Hanging out at the House of Sisig

If you resolve to indulge in one sinful food at least once a year, have a mouthwatering and belly–fattening plate at the House of Sisig at Philcoa in Quezon City

This is where the sizzling dish is not just relegated as an appetizer or beer chomper (pulutan). In this house, sisig is the star of the menu. You can order a plate of the Original Sisig that boasts of the classic crackle-and-pop flavor. If you want a little more adventure for your taste buds, you can also try NoMa (North of Manila) that is served with mayonnaise or SoMa (South of Manila), which has vinegar and chillies. Thankfully, those who dislike eating pig head parts but crave that sisig taste can choose among chicken, beef, seafood, tuna, spicy squid, bangus, and crab sisig. Vegetarian? No problem. You can have the Tofu Sisig that tastes so meaty good you’ll forget it’s not real meat. You can either get a Solo Sizzling Plate (P95 to P110) that’s just enough for one meal or a Sharing Plate (P189 to P199) that’s good for two. It all depends on how hearty your appetite is. The House of Sisig also has other dish staples from your favorite beer and sizzler joint: pork and chicken barbecue, grilled squid, grilled bangus belly, sizzling roast beef, and a Mongolian bowl. Service is quite fast in the House of Sisig—but if you do find yourself waiting, grab one of the magazines lined up along the restaurant’s chairs or smile at the cute little pigs staring at you from the wall. Though its interiors are quite small, the House of Sisig still qualifies as eye candy with its pop art themed wallpaper and pastel paintings hanging on the walls. When your dish finally arrives, you’d be grateful the servers are extra thoughtful: each sizzling plate that comes out of the kitchen has a circular paper cover saving you from a bit of burning or scalding that may be caused by the oil splatter. After you dive into your sizzler, marvel at the crunchy meaty goodness of each spoonful of sisig. The taste is just right and needs very little add–on flavorings. But if you want your sisig a bit creamier, crack an egg, mix it with the meat and bits and watch it cook right on your plate. Still not quite satisfied with just sisig? Order a side dish of red egg, tomatoes, and onions to counter the oily sensation in your mouth. Then grab that huge beer mug or chug up some iced tea to wash all that food down. When you’ve wiped your plate clean, you’d probably feel umay from your sizzling dish. So make sure to order Death by Chocolate, a choco cupcake topped with a thick chocolate cream. This dessert won’t make you die with pleasure but its sweetness is enough to kill the aftertaste of those fatty bits. With its affordable sizzlers and hip ambience, the House of Sisig is good for those who need a quick lunch or dinner. A word of warning though: you’ll come out of the place smelling like a sizzling plate so better bring a handy cologne spritzer. And if you’re feeling sluggish after your meal, head to the UP Oval which is just a few meters away. Take a walk and burn some of that fat so you can come back for another sisig day. - FVI, GMANews.TV