Vendor's in my Subdivision

Category: Vendor's in my Subdivision.

I live in Dona Paz Subdivision, Old Airport Road, km-9, Sasa, Davao City. It is not a gated and guarded subdivision. It is a Middle-Class Filipino Subdivision. It is a small subdivision with about two hundred lots. I am the only full time foreigner living here.

Most of the vendor's in my area come from Samal Island or from Panacan. They all seem to start each day at the Public Market at km-11 and that is also where the ferry from Samal Island is.

I do not know if I would consider myself lucky or unlucky. If I wanted to ever sleep in past 6am I would have to say that I am unlucky. It is probably a good thing that I do not sleep much and up most mornings at 3am. Most vendor's shout at the top of their lungs or have some type of horn or loud speaker that would wake the dead. The parade of vendor's start in my subdivision at 5:45am.

The first would be the Pandesal kids. We did have six kids selling Pandesal until Lemon Drop Bakery open. Most mornings there are two walking and one on a bike. They make the rounds until about 6:30am. At 6am is the start of the Fish Vendor's. On a normal morning there are six guys and two ladies. These people are very loud and I can hear them coming about three blocks away. A neighbor has brought from them before so they all stop and shout for about five minutes until some one tells them not today.

At 6:30am is the two kids selling eggs. Hard to believe how many flats of eggs these kids can carry. Most of the time they carry 8 to 12 flats of eggs. Next would be the Snack Guy who shouts and also has a very loud horn. Then we have the guy on the motorcycle with four large baskets that sells Bake Goods to all the Sara-Sara stores. Next would be the guy selling Calamansi and the two ladies selling Fruit and Veggies. The ladies are a pain in the butt. They do not take no for an answer. They sell their products for twice the price that I can buy them at the market.

It is now about 8am and have had about a 30 minute break. Here comes the junk vendor's. Their are on most days four different guys that buy glass bottles, plastic, cans and metal. Another break in the action until about 9:30am. Now we have the Shoe Repairman and the Electric Repairman. The shoe guy is good and cheap. The electric guy seems to only want to repair electric fans. He also has a loud speaker that has a pre-recorder message on it. One day in the future I can see a very big rock landing on his head. At 10am here comes the Knife Sharper guy with the modified bicycle frame with a grinding wheel mounted to it. If you want a good knife made bad give it to him.

At 10 am is the parade of Selecta and Nestle Ice Cream guys on their three wheel carts. They play some very loud music. Their prices are also out of this world.

Between 10:30am and 1pm is a good time for a nap. At 1pm another Vegetable Lady and the Broom Vendor. At 3pm the Corn Lady and the Drink (Taho) Guy. The Corn Lady never misses a day and you can set your watch that it is 3pm. Now the Fish Guy on the motorcycle with the loud speaker and the Fish Guy in the multicab with the loud speaker. Then at around 8:30pm the Balut Vendor's start their rounds until about 10pm.

Once or twice a week we have two guys selling CD's and DVD's. Every other day we have a guy selling knives. Two or three times a month one guy selling bamboo shades and one guy selling furniture. I probably missed a few, but that is most of them.

We have a store so we get the coke, beer, junk food, soap people and many others each week trying to sell us something. Then we have the normal run of beggars each day. I think I need a vacation or a trip to the mountains for a week or two, make that three or four.

Street Food

Category: Street Foods.

If you like Street Food as much as I do you are missing out if you have not been to Rizal Park on a Sunday afternoon. Rizal Park is located next to City Hall on San Pedro Street. I am what you would call a lover of street food and Rizal Park puts me in heaven.

I have got sick a few times over the years, but watch what I eat now. I find a place that has lots of customers and the turn over of food is good. I try and find food that was just cooked. If you want to get sick eat food that has been sitting out all day, no thanks. I like to order and have them cook the food while I watch. I like a stand that is clean and also the vendor.

