thirty foods to eat in marikina city (part 3)

doing this comprehensive list of 30 most affordable foods in marikina city was something we have never imagined doing. it was no easy task. we never thought that it would be possible for us to visit all of them. we were skeptic at first but because of our determination and the persuasive powers of our readers, we were able to pull it off. the result was so great and overwhelming. so before we give you the last part of our list, let me also inform you all that we are currently planning on organizing a food tour in marikina city. our aim is to promote the city's food industry and to help boost its tourism. we hope that you will support this event. please regularly check our invitation for more updates and information. it's an open invitation.

 
again, we would like to thank our avid readers for giving us your suggestions. we also thank the following food establishments for helping us accomplish this enormous feat: 3 bears restaurant, bacolod chicken parilla, bite resto bar, boy yoghurt, boyong's buffet, cafe arabiscato, cafe lidia, casa feliz cakes, dee coffee house, estela's goto, johnny's fried chicken, jojie's barbeque, kaypee indian restaurant, krung thai, locupleto cafe, lovellitos chicken inasal, lunchbox, luyong's restaurant, macky's eatery, mama chit's, marikeños fried chicken, mexiquina's bar and restaurant, oggo and jullz grill, pan de amerikana, pap's diner, pic a pie bakeshop, pot-ling, qizia cafe, red paint bar, and sweet maddies avenue. let's all supporting these wonderful entrepreneurs. i dedicate this article to my loving grandmother.

pot-ling pancit luglog (p15)  is one of their best sellers in this carinderia style place in parang. they're quite popular in their area because of their delicious food but super affordable. kare-kare with rice and soup is just p35. they serve other lutong bahay  like tinolang manok, lechong paksiw, sisig, mechadong baka, and more. they also have mami noodles and other meriendas. their location is at #32 ml quezon street; 0920-8396533. direction: ride a jeep or an fx going to parang. get off at the ngi public market and look for their small carinderia store along ml quezon street, near a 7-11 convenient store.

mexiquina's bar and restaurant crispy tawilis (p70) is a perfect spicy pulutan garnished with onions and hot chilis. also try their amazing buffalo wings (p150), while you drink booze, and listen to their cool music. opens daily at 5pm. they're located along ming ramos street, sta elena. tell them you've read about them in biyaheng pinoy. mexiquina's bar and restaurant is the hottest bar place in the city of marikina. they just had their grand opening a few weeks ago. directions: from cubao, simply ride a jeep going to calumpang. get off at s. dela paz street and take a 3-minute walk down to the riverside, all the way to ming ramos street.

boy yogurt frozen yogurt (p40) with fresh bananas, topped with dried mango bits and graham. just add P5 for additional toppings like rice crispies, oreo, choco chips, dried fruits, etc. special fruit toppings are also available (lychees, peaches, cherry) for only P10. rainy days are here to stay yet it's still not too late to have this cold hearty treat. they also offer ice cream crepe for a sweet tooth like me. they're located at #115 a mabini street, san roque; 646-7428. direction: ride a jeep going to calumpang. get off at the san roque church. look for a. mabini street right across the church. you will find their signage and a small window. read more...

estela's goto special goto (p20) is a very popular goto in marikina city since 1973. estela died in 2006 and her store was managed by her eldest son ever since. their goto was not oily and i love the garlicky taste of it. truly marikina. make sure you visit them. personal favorites are saba con yelo (p10), lumpiang ubod (p25), and tokwa't baboy (p20). opens daily from 8am-7pm. located at #21 villalon street, sto nino; 0918-5515156. direction: ride a jeep going to calumpang. once you cross the marikina bridge, get off at villalon street, first corner from the bridge. it's a secret place that pure marikenos should know.

boyong's buffet everlasting (p30/slice) is always present during marikina family events and occassions, thus explains its name. they're celebrating their 12th year in business. they're quite popular in sta. elena, san roque, and calumpang areas; that's why they were featured one time in a local magazine. must try their pastas, waknatoy (p40), burgers, and korean barbeque (p40). they also offer catering services. visit them mondays to saturdays 6am to 5pm at #13 e dela paz st, san roque; 682-0403, 682-5615. direction: ride a jeep going to calumpang and get off at china trust bank along jp rizal street, corner e. dela paz street.

3 bears restaurant papa bear's sisig (p99) is a lechon kawali placed on a sizzling plate, with special gravy that only they can offer. skin was very crunchy; meat so tender and juicy. sinful yet highly recommended for all you sizzling lovers. we also recommend their longsilog ala vigan (p49), sided with their authentic ilocano vinegar, and fish and fries (p89). it's breaded creamy dory fish, deep fried, served with fries. they're located at #8 saint mary avenue, provident village; 369-8430. direction: ride a jeep or an fx going to sss village, calumpang, or parang fortune. get off at provident village and take a 2-minute walk along saint mary avenue.

pic a pie bakeshop ensaimada (p17) is both a perfect snack and dessert to all ages. make sure you visit them early in the morning because they run out of them quickly. they're also famous for their sansrival and very affordable silvanas (p11), sweet sinful layers of buttercream, coated with devilish cookie crumbs, and sprinkled with peanuts. sweet temptation.. they've moved to their newer location at #4k e. jacinto street, sto nino; 906-8565, 515-0053. direction: ride a jeep or an fx going to sss village, or parang fortune, and get off along sumulong highway, near the marikina sports complex. just ask directions to get to e. jacinto street.

red paint bar sizzling scramble (p90) is egg omelet mixed with sliced onions and hotdogs, placed neatly on a sizzling plate. enjoy this while drinking beer and listening to cool music or while playing billard. their crispy tenga (p125) is highly recommended. it is pig ear strips, covered with flour and deep fried until brown and crispy. very good pulutan. cucumber side dish serves as a perfect garnish; enchances the taste of the dish. they're located at #114 a. bonifacio avenue, tanong; 482-1672. direction: ride a jeep or an fx going to calumpang, sss village, or parang fortune. just get off along a. bonifacio avenue, right infront of the loyola memorial park.

krung thai fried rice (p99) is mixed with shrimps, onion, and other fresh veggies, perfectly complimented with egg, cucumber and calamansi. this place is perfect for adventurous food lovers like me. i've also had my best thai tea (39) here, very creamy and refreshing. sooo sooo good. . tom yam (p150) is good for 2 persons. overflowing with hot spicy goodness and taste of fresh seafoods, like tuna, shrimp, and squid. enhanced with mushroom, tomatoes, and onion. visit them at marcos cruz st. corner wc paz, sta elena; 646-4041. direction: catch a calumpang jeep. get off along jp rizal street corner wc paz street, sta elena. it's right next to johnny's fried chicken.

luyong restaurant miki bihon with lechon (p160/3 persons) is loaded with fresh veggies and juicy lechon kawali chunks. they've been around since 1974 and is the most popular restaurant in marikina city. they're proud to say that their cooking style is purely cantonese that hasn't been changed or altered for the past 36 years. trivia: they got the store's name from the owner's father. also try their sweet and sour pork (p150), and lumpia shanghai (p150). they're located along shoe avenue, sto nino; 941-4872, 942-0740. direction: ride a jeep or an fx going to sss village or parang fortune. you will find them along shoe avenue in sto nino.

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