Comfort Food Chronicles: Ritchie's Diner

Everyone has their own comfort food, the dish that instantly teleports you to another world, where everything is at peace, and every joy is sheer bliss.  Be it a simple small pasty treat, or as gargantuan as a whole lechon, it's what we crave for when we need to escape far away from our mundane lives even for just a few fleeting moments.

In my case, escaping is not too far away.  With practically just a hop and skip across to the beaming limelight of Aguirre Avenue, comfort food is literally just around the corner.  In this part of the famed avenue, several similar-themed shops have cropped up.  These joints primarily cater to families (unlike the hipper, noisier bars on the other side), offering predominantly American food: burgers, sandwiches, and chicken wings.  You guessed it.  Wings again.  One of my ultimate comfort foods.

However, on that Father's day pre-celebration night, we skipped the well-known wings restaurant for that gleaming shop right across it.  With its large bright yellow sign, it lures curious customers by riding on that American diner theme.  For sure, comfort food will be found here.  

Eat at Ritchie's

Ritchie's Diner actually stood on, should I say, hallowed ground.  Not so long ago, before food blogging and foodstagramming was unheard of, on this spot stood BF Homes' best kept secret.  Tarragon, a small restaurant cooking up classy dishes, used to serve here the best and most affordable lamb chop ever.  Gone are its glorious days, and another diner (South Diner) replaced its spot.  That diner did not quite pan out either, and it was recycled into what is now known by its incandescent sign.  Every night I passed by this shop, I noticed the number of cars parked in front.  Food must be good.

The place is well lit and inviting, with the typical American diner high-back chairs.  The wait staff are very amiable and accommodating, cheerful but not annoyingly so.  We picked a somewhat secluded spot on an adjoining room, and perused the colorful menu.

Like if you see Brad Pitt.

The selection was quite extensive, even offering Filipino favorites like adobo and tapsilog.  All 3 of us weren't in the mood for rice meals however, so we went American, in the spirit of the prevailing theme.  The orders were quickly served.

Fish and Chips, P130

I was feeling exceptionally healthy that day, so I went seafood.  Still, it was deep-fried anyway.  The Fish and Chips is classic diner delight, with beer-battered fish fillets partnered by crispy fries.  Sadly, both did not meet my expectations.  The batter was crunchy but rather thick, and the fish (I assume, cream dory) was nearly non-existent.  Nonetheless, whatever fish I could find tasted good and fresh.  If only I could find it.  The fries tasted like straight from the grocery frozen food stall.  It was not oily, but neither was it full and crisp enough.  If this was lard fries, I'd rather sin with McDonald's fries than this copycat.  At least that was infinitesimally better and more comforting.  The tartar sauce did not help in amping up the dish.  One may argue that at less than 150 bucks, what would you expect?  Well, Chuck's Grub serves up one mean fish and chips combo at near that price.  So go figure.

Macaroni, Sausage, Bacon in Mornay Sauce, P195

Mom picked a pasta dish, as expected.  This was essentially macaroni and cheese with, what pray tell, is Mornay anyway?  Whatever it was, this was adequately executed.  The sauce was thick and sticky, with the cheese gooey like mozzarella.  I could make out thin slices of sausages and a sprinkling of bacon, which gave body to this dish.  But, the sausages seemed like the local processed creations, while the bacon was wanting in amount.  The two halves of toast tried its best to complement the pasta, but the lack of meat, I felt, was a let-down.  Still, the sauce was superb.  I hoped they could improve on the sausages on this one, since this pasta dish is quite unique to their restaurant.

Southwestern Burger, P190

This bulky 1/3 pounder was Dad's choice, a meal fit for men.  Sandwiched in between the undersized buns was a thick all beef patty, slapped with a serving of beef chili, then a swish of tomato-cilantro salsa for good measure.  The beef was delectably filling, juicy and oozing with grilled flavor.  The chili, though, was nothing out of the ordinary.  The fries on the side were again, a forgetful experience.

So far, all three dishes seemed mediocre.  Luckily, I had ordered a fourth dish to share among us.  And this was my comfort food anyway.  And 'twas to be Ritchie's Diner saving grace.