Rizal Park turns into a Flea Market or Street Market on Sunday. It is one big party. It is a fun place to spend a few hours and enjoy the food and the people. Their are probably over one hundred food stands, Fried Bananas, Fried Chicken, Fried Chicken Heads/Feet/Wings/Guts, Kiwi-Kiwi, Fruit, Corn, Popcorn, Peanuts, Home-Made Ice Cream, Coconut Juice and much much more. One thing I have never seen there is BBQ / Grilled food. Maybe the city does not allow this type of cooking there.

You will find the wife and I there on most Sunday's after about 3pm. After that we normally go to Al's Diner for coffee. I hope to see you all there.

Chicken

Category: Chicken.

I have always liked and eaten a lot of chicken. My favorite would have to be BBQ / Grilled and then Fried. I normally only eat the white meat, breast and wings. That has changed a lot since moving to Davao. Here in Davao there are hundreds and hundreds of chicken places. Most you will see are Roasted Chicken that is turned on a spit over hot charcoals. Many of the Native Restaurants have BBQ / Grilled chicken which always comes on a stick. Many sell Native Chicken which I find to be tough and small. The locals say they are the best.

Then we have the Street Vendor's or Sidewalk Vendor's that mostly sell BBQ / Grilled Chicken. In my hunt for good chicken I have found a few Sidewalk Vendor's that Deep Fried their chicken. If you have a weak stomach this is probably not for you. One of my all time favorites has been Chicken Guts on a stick. I like mine over cooked to the point of almost burnt. In my area starting at about 3:30 pm many vendor's from Samal Island come over and set up Sidewalk stands and sell Fried Chicken Guts, Heads, Feet and Skins. Most of their food is good and very cheap. Chicken Guts, Heads and Feet sell for P2 to P3 each. I know were I will be eating tonight.

Space Burger at Damosa Gateway

Category: Burgers.

Was at Damosa Gateway on May 16, 2008 to check things out and decided to eat at Space Burger. I ordered a Double Cheeseburger with Ice Tea. The burger was big with lots of lettuce, tomatoes and a small piece of onion. The burger was a little raw or should I say under cooked. It also did not have that Frame-Grilled taste the other Space Burger has.

Rating (Scale 1-10 with 10 being the highest):

Food: 5

Service: 5

Ambiance: 5

Recommendation: Average. Space Burger at Damosa Gateway is very small and located next to Avenue S. When I went into Space Burger I felt I was in a walk-in closet. Only room for one table and three chairs. They do have tables and chairs located outside as do other restaurants there. I do like to sit outside and eat so that was not the problem. The problem was the burger was under cooked and did not have much of a taste. I think I will stay with Space Burger across from SSS on J.P. Laurel Avenue, Bajada.

Space Burger

Damosa Gateway

Corner of J.P. Laurel Avenue and Mamay Road,

Lanang, Davao City

Charlie's Bakeshop & Diner

Category: Fast Food, Diner, Bakery.

One of my favorite Bakeries in my area. Yesterday (May 16, 2008) went to Damosa Gateway to see what was new. A few places went out of business and a few new places. Charlie's Bakeshop & Diner still going strong. Also across the street is Charlie's Fast Food, Snacks & Desserts at Damosa Market Basket. Charlie's Bakeshop has some very good bake goods.

Rating (Scale 1-10 with 10 being the highest):

Food: 7

Service: 6

Ambiance: N/A

Recommendation: Very good. I was going there every morning at 5:30am for their Hot Pandesal which I think was the best out my way. Some mornings I would have to wait in line for 10 to 15 minutes until they got to know me and what I wanted. Nothing better then Hot Pandesal in the morning with a good cup of coffee.

Charlie's Bakeshop & Diner

Damosa Gateway, Corner of J.P. Laurel Avenue & Mamay Road,

Lanang, Davao City

235-8510

Flyover Ihaw-Ihaw

Category: Filipino Foods.

The wife and I have been to a number of Flyover Ihaw-Ihaw Restaurants. Our favorite one is located on D. Quinones Road, Buhangin. They have good food and service. The prices are reasonable and we have never had a bad meal. The Flyover Restaurants are more into Grilled / BBQ Seafood.

