Favorite snack/dessert places of the year

by Ed Biado
Why snacks and desserts? Because snacking is fun and if you want a 3 p.m. food trip, it’s so much more enjoyable to walk around stuffing your face with this-and-that than to sit in a restaurant. And as Filipinos, we can’t resist food vendors when we see one. Thus, fishball carts even in the most high-end of places. But aside from street food, what else is out there? Take a look (and a bite)...
1. Bizhan Persian Express

If you’re ever in Ayala Alabang for the annual Cuenca bazaar, one of the things you’ll notice is the excruciatingly long line at this shawarma stall. Most of those who have tried actually swear that it’s the best in town. At about P150 for the jumbo size, it better be. And trust me, it is. Bizhan is also located at the village’s Rustan’s mini grocery and the San Mig Pub at Alabang Town Center.

2. Yoh-gurt Froz

This is a really good yogurt place that promotes the health benefits of the dessert. Their Classic Fro-yo is regular yogurt topped with your choice of fruit, nuts or cereal. They also have ice cream-ized yogurt in different flavors, yogurt smoothies and pastries with—yes—yogurt on top. How’s that for a really healthy option?

3. The White Hat

There may be a small yogurt revolution going on in the city as this entry is another emerging health-conscious dessert shop. They serve frozen yogurt with combinations of 21 different toppings. Combos are named after hats: “Beret,” “Sombrero,” etc. Or a diner can also make their own “hat,” meaning, get to choose a combo of their choice.

4. Gelatone

But if you really want to go all out on dessert, Gelatone serves gelato like there’s no tomorrow. If you’re a fan of the fatty Italian ice cream, you probably already have a favorite flavor. For the newbies, the kind lady at the counter will let y’all taste them to help you make your sinful decision. Try Amaretto, Dark Chocolate Toblerone, Nutella and Pistaccio. Or what the heck? Try them all!

5. Chimara

You wanna go healthy but can’t really give up chips, meats and sweets? This neo-vegan place might just be for you. Their chips taste like regular chips, maybe even better. But the good news is that they’re made with tofu, bananas and apples. Their menu consists of options for pesco-vegetarians, ovo-lacto-vegetarians and bodybuilders.

6. New York Fries and Dip

It’s actually more about the dips than the fries. Okay, so the fries really are good. But it’s the different dipping choices that makes it fun. You can choose from Pepper Steak, Curry, Chili Peppers, Ranch and 12 more other flavors. And their chicken nuggets are yummy too.

7. De Original Jamaican Pattie Shop

Before a movie starts at many Ayala Malls cinemas, snack vendors are all over the theater, offering popcorn, beverages and other movie-friendly snacks. That includes Jamaican patties. You haven’t had a real one unless you’ve tried their Pinatubo Pattie, a spicy treat served extra-hot that seems to get hotter with every bite.

8. Sabbrett

A regular Sabbrett cart would proudly display celebrities munching on their famous hotdogs. And that ups the yum factor in more ways than one. Frankfurters are among their bestsellers because they’re skinless, therefore, you won’t have to fight so much with the meat because the tough casing isn’t there. And seriously, they’ve got some amazing mustard!

9. Earle’s Delicatessen

Get a Thuringer Bratwurst with a side of chips and have some deli meats to take home and enjoy the next morning. It ain’t even expensive. Almost everything is priced within P30 per 100 grams. There’s one at South Supermarket in Alabang that’s been there for quite some time now. A few other branches have opened in Makati and Ortigas. Check it.

10. Taters

There are two things that you simply have to get at Taters. One is their butter-drizzled popcorn and their iced tea. No kidding, the iced tea is mixed perfectly and tastes really good, considering they’re using a regular iced tea brand. You can also explore their other movie-companion snacks like nachos, fries and chips. There are actually more munchies like sausages, fish-and-chips and onion rings.