Words by Desa Desiree Tayting (@dsdsrtytng) / Photos by Mielyne Rayos
When it comes to Baclaran, I can’t help but associate it with the words, “murang bilihin”, traffic, haggard, “pawis“, “siksikan“, busy, hustle, “nakakagutom“, sometimes “nakakastress“; but it all changed after I discovered Pista Food Hall! Aside from the cheap items sold around the area and the famous church nearby, I now have something to look forward to every time I visit the place.
The leaves on the logo represents the seven stalls of the food hall.
Who would have thought that in the middle of the hustling and bustling streets of Baclaran lies this comfy, clean and affordable diner ideal for family and groups? Pista Food Hall, a new restaurant in the heart of Redemptorist Road, offers an eat-all-you-can buffet, unlimited crabs and fried lechon aka pritchon, plus more Filipino dishes at affordable prices!
A for effort as it may seem, you need to go up to the 5th floor of Victory Food Mall – a newly-opened food mall, a few steps away from the church. But don’t worry! Elevators are available and the place is definitely worth it!
Reaching the place is like a breath of fresh air. Their friendly and smiling staff will welcome you; and the rustic, modern Filipino interiors will remind you of home. The chairs and tables are mostly accented with pastel colors, and there is a dose of greens around the place, as well as literally “cool” ceiling fans. Get ready your Instagram cameras!
Pista Food Hall has seven stalls, as follows:
The faces of Pista Food Hall: the stalls
Balai Kubo, which sounds like Bahay Kubo (yes, the legendary Filipino song about vegetables), is your stall to go to for your salad and veggie fix. It’s currently being renovated, though, so watch out for it in the future.
Mangkok is the stall to go to if you’re craving for Kare-Kare, Caldereta, Callos, Pochero, Binagoongan and other favorite Pinoy dishes.
The best part? They serve Angus Beef Kare-Kare for only Php220!
Litsonero is sure to become everybody’s favorite! Get your lechon fix in ways that you’ll love: fried, paksiw, asado and more at around Php80 to Php199 – family-sized! The best part is the heavenly good fried lechon aka Pritchon.
Pritchon goes with the unli-crabs for Php699.
Ihaw is where you’ll find your favorite Pinoy skewers, including isaw, bilog, tenga, isol, betamax, tokwa, and sizzlers like Pork Sisig and Burger Steak. Prices range from Php20 to Php160. The best dishes? The intriguing Sizzling Litchon Sinigang and Sizzling Beef Bulalo!
The iconic barbeque starts at Php20 a stick.
Sizzling Beef Bulalo – Php190
Enjoy Bulalo with the same elements like corn, meat, potato and other veggies… but on a sizzling plate!
The Sizzling Litson Sinigang is a must-try – Php180
Have you ever seen Sinigang like this? It will definitely give you the same ‘kilig’ , but this one has pritchon and fried veggies in thick brown sauce.
Prices start at Php20 a stick
Kalye Kainan is your to-go place if you’re craving for street food like Chicken Skin, Calamares, Dynamite, Fishball, Kikiam, Kwek-kwek and Chickenballs. The best part? The vinegar dip and sweet and spicy dip go perfectly with all of them.
Higop is where you can get a good taste of Filipino soup-based dishes! What caught my attention was Bulalo Sa Itim, a dish from Zamboanga.
Bulalo Sa Itim – Php390, good for four people
I’ve been a fan of Bulalo ever since, and this one got me especially curious. Fortunately, it did not disappoint! What makes it black, by the way, is the burned coconut used as one of its main ingredients.
Last, but definitely not the least, Fresh Seafood Paluto is the biggest stall among all and is said to be the most visited stall in Pista. Your cravings for crabs in different sauces will really be satisfied here! The crabs are freshly delivered from Pampanga and Bulacan and they’re surprisingly big!
The best part? They offer unli-crabs and pritchon for only Php699! This includes unlimited side dishes or rice and unlimited pineapple juice, too. This is available all day on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. For Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, you get to enjoy CRAB-ALL-YOU-CAN at Php588 and upgrade it to unli crabs plus buffet for Php699.
Welcome to a feast!
Crabs in chili garlic make us drool!
Still on their soft opening, Pista Food Hall promises more things to be excited about in the next few months. Take note that they also have a buffet for only Php348 and solo meals for as low as Php99 (and that’s with unli rice!).
No matter who you want bring with you, this is the perfect place to go. Visit them from 10am-10pm and feast on your favorite Filipino food!
Pista Food Hall
5th Floor, Victory Food Market Mall, Redemptorist Road, Baclaran, Parañaque
https://web.facebook.com/pistafoodhall/
