Great food finds at Congressional Avenue Extension

QUEZON CITY, Philippines – Many foodies in Quezon City would point you to Maginhawa or Malingap streets, home to great food options for every palate. But Congressional Avenue Extension is also home to many great eats, and worth taking a trip out to explore. 

This special gem, smack in the middle of Congressional Avenue extension, is well on its way to becoming the hub for food enthusiasts, with customers coming to have their fill of good food. Plus, establishments here are real easy to find.

You might want to start with these establishments to look out for, along the intersection of Teodoro M. Kalaw: Brewing Point Neighborhood Café, Chimes Square, and Box Park.

Brewing Point Neighborhood Cafe

Established in 2003, Brewing Point boasts a plethora of cakes, alongside a respectable coffee menu for the bean hustler. Apart from that, they also serve complete meals and a selection of vino, a great boon for when you’re hankering for something other than latte. 

What really impressed me is the place – the venue’s located just along a busy highway (Congressional Extension is an alternate route for trucks banned in EDSA), yet thanks to its ambience and good lighting, you’d feel right at home once you’re seated. 

Hungry? Brewing Point’s specialty is White Chicken (P395). This Singaporean delicacy sports a chicken breast cooked Hainanese-style – tender, juicy and thick. It’s hefty, and comes complete with oyster, chili and ginger sauces. 

Chunky Sam’s Diner (Chimes Square)

When you put a slab of beef, iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and ketchup between a bun, you call that a burger. Many restaurants stop there. Not Chunky Sam’s, located just across the street from Brewing Point (in Chimes Square). 

With an array of burgers to choose from, Chunky Sam’s delivers what could probably be the tastiest (and messiest!) burger I’ve had in a while. Plus, the crew’s pretty warm and accommodating.

Check out their Bacon ‘n’ Shrooms (from P325, for a quarter pounder): the meaty, hearty, Angus beef burger topped with mushroom, a generous helping of bacon, mozzarella and cheddar cheese bits, in between a black sesame seed bun. Oh, the size even for a quarter-pounder – you’ll definitely need a knife!

Down it with their own version of Twister Fries (additional P20 upgrade over their regular fries side) and it’s perfect.

Ciano (Chimes Square)

The menu here is pretty balanced. Sizzling Balut (P295) tops my list – 3 mature duck eggs (sans the sisiw and broth), stripped of shell then breaded, cooked and served in a hot plate slathered in sumptuous gravy. No vinegar and rock salt required. 

Of course, if you’re into other types of dishes, I’d recommend their version of the tried-and-tested Bagnet (P300). These slices of pork belly (more like slabs, really) are deep-fried; the skin snaps and crackles with every bite. They serve it with green mango salad in bagoong. Perfect for when you need to balance all the calories with something a little bit lighter. And to cleanse your palate. But who wants to be rid of the taste of deep-fried liempo anyway?

Box Park

When “hanging out for the experience” is out of the question and “gorge ‘til you get a food coma” comes to mind, nothing beats Box Park. 

Located just a lot away from Chimes (a house past MiraNila Village, right next to Chimes), the venue offers a LOT of options for the foodie in everyone. And, yes, it has its own bar!

It’s highly recommended to drop by in the afternoon and continue on in the evening, as parking (and seating) is a premium.

While you’re here, drop by the Box Yard 101 Bar and Resto – it features cozy, semi-private seating. Don’t worry, you can still order from the other stalls (just don’t bring outside food – that’s a no-no!).

The 101 features their bestseller – the Bacon Cheeseburger (P325). Basic burger patty with LOADS of bacon and cheese, on toasted black sesame bun. Perfectly crunchy on the outside, and juicy on the inside.

If you feel like having a drink, the 101 has a decent selection of imported and local beers (P50-200, including import favorites Heineken, Hoegaarden and Corona), and a decent cocktail menu. Try their bestsellers: The Blue Motorcycle and Mojito (P100 in mason jars, P200 for a pitcher).

Step into Plaza de Taqueria stall, and order up some Taqueria Nachos (Php195), containing ground beef, loads of cheese, jalapeno, onions, and tomatoes – topped over a generous helping of nachos. 

There you have it. Congressional Avenue Extension may not yet be top of mind, but a visit here might make it one of your future go-to dining spots.

Will you be visiting soon? Let us know in the comments below. – Rappler.com

Noel Lopez is a Rappler Intern. Thoughts? Share your comments and adventures (or misadventures!) on X!