A couple of months ago, our good FOY, "MG" asked me if I had been to Plaza Bonita after the recent (sort of) renovation. I said that I'd been to Beard Papa (sadly now closed), and so I'd seen the new, and relocated food court, which looked a lot better than what I remembered. MG laughed and told me, "I don't think you've seen the REAL food court at Plaza Bonita". "Where's the real food court?" Her answer, "you need to go down the escalator...it's next to Target". I asked her what was comprised the "real" food court, but was just told that I needed to go check it out myself. So back in April, I found myself in the area, it was pretty early, 930 in the morning and I didn't think anything would be open, but I thought I'd just pop in a check it out.........
And Plaza Bonita was indeed very quiet, until I walked down the escalator (it wasn't even turned on yet), and just plain cracked up.
It was the "terrible trio" of Filipino Chains in one place; Chowking, Jollibee, and Red Ribbon Bakery. Of course all are owned by JFC, Jollibee Foods Corporation. At this time in the morning, it was a haven for "mall walkers".......
Admittedly, over the years, I've become less and less enamored of the food served at Jollibee and Chowking, but I must say, that the young lady working the counter at Jollibee was very pleasant, and of course they do table service, versus the lady at Chowking, who had somehow maneuvered a stool behind her perch behind the counter...she did love the microphone though, "thirty-four.....thirty seven...."
So you can get it all here.....from the fried chicken that cooked to order, and nice and moist.
Though I find the batter a bit too crumbly, on this visit it wasn't quite as greasy as I remembered. The gravy has that strange artificial flavor, but you just can't help pouring it over the rice.....
Speaking of artificiality, is there anything that looks more like plastic food than the Pancit Palabok from Chowking?
Unfortunately, according to the Missus, this tasted like plastic food, not the best of what Chowking has to offer.
The Missus did enjoy Her slice of Mango Cake from Red Ribbon bakery, though.
So, in case you need your Filipino Fast Food fix......the "real" food court at Plaza Bonita might fill the bill.........
hi kirk! man that was fast! one second ago it was the paso robles entry,now this! that's funny...the "real food court"
i try to avoid plaza b at all costs (too many of my students hang out there), but i've heard of this "trio" of filipino joints. not a fan of jollibee or chowking, but i love red ribbon bakery! but not enough to go to plaza bonita.i still think it's cool that a major mall in san diego has filipino food joints in it! they should serve balut, diniguan, and fried chicken skins. then i'd go. ha ha. seriously.
Posted by: caninecologne | Friday, 14 August 2009 at 10:07 PM
I have heard of these places but have never been to them yet. Red Ribbon was supposed to take a spot in the Arcadia/Monrovia area but they ended up not opening. They look good though!
And the photos you took of Jolibee are probably the best of what I have seen online about them :).
Posted by: Eat. Travel. Eat! | Friday, 14 August 2009 at 11:28 PM
lol @ "the terrible trio" you're a good man for still giving them another shot tho haha.
never tried these although i've seen jollibee's around. they got that max's of manila in puente hills. besides that i don't know of any other filipino joints in the area. i don't think i've actually ever had it at a restaurant before...only at friends houses.
Posted by: sawyer | Friday, 14 August 2009 at 11:47 PM
sadly that is the artificial type gravy I use on my loco moco here
:(
Posted by: kat | Saturday, 15 August 2009 at 04:58 AM
Hi Kirk,
I remember first moving to Mira Mesa and driving around to see what restaurants are around. When I saw "Chowking" I thought, "Hmmm, sounds interesting, except that that name is one letter away from 'choking'."
Posted by: Fred | Saturday, 15 August 2009 at 07:14 AM
Hi CC - Balut? At a mall in the US??? That'll be the day. he-he-he......
Hi ETE - This is the "big three" of Filipino Fast Food chains.
Hi Sawyer - I believe that there's still a bunch of places in Walnut and West Covina. There used to be Red Ribbon near Seafood City off Azusa, and Manila Sunset off Amar if I recall.
Hi Kat - Noooo, really?
Hi Fred - LOL! I never noticed that!
Posted by: Kirk | Saturday, 15 August 2009 at 07:35 PM
Have you ever had their Halo Halo or their tofu dessert? I'd love to hear your takes on them. I've tried their halo halo before and thought it was quite interesting.
Posted by: rubywong | Saturday, 15 August 2009 at 10:24 PM
Hi Ruby - As a whole, I don't have much of a sweet tooth. The Missus likes Jollibee's Halo Halo though!
Posted by: Kirk | Saturday, 15 August 2009 at 10:28 PM
~pppphhphph (Derisive Laugh)~
I about died when I first saw this. It was like, WTH!?
I usually stick with Hibiscus Grill upstairs when I eat at Plaza Burrito, but I found the Terrible Trio absolutely amusing. They do good business on the Weekends too!
Sadly, there used to be a 'real' Filipino place at Plaza Bonita that served dinuguan and Kare Kare (maybe even balut out of the back for all I know). But it didn't survive the Great Transformation. It was just called 'Manila'.
Posted by: MrM | Monday, 17 August 2009 at 11:34 AM
Hi MrM - I thought it was kinda funny.....and boy, do they have a loyal following!
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 17 August 2009 at 11:37 AM
several years ago, I found myself in Manila almost by chance. Seeing a Jollibee, I jumped to try this Filipino staple I've heard about. Chomping on the moist chicken, while dipping it in gravy, rice balls wrapped in paper, and washing it all down with flourescent Filipino soda.... it seemed like heaven. At least that was the way I remembered it. Or maybe it was because I left Hong Kong at 9:30am without breakfast and it's now after past 3pm.
Several year later, Jollibee is in Chino Hills. the chicken taste artificial yet yummy, the rice is not shaped into a ball, and the gravy comes in a plastic cup and tastes toxic.
is the food different stateside or has the romance simply worn off?
Posted by: Andy (美國土子) | Tuesday, 18 August 2009 at 03:16 AM
Hi Andy - A little of both I'm sure. Tastes change, and quality has gone down. Things always taste better at the source!
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 18 August 2009 at 07:46 AM
Wow! mouth watering food! I love it.
-missey
Posted by: jollibee food corporation | Thursday, 15 October 2009 at 08:35 PM