I took so many peeps on so many tours up here just to see the Banaue Rice Terraces.
And each and every time, I can't leave without making a stop here simply for one thing and one thing only: their Banaue pork chop suey.
Finding our way home from Kalinga, my cousins (whom I was with) knew how much I love that dish in this place. And so conveniently on the way, there was no need to discuss where to have a late lunch.
Located inside Banaue Hotel, one thing I find odd is that this restaurant is always empty each and every time I came through. A lot of factors may be playing into this: mid-week? Odd hour? Slow season?
But they've survived all this time (post-pandemic and all) so they've gotta have some kind of following.
That said, we are seated immediately each and every single time.
Anyway! All I wanted was the chop suey. I let my cuzzos get whatever else they want so long as that one dish makes it on the table.
BANAUE PORK CHOP SUEY: They have been consistent with this since my first time in the early 2000's. It's still as good as ever. Fresh vegetables cooked to a great seasoning, pork was cooked tender, just enough sauce... yum!
TINOLANG MANOK: Nothing out of the ordinary. It came off a little bland, truth be told. I needed to get fish sauce to perk the flavor up a little. Quantity and quality was lackluster.
BAGNET AKA BICOL EXPRESS: This wasn't bad either! The flavor was on point and unlike the tinola, there was quality and quantity in it. The price point, however, is a little high (in my opinion) for the amount you get.
FOOD: 4. (5 for the chops yet, 3 for everything else.)
SERVICE: 2. Offff... they need some work. We were the only customers in the entire restaurant but it was difficult to flag someone down for anything during our meal. We even had to get our own condiments and cutlery.
VALUE: 3. Barely. Some of their items' prices aren't justifiable.
PARKING: Private lot. Never an issue as often as I've been here.
OVERALL: 3.
It's a very nicely put restaurant, I'll admit, and I love that we always get a window seat during each visit. The view is breathtaking. That's always a plus.
The chop suey is their overall saving grace here. Here's hoping they never change that recipe. If at any time that changes, and I can't find anything else to match its caliber, then I may just stop coming here at all. read more