Filipino attempts at American food

The ketchup here is made from banana. I've seen lots of real mayonnaise at the store so I dunno why it would be sweet.

So much of Filipino attempts at American food are sweetened. I don't know why. But we find decent ground beef and make our own juicy steak-burger patties at home. I've been teaching my fiance how to cook American foods and she's learning well.

I still haven't found any smoked ham hocks and pinto beans to stew up over rice. But I've heard Landers has the ham hocks on occasion. And the spices are available.

Pizza, ugh. Sauce too sweet. Frozen pre-made, you name it. It ain't fresh or real. But I don't know how to make pizza dough or a good sauce for pizza. But the Pinoys love what's available! Like it's a special treat.

I recently bought Scallops and showed my gal how to simply sauté in butter, olive oil, and garlic and onion with a dash of salt and pepper. Sorry no white wine added as we don't drink and it would take a few years to consume in cooking. But it still came out great and she loves it. Now she cooks it.

Last night she cooked a simple vegetable soup, or broth with a little sauted pork bits and it was awesome! A change of pace and healthy. Yum.

We have two menus in our household, the Filipino family menu and my menu. My wife & I have been together 16 years, 11 in America. So she knows what I like and my meals are prepared separately. Certain things cannot be duplicated because of their non existence in the Philippines.

Somethings I miss are deli items, even at Walmart they had some good deli foods like Angus Roast Beef, Pastrami, Land of Lake Cheeses and Nathans Hot Dogs. Also you could not go wrong with any Boars Head brand of food products.

Now per eating out if you're looking for American style food I would suggest the Filing Station, Friday's or even McDonald's.

Otherwise I don't enjoy eating out, an exception my family took me to the Vikings Buffet in the Mega Mall for my birthday. Lots of good Western food, they even had a carving station with Roast Beef.

I'm not sure of the price but if it's your birthday I believe it's buy one get one or if it's your birthday month, buy four get one.

There must have been a lot of birthday as I saw the waiter with many small birthday cakes walking by.

Make reservations.

@TitoDan look how to cook you whinging sot.

Also, most of the Mexican food, pizza and chicken has been pretty good.

To the OP and those prepared to listen. We are guests in a foreign country and while in Rome etc. Filipino dishes are delicious, same as Thai, French or Botswanan well most and Filipinos can cook and cook well, Asian and western foods, never had a problem, I remember my better half cooking chicken Cacciatori some 10 years ago, first time and a winner for me and our guests, like all his cooking, succulent prawns, calamari, beef, pork or mashed Spuds and veg. OMO but if I only wanted an Aussie diet I/we would still be living there and not tasting the cuisine and culinary experience from many countries.

Bens pork Sisig is to die for and never found any better here, his crispy skin salmon is better than any fine food dining I have experienced around the world, perhaps I am lucky but it's reciprocal as I cook dishes not on the Filipino menu and never a complaint in 12 years.

If I wanted burgers and fries of decent quality I would have moved to the US or a decent curry India or quality fish and chips then the UK. A decent pie and sauce Australia,  here we all improvise and no complaints, but I'm not picky nor is the better half, we eat well.

Cheers, Steve.

Well, Dan, I have to agree with Big Pearl Steve. This ain’t the US, and when in Rome…

That being said, the little kiosk Franks has a decent chili dog, Zarks burgers makes a good burger, pancake house makes a good ham and cheese omelette, and S & R has good pizza, and a great all beef hotdog, especially wrapped in bacon and cheese. Prime Steakhouse has an eat all you can steak for 899, outstanding! Good western food can be found well made, but you have to search around. Not every little restaurant or kiosk can cook well, including pinoy food

Just in the last couple days, I tried a roast beef sandwich from the Sandwich Guy, very disappointed, I had lunch today at a new Smokehouse restaurant in my local SM, very good! Beef tenderloin strips with a very tasty pasta and even a very good small brownie dessert included for under 300 pesos, and, they are opening a gyros place this week, (I think it’s called, It’s all Greek to me). Keeping my fingers crossed.

As far as Mexican food, I found a place once in Makati, but otherwise, nothing but crickets lol.

TitoDan's not wrong - the food you should be able to expect to be decent is far from it. The thing is, you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, i.e. the quality of most meats is abysmal.

Other than chicken - which can be ok - I couldn't find any decent meat,  pork or beef anyway, and I'm not fond of fish. Dairy products are non existent usually, but every now and then you get American cheddar, which is not like real cheddar at all, and not very nice. I went to Santis for French cheeses and imported steaks - very expensive, but edible.

