It’s no secret—Pampanga is paradise for food lovers. And it’s no surprise that SM Supermalls’ malls in the country’s thriving culinary hub—SM City Pampanga, SM City Clark, SM City
Telabastagan and SM City San Fernando Downtown—are great dining destinations. From classics loved by generation after generation to new gastronomic delights, there is so much for your palate to discover up north.
As part of SM’s continuing partnership with the Department of Tourism, these four malls want to take you on a delicious journey with their Pampanga Food “Bestival,” featuring the best of Kapampangan cuisine, happening on September 27-29, 2019.
The celebration kicks off at SM City Clark with a live cook-off demo featuring some of Pampanga’s brilliant chefs. There will also be a Weekend Food Market at the four malls.
Bring your family, call your friends, and hit the road for a fun weekend of dining, shopping, and giveaways—because malling is more fun in the Philippines at SM! Here are just ten of the many restaurants that are waiting for you.
Eat as much as you want at FEAST INTERNATIONAL BUFFET
Ground Level Tech Hub 1, SM City Clark, 09493248382/09063512688
You’re spoilt for choice at Feast International Buffet. Don’t skip the signature dishes: pork ribs BBQ, Angus tapa and bringhe (Kapampangan paella) which, according to restaurant admin Jhenina Dionisio, is traditionally served during fiesta. Diners pay P569 for lunch and P619 for dinner on weekdays, P699 for lunch or dinner on weekdays and holidays. The rate for kids is P275.
Lechon of all kinds at LECHON FACTORY
Second Level SM City San Fernando Downtown, 656-6311 (Head office)
Lechon is king at Lechon Factory. They serve Lechon Pork (their specialty), Lechon Chicken, Lechon Dinuguan, Lechon Noodle Soup, Lechon Sinigang. Don’t forget the Lechon Rice—you can have unlimited servings of it.
Western food with a Kapampangan twist at U-R.A.C.K BAR-B-Q&WINGS
Ground Level, SM City Telabastagan, 09560611161
U-R.A.C.K Bar-B-Q & Wings serves Western American food with a Kapampangan twist. Tin Rosario, who runs U-R.A.C.K with her husband JR, recommends the Chef’s A Chicken Peri served with their special aioli sauce and dirty rice.
Their nachos—U-R.A.C.K’s Signature Sisig Nachos—have a local flair. “We are proudly Kapampangan so these nachos are topped with classic Kapampangan sisig, Mexican salsa, cheese sauce, and white sauce.”
Forget your diet at CHUBS CHASERS
Second Level SM City Telabastagan, 09053371805
“Our tagline is ‘Chubby is delicious,’” said chef Carvyna Alvarez who runs Chubs Chasers with her best friend and business partner Dianne Manalansan. “We’re both chubby and we wanted to make that a positive thing.”
Chubs Chasers doesn’t just celebrate body positivity, they also serve great comfort food including roast chicken and steaks. Some dishes come in two sizes: sexy or chubby. We say go for chubby. Because, according to a sign on Chubs Chasers’ wall, “Chubby is yummy.”
Greens and more at GREEN KITCHEN
Ground Level, SM City Clark, 09563866101
Green Kitchen is the result of chef Anthony Lingad’s quest to get Kapampangans to eat healthier food. The restaurant serves all kinds of goodness—from signature salads (the Thai Crunch is a must) and stone-cooked steaks to the Porkchicow, which, according to Thon “has a sisig feel.” They also have a secret menu for people with more specific dietary needs.
Solo food trips are no problem at BULALO WORLD
Second Level SM City San Fernando Downtown, 09305339490
Craving bulalo? People in the north no longer need to go to Tagaytay, said Bulalo World area head Herson Razon. “Bulalo is our house special,” he said.
You can have it with unli rice, unli soup and an order of Crispy Salinyasi, which is their answer to tawilis. And good news for solo diners—their food comes in single servings. There are sizzling meals, Filipino favorites kare-kare and different kinds of sinigang including salmon, shrimp and yes, bulalo. They also serve crispy pata in a size that’s good for one.
Comfort food goodness at TOLL HOUSE
Ground Level, SM City Clark, 09309662918
Toll House is a beloved Kapampangan brand which began in Angeles in 1988. Generations of kids grew up eating their bestseller: their creamy and cheesy baked macaroni. “We’re homegrown goodness—that’s our mantra,” said chef owner Josephine Concepcion Mendoza.
Try the Tropical Chicken, Combination BBQ, Black Forest cake and Blueberry Cheesecake.
Unlimited burger, wings, ribs and pasta at BURGGWINGS
Second Level SM City San Fernando Downtown, 09171662618
“Our whole menu is comfort food. We have burgers, wings, ribs,” said Samantha R. Guintu Sunga, co-owner and head of marketing for Burggwings. They offer Unli Burger and Fries, Unli Wings and Rice, Unli Burger and Wings, Unli Ribs Plus and Unli All at crazy affordable prices. (They offer singles too if you don’t have a huge appetite.)
They also serve all-day breakfast and student meals.
Treats beyond buco pandan at NATHANIEL’S
Ground Level Events CenterSMCity Pampanga Nathaniel’s traces its roots to 1992 when Nelly
Co’s brother asked her to make 100 pieces of asado siopao. That led to the opening of the first Nathaniel’s store in San Fernando in 1994. Today, Nathaniel’s has 14 branches all over Metro Manila and Central Luzon. They’re known for their buco pandan, but Faye Nerissa Co, Nelly’s daughter, wants people to know that they serve more than just the delicious dessert. Some of their restaurants have a full dine-in menu (like the one in SM City Clark). “We serve palabok, mami, rice meals, and lasagna,” she said.
Indulge in the classics at TERESITA R. RAZON’S HALO-HALO & PALABOK
Ground Level SM City Pampanga, (045)4363456
In 1972, the three Razon sisters opened their home-based eatery and soon, people flocked to the subdivision in Guagua for a taste of their delicious halo-halo and palabok. Teresita, the mom of Nozar’s Inc. president Ryan Razon, carried on the tradition, opening Teresita R. Razon’s Halo-Halo & Palabok in 2002, following the exact same recipes. Today, they have nine branches in Pampanga (including one in SM City Telabastagan).
ADVT