If you eat without “arte” and just want to indulge on some tasty food (sometimes sans the air-conditioning) that can really fill you without breaking the bank, here are some amazing hole-in-the-wall restos that you should hunt down.
YMMV though. Although sometimes quality may not be consistent and so is service, I like these hole-in-the-wall restos in general because the food they serve are tasty enough yet inexpensive.
Let me know about your experience with these restos.
6. Tapsi ni Vivian at Bulaluhan
When it comes to hole-in-the-wall restos, Tapsi ni Vivian at Bulaluhan is a staple name. They have been serving tasty “tapsilog” since the mid-1980s.
Their tapsilog is sweet and tender although sometimes there is more fat in it than I want it. Overall, it is good and I am really happy with the nicely cooked sunny-side up egg whose yolk oozes when you cut through it.
Aside from tapsi, I like their Bulalo and Dinuguan.
Tapsi ni Vivian has a branch along Gil Fernando Avenue in Marikina City but you can find more details about other branches here.
5. Rodic’s Diner
Another staple name on the list of hole-in-the-wall restos is Rodic’s Diner. It originated in UP Diliman but has opened its doors in Marikina City.
To the unfamiliar, Rodic’s is an institution when it comes to tasty tapsilog.
When I go to Rodic’s, I order other Pinoy dishes like kaldereta or dinuguan so that my tapsilog won’t be lonely.
4. Johnny’s Fried Chicken
Apparently, Johnny’s Fried Chicken is the “fried” of Marikina but the one I tried is along Manggahan in Pasig City.
For me, it’s a tasty fried chicken that makes me miss home. The skin is crunchy while the meat inside is still tender and tasty. Better with ketchup. Best with liver sauce like Mang Tomas.
Aside from the fried chicken, I love their pancit canton.
It’s a budget-friendly go-to birthday resto. LOL.
For dessert, right beside Johnny’s is the #famous Arny-Dading’s Peachy Peachy!
3. Steak-Off Grill
This is a hole-in-the-wall steak place in Marikina City. Steak-Off Grill is the answer to the question “can you enjoy steak without burning a hole in your pocket?”
But don’t expect high class steak cuts though. If you’re on a budget but want some T-bone, this is the place to hunt down.
To top it all off, they serve unli-rice.
Steak-Off Grill is along Katipunan Avenue in Marikina City.
2. Isaw Haus
They don’t call the restaurant Isaw Haus for nothing. They know how to make tasty isaw that you won’t be able to stop with just one stick.
Best to down their grilled dishes with an ice cold beer and you can do that because they offer alcohol. Am not sure because I haven’t been there at night, but I think the resto turns into a neighborhood “inuman” when the sun sets.
Their main branch is along Ortigas Extension in Taytay, Rizal.
Apparently, they deliver but I haven’t tried that service. Let me know if you have and share with us the experience.
They have a Facebook page but it seems inactive though.
1. Andy’s Famous Batangas Lomi & Bulalo
One of my newest resto finds is Andy’s Famous Batangas Lomi & Bulalo. The one I have tried is located near SM Marikina, by that narrow street a stone’s throw away from the mall.
Andy’s Famous Batangas Lomi & Bulalo serves a humongous bowl of Loming Batangas for only P155. The gigantic bowl is packed with all the meat – crunchy fried pork, chicharon, giniling, pork liver, embutido slices, and tokwa. It even has a whole boiled egg. Of course, noodles are tucked underneath the meaty toppings.
Aside from their legit lomi, they have other dishes like Gotong Batangas, Bulalo, Sizzling Sisig, and “silog” options that start at P45.
Looks like Andy’s have other branches so better check their Facebook page here.
These are just based on what I have tried. Let me know what other restos should be here and I will try to hunt them down. 🙂
Anything to add on this list? Share them with us.