Other than that, make a huge pot of home made chicken curry and defrost a large portion when you get fed up with pork fat.

@blacksheepjuno  Where are we talking?  Dumaguete? 

I have my list of favorites here in Dipolog/Dapitan... But agree... Your not in Kansas anymore toto... lol...  however... For me... I indulge in my little list of good food available that she happily makes for me... and love living the beach life with my sweet, amazing beautiful little wife 😊

I don't look for American food in the PI, generally preferring ethnic foods. But European (German, Italian, etc), Thai, Japanese and Indian are commonly available. The only decent Mexican food I have found in the Visayas is at two places.

#1 Maya - in Crossroads, in Cebu. Really good Tex Mex style, large portions, a nice tequila bar (I don't drink though, haha). It's a bit pricy with an upscale ambiance.

#2 There's a little hole in the wall taqueria in Valencia (near Dumaguete), located where Bacong-Valencia Road comes into town. On the left, haha. Has a sign that says "Mexican". Surprisingly decent, thus frequented by lots of expats. And me and the girl.

@Wellsfry No, I’m in Dasmarinas

Tito Dan said . . . I'm a very non-picky person when it comes to food. I was raised on home cooking, meat and potatoes kinds of food, simply prepared with simple ingredients. I've given it several tries, and am giving up on local attempts at American eats. One word describes 99% of my experience: AWFUL!!

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I can agree with you. . .Looking for passable American food might be possible in larger urban cities. It could be the real deal and still it just doesn't meet your expectations.

For example in the states I from time to time go to a popular Chinese restaurant. My favorite was "Shrimp in Black Bean Sauce." I would ask the waiter who the cook/chef was, if it wasn't my guy, I would order something else. A world of difference variations between the cooks/chefs at the same restaurants.

A good solution is DIY meals at home. My wife makes a great Philly Cheese Steak. My wife also makes great sweet Filipino Spaghetti Sauce, this varies between Filipinos, some make terrible Spaghetti Sauce.

While the rest of the family eats Spaghetti, I prefer Rotini with ground beef instead of hotdogs.

Now if I can only get Dutch Apple or Pumpkin Pie.

Now if I can only get Dutch Apple or Pumpkin Pie.
-@Enzyte Bob

You do know there's no pumpkin in pumpkin pie right? Probably a good reason it's not around. Interestingly, sweet potato pie is made with sweet potatoes. But not pumpkin? (Commonly)

Enzyte Bob said. . . .Now if I can only get Dutch Apple or Pumpkin Pie.
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Larry Fisher replied. . . . You do know there's no pumpkin in pumpkin pie right? Probably a good reason it's not around.

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After reading there is no Pumpkin in Pumpkin Pie, I did a Google search of Pumpkin Pie receipts and guess what Larry, you are incorrect. The recipes I found use Pumpkin or Pumpkin Puree.

So my question to you what is Pumpkin Pie made of? I'm not talking about Sweet Potato Pie.

A good reason it's not around is the same reason most western pies are not available in the Philippines.

Now please don't tell me there are no Apples in Apple Pie.

LOL Bob, so true, not had a meat pie in 4 years, often said to Ben that could be a niche market here in La Union...... Too hard for a retired fart like me.

Cheers, Steve.

LOL Bob, so true, not had a meat pie in 4 years, often said to Ben that could be a niche market here in La Union...... Too hard for a retired fart like me.
Cheers, Steve.
-@bigpearl

Give me a good Steak & Kidney Pie any day of the week and I would be delighted. Maybe for dessert Apple and Blackberry Pie with whipped cream.

LOL Bob, so true, not had a meat pie in 4 years, often said to Ben that could be a niche market here in La Union...... Too hard for a retired fart like me.
Cheers, Steve.
-@bigpearl
Give me a good Steak & Kidney Pie any day of the week and I would be delighted. Maybe for dessert Apple and Blackberry Pie with whipped cream.
-@Cherryann01

Please let us all know if you find mate.

Cheers, Steve.

Enzyte Bob said. . . .Now if I can only get Dutch Apple or Pumpkin Pie.
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Larry Fisher replied. . . . You do know there's no pumpkin in pumpkin pie right? Probably a good reason it's not around.**********************************
After reading there is no Pumpkin in Pumpkin Pie, I did a Google search of Pumpkin Pie receipts and guess what Larry, you are incorrect. The recipes I found use Pumpkin or Pumpkin Puree.

So my question to you what is Pumpkin Pie made of? I'm not talking about Sweet Potato Pie.

