every dish, which I absolutely love.

 

This is their Taco Barbecue Salad. It's a pretty hefty serving so this would be best if shared by two people. It's got nachos, taco beef, salsa, cheddar on a bed of roughly chopped lettuce. It's served with drizzled ranch dressing and a bit of barbecue sauce. Filled me up already, but there were more things on the menu.

They had a few soups on the menu but I chose this Roasted Pumpkin Soup. It's sweeter than the usual because they do roast the pumpkin before they blitz it. It was hearty, I felt warm and fuzzy already.

They do serve beer but prefer you have their hearty meals, if you want a bottle or two you can order these Nachos. They serve this with Salsa or Spinach Dip but we asked them to serve both because we're nice people. These are nice things to have before the main course, which we'll get to in a bit.

Might I interest you with this Biscuit Pizza of which they're very proud of because of it's super thin crust. This is their Margherita Pizza.

If you're a bit adventurous, go for the Garlic and Mushroom Pizza. Still with the thin crust, you get to taste more of the flavors of the toppings which they wanted when they made these pizzas. They also have it in Three Cheese and Pepperoni variants.

This is their Porterhouse Beeffalo Steak served with real mashed potatoes and vegetable slides. Now how do I put this, it wasn't as perfect as I wanted it to be because it's Tenderloin filet on the one side and the other is Strip Steak, which means it's more likely you get  tougher piece of meat on one side and a softer one on the other. This was seasoned well but I suggest you eat this as soon as it lands on the table. It'll feel different if you let it rest too long on the table with airconditioning. Still, I love meat so I'd order this in a heartbeat.

I love this one, it's their Buttermilk Fried Chicken. This started as an experiment they had with a popular food magazine in the Philippines but they have now included this as a permanent item on the menu. It's served with mashed potato or garlic rice and a side salad. The creamy gravy MUST be there for obvious reasons. It's a good representation of comfort food.

Since we were that special, they served us something that's not on the menu. This is their Salmon Steak. It's been deboned, so you don't get pricked. This obviously is a HUGE serving so we asked them to perhaps have this toned down once it lands itself on the menu and they were very nice and accommodating with regards to feedback. I like that about them.

I would like to personally introduce to you my favorite item on their menu (aside from the next one though!) is these lovely, mouthwatering Beeffalo Wings with Blue Cheese Dip. It's perfectly fried wings saturated in their Original Spicy Buffalo Sauce and it's available in HOT or SWEET variants. You can also ask them to prepare both if you have friends who don't like it spicy, but I'd rather see you  try it out yourselves. If my hunch is correct, they don't just use Tabasco here, but more of the Schezuan Pepper Corn which is known to be a bit hot. It's got a peppery profile so it permeates from the back of your mouth to your nose, I like this a lot I almost ate all of it LOL.

This brings it up a notch big time, this is their Baby Back Ribs. They do mean one and they use their own concocted spice rub which they say will remain a secret. As you may understand this is for sharing but if you're a big guy like me, please enjoy this on your cheat day. It's sweet and savory, not dry and you can taste how the meat must have been in the grill for hours as it also falls off the bone. If you have a special guest, please do not leave this place without ordering this.

BEEFFALO is but a wonderful place to get home cooked comfort food in San Juan. If you're near here or frequent this place, consider yourself lucky. It would be the best place to have a cup of coffee, dine with family and friends without minding too much on the budget. Best for groups too because most of their dishes are intended for sharing. Though I've seen quite a few pairs having lunch there, as it's cozy, not too fancy, very casual.

Please do visit them at 135 Hoover Street in San Juan City. I find that typing in the address on UBER or GRAB was easy than the actual name of the restaurant. I'll try and upload the photos on Google so you can find it, don't worry! 

Bring around 1,000 for a date night and that could feed 2 people (if you're on a diet, much less than that). Trust me on the wings!