Exotic Foodie Finds at Everybody's Cafe

Exotic is the word to describe our dinner over at Everybody's Cafe at San Fernando, Pampanga last Saturday. We were choosing between eating in Baliuag Chicken that made Baliuag in Bulacan famous and some other unknown restaurant to try along that long stretch. But Amanda and Mike suggested we go over to San Fernando because their friend has already eaten at Everybody's Cafe..and a lot of people were "raving" about it.

We were all starved after that more than 2-hour walk along the Candaba Wetlands Bird Sanctuary, so we were psyched to eat. Trency had started research on the restaurant and told us about the exotic food finds...it made us more excited.

We were all expecting a real restaurant set-up, but it looked more like a home than an actual food joint. It had a nice garden outside and nice little gate, it made you feel very welcome. And it was turo-turo (literally translated to point-point), there's this huge food display and you just point at the food you want to the ordertaker. Plain and simple, no frills at all.

But as usual, since I'm with the BFFs, we ordered a huge feast! If you guys are frequent readers of my blog, you'd know how we could over-order and over-eat!

Here's a breakdown of that huge meal on that long table. We had to transfer to a longer table because we couldn't fit the food in a table meant for 4 people! Oh and what's sweet is that they give you piping hot Bulalo soup. Oh memories of Tagaytay! This was really good since we were so hungry and we slurped on it to warm our growling tummies.

First on the list is Pako Salad.

Trency ordered this because she wanted some greens to get something healthy on our carnivorous meal. It had pako leaves, salted, onions and a light dressing.

Next is Camaron.

Seriously I had no idea what this was. Mike ordered this, but it was really good. It reminds me of an embotido, a dish my family prepares every Christmas. I liked this one! Yummy! :)

I ordered something "safe" and something my taste buds actually KNOW: Kalderetang Baka.

This was SO GOOD! Amanda and I had a good time eating this one. It was spicy (I've been craving for something spicy lately), the meat was tender and juicy and has absorbed the sauce making it really tasty! One of the best kalderetas I have tasted OUTSIDE of my home! Recommended! :)

Another safe order: Pusit (Squid).

Just like the kaldereta, this was really good! The squid was soft and they were able to make it tasty by stuffing the squid with tomatoes. Although it would've bee better if it were a bit spicy.

A major flop in our meal: TAPA

One bite of this thing, I had to spit it out. I know tapa is supposed to be a bit sweet, but this is way-over-the-top sweet. *gag sound*

So now I let you guys in on our "safe" foods. Let's move on to the exotic ones. I wasn't able to take a picture of it, but Mike and Trency ordered FROG STUFFED WITH GROUND MEAT! Mike was the only one who had the guts (and the stomach) to eat that thing. He said it was good, prolly was cos he finished the entire frog. *eeewww*

Since we're talking about frogs already, we also ordered frog legs.

I've eaten this before when I was in college. Our ROTC officers and I went to Binondo (our Chinatown) and our head that time was Chinese. So he ordered this for us. And it's actually pretty good. Tastes like CHICKEN...even better!


Last but not the least on "gross fest" CRICKETS!

Sorry Amanda and I weren't able to eat this. We chickened out (haha). Here's how problematic one can get when about to pop this thing in your mouth.

It's Trency who was so psyched in ordering this when we were still on our way. But now that it was right in front of her, she had huge problems with it. But still, she was able to pop a couple in her mouth. Mike and Trency said it was crunchy and juicy. Not trying this one!!

Our overall review of the place: Well with all the good things we heard about it, it just seemed so blah. Nothing great. Although I'd have to say that their kalderata was REALLY good, but besides that, I'm not really gonna travel all the way to San Fernando just to eat here. The prices are also a bit on the expensive side, take a look at our bill.

But this restaurant is one for the adventurous eaters out there. The frogs and crickets, come on! You gotta have guts made of steel to actual down this! It was fun to watch Mike and Trency though! :)

Directions on how to get to Everybody's Cafe:
1. From NLEX exit at San Fernando. You won't get lost, when you see Robinson's on the right that's the sign that the exit is NEAR!
2. Turn right towards SUBIC. Just go straight until you see a huge flyover.
3. Go UNDER the flyover and turn left (that's McArthur Highway) and just go straight until you see a rotunda.
4. Go around the rotunda so you can make a LEFT. And within a few meters from the rotunda is the restaurant.

Everybody's Cafe
Brgy. del Pilar, McArthur Highway
San Fernando, Pampanga
Tel. Nos. (045) 860-1121 and (045) 9617121