This meat shop-cum-eatery in Quezon City sells P10 ulam and P5 rice for breakfast
Remember the good ol’ days of “bentelog,” the P20 rice meal that students and workers love so much?
While it’s practically non-existent nowadays due to inflation, a butcher shop-cum-eatery in Quezon City is reviving the cheap and cheerful meals of yore with its P10 ulam and P5 rice breakfast offerings.
Since the first week of May, Mr. Gavino’s Meatshop, located along Tandang Sora, has been giving patrons 15 ulam options to choose from:
- hotdog
- embutido
- skinless longganisa
- fried egg
- burger steak
- chicken siomai (three pieces)
- pork siomai (three pieces)
- chicken shanghai (three pieces)
- pork shanghai (three pieces)
- fried chicken neck
- torta (patty-sized)
- danggit na tilapia
- luncheon meat
- chicken cordon bleu (one slice)
- kikiam sisig (one saucer)
It’s also serving a cup of java rice per order.
The shop sent PhilSTAR L!fe a sampler of the food items to try. In theory, one can have a breakfast for as low as P15. The staple Filipino “silog,” which consists of one serving each of ulam, rice, and egg, is worth P25.
The breakfast items are served starting at 8 a.m. until supplies last.
While it accommodates mostly those dining in, customers may avail of courier or “pabili” services. Advance orders are also welcome.
Payment methods are via GCash, BDO, Metrobank, Security Bank, and BPI.
‘We just want to try’
The shop’s co-owner JB Calungcaguin told L!fe that he and his wife Ayee just tried it as a business venture.
“We just want to try if it’s possible, kung kaya bang makapag-put up ng ganoon,” he said.
But more importantly, the true-blooded Quezon City resident wanted to help his community, particularly the students and delivery riders frequenting the area.
Though he’s a chef by profession—co-owning with his wife Ayee a Spanish-Filipino restaurant called Sanso Cafe in San Juan City—JB still wants to cater to the general public through the P10 ulam and P5 rice they serve.
In fact, JB is hitting two birds with one stone. By serving his fellow residents, he'll not only be fulfilling a personal goal but also getting his humble meat shop out there.
‘Nagulat kami’
During the first week of their breakfast promo, JB said they didn’t expect the reception to be warm immediately. By the same token, the influx of ever-curious customers also posed challenges in preparation and service.
“Medyo nagulat kami, kaya kailangan lahat kami andoon,” he said, noting that he and Ayee still have their restaurant to attend to. “Mga two or three days kaming di pumasok (sa restaurant) kasi sobrang nangangapa kami (sa meat shop).”
This prompted them to hire additional kitchen staff.
“Ngayon naman, kahit papaano, nagkaroon na ng system. Nakaluwag-luwag na kami,” JB said.
JB said they prepare about 200 servings of each viand and 15 to 20 kilos of rice daily, but their offering’s already growing demand prompted them to cook more servings moving forward.
‘Dire-diretso’
The profit from the breakfast is modest at best, though JB is keen on being of service to the people.
“We want to sustain itong nagagawa namin as of now,” he said, adding that they’re already mulling over adding more ulam options.
“As much as we can, we don’t want to increase the prices,” he said.
JB dreams of having more meat shop branches that would carry the P10 ulam and P5 offerings soon.
“Gusto naming magdire-diretso ito,” added JB. “Sana ma-appreciate ng mga customer ang ginagawa naming effort.”
Mr. Gavino’s Meatshop is located at 408 Tandang Sora Ave, Brgy. Culiat, Quezon City. It’s open every day, from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pin is Mr. Gavino’s Meatshop.