The top 10 yummiest restaurants in Olongapo

Olongapo City is quickly becoming a food haven for foodies out there. Olongapo now has a roster of restaurants that specialize in different cuisines, from American to Chinese. In their 20th Yummy episode, GMA News TV’s award-winning infotainment program “Ang Pinaka” tried out ten homegrown restaurants in the area.

Which restaurants in Olongapo made it to our list? Here they are, in no particular order:

Rico’s Fastfood and Restaurant
#421 4th St., West Tapinac, Olongapo City

Rico’s Fastfood and Restaurant is your go-to place for lutong-bahay cravings while in Olongapo. For as low P55, you can get a huge plate of pansit palabok. Pair it with the resto’s bagnet ensalada (P110), made of bagnet bits mixed with slices of onions and tomatoes.

Also try Rico’s bulalo (P150). Host Maey Bautista liked the softness of the beef and the flavorful soup.

For a taste of something different, order the Pinoy japchae (P850/tray), Korean japchae with a twist as the reso added crunchy paco leaves to complement the soft noodles. If you want Italian flavors, try the beef lasagna (P770/tray).

Mini-Kong’s Express
32 Magsaysay Drive, Olongapo City

Mini-Kong’s Express has been serving classic Chinese dishes in Olongapo City since 1954. Bestsellers from their menu are their patatim (P400) drenched in oyster sauce, and their camaron con hamon (P440) shrimp wrapped in ham and bread.

Host Maey Bautista’s favorites from Mini-Kong are their egg foo young (P150), a vegetable omelette drenched in brown sugar sauce.

Of course, a Chinese meal wouldn’t be complete without pansit. Make sure to order the restaurant’s pansit canton for only P120!

Hotshots
Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo City

For classic American dishes, Hotshots is the place to be. Start off your meal at Hotshots with their mushroom soup (P60). Host Rovilson Fernandez particularly liked the big chunks of mushroom and croutons in this meal.

If you want something lighter, try their garden fresh salad (P179) filled with iceberg and romaine lettuce, peaches, tomatoes, and onions. You have two dressings for this salad: roasted sesame dressing and strawberry vinaigrette.

For their bestsellers, order the buffalo wings (P500). The spiciness of the buffalo wings is complemented by the creamy blue cheese dip. Also try Hotshot’s Ultimate cheeseburger (P245) with melted cheese and their Filipino style barbecue (P159).

The Coffee Shop Restaurant
2 Rizal St., Center National Highway, Barrio Baretto, Olongapo City

Interestingly, the Coffee Shop Restaurant is famous not for their coffee, but for their giant tacos.

“It’s the reason I’ve been coming back here for more than five years!” attests host Rovilson Fernandez.

The Coffee Shop Restaurant’s giant hard tacos cost only P90 and are filled with cheese, lettuce, chili, and ground beef.

Other offerings include their hototay (P150), an egg-based soup with ham, lumpia, and salami bits; sizzling sisig (P180); shrimp with garlic and butter sauce (P260); and the Coffee Shop Restaurant’s other signature dish, pochero (P260).

Cafe Balooga
1148 Riverwalk, Harbor Point Mall, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo City

Contrary to what you might be thinking, Cafe Balooga was actually named for its black coffee offerings.

The bestsellers on their menu, though, are their a la carte meals. Start your dining off with their All-in salad (P340), salad with seafood and french dressing. If you want something heavier, try their taco plate for only P200.

For your main course, try their pomodoro spaghetti (P280), which has a strong hint of basil. Pair it with tuna panga (P70/100 grams), which is marinated overnight in pepper and soy sauce.

Sam’s Pizza Family Restaurant
444 Magsaysay Drive, Olongapo City

If you’re craving for pizza while in Olongapo, head on over to Sam’s Pizza Family Restaurant. Sam’s Pizza Family Restaurant is famous for their thick-crust pizza. Among the bestsellers from their menu are their taco pizza (P540) topped with ground beef, cheese, and lettuce; and Sam’s Special Jumbo (P590), topped with onions, bell pepper, and italian sausage.

Another must-try is their tacos (P160). You have to give them props for presentation: their tacos have an interesting cone shape, perfect if you’re on the go as the fillings won’t spill easily. If you’re feeling more adventurous, try Sam’s Pizza Family Restaurant’s Wings on Fire (P199). Maey Bautista attested to the spiciness of this dish by commenting, “Nasa impyerno na ba ako?”

Texas Joe’s House of Ribs
Waterfront Rd. cor Mckinley St. Subic Bay, Freeport Zone, Olongapo City

Texas Joe’s House of Ribs takes pride in their pulled-pork ribs, briskets, and other country style dishes.

For P1, 999, you get a full slab of ribs. “Soft, tender, and succulent,” as host Rovilson Fernandez says. If you want more variety, order their Tennessee trio (P679). The Tennessee trio is comprised of barbecue chicken, brisket, and ribs.

Other crowd favorites from Texas Joe’s House of Ribs are their smoked chicken nachos with homemade salsa (P389), burrito platter (P299), and shrimp skewer (P199).

Playa Papagayo Inn and Restaurant
43 National Highway Barrio Baretto, Olongapo City

Playa Papagayo Inn and Restaurant is a Mexican resto that opened 50 years ago for US Military soldiers. Bestsellers on their menu are their tostada grande (P250) and their plato Mexicano (P410), a dish that consists of deep fried beans, enchilada, Spanish rice, and tacos with shredded beef.

Other must-tries are their grilled mahi-mahi with roasted red bell pepper sauce (P385), and Rovilson’s favorite steak quesadilla platter (P380).

Tropical Bay Restaurant and Catering
610 Magsaysay Drive, East Tapinac, Olongapo City

Tropical Bay Restaurant offers Western and Asian fusion cuisine. For appetizers, try their Vietnamese spring roll (P145), and their Louisiana seafood gumbo (P180) made from tomato soup with shrimp, clams, and oysters.

Moving on to their main courses, we recommend their Singaporean noodles (P220) topped with shrimp bits and made flavorful with curry sauce. Their beef casserole (P230), with mashed potatoes with beef and cheese, is a meal in itself.

Lastly, order their Tropical pizza (P338). This pizza is interestingly topped with mangoes, pineapples, green apples, and ham.

Meat Plus Cafe
Bldg. 65, Sampson Road, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo

Meat Plus Cafe is a fastfood-style restaurant that specializes in steaks. They will cook your steak of choice to your preferred specifications.

From their wide selection of steaks, their bestseller by far is their U.S. Rib Eye steak (P500).

Meat Plus also offers other a la carte meals such as U.S. Beef Salpicao (P255); the Meat Plus burger meal (P225), with fries and double meat patties; and oven-roasted beef belly (P235).

For dessert, try their apple pie (P155/slice). It’s a burst of cinnamon flavors and cheese toppings.
 
 

---Bernice Sibucao/TJD, GMA news