Three food items that always get my attention are burgers, spareribs and fried chicken. It doesn’t matter what country or province I’m in—when I see food signs bearing any of those three, I give in to my cravings.

During my student days in upstate New York, my buddy Francis Manglapus and I would feast on 15 pieces of Kentucky Fried Chicken wings. In those days, the wings were not popular, priced at 10 cents apiece.

In Manila, friends and I, after playing basketball, would head to the Bonanza restaurant, which then had the KFC franchise, to feast on their eat-all-you-can fried chicken for a ridiculously low amount.

I still love the original KFC. But every so often, my daughter Danielle and I would crave for Jollibee’s Chicken Joy. I’m proud of how Jollibee has made it to the world market.

Debate

Every Sunday, I play badminton at 9 a.m., and then get ready to attend the 12 p.m. church service at Christ’s Commission Fellowship in Pasig, where I meet up with my kids.

At 2 p.m., a debate starts on where five hungry people with various tastes will dine. I’ve won a few arguments, because I pay for the bill most of the time.

In Tiendesitas, I saw a sign that I’ve missed for many decades: Tom Sawyer’s Fried Chicken. The branch I used to go to was on Pasay Road in Makati back in the ’80s. I remember Tom Sawyer’s flavorful, crispy, delicious breaded fried chicken.

That branch has since closed down, but the Tiendesitas outlet has resurrected my appetite for Tom Sawyer’s chicken. One day, after church, I took the kids there and everyone was happy.

I have driven to Tiendesitas a few times, even on other days, just to satisfy my craving. I’m actually thinking about going there when I finish writing this column.

A fried chicken place I love in the United States and Canada is Popeye’s. When my kids and I were abroad, they had fried chicken, spareribs and a few others.

I ordered two chicken thighs, hickory rice and two orders of coleslaw. Popeye’s chicken, coated like Tom Sawyer’s in a crispy, flavorful breading, was moist inside. It’s one of the best-tasting fried chickens today. Yummy!

I will continue to look out for food signs that say either of these three dishes: burgers, spareribs and fried chicken.

Tom Sawyer’s, Tiendesitas, Ortigas cor. E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave. Pasig City; call 6505866.

My Japan food tour will be on Feb 14-19, 2019, in Fukuoka, Hiroshima and Osaka. E-mail [email protected].

Visit sandydaza.blogspot.com; follow @sandydaza on Twitter.