Foodtrip: Biggs Diner and DJC Halo Halo

We still got our free time from 1pm to 6pm (scheduled bus trip to Manila) so we decided to have our lunch at Bigg's Diner in Ayala Malls Legazpi. It is more likely a fastfood chain that offers Western meals like burgers, fries, chicken, steak, desserts, and meals with a taste of Bicol (like the one I had, which is Beef Salpicao, it has red hot chili pepper on it!). Meal price range from180 Php - up. Brief history of Bigg's Diner that it was founded by three women entrepreneur, namely Nena Bichara, Nienie Buenaflor, and Maricar Manjon, who have passion in food business in 1983 as "Mang Donald's". But later had a problem with similarity of name with the famous Mcdonalds that they need to close down then reopened with its new name "Bigg's Diner in Old Albay". Originated in Bicol, Bigg's Diner now have 9 company owned store and 7 franchised stores located in all over Bicol Region as well as Batangas and Lipa. (Source: Bigg's Diner Official Website)

Beef Salpicao with A Twist

We still have time for some merienda and we are really saving it for DJC Halo Halo as I have read a lot of good reviews and recommendations for this establishment. It is located at Landco Business Park and across Metro Gaisano Mall (From Ayala Malls Legazpi, you can take a tricycle for 25 Php, but if you have more time, you can walk for about 10 minutes to get to Landco Business Park). I don't know if I had set my expectations very high but I didn't find the halo halo here very special. It taste more like Mais Con Hielo than a Halo-Halo though. I don't know if its just us, or was it just a volume of people were there at the same time, that is why the quality of the product is not exemplary. But nevertheless, it is a must go place still to ease the heat of the Philippine summer. It was at 34c at the time we were there! 

DJC Halo Halo

Bicol Adventure Links:

Day 2: 
Where to Stay in Bicol : Mayon Lodging House
Lignon Hill
Foodtrip: 1st Colonial Grill
Embarcadero de Legazpi


Day 3: 
Cagsawa Ruins 
Cagsawa ATV Adventure
Sumlang Lake
Hoyop Hoyopan Cave
Daraga Church
Albay Pili Nut Candy
Foodtrip :  Bigg's Diner and DJC Halo Halo

Albay Pili Nut Candy

Store Front along Rizal Ave

After checking out to our hostel, before having our lunch to Ayala Malls Legazpi, we opt to check out Albay Pili Nut Candy. I know there were a lot of souvenirs and pasalubong shops around but I just wanna check out this store as this store is as old as my dad and mom (1930's babies). 

Inside, was a bit dark and as usual, expected that the store is a bit old but I believe the age of this store have witnessed a lot of happy tourist coming along and buying pasalubong. They offer a variety of Bicol's best treats which is Pili Nut. You can choose from the Roasted Pili, Pili Tart, Marzipan de Pili, Pili with Toffee, Pili Butternut, and a lot more. Expect that the price here is quite pricey compare to other shops, but it's alright because you're paying for the quality authentic taste anyway, right? 

Around the shop are different pictures with the most famous people, may be a politician or a celebrity, who visited Albay Pili Nut Candy. In getting here, if you are from Cagsawa, take a Jeepney bound to Oas and asked the driver to drop you off at Albay Pili Nut Candy store, fare is 7 Php. 

Bicol Adventure Links:

Day 2: 
Where to Stay in Bicol : Mayon Lodging House
Lignon Hill
Foodtrip: 1st Colonial Grill
Embarcadero de Legazpi


Day 3: 
Cagsawa Ruins 
Cagsawa ATV Adventure
Sumlang Lake
Hoyop Hoyopan Cave
Daraga Church
Albay Pili Nut Candy
Foodtrip :  Bigg's Diner and DJC Halo Halo

FoodTrip: 1st Colonial Grill

This is a must-go restaurant in Bicol. It offers a variety of Bicol's specialty food such as Laing, Kandingga (Bicolano version of Bopis), and of course their famous variety of not-your-ordinary ice cream flavors. 

We have tried Laing, Half Spring chicken, Baked Mussels (Tahong), and four flavors of ice cream (yey!). 

Baked Tahong

Fried Chicken

I've never tasted Laing as this sumptuously delicious as before. Laing is a spicy dish that is Coconut milk (or cream) based with dried taro leaves. I can really taste the "gata" or coconut milk plus it has this unique taste like.. hmm I think it has some garlicky taste in it but I am not sure, best to partner it with rice. Happy tummy!

Laing

There are a number of ice cream flavors that 1st Colonial Grill can offer but I opt to choose 4 of the flavors that I am curious to find out what it takes like (it cost 45 Php per small cup). I had the Sili Ice Cream with level 2 of spiciness (it has up to level 3) it is yummy and just a normal ice cream on the first bite but you can feel the spiciness once the ice cream melted in your mouth. It can wake up your senses! (that kind of spicy! and i wonder what it feels like trying the level 3 Sili Ice cream hahaha). I had the Tinutong na Bigas and Pili Ice cream which I can recommend to kids also because I know they'll like it. It's sweet and creamy and tasted like tinutong na bigas as you could imagine while eating it. However, I cannot have a lot of the Calamansi Ice Cream because it was hell of a sour one. I think there is less sweet in there and you can really feel the sour taste of calamansi, very authentic calamansi taste and I can still feel how it tasted like upon writing this (asssimmmmmm!). LOL!

All in all, we had 1100 Php for all that we ordered there but because we are really hungry as a bear that time we opt to indulge ourselves with foods to de-stress. 


Bicol Adventure Links:

Day 2: 
Where to Stay in Bicol : Mayon Lodging House
Lignon Hill
Foodtrip: 1st Colonial Grill
Embarcadero de Legazpi


Day 3: 
Cagsawa Ruins 
Cagsawa ATV Adventure
Sumlang Lake
Hoyop Hoyopan Cave
Daraga Church
Albay Pili Nut Candy
Foodtrip :  Bigg's Diner and DJC Halo Halo