Having not much of a chance to go out in style here in Balamban, the onl chance to eat OPF (other people's food) is at eateries. Which aren't as bad as they look. Over the years i developed a good sense what's eadible and to be avoided, but i don't wanna go into "dish debates". Some general tips. 1.) Go to eateries only during "traffic" hours, as the food is then freshly cooked and not yet contaminated. meaning mostly between morning and til 2 pm, after that mostly leftovers or unlikables are served. Some serve all day and nite,but mostly pinoys eat nightime at home ! Anyhow, its easy to dsicover, if you burn your fingers on the pot when opening the lid for a peep, its fresh. 2.) avoid eateiris for the lower class people, look for the ones which are frequented by office workers and the likes, easily detectable on their Unforms and more 'upstate" look. Reason isn't discrimination, but eateries also select their ingredients by price and target people. 3.) The rest is simple, if one finds a clean looking eatery, look and smell int he pot content and you will discover something for your liking soon. I recommend the soups, most "reddish" colored meat dishes and stuff with kidney and liver, as they always have a long cooking time and no germs survive this. 4.) And don't even bother to ask for a Knife or other exotic things, its WYSIWIG and thats it. Selve service also btw.!! And please don't hang around all day after eating and anoy the locals with drinking tons of beer and misbehaviour, its all going back to our already damaged expat reputation ( I had to say that, long termers know what i am talking about..lol)
Thanks mate, i probably posted it in the wrong Part of the forum actually, maybe a mode like to move it into the "Philippines sections"?
There's some street foods that I find irresistable. Can't help it. The buzz, the images the smells etc. I think by using some common sense there'll be no problem and the enjoyment factor can be a big wow. I've never yet had any problems. The only times I had anything like LBM was, I think, in the mall food court or mall fast food resto. Got to say I do like the Pizza hut in Phils, so much better than in my local town here. Just a bit pricey though.
Mall fast food stalls often cook only once a day or get their food catered from somewhere else. Its also prone to contamination form the thousands of people. If i am in a mall, i also eat only in the "real" restaurants, food stalls i rather indulge "along da road" and in observance of the own rules i set in the OP. No comment on "chain foods" , i am a cook and have a natural dislike for anything fabricated in food factories... But if people like it, its ok. To my own shame i like the "Sbarro" pasta. Although now they are just as overprized as most other food chain places. The Sbarro Pizza ? horrible, its a cake with tomato sauce !!?!
