The 2010 JSEC Round-Up
by Pia B. Guballa, Iya P. Joson, Jam A. Muñasque on June 16, 2010
The Situation: Brand new stalls in the ever popular JSEC, all 12 of them claiming to serve mind-blowingly delicious, thoughtfully unique and utterly satisfying dishes.
The Solution: g’s JSEC Round-Up— a tell-all food review on this year’s JSEC stalls. Can’t decide where to have your next lunch or merienda? g lets you in on all the winning (and losing) culinary creations JSEC has to offer.
Granny’s Diner
Where Grandma’s cooking is involved, you can be sure of three things: 1) the food will be comfort food, embracing your heart as much as your tastebuds, 2) the ingredients used will be rich and flavorful, and 3) you will leave the table patting your belly and smacking your lips, completely filled and satisfied. Granny’s Diner mimics the comfort of Grandma’s cooking in every way.
The stall bestseller is the Country-Style Chicken Barbecue (P75), a definite must-try, with two hefty pieces of lean and tender grilled chicken practically melting in your mouth. The Granny’s barbecue sauce oozes with spice and a familiar peppery tang, and complements the tasty chicken down to pat.
The Roast Beef and Mashed Potatoes (P85) is a classic American recipe, and a Granny’s favorite too. The roast beef has a tendency to be a bit dry, although the gravy used for both the mashed potatoes and the roast beef saves the dish. The mashed potatoes are a good alternative for rice— soft, buttery and filling, it gives you even more value for your money.
The Granny’s Diner Milkshakes (Classic flavors at P50, Supreme flavors at P60) are a tad bit too watery for those looking for a thicker, sweeter drink. You can opt to check out the stall’s yummy array of Acre Dairy ice cream flavors (P20 per scoop) though; the sweet treats are sure to be a crowd pleaser.
g says: 4 out of 5 stars
Sandwichitos
Editor’s Note: Two of the five stall owners of Sandwichitos are members of The GUIDON’s Editorial Board.
From the way people flock to the Sandwichitos stall, ordering everything on the menu from the Basic Sandwichitos (P30) to the Premium Sandwichitos (P35) to their selection of Zen Zest teas (P30 to P55), it’s safe to say Sandwichitos has found a growing market beyond the regular rice loving college students.
“If you’re looking for something different, and if you’re sick of eating rice, you should order from us. Sandwichitos is the perfect snack to munch on in-between classes,” says stall owner Pau Coherco. “Plus, we have really good drinks.”
Hibernate, a lychee-infused iced tea is highly recommended. Dulce de Leche, a sweet, caramel malt drink, is a must-try too.
The Sandwichitos adventure begins with you personally selecting your choice of meat— anything from chicken, sausage, bacon, tuna or longganisa. Next, you are urged to pick from one of five Sandwichitos sauces: the Ali-oli (Spanish garlic mayonnaise), wasabi mayonnaise, Aceite de Olivo (olive oil), parmesan mayonnaise or the barbecue sauce. Your selection is served hot, and in between the cheeks of a warm and waiting mini French baguette. Don’t be fooled by the size; Sandwichitos stall owners say that their customers are easily satisfied with one to two orders.
None of the meats or the sauces particularly stand out, because they are all equally scrumptious. Instead, you are encouraged to try everything on the menu, because the affordability of each Sandwichito allows for a tasty culinary adventure.
g says: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Burger Flags
If you’re the type of person who likes a good burger, Burger Flags is the perfect place for you to go to. Burger Flags’ perfectly grilled burgers have a distinct meaty taste— these aren’t your regular flat patties with the droopy vegetables and bland sauce. Each ingredient is fresh and gives a new meaning to the burger experience.
The Burger Flags Favorite is a new take on the cheesy mushroom melt. It weighs a quarter of a pound, and is packed with bacon, cheese and mushrooms. The first thing you will notice once you take your first bite is the patty— it is thick, juicy, and has a peppery taste to it. Owner Gab Ignacio says the patties are homemade and marinated the night before, and are grilled the following day to ensure their freshness. The cheese on the burger can be a tad bit too much for some, but it is evidence that they do not scrimp on ingredients for their burgers. There are plenty of mushrooms also, and all the tastes complement each other very well.
Burger Flags plans to introduce new and more varied burger options for us in the near future— and it is definitely something burger fans should all look forward to.
g says: 4 out of 5 stars
