The heavy rains one afternoon didn’t stop us from seeking what is considered to be an oyster Mecca in the town of Oton. Allan’s Talabahan, a few minutes from the town center, is among the most popular no frills food stop and has quite a number of patrons ranging from locals to balikbayans and even foreigners. It’s no nonsense accommodation gives diners more chance to focus more on its gastronomic delights that people come in droves.
It was my first time at Allan’s though I have blog entries about it through the photos I my acquaintances who are regulars. The few times I’ve been to the area, I pass by it not knowing what I was missing – I’m no oyster fan at all. But the bloglure of being there and experiencing and sharing what it like to be actually there is way different than just sharing what others had been through.
So with no protest, together with other bloggers we sought a late lunch at Allan’s one day and yes, our table had oysters – lots of it. The most popular of which is no doubt their baked oysters which comes in very cheap at around 10 pesos per piece (I just did simple Math for an order of 6 pieces comes at PhP60).
But before I delve into that experience, we also ordered grilled squid, grilled pork belly, grilled alloy (tulingan?) and a small small "basin" full of steamed oysters. The simple orders came first like the pork belly which was just ordinary tasting but felt it was very cheap at PhP40 served in a popular place. The grilled alloy looked tempting but cautious it might make me feel as if I’ve already had happy hour that early. Talking about being “hubog” (drunk) they say …
The grilled squid came in stuffed with the usual - tomatoes and onions. Though just another ordinary order but I was glad that it came out appetizing in my shots and also tasted as such. Grilled just right, not too soft nor rubbery plus very visually appealing too.
Then the baked oysters came – they looked good but smelled even better. So I guess the taste would be in succession – best. Not that I have tasted quite a collection of baked oysters or it’s a regular in my seafood orders. For someone not fond of oysters, it was very good, if only the first time I tried baked oysters it was this good, then I could have been an instant fan. I heard my friends talking and raving about it – cheese, fried garlic and powdered milk as topping. The last one was quite surprising but nevertheless contributed something good for me to love it despite my previous gastronomic encounters.
Then a “bucket” of oysters came and I just tried one – it also tasted good dipped in sinamak, the Ilonggo spiced vinegar. It didn’t have that oyster feeling the first time I tried it and tasted quite clean and edible for someone who had a-not-so-good gastronomic experience.
I got up and explored the place, just a simple carinderias with the “inuman” feel but very conducive for quite an eating-like-there’s-no-tomorrow sort of thing. Yes it can really be since the food is cheap – together with 3 cups of rice plus 1.5 liters of soda – it only cost PhP 390. And doubling the quantity even for the same group (of three), Allan’s would still come off a place for cheap eats and no wonder this hole in the wall food stop in the town of Oton is among the most popular in the Iloilo gastronomic scene.
Allan’s Orig Talabahan JC Zulueta St., Oton, Iloilo
033 336-1446