Marikina Food Tour 1: HERITAGE TOUR

Last week, I was in the company of super cool people during the first ever Marikina Food Tour organized by yours truly. While driving to our assembly point, I was excited and nervous as to how the food tour would go. I was preparing some activities (like "Ice Breaker") the night before that but after a few minutes into the prep work I decided, well, to let things unfold - the get-to-know, the conversations, and of course the meals. I was extremely happy with the way things turned out for this very first tour (Dong, Gatchie, Jonas, Jefel, Julius, Migs, Nicole and Neil, we made history!). Hope you enjoy the tour as well, through pictures!

Our meet up point was in front of Kapitan Moy. There was a set up for "Alay kay Maria", a Marian Exhibit and Procession celebrated every year.

From L to R: Jefel, Julius, Migs, Jonas, Yours truly, Dong, Gatchie, Nicole and Neil. My sister Rona took the photo this time!

Our first stop was Macky's Goto. We were ten in all in the group, so it was not really a challenge to find a table. We ordered the staples: goto with tokwa't baboy (which I fondly call "tokwa con lechon kawali, hehe), while some ordered Palabok and burgers. We had a great time introducing ourselves to each other, it was fun learning about what these people do as their profession, and amazing how we share this common love for food.

An almost identical photo, with my sis in the middle instead of me, hehe!

We tried going to Rocha's, but the shop was closed. It's just across Macky's, maybe we can try that in the next batch for this Heritage Tour (the tours are having names already... yey!). This photo is taken in front of Frederick's Barbecue's main branch along E. de la Paz. Only 10 PhP per stick and you get really flavorful barbecue!

Recognize this burger? YES! It is the infamous burger of Mama Chit's! So juicy and so yummy, no wonder it became even more popular when covered by media (KrisTV, thank you for featuring Marikina food places!)

The turkey sandwich that Migs ordered was also good. It tasted even better because Migs cut it up in portions and willingly shared it to the rest of the pack. Hooray! I wasn't able to take a photo of the salad though, which Jefel and Julius shared with the table as well.

 Neil and Nicole

 Gatchie and Dong

 Jefel and Julius

 Happy group!

 Mr. Burger at Mama Chit's garden

 Find Mr. Burger! Hehe!

Then we simply crossed the street and bought some pasalubong from Aling Remy's! :-) One of the best puto and kutsinta in Marikina!

 

Then, we walked over to Isabelo Mendoza street to have desserts and coffee at Isabelo Garden (Rustic Mornings, by day). We had no reservations but Chef Portia was very kind to accommodate our group. It was a great venue to wrap up the evening!

 A lot of us ordered the Key Lime Pie. This is SOOOO good. I regret not ordering this. Next time, I'll order two for myself. Hehehe!

The frozen brazo was also delicious. I loved the yellow layer, as usual! Hmmm... maybe I'll order one key lime pie instead... and one frozen brazo! Gotta have both!

Sis ordered the Cookie a la Mode and it took quite a long time to prepare it. Everyone has already finished their desserts and still no cookie a la mode. When the plate finally arrived... oh my. It was really worth the wait! The cookie was so crumbly and warm and buttery with the right amount of sweetness, it was what every cookie dream is about. The ice cream made the dish even more perfect ("perfect" na nga, more pa!).

 Photo c/o Migs

 Photo c/o Dong

I had a really great time with the group, and of course we had a blast with all the delicious food that accompanied us during our trip. I am definitely planning more food tours in the future. Hope to see some of you on our tours! Please visit our Facebook page for more information and other updates. 'Till next time!

More photos from Dong (click here) and Migs (click here). Enjoy!

MACKY'S GOTO
J.P. Rizal St., San Roque, Marikina City
Just a few meters before Our Lady of the Abandoned Church, across BPI Family Savings Bank
(Take the Calumpang Jeepneys)
Munching Budget per person: starts at 20 PhP

MANG FREDERICK'S BARBECUE
Beside San Roque's OUR LADY OF THE ABANDONED CHURCH
San Roque, Marikina City, Metro Manila
With another branch at 129 E. DELA PAZ ST., San Roque, Marikina City
Tel. No.: 6463685
Ihaw-ihaw set up usually starts at noon. :)
Munching Budget per person: starts at 10 PhP

MAMA CHIT'S

278 J.P. Rizal Street, San Roque, Marikina City

Tel. No.: (02) 646-8547

Just across the Shoe Museum, near Our Lady of the Abandoned Church

Visit their Facebook page here.

Munching Budget per person: starts at 100 PhP

ALING REMY'S SPECIAL DELICIOUS PUTO AND KUTSINTA
229 J.P. Rizal Street, San Roque, Marikina City, Metro Manila
Tel. No.: (02) 467 9806 / 09163191811
Munching Budget per person: starts at 65 PhP
 

ISABELO GARDEN RESTAURANT
Isabelo Mendoza Street, San Roque, Marikina City
RESERVATION is a must via http://www.isabelogarden.com/
Munching Budget per person: starts at 500 PhP


Marikina, aking hirang.

Roni

MACKY'S GOTO

Goto has never been this good.
("Goto" is the Filipino term for rice porridge) - Update: according to a reader, GOTO is actually the term for "twalya" (or tripe, in English). I never knew that! :-D Funny, how lots of goto chains sell goto even without the tripe itself as an ingredient. I guess "goto" has been culturally accepted as a term for rice porridge similar to "lugaw". Well, I GUESS. :-)

Everytime I crave for goto there is only one eatery in my mind: Macky's goto. I think the secret for this family business' success is that they never compromise the ingredients of their goto despite inflation (hehe!). In your 23-peso goto, you will find a rich flavor of rice, beef, and pig's blood. So yummy:

What else can perfectly pair goto but a plate of tokwa't baboy (28 PhP)? This one's a real winner for Macky's: the sauce is different from your regular tokwa't baboy, and the pork meat is deep fried and very crispy. It should be called tokwa't lechon kawali or something:

They also serve palabok (25 PhP). :) The uncomfortably orange color of the sauce might freak you out but oh yeah it tastes so good you'll finish your plate...after having a bowl of goto that is!

I love the interior of Macky's too. Nothing fancy, just a place where one can comfortably eat his goto. :)

It's quite easy to get to Macky's. When you arrive at the Marikina River bridge from the Cubao direction, turn right on JP Rizal (when you see from the bridge 7-11 it means you have to turn right). Go straight and keep your eye to the left and you'll see Macky's. It is just near the church of Our Lady of the Abandoned. In case you miss Macky's and have reached the church, just park there and ask where Macky's is. It's about 20 meters from the church. If you're taking the jeepney, ride the Calumpang route and ask the driver to let you off Macky's.

MACKY'S GOTO
J.P. Rizal St., San Roque, Marikina City
Just a few meters before Our Lady of the Abandoned Church, across BPI Family Savings Bank
(Take the Calumpang Jeepneys)
Munching Budget per person: starts at 20 PhP



Marikina, aking hirang.

Roni