Friday, October 20, 2006

Fast food, Pinoy-style

I've got food on my mind right now and here in the Philippines, there are plenty of dining options. Filipino food abounds, of course, but there are also many restaurant chains that hie from other countries. Almost anything can be found here: among them Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Arabian, Thai, French, German, and of course, American. Yes, nieces and nephews of Uncle Sam, we have the likes of KFC, Pizza Hut, California Pizza Kitchen, TGI Fridays, Burger King, Wendy's.

Then there's good old Ronald McDonald. But the food served at the local McDonald's chains have been tweaked to better suit the Filipino taste. For instance, we have McSpaghetti (kids here love spaghetti). Also, a lot of McSavers Meals (and those served at other fast food joints) come with rice. For example, there's the McRice Burger. The patty nestles in a rice bun, not a bread bun. McRice Burger and McSpaghetti aren't to be found only in the Philippines--they're also available in neighboring countries.

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However, one thing that's unique to this country, I believe, is a certain eatery. I found the picture below at fellow Filipina writer Jojie Alcantara's Web site, Witerary! She's a muy, muy talented and commercially successful writer and graphic artist. Thanks a million, Jojie, for letting me steal borrow this.



Carinderia (or carinderia) is the Filipino word for eatery. The other word means...hmmm...how do I put this delicately? Oh, well. I can't. It's Tagalog for vagina. I wonder if it's the house specialty.

Any unusual restaurant names to share, readers? Or unusual names of dishes? Do they have McKippers in the UK? McSushi in Japan?

15 comments:

ShadowFalcon said...

We ate in a place in Thailand called Jane Kicthen which was fantastic, especially the sign

Sandwhic and Noodle all Clean.

Should we have stayed away from the rice...

Lizza said...

Hah! I'm hoping that the absence of rice on their sign was just an oversight.

Prometheus said...

Hmm.. Oral skills compulsory when asking "what's to eat" at Le Pek Pek Meridien eh?

Schmoop said...

You need to try the delicacy that is the "Loosemeat Sandwich".

Anonymous said...

That restaurant does sound weird when you put it that way... I really wonder what they serve
Here we have prosperity burger and chicken porridge in McD... I am hoping to try that McRice burger in your country and the delicious food there
Any recommendations... especially hawker like food... for outsiders like me
:)

Lizza said...

Prometheus: I imagine so. Haha!

Matt-man: Rename that sandwich! It has potential. :-D

zeroimpact: Chicken porridge, hmmm. I'm trying to recall if it's McDonald' here that has the same dish or a rival chain. Whether you like spicy, salty, sweet, or whatever, there's something for you here. :-)

Christianne said...

That made me laugh on this dreary rainy Friday. Thanks for sharing that pic :D

Schmoop said...

To re-name it would be blasphemous!! Here's a link to the recipe...well my recipe.

http://bagwine.blogspot.com/2006/06/looka-cow-lets-eat.html

Cheers, Lizza...

Sir Dirty Joke said...

cum and vote in the sexy ass pix contest going on right now on my blog! ;-)

Steven said...

A McRice burger...wow...how disgustingly disgusting. ;)

Steve~

Anonymous said...

I think McD's sounds much more edible in the Philippines than in America! Send some over!

Lizza said...

christianne: I had a good laugh over it, too. Hope the weather improves over there. Your group blog is nice. :-)

Matt: Just reading that raised my blood cholesterol level! Looks yummy, though. I just might give it a go one of these days. Thanks for the recipe!

DJ sir: Hey, long time no see! Okie dokie, I'll take a look at the sexy ass pics...though I think I'm the wrong person to ask. You should ask the menfolk. :-D

Steven: I don't care much for it myself. How's the lumbar region doing? :-)

inamini: Catch!

Schmoop said...

As the evil Rachel Ray would say: It's Yum-Oh...Have a good weekend Lizza, Cheers.

Justin said...

I had one of the legendary mutton burgers when I was in India. I am still astonished at McDonald's ability to take a quality meat product and make it taste like crap.

Lizza said...

Matt: Yum, indeed! Have a great one yourself. :-)

Justin: It's so good to hear from you again. McMuttons? Good Lord.