FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

I never tried Deco's Lapaz Batchoy before for I find it a bit troublesome to find my way to Tinda Lapaz when there are so many batchoyan in the mall's comfort zones. I was then greatly thankful when Deco's was franchised under the Mang Inasal group (prior it's acquisition by Jollibee) for Deco's was just within reach. So I had my first taste of Deco's and I certainly wasn't gastronomically ecstatic about it. Now fast forward a few years later and after becoming an Iloilo food blogger, eating for me now comes with an adventure as I seek places where they say good food abound. Whether its located in a posh hotel or restaurant or just a hole in the wall or even along the streets. And that's when I truly discovered that what I tasted in Deco's the convenient way wasn't the batchoy that made Deco's among the batchoy institutions in Iloilo City. Despite seeing a Deco's branch at Gaisano City mall a few days ago, I braved the heat and...

Managed under the same roof, it is inevitable that Deco's Original Batchoy will tag along its more established sibling, Mang Inasal , in its expansion bid outside Iloilo City. As Mang Inasal opened its 280th branch in Manila, Deco's is slowly following suit in the shadows. A news feature in the Philippine Daily Inquirer tells how this partnership not only creates a business boom around the country. This article also reminded me that not only Mang Inasal and Deco's Original Batchoy are unified under the Injap Group of Companies but their respective endorsers also happened to be united. in another way. To the left is Deco's Original Batchoy endorser Jed Patrick Mabilog , who ran and won as Mayor of Iloilo City in the May 2010 elections. Mang Inasal endorser (right) was his running mate Councilor Julienne "Jam-jam" Baronda who unfortunately lost. Union of batchoy and inasal creates a business boom By Corrie Salientes-Narisma Philippine Daily Inquirer...

A bowl of La Paz batchoy from Deco's was the perfect breakfast after an all night party last week. Or I thought so, but it wasn't as appetizing as I expected batchoy should have been. Aside from not being photogenic no matter what angle I make, it also tasted bland despite the tons of condiments I placed. I just chose Deco's just to update my blog about this seemingly hyped batchoy and I may seem to have regretted it-lol. Anyway, for starters, just looking at the broth of Deco's can actually make you taste of what is to come. It's clear and healthy looking (minus the fats and oils) broth actually lacks the "body" of the true essence of batchoy. It tastes more on the guinamos and not from the slowly boiled pork and spices. It seems it's just "flavoured" water and not from the laborious process of preparing batchoy. The eatables ( pancit meke, pork, liver, etc) were also not that appetizing to look at but at least tasted better. I guess this...

It's been a while since my last bowl of La Paz batchoy so I had breakfast one morning at Deco's Original La Paz batchoy branch at La Sallete building. Aside from the touristy ambiance and an adjacent pasalubong shop, I also like Deco's touristy approach in it's menu. It's actually not their batchoy but their "sides" which includes puto manapla (the one in banana leaves), pre war pan de sal and of course the popular pan de sal ni Pa-a. Tourists would probably be curious why it's called pre war pan de sal and just like them, I also ordered this one before out of curiousity. And I liked it ever since. Though it's small, it is compact and you get more than "air" in every bite. It also taste somewhat different for my tastebuds - lol. Ofcourse, there is nothing spectacular about it since it is just what pan de sals were before the "war" - as the name says. Just a good strategy selling it through a catchy name. And of course a popular...

Yet another feature on Iloilo's most famous cuisine published on the Philippine Star a few days ago. It narrates the origins of La Paz batchoy from it's humble beginnings in the La Paz market to it's current nationwide invasion. This feature is about Deco's Original La Paz batchoy which opened it's first branch in Manila at the Southgate Mall beside the MRT Magallanes Station along EDSA in Makati City. MANILA, Philippines - A steaming bowl of meke noodles soaked in a tasty broth and topped with generous servings of pork meat, liver and sinful bits of chicharon never fails to entice the palate of foreign and local tourists whenever they go to the La Paz public market in Iloilo City.Popularly known as La Paz batchoy, this Ilonggo comfort food has captured the taste buds of foodies in search of a hot, delicious and filling meal that can be enjoyed any time of the day — in Iloilo.While a few eateries in the metro also serve this delectable dish, some say that nothing b...

My usual order of extra special La Paz batchoy and pre war pan de sal at Deco's La salette branch. I had two extra bowls of caldo for I had a black pepper "overdose" that time. I decided to have snack because I wanted to update my batchoy photos.

The batchoy war continues as I found myself in the flagship branches of these two "batchoyans". Though weeks apart they are within the same range and scope, so to speak. This is limited to their branches at La Salette building for it would be different in other branches as experienced before. Ambiance and service It’s a green and white motif for Ted's interiors while yellow and brown for Deco's. Both exude a more modern and trendy take which are unlike the original batchoyan stalls. With a crew to serve you from taking your orders at the counter to giving you additional bowls of “caldo”, both are equally attentive and alert. But I would choose Deco’s over Ted’s in this aspect. No, it's not that Deco's has auto doors by the way. Presentation Deco's looks more photogenic and visually appealing because of the contrast of colours but it's not nicely "arranged" as Ted's. The latter has this "mound” consisting of big slices of liver, inna...

Even before its ground floor renovation, it was already home to countless food shops. Turo-turo, batchoyans, snack and pasalubong shops made up majority of the ground floor of this 3 storey building. Located along Valeria Street, La Salette building has long been a gastronomical magnet. Its being almost located at the center of big shopping centers makes it a melting pot in this part of the city. Spanning almost a block, its accessibility to most destinations creates a foot-traffic the envied by other buildings Surprisingly last year, it embarked on a move now common in this part of the city. It gave a new and refreshing look to its ground floor with a line up of restaurants and food shops showcasing the Ilonggo pride. From history to the cuisine it presents and the innovations it brought after the reinvention, the new La Salette beckons. Mang Inasal The country's fastest growing chicken inasal and Iloilo's most famous restaurant export nationwide. This store proves how stron...

FOOD is simply one of the highlights of any trip to Iloilo; from its iconic cuisine and a wide variety of delicacies to its landmark restaurants and (of course) pasalubong. La Paz batchoy, baye-baye, Tatoy’s Manukan & Seafoods and butterscotch are just a few of the reasons why tourists love the Iloilo gastronomical scene. This week, I played host and guide to a former officemate and his wife who made an Iloilo side trip from their Boracay honeymoon. The places we went and activities we had were almost centered on food that I called it an EATinerary (lol) After settling at the hotel, we had late lunch around 4pm. The great ambiance and view plus good cuisine and delicacies made Breakthrough Restaurant my first choice where to bring them. Grilled scallops, sizzling crabmeat, grilled and sinabawang managat, adobong pato, kilawin na hipon and fresh lumpia made up our lunch table. We then left for “Smallville” for a taste of Iloilo nightlife and after a quick survey, we settled at Bourb...