Eat-in or Dine-out?
How to Really Cut Your Baguio Food Bill
Your Baguio food bill can add up to a big part of your vacation spending, especially if you are staying for a week, or if you are traveling in a large group. This is another reason to stay in a lodging establishment that allows you to do your own cooking.
In deciding what's better for you, consider these then:
1. Preparing your own meals may
be cheaper but can take up a lot of valuable vacation time -- and there's
so much to see and do that your typical 3day/2night sojourn may not be enough.
2. There are a lot of interesting inexpensive restaurants to sample
in Baguio City that you will not find anywhere else in the world and it would be a pity if you did not at least try some of them.
1. Load up on grocery items.
Groceries cost the same in Baguio as elsewhere in the Philippines. Due to our resident population size and their spending habits, one cannot say that it is a tourist trap. In fact, tourist dollars go a long, long way in Baguio City.
A popular grocery is the one at the SM City mall. So if you did not empty your pantry back home and bring everything with you on your trip, know that many of the same items are available here.
If you are staying on the northwestern side of town (near Naguilian and Bokawkan Roads), the grocery stores near you are CSI grocey at the CooYeeSan mall that is oh so cheap, and Holiday Supermart.
Specialty stores like Shop and Munch across Teachers Camp and Supreme Deli on Leonard Wood Road also very conveniently located and have a good selection of sausages, cold cuts and cheeses.
Here Are Tips on How to Save
2. Visit the Baguio City Market.
It is in fact the third thing you should do upon arrival (the first would be refuel/ buy a map, the second, check-in into your hotel). Most folks go to the market on their last day to shop for cheap vegetables and souvenir items to bring home. I suggest you go on your first and last day.
Have I mentioned that our public market is probably the cleanest in the country?
Have I told you that you can find everything that's fresh and ready to cook there?
3. Check out our bakeries.
There didn't used to be too many good bakeries in Baguio in the 1990s (something about the high altitude and lack of equipment and ingredients did not make it easy then). Now we have some really interesting ones that I can recommend:
- Swiss Made on on Session Road. I recommend their crusty rolls and "pandesal."
- Holiday Supermart has its own bakery with good banana bread.
- Of course there's Cafe by the Ruin's take-out counter across City Hall that sells kamote (sweet potato) bread, among other baked goodies.
1. Have a Barbecue!
If you're staying at a private vacation home (transient house) or if your inn has facilities for it, have an outdoor barbecue with the whole family.
Or a bonfire dinner with roasted marshmallows, strawberries and cream, a large green salad, grilled sausages, corn on the cob, and the list goes on... I leave it up to you!
(In case it's too chilly outdoors for the young 'uns, treat them to roasted marshmallows over the fireplace)
2. Have a Picnic!
Keep it simple: a large blanket, disposable plates, cups and utensils, a lot of fresh fruits, cheeses, breads, cold or smoked deli meats, some strawberry wine and you're off to a good start.
Now, you may ask, where?
All the Baguio Parks & Gardens, of course. We have so many! You will see lots of whole families spread out all over the many wide spaces in Burnham Park. Join 'em! Then of course there are picnic tables at Camp John Hay.
Another good place to enjoy a tranquil lunch protected from the bustle of the city is Maryknoll Ecological Sanctuary at Campo Sioco.
Or try going up towards Beckel (take Leonard Wood Road until you reach Wright Park Circle, turn to Pacdal, start climbing Ambuklao Road. Between Tiptop (that's an area on Ambuklao Road) and Beckel (that's a barangay) you will see many wide open spaces overlooking the city. Just park your car, put on some cool music and have a party!
Did I mention that you could do the same at Mount Santo Tomas, Baguio's highest peak?
And, the #1 rule for outdoor cooking and dining is .......
DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING BEHIND!
Outdoor Cooking and Dining
Picnic Menus
Menu A
Fresh Strawberries with
Condensed Milk
Smoked Ham and Cheese
on Whole Grain Bread
Crisp green salad with
sun-dried tomato dressing
Thermos of Hot Benguet Coffee
or Sagada Mountain Tea
Menu B
Seedless Sagada Oranges
Pork Adobo with
Steamed White Rice
Chicken, Celery, Pineapple Macaroni Salad
Chilled Beverage of Choice
More Menus Coming Soon!
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