Top Chefs in Manila Share Their Fast Food Faves and Cheap Thrills

(SPOT.ph) It's easy to think that chefs belong to some special breed of superhumans who only eat at the highest-rated dining establishments out there, but that's far from the case. Chefs, like most of us, lead a busy lifestyle—and they also find themselves grabbing a quick and cheap bite when the need to fill up ASAP hits. But where exactly do they go and what do they order? We asked some of our chef friends from top Manila restaurants about their go-to fast food spots and orders.

Also read: 
Where Manila's Top Chefs, Food Folks Go When They're Craving Steak 
The Year’s Most Memorable Dishes, According to Manila’s Top Chefs and Gourmands 

The fast food favorites of some of Manila's best-known chefs:

Jorge Mendez of Modan and Some Thai

My go-to fast food pick would be Burger King. Considering that we’re talking about fast food, I never felt cheated whenever I order this guilty pleasure of mine. Moreover, my kids love Burger King—no other fast food can compare, so to us as a bonus, it’s a bonding experience. My kids and I would always order Whopper with Cheese, Apple Juice, and Nuggets.

Jordy Navarra of Toyo Eatery

Aling Bebeng’s BBQ. We discovered Aling Bebeng’s a couple of years ago, through one of our chefs who lives near their stand. Since then, it’s been a celebration staple, as well as our go-to for when we’re craving for barbecue (which is quite often). It’s simple street-side barbecue done well and we like that they have a variety of sticks. Our templated order consists of pork barbecue, chicharon bulaklak, pork and chicken isaw, and tumbong.

Tinuhog ni Benny. Since it’s open until late in the evening, we usually order from Tinuhog ni Benny after kitchen service. We get their pork samgyupsal on a stick, hotdog on a stick, steamed okra with bagoong, and a couple of orders of their steamed rice. It’s a meal that May and I often share together at home as we wind down for the day, while we’re watching our shows or relaxing with our dogs.

Fariñas Ilocos Empanada. Ilocos empanada is one of the things we really enjoy eating. It’s a full meal in your hands, that has a nice combination of flavors and textures: the crunch from the dough and papaya, the malasado egg, the garlicky and savory longganisa, and then rounded out with their sukang Iloko. We often get the extra special empanada (one egg, two longganisas).

Rhea Rizzo of Mrs. Saldo's

KFC Fried Chicken. This is one of those things that saved many family dinners when I was a kid. My yaya can really only cook a handful of dishes (maybe maximum five items), and my mom knows only one dish. In college, this was dependable—it was fast and always great with rice, coleslaw, gravy and ketchup. Don’t forget the Brownie.

Edward Bugia of Mimi & Bros, Flipside Burgers, and Bean & Yolk

KFC—I always get 2 piece chicken leg and thigh part and a large coleslaw. They also used to have one of the best Chocolate Mousse cups in town (hoy KFC ibalik niyo!). Doesn't matter if it's Original Recipe, Hot and Crispy, or one of their limited time offerings (which I always get try by the way) but this is my go-to-meal here. It's just familiar and comforting and weirdly enough, that scent of fried chicken all over their stores just drives you into a gravy-sipping frenzy.

Pares. I grew up in Quezon City and I had a plethora of beef pares places to choose from. For me, this is Pinoy fast food because you get your food in an instant—all they have to do is scoop it into their mini plates and you're good to go! I always order a beef pares, siomai, and a fried egg. The siomai part is really a call back to the history of beef pares and its Chinese Noodle house origins. My condiment of choice is toyo, calamansi, chili garlic, and a bit of hot sauce for extra sweat beads while eating. Several pares brands I frequent are Cocoys, Pares Retiro, D' Original Pares, and Goto Tendon.

Luis Chikiamco of Flame at Discovery Primea

Ever since I was a kid and up until now, my favorite and go-to fast food place is KFC, for their Original Recipe Fried Chicken. There is just something about the flavor of the spices of the chicken that I love, and their gravy was the best too! It had this very peppery rich taste. Way back in the '90s, you could order bread rolls instead of rice. So what I would do is eat all the skin first, then shred the meat and mix it with gravy, then put it in the rolls and have it as a sandwich! At times these days, my go-to is an order of originals plus hot shots!

Rhea SyCip of The Fatted Calf and Flour Pot Manila

I can think of three go-to spots.

First is Wendy’s. My dad used to hold office in downtown Manila when I was in fourth grade and every time I'd go visit him after school, he would take me to Wendy’s at the Padre Faura wing of the old Robinsons Ermita for a quick meal when his days won’t allow leisurely lunches. Up to this day, I still order my favorites, the Chili Bowl which used to be served in yellow Styrofoam bowls when I was younger, their Double Bacon Mushroom Melt and Chocolate Frosty.

Second is Tropical Hut. I grew up spending weekends in Greenhills and Tropical Hut remains my favorite fast food for their Spring Chicken. Perfectly brined and moist, the skin is crisp and flavorful without the breading. It’s a departure from the usual fast food breaded chicken. Don’t forget the Macaroni Salad!

Last is Makati Supermart’s Coffee Shop. Their branches include Unimart Greenhills but since we live in Tagaytay, Makati Supermart in Alabang is the closest to us. Back in the day, major groceries like Cherry, Cash and Carry and Unimart have tray line cafeterias where you can buy merienda after grocery or where you can leave your kids while you shop. They make the best Sweet Style Spaghetti ever!

Jayjay SyCip of The Fatted Calf

Tropical Hut's Classic Burger or Spring Chicken, for me. I was Greenhills baby. My childhood revolved around Greenhills Shoppesville and Tropical Hut was our go-to.

Charles Montañez of Liyab

Jollibee has been a favorite. My set never changes—Burger Steak + Spaghetti + Fries. Sounds cheesy but we've gotta be proud of our own. It's consistent and comforting. You always know what you’re getting and it never disappoints. I also consider it my redemption meal: whenever I try new places that doesn’t really cut it for me, I'd take an hour's rest and order that set to redeem what happened upon trying that "new place," hahahaha.

Tina Legarda of Bamba Bistro

I currently have two places in mind. First, Burger King—for their BLT Spicy Chicken King partnered with freshly cooked Hash Bites (mini-hash browns FTW!), and a giant Coke Zero. This is my newest “go to” meal. One of my best friends introduced it to me last January, after a night out, and I've loved it ever since. There's just the right kind of tang to their juicy fried chicken (I usually request for a freshly cooked one) and they put a sufficient amount of jalapeno slices which gives the perfect spiciness that a bite of hash bites and Coke Zero can easily cure. 

Next, Gourmets—they make killer tacos, tapsilog, and different kinds of rice bowls. Gourmets and I go waaay back. It was a neighborhood institution in our 'hood for sure. I remember how I always looked forward to heading there after school and having my favorite spaghetti (they still make it so well!) so to have it now as a go-to place after work is just pure nostalgic happiness! They have quite a large menu—full of stuff for random true '90s Pinoy kid cravings like burgers, shawarma, 'silog Meals, Mongolian bowls, and my super favorite killer tacos, that needs to be eaten with only the local kind of hot sauce.

Photos for illustrative purposes only.

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