The Flyover Restaurant located on J.P. Laurel Avenue, Bajada near Victoria Plaza has good food but their service is very slow at times. The Flyover Restaurant located on MacArthur Highway, Matina is our least favorite. The food is not that good and the service is terrible. I have never ordered a meal where it was not messed up. Most of the time we have to begged for someone to wait on us. For some reason their food seem higher priced then the other Flyover's.

Rating (Scale 1-10 with 10 being the highest):

Food: 6

Service: 6

Ambiance: 6

Recommendation: Good. The rating depends on which Flyover you go to and what time of the day it is. It also depends on how good of a waiter you get. I remember last year the management made the waitresses wear short outfits. It caused a lot of problem at the Bajada Flyover.

Flyover Ihaw-Ihaw

D. Quinones Road, Buhangin, Davao City

227-1156

Flyover Ihaw-Ihaw

J.P. Laurel Avenue, Bajada, Davao City

227-5569

Flyover Ihaw-Ihaw

MacArthur Highway, Matina, Davao City

Space Burger

Category: Hamburgers.

May 12, 2008 decided I wanted a hamburger for lunch so I dragged the wife to Space Burger across from SSS in Bajada. Did not get a smile this time from the staff. I had their Double Cheeseburger. It was good but something was missing. They had forgot to put onions on it. Next time I will check first. I really felt I was cheated.

Rating (Scale 1-10 with 10 being the highest):

Food: 7

Service: 8

Ambiance: 6

Recommendation: Very Good. Good burgers and service. They can keep their cheese sauce and put the salt away. We were told their is a Space Burger at Damosa Gateway that we will try next time. They still have one of the best burgers in Davao City. Their French Fries are good, but they are tight with them. Next time no salt please and give me my onions.

Space Burger

J.P. Laurel Avenue, Bajada, Davao City

300-8778

Dencio's Kamayan Hilltop

Category: Seafood / Filipino foods.
Located off of Diversion Road in Ma-a, Davao City. The wife and I go here a few times a month. The wife and I like to get on the motorcycle on a Sunday and take a ride to Hilltop for a good lunch. The food and service is good and never that busy. I especially like their squid. All of their Seafood is good.
Rating (Scale 1-10 with 10 being the highest):
Food: 7
Service: 7
Ambiance: 8
Recommendation: Very good. For us it is a ways to go living in Sasa. It is a nice ride and not much traffic on a Sunday morning. The food is good and a great view of the city. A very relaxing place.
Dencio's Kamayan (Hilltop)
Barangay Langub,
Diversion Road, Ma-a, Davao City
305-8653

Picobello Restorante Italiano

Category: Pizza / Italian Foods.
Located on the 5th floor of Gaisano South City Mall on Ilustre Street, Davao City. The food and service is good. You can tell when it is payday for the college kids. The place can get very busy and have waited for a table more then once. I would have to say the wait is worth it. Been here many times over the years. One of many favorite places in Davao City for the wife and I.
Rating (Scale 1-10 with 10 being the highest):
Food: 7
Service: 7
Ambiance: 7
Recommendation: Very Good. Picobello and Swiss Deli same owner. Very good food. I really like their Calzones and their Pizzas. Between 2pm and 5pm buy one and get one free, no take-outs. They have a real wood burning pizza oven. Very nice place, but can get crowded and the db level can be very high. Sometimes hard to relax with the noise level being so high. Still a great place to go. They have a smoking area with a good view of the city.
Picobello Restorante Italiano
Gaisano South City Mall
Ilustre Street, Davao City
221-7696

Swiss Deli & Restaurant

Category: International Foods.

Located across from Damosa Gateway on J.P. Laurel Avenue, Lanang, Davao City. Good food and service. They sell Deli Meats which I buy a lot of. I especially like their Mini Hungarians. They sell hard to find items in their Deli section.

Rating (Scale 1-10 with 10 being the highest):

Food: 7

Service: 6

Ambiance: 6

Recommendation: Very Good. Swiss Deli and Picobello same owner. Swiss Deli has good food. At times I do not feel I get enough food for the money I just spent. I enjoy going to Picobello a lot more. 8 out of 10 cars parked out front of Swiss Deli have Ladislawa Subdivision gate sticks on them. What does that tell you? They just added on a new section to the building a few months ago. The also have some good breads which I never make it there in time to get. Open from 8am - 10pm.