A good reason it's not around is the same reason most western pies are not available in the Philippines.

Now please don't tell me there are no Apples in Apple Pie.
-@Enzyte Bob

Got you looking right?

In reality the big pumpkin spice coffee/Starbucks trends from a few years ago actually didn't have pumpkin. As well the other "Pumpkin spice " stuff that became popular.

Thanks to all for the many comments. I bought some spaghetti and a jar of Ragu a couple of days ago, intending to cook my own, but haven't tested any hamburger meat yet. The only "ground beef" I've seen here in Dgte seems to be made up of alternating 1/4" blobs of red meat and tallow, so I'm still lacking the makings for my spaghetti. We raised 7 kids who consumed a bunch of spaghetti, so I feel up to a try. Back on the Mayo subject, I saw a display of Best Food Real Mayonnaise in Lee Plaza a few days ago, but haven't run out of the pretty good replica I already bought. A biggy for me is no baloney. I found franks that seemed to be the same thing, but nothing sliced. I like a baloney, egg and cheese sandwich; good for any meal, IMO, with real ketchup, which I was able to buy somewhere.. Dill pickles seem to be non-existent here. I love a dill pickle/peanut butter sandwich once in a while. Closest thing I've found is some tiny ("gherkins," we call them in US), pretty pricey. Did I mention I'm not picky?   The only American staple that's not been messed up here is boiled eggs. Pretty hard to desecrate a hardboiled egg...... BTW, I was born and raised in the Missouri Ozarks, the summers of which are the Philippines all over again, so I'll refrain from whining about the weather.  DM 

P.S. a positive note I forgot to mention: I love Vienna sausages and those are available.

P.P.S.....  Spam in the US is now some of the highest priced meat available.  And we named phony email and advertising after it!!  Who knew?

LOL Bob, so true, not had a meat pie in 4 years, often said to Ben that could be a niche market here in La Union...... Too hard for a retired fart like me.
Cheers, Steve.
-@bigpearl
Give me a good Steak & Kidney Pie any day of the week and I would be delighted. Maybe for dessert Apple and Blackberry Pie with whipped cream.
-@Cherryann01

Please let us all know if you find mate.

Cheers, Steve.
-@bigpearl

Steve - I am in the UK at the moment but I just had a look online and there seems to be a company that serves the Makati and Davao areas and advertises all sorts of sweet and savoury pies including Steak & Kidney and Apple and Cherry pies. Check online at www.somersethomemade,com. They also sell other pies, cakes, jams and cookies. The Steak & Kidney Pie is advertised, made from beef chunks, ox kidney and a spoonful of vegetables and herms simmered in in a flavoured beef gravy and baked in a flaky shortcrust pastry and is priced at 210 pesos for a solo pie.

Thanks Cherry, I'm sure meat, seafood and Thai pies etc. are around but not here 5 or 6 hours north of Manila and slack me doesn't have an oven yet to bake my own until we remodel the kitchen.

Another member mentioned (the OP from memory) spaghetti, Italian Spag I can easily get all the ingredients here including quality minced beef with minimal fat,,,,,, try to buy a decent steak here doesn't happen.

I also do marinara with lots of red wine as seafood here is plentiful, also my avocado and bacon dish with cream and white wine, always a winner, can't wait for the oven for roasts, chicken enchiladas etc.

Here we eat 50/50 Filipino/western, we both can cook either but the seafood I leave to ben as he cooks perfectly, I tend to over cook. Most things we can get here as well as things not available in western countries.

Cheers, Steve.   

TitoDan said . . . I bought some spaghetti and a jar of Ragu a couple of days ago, intending to cook my own, but haven't tested any hamburger meat yet.

And . . . .Back on the Mayo subject, I saw a display of Best Food Real Mayonnaise in Lee Plaza a few days ago, but haven't run out of the pretty good replica

And . . . Dill pickles seem to be non-existent here.

And . . . P.S. a positive note I forgot to mention: I love Vienna sausages and those are available.
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Ragu is OK, but I prefer Prego spaghetti sauce. In Henderson Nevada where I come from there are two streets a block apart named Ragu and Prego.

Kraft Mayo with olive oil is available at S&R. I've also purchased dill pickles either at S&R or Lander's. You can also buy a four pack of Armour Vienna sausages at Lander's or a 18 pack at S&R.

What I miss is Rye Bread and Rye bagels with cream cheese.

