Early Morning Walk at the Banchetto in Ortigas

One of the things I enjoy about Ortigas the most is its weekly banchetto along F. Ortigas Jr. Rd. Rows of food vendors, cosmetic resellers and accessory shops line up the southbound side of the road from 12 midnight every Friday to 12 noon the next day. Scores of night shift workers, Ortigas residents and those who simply choose to spend their Friday night on a food binge, litter the tents and sidewalk each enjoying his or her Chicken BBQ or grilled squid. Early birds can enjoy the tables and chairs set up at the end of the shops.

Banchetto in Ortigas

 This week’s visit prompted me to take on those lechon I’ve been craving for the past few days. For 80 pesos for a full lechon meal (1 slab of lechon + 1 rice), it’s really a pretty decent meal if you ask me. Anything grilled ranges from 60 pesos to 85 pesos and it already comes with a cup of rice. Some shops offer Japanese food and repacked snacks and biscuits. Pizza, pasta and salads are also available. For the belly buster, try gobbling on the jumbo shawarma and jumbo hotdogs some shops offer. 

 Seafood / Japanese Food

Grilled Squid. A personal favorite. 

I was supposed to buy some isaw but they are very pricey here compared to the trusted vendors in UP. (I frequent the one near the post office.) I ended up going home with several sticks of BBQ instead. If you’re new in Ortigas, this is one of the things you must experience to fully enjoy the place. If you’re been staying here / working here for the past few months / years already and still haven’t tried the banchetto, that means you suck. Kidding. No really, it’s a must have Ortigas experience. I’m looking forward to next week’s banchetto. I’m craving for some choco mallows.