"Batchoy sa Ilawod" in Santa Barbara

Located along Libertad Street in the "ilawod" portion of Santa Barbara is a hole-in-the-wall batchoyan frequented by locals but now has become quite popular and has gone almost mainstream.

Almost every tricycle driver and residents in the area past the public market, know the place as "batchoyan sa ilawod", so getting directions and going there is easy. Just follow the gastronomic mono directional signs along the way.

You'll be dropped along a dirt road and then you'll smell the aroma coming from within. Let your nose be your guide...

... until you find a congregation inside a bamboo restaurant.

Expect a lot of customers enjoying their batchoy or those waiting in line for their "to-go" orders. But if you come early, you can have the place to yourself.

During our visit we were almost 20th in line since the resto was full (it was around 2pm).

As we waited for our orders, more and more people arrived, some even with big calderos for their "take-out" since its their policy to bring your own container if you wish to bring home their batchoy.

Our batchoy order arrived with the appetizing aroma of the concoction. It was full of chicharon giving each sip of the caldo a crunch or what's left of it after being bathe in the broth.

It had enough pork and liver slices plus intestines which were fried giving it a crunchier taste dimension.

At PhP50 per bowl with puto (PhP13) and drinks (PhP15)on the side, one can satisfy his hunger or batchoy craving for less than seventy pesos. And it comes with free flowing caldo!

Menu and price as of May 28, 2018

Batchoyan sa Ilawod opens at 830am and serves batchoy until they run out of stock for the day (that's around 3pm - give or take an hour).

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