When I first arrived here I found a Denny’s in Sta Rosa, I thought I was going to show my wife what American food was...I was sadly mistaken...ordered Chicken fried steak, and they failed miserably...Miss Chile Rellenos the most, so when I seen on a menu at Mexican restaurant I was salivating until I was served, not even close, now my wife makes our own...since then I have become accustomed to the Filipino version of things...

I was pleasantly surprised that I can print any recipe up and my wife can make it to a T, we even made our own Pumpkin pie, Gnocchi soup etc...being a few Km from Tagaytay I found a few good places there, Breakfast at Antonio’s being the best, Bag of beans ok too...Wendy’s gets my best burger vote

Best burger/Shake Shack at MOA.......

I often thought "The filling Station Bar & Cafe", on Burgos Street (Makati) had the best burgers and other style American Foods.

I did have a good burger at T.G.I.F, which surprised me, I wasn't expecting it.

@bigpearl Well said. We are in another country so enjoy their food. BTW any fast food is not going to be the best. So spend more and go to a proper restaurant.

@TitoDan Can only assume that you do not aspire to enjoy good food if your goal is American fast food which has more nutritional value in the packaging

Gezzar said. . . Can only assume that you do not aspire to enjoy good food if your goal is American fast food which has more nutritional value in the packaging

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I get your point and people who and believe your point enjoy the cardboard.

Myself next time I'm in Jollibee, McDonald's, KFC or Starbuck's, I'll be thinking of you when I Supersize my Cardboard.

@Enzyte Bob

I often thought "The filling Station Bar & Cafe", on Burgos Street (Makati) had the best burgers and other style American Foods.

Copy that. One of these days we will bump into each other there Bob. I won’t have any problems identifying you with your pic😉

Bourbon Street has great BBQ ribs.

@Michael Cisnero

You can't be serious.

depending on where one lives, there are plenty of western style restos that i am sure offer a wide range of foods to satisfy any westerners pallette.   McDonald's, or any fast food chain for that matter, should be the last consideration for western food choices.  good god.

@kristopherryanwatson

Hi. I love the food at McDonalds and we go to the McDonalds in Boracay once a week. It tastes better in Europe but it is quite okay.

    @Enzyte Bob
I often thought "The filling Station Bar & Cafe", on Burgos Street (Makati) had the best burgers and other style American Foods.


Copy that. One of these days we will bump into each other there Bob. I won’t have any problems identifying you with your pic😉
   

    -@Lotus Eater

I had the fish & chips at The Filling Station with mushy peas, The fish was passable, chips were nothing special but the mushy peas were good.

The best food I have had in the Philippines was in Boracay  where there were plenty of choices. Good ribs, decent steaks, good sea food and me and my g/f came across an Aussie themed restaurant/bar that served a really good schnitzel. A few years ago I had some excellent lamb chops at the XYZ Hotel in Tacloban, complete with mint sauce.

Cherryann01 said .   .   .  . I had the fish & chips at The Filling Station with mushy peas, The fish was passable, chips were nothing special but the mushy peas were good.

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Going to the Filling Station was not a good choice for fish & chips, especially when the Filling Station is a throwback to 1950's Americana. Loud 1950's music, iconic photos of 1950 Hollywood stars, full size Elvis, 1950's Cadillac booth & jukebox selectors in each booth.

@Enzyte Bob

You missed out the gorgeous 1950’s outfits the waitresses wear Bob.

’Can I get you anything else sir?’

Bob Hopes response : ’ Wait in the cab’

    Cherryann01 said .   .   .  . I had the fish & chips at The Filling Station with mushy peas, The fish was passable, chips were nothing special but the mushy peas were good.
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Going to the Filling Station was not a good choice for fish & chips, especially when the Filling Station is a throwback to 1950's Americana. Loud 1950's music, iconic photos of 1950 Hollywood stars, full size Elvis, 1950's Cadillac booth & jukebox selectors in each booth.
   

    -@Enzyte Bob

I know Bob probably the wrong choice. We were sat in the Marilyn Monroe section with lots of framed picturres of her on the wall. There was an Elvis impersonator there singing Elvis songs and somebody in a Chucky Doll costume who my g/f posed with for a couple of pictures.

Regardless of the country, I found it best to stick to local dishes. This is because they all alter foreign foods to accommodate local tastes, and that commonly messes up the idea for us foreigners.

I first experienced this in Chinese take away shops in England. The food they cook for themselves isn't anything like the 'Chinese' food they sell.

There are always some very good places to be found, but home cooking is my best suggestion.

Saying that, I like cooking so I admit a bias.