Jeepney Bistro, QC’s hip, tucked-away ‘turo-turo’: 13 things to try

A Filipino restaurant that opened in the US, away from home, makes it to the Philippines. 

The first Jeepney Bistro is still operating where it first opened in 2005, in Arizona, by Pinoys who longed for the taste of home-cooked food.  

In this Jeepney Bistro, tucked away on Esteban Abada Street in Quezon City, the set-up is cozy, homey, and curiously, eclectic in its food choices. Within the same space, there’s also the Ceviche area for Mexican fare, or Q Coffee and Tea Bar, for a sweet finish after your meal.  

No doubt considering its proximity to schools full of hungry young adults, the prices here are very accessible – combo meals start at P65. 

You can order from the turo-turo area (choose or point to the dish you like in canteen set-up), or you can order off the menu. 

On Saturdays, Jeepney Bistro cooks up a whole lechon and serves it for lunch. True to the owner’s Visayan roots, the lechon is prepared stuffed with tanglad (lemongrass), garlic, onion, and peppercorn. 

These 3 dishes are served ala carte, and are based on the owners’ family recipes. 

Kinilaw: fish cooked in coconut vinegar, ginger, chillies and gata (coconut milk) (P125 / serving) 

Ginataang manok: native chicken cooked in gata (coconut milk) and lemongrass. P550 for a whole chicken

Lechon Paksiw: Leftover lechon cooked in vinegar, garlic, and pepper. Prepared without the sweet lechon sauce. (P80 per serving)

Lumpia de Leyte: this is similar to lumpiang shanghai, but this version, which pairs will with kinilaw, is extra meaty. P35 per piece

Here are the Mexican options you can order:  

Chicken tostada, P110 

Shrimp Ceviche (P190) and Fish Ceviche (P160), strawberry margarita (P125). 

Ceviche is seafood cooked in lemon juice, with cucumber, onions, and tomatoes plus a pile of tortilla chips – similar to our own kinilaw. 

Aside from these, there are also buffalo wings (P160)

Over here, don’t miss dessert, particularly the drinks.  

Honeydew shake (P125), Almond Roca Mocha (P125) – with a shot of espresso – and chocolate chip cookies (P45 each)

Cashew Sans Rival (P110) and Cinnamon Roll (P60). 

The coffee shop also has pistachio sans rival (P120), toasted marshmallow coffee (P115), and minty toffee capuccino (P115).

Of all these, the ceviche and kinilaw dishes are standouts, as are the blended beverages. You may also want to take a seat outside, weather permitting. 

Did anything catch your eye? Will you be paying a visit? Let us know in the comments below. – Rappler.com

All photos by Manman Dejeto/Rappler

Jeepney Bistro is located at 42 Esteban Abada Street, Quezon City. Open daily from 10:30 am to 10pm