Time to eat: 10 delicious finds at Maginhawa, QC food festival

QUEZON CITY, Philippines – Maginhawa and a few of the surrounding streets in Quezon City are quickly becoming popular neighborhoods for those seeking new restaurant experiences.  

The streets, only a few minutes away by car or jeep to schools like UP Diliman, Miriam College, and Ateneo de Manila University, are also a popular space for students to visit, with many restaurants keeping prices competitive. (READ: History, culture, food: For gems in plain sight, visit Quezon City)

So it was only natural that in the weekend of Quezon City’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations (the city celebrates its 75th Foundation Day on October 12), Maginhawa Street would be chosen to host the great food festival to highlight the various options available to hungry patrons. (READ: Lechon, Maginhawa food finds: Your guide to these special Quezon City events)

This, while in other parts of the city, other districts held street parties, parades, and their own food festival, like the mouthwatering La Loma lechon festival. 

Here are just a few of many food discoveries captured by photographer and QC resident Manman Dejeto, who braved the chaos to sample the great eats at Maginhawa and other nearby food shops and stalls: 

1. Ate Fe’s Kitchen 

“This is favored by students who live within Teachers Village. Affordable, delicious home cooked meals,” comments Manman. 

The lechon broccoli with rice, photographed above, is P60. Also try the Lechsilog (lechon kawali or pork with sinangag and egg), also at P60. 

2. Big B Burgers 

Try the Bacon x Beef Burger with their signature AwesomeSauce at this popular restaurant. You can choose the size of your patty: P99 for the quarter-pounder, P189 for 1/2 lb, and P299 for the 1-pounder. 

3.  Breakfast Bin 

Breakfast isn’t only for the morning – when to have it depends on your state of mind, and what to have, whether savory or sweet, depends on your mood. 

At Breakfast Bin, try the Beef Tapa (P130), which comes with egg and rice – you can choose brown or white, or talangka (crablet) rice, with an additional P35. 

You might also want the Waffle Tradition P150, which comes with bacon or longganisa, egg, and breakfast potato.  

4. Casa Quesadilla

 

Photographed above is the Mexican Beef Quesadilla, going for P110. Choose jalapeños, salsa, or guacamole on the side for an additional P15. 

5. Crazy Katsu  

A fond favorite of many a visitor, Crazy Katsu is home to the best-seller, the Chicken Katsu, P155.  

You may also want to try the Tonkatsu, served with their homemade sauce, P150. 

6. Crepeman 

Try the savory crepes here, aside from the beloved dessert ones. The Ham Taro crepe (P95), photographed above, also contains mayo, cheese, lettuce and corn. 

7. Friuli 

Friuli, a pizza and pasta restaurant, is worth the stop for your favorites, done well. Don’t miss the sign or you may walk right past it! The Pizza Margherita goes for P190, the pizza Viva Venezia for P220, the Angel Hair Putanesca for P220, and the Tuna and Mushroom Spaghetti at P120. 

8. MIXXX Vigan’s Best 

Frequent diners here include employees from nearby offices, who often come for the bulalo (beef shank, P100), what Manman describes as “the best bulalo in Maginhawa.” 

They also serve Ilocano favorites Dinakdakan (P65), Bagnet (with rice and egg, P70), and Vigan Longganisa (with rice and egg), P70.

9. Sancho Chuerreria Manila 

If you are craving for something richer, you must come to Sancho for the churros, served with Spanish chocolate (P88).  

10. IScreamist 

For the more adventurous, come to Iscreamist for dessert, where things served are frozen with liquid nitrogen. There was a long line during the food festival, too.

Try the S’mores (P65) and the toasted marshmallow (P150). 

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista was on hand to open the food festival, and even he couldn’t resist the street eats! 

The restaurants above are only 10 of so many more establishments to try. Which ones are your favorites? Tell us all about your food trips in the comments below. – Rappler.com

All photos by Manman Dejeto/Rappler