Swiss Deli & Restaurant

J.P. Laurel Avenue, Lanang, Davao City

234-0271

O'Flannagan's Irish Pub & Restaurant

Category: International Foods.

Located on Ilustre Street, Davao City. A hang out for foreigners, mostly Brit's and Aussie's. The old owner ran a good bar. The place seems to have went down hill with the new owner. The place is small and I always felt closed in. They do have some good food. The new owner opened up the front which was a little closet for smokers. It now is opened to the street.

Rating (Scale 1-10 with 10 being the highest):

Food: 6

Service: 5

Ambiance: 5

Recommendation: Average. Not a place for me to hang out. It is one of the few places I have been that has beer on tap. They did have some good Fried Chicken Wings and Chicken Pie. I hear the name has been changed (Twin Maelly's), but the old sign is still up.

O'Flannagan's Irish Pub & Restaurant

Ilustre Street, Davao City

Pacific Harbor Bar & Restaurant

Category: Filipino Foods.

For over three years I was going to the Liquid Bar at the Apo View Hotel at least twice a week. When it closed down started going to Pacific Harbor. For the first year it was good then the place started to fall apart. It seems like the owner had other interest and did not care to put any money into Pacific Harbor. I lasted for a little over 1 1/2 years before I had enough. The restrooms were so bad you could not use them. The blender broke and eight months later still not fixed. They would not replace broken glasses, but would charge you if you were the one to break them. They had some good live Bands, but no more.

Rating (Scale 1-10 with 10 being the highest):

Food: 6

Service: 6

Ambiance: 5

Recommendation: Average. I am being nice when I say average. We went there last week and nothing has really changed except no customers. They do have some good food. They now have a station out front and sell BBQ pork and a few other things. The waiter Peter was one of the best I have had in any place in the Philippines and he has moved on. No more live Bands. Same manager which I like and the same Staff, some are good and others are so so. It is to bad the place went down hill. I had some good times there and a great location.

Pacific Harbor Bar & Restaurant

Legaspi Street, Davao City

Blue Post Bar & Billiards # 1 & 2

Category: Filipino Foods.

I have been to both Blue Post Bar & Billiards #1 & 2. I have drank more then my share of SMB in both places. I can still remember go to Blue Post back in the 90's and getting some very erotic foods that was never on the menu. All I eat there now is hamburgers, sausages, a few different Filipino dishes and wash it down with lots of beer. Good food and service.

Rating (Scale 1-10 with 10 being the highest):

Food: 6

Service: 6

Ambiance: 6

Recommendation: Good. Nice place for lunch and a few cold beers. Both places have an area outside to eat and drink. The pool tables are not that bad. Never seems to really have that big of a crowd. Blue Post #1 in Bajada has a few Freelance girls that show up every now and then. I am married so I do not know much about them, just fun to talk to. Blue Post #2 is on C. Bangoy Street. It is located on the backside of the Marco Polo Hotel and is way back off the street.

Blue Post Bar & Billiards #1

J.P. Laurel Avenue, Bajada, Davao City

224-6349

Blue Post Bar & Billiards #2

C. Bangoy Street, Davao City

235-3265 / 222-7393

Coco's Grill

Category: International Foods.

Was the location of Regine's Seafood & Grill Restaurant. Coco's Grill is located in the Davao Trade & Convention Center Complex on F. Torres Street, Davao City. In February 2001 I had one of my pre-wedding parties here. The restaurant has not changed much over the years, but the menu sure has. Very nice restaurant that reminds me of an American restaurant with their new menu. The food and service is very good. The last time I was there I sat next to x-Vice Mayor Luis Bonguyan and his family.

Rating (Scale 1-10 with 10 being the highest):

Food: 8

Service: 8

Ambiance: 8

Recommendation: Very Good. The menu is impressive with everything from Lobster to Pizza. They have a nice Coffee Bar and some great desserts. They have delicious food and good services at a reasonable price. A group of foreigners in Davao meet there once a month.

Coco's Grill

F. Torres Street, Davao City

222-3494