What’s New at JSEC

by Anna Patricia G. Valerio

Photos by Rico B. Cruz

SAVE FOR Chinky Chickens and Matcha Green Tea, the JGSOM Student Enterprise Center (JSEC) ushers in a whole new set of food stalls this school year.

Steak Boy
The area in front of Steak Boy is usually crowded with students during lunchtime. With mouth-watering meals such as the T-bone steak (P79), Buffalo wings (P39), and chicken fillet (P59) listed on their menu, this comes as no surprise.

But the long lines also prove to be a problem not only for the owners—who usually run out of food to sell— but also for the customers themselves, who have to stand there for quite some time before they can even place their orders. Still, the meals served at Steak Boy make the wait well worth it.

For starters, one can try the potato balls (P29) or onion rings (P45). For appetizers, these are already pretty filling.

The steak is definitely recommended—just the smell of it could make you forget that you’re in school but in a real steakhouse, instead. The chicken fillet meal, two pieces of chicken fillet served with pesto sauce, is also a delectable treat. Since these meals come with a large serving of rice, one doesn’t have to worry about stomachs grumbling loudly in class.

For selling food that sounds, smells, and tastes so good, however, Steak Boy could sure spruce up the presentation of their meals by arranging the food they serve more attractively. But if you’re not one to fuss over the aesthetic appeal of food, then by all means, join the swarm of students around the stall and patiently wait for your turn to order.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 g’s

Dugong Bughaw
Right next to Chris Tiu (V BS AMF)’s Chinky Chickens and owned by Blue Eagles Jai Reyes (IV BS CTM), and Bacon Austria (II AB MEco), Dugong Bughaw couldn’t be a more fitting name for this stall.

Dugong Bughaw offers Filipino favorites. For only P65, you can avail of a filling rice meal with a drink (your choice between orange juice and iced tea). A must-try is their sisig, which is flavored with calamansi and chili peppers.

Although those who are used to eating sisig served hot and sizzling may feel uneasy about trying this meal, Dugong Bughaw’s sisig is surprisingly good, and will surely have many customers coming back for more.

Another plus is Dugong Bughaw’s fast and friendly service. Upon ordering, their staff will smile at you, greet you warmly, and make sure that you won’t have to wait in line for a long time before you can get your meal.

Of course, it also doesn’t hurt that the girls get to have a different kind of treat—many Blue Eagles usually flock to this stall during lunchtime. Talk about real camaraderie.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 g’s

Noodle Nook
Don’t want to have rice for lunch? Noodle Nook might just be the haven for lovers of Asian food.

It’s hard to go wrong with their selection of noodles and soups. For P55, you can have a bowl of chicken noodles topped with peanut sauce—an unlikely combination, but nevertheless a fusion that works—and a glass of ice-cold black gulaman as well.

Chicken demi-glaze (P55), a bowl of chicken noodles served with a rich, brown, glossy sauce, is a meal that will satisfy your craving for Chinese food. The firm noodles and the sweet yet tangy taste of the sauce complement each other.

The broth of the wonton noodle soup (P55), which is a boiling soup with small dumplings of minced pork, is certainly a soothing treat after a long day of studying. It’s perfect for the rainy season and is also a must-try.

Although the servings at Noodle Nook may seem rather small, the meals are just as filling as the usual rice meals. The food at Noodle Nook is definitely not just for merienda, but for lunch or even dinner as well.
Rating: 4 out of 5 g’s

Fiesta Atenista
With its stall’s eye-catching colors of yellow, orange and blue, you surely won’t miss Fiesta Atenista.

Like Dugong Bughaw, Fiesta Atenista has a selection of Filipino food that can definitely satisfy the cravings of every Atenean. A personal favorite is their chicken barbecue (P65). Served with munggo sprouts, the slices of chicken barbecue topped with a generous amount of sauce are definitely something to look forward to for lunch.

But if you don’t want to have lunch just yet, then ordering the turon ala mode (P35), four small pieces of turon topped with vanilla ice cream, just might be the perfect way to indulge yourself. The warmth of the succulent turon and the coolness of the velvety ice cream is a feast of opposites that is savored with each bite. The treat is not sickeningly sweet, and is definitely worth your money.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 g’s

So the next time you’re feeling hungry and, to your dismay, find the cafeteria crowded, remember that there’s no need to go out of the campus—just head on over to the JSEC. With various options to choose from and affordable prices that don’t sacrifice taste, the JSEC has got you covered.