Ritchie's Hot Wings (6 pcs), P210

I picked the 6 piece set, and once the dish was set on the table, I blurted out, "wow, ang dami pala!".  Unlike my other experiences with chicken wing joints, the 6 pieces really meant 6 pieces - the whole shebang.  Their version of buffalo wings glistened with red sauce screaming in hotness.  I hastily grabbed a piece and took a bite - the sauce was divine.  Their spicy soy mix was a wonderful blend of hot and savory, with a hint of mild barbecue sweetness.  With each successive bite, the spice kicks in and amps up.  More importantly, the sauce was liberally spread on every nook and cranny of each wing.  The meat though, was a bit dry and overcooked in some parts.  But the crispy chicken skin made up for it, with a crunchy texture in every bite.  This was the star of the night.  I almost couldn't restrain myself from ordering rice with this tasty treat.  Fortunately, although this was the appetizer, it arrived last, and I was already nearly full with that dastard fish and chips.  At just a tad over 200 bucks for 6 WHOLE  wings, this was a sure winner.  The chicken wing shop right across the street serves 3 pieces for nearly the same price.  So again, go figure.

Ritchie's Diner is a promising joint with a relaxing, laid-back, homey vibe, serving no non-sense comfort food at attractively low prices.  The familiar menu and the American diner feel are a definite plus, along with affordable price tags with NO service charge.  No wonder cars line up out front.  However, majority of the dishes we picked that night were misses than hits.  I hope they improve the fries, an ubiquitous part of a diner experience.  I've had better in fast foods.  Still, with an overall catchy theme and extensive menu, a few minor tweaks should get Ritchie's Diner booming in no time.

In the meantime, the Hot Wings should keep me coming back for more.  With a worthwhile price tag, hefty serving size, and not to mention just a stone's throw distance from my place, I now have second thoughts on going for the other shop across the street.  These Hot Wings will give Flaming Wings a run for its money.  No doubt.

Ritchie's Diner

303 Aguirre Avenue, Phase 3, BF Homes

Paranaque City

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ritchies-Diner/288996811228466

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Keepin' Up with Mr. Jones

I love old school American diners.  You know, the ones commonly portrayed in movies, like old truck stops out west.  I love gloating over heaping servings of sloppy pancakes, bundles of greasy fries, and charred oily steaks.  It's virtually the American version of our very own turu-turo or carinderia. 

A handful of restaurants here have imbibed that theme, hoping to replicate the charm of the old American diner.  But it's not always about the vibe and the aura.  The food has to be outstanding too.  Being one of the pioneers, Mr. Jones has successfully transcended this theme and transformed its menu into a unique selection.

If my memory serves me right, Mr. Jones was one of the first restaurants to open along the garden side of Greenbelt 5 when it first opened a few years ago.  With its screaming red pastel signages and couches and bright orange lights, it clearly stood out among the dimly lit resto-bars neighboring it.  It seemed that Mr. Jones would not fit in.  Years later, the restaurant expands by acquiring the adjacent area (which used to be a Japanese restaurant) and showed its neighbors that it is there to stay.  With its distinct and wide-ranging menu, a preppy waiting staff, and an overall cheery vibe, Mr. Jones has gained the respect and admiration of foodies and hungry mall-goers.

What better way for Dr. Jones to celebrate the birthday than to enjoy it at his namesakes'?  I gathered the family and my girl for a hearty lunch.  My mom, by the way, shares the same curiosity about American diners.  So Mr. Jones was the definite choice.  

Like a 50s comic strip, the menu book was blooming with colors

We picked a breezy spot al fresco, settling down on those deep red couches in faithful reproduction of those seen in real diners.  Our server then handed us these colorful menu books, alluding to the smashing bygone era of the 50s and 60s.  The restaurant itself was in concert with the pervading theme, replete with mementos of the colorful past: a jukebox, tall silver bar stools, even that football table game watchamacallit.

I could almost see Marty McFly ordering by the counter

My girl and I had been to Mr. Jones when it was barely a year old.  So I had an idea what to pick on the menu.  To my delightful surprise, they had added several more items, a testament to Mr. Jones' innovation and creativity.

Big Smackin' Slow Roasted Southern US Beef Ribs, P620 (+10% service charge)

For a name this long, I expected really huge ribs.  And it did not disappoint.  I'm a sucker for barbecued ribs, and just reading the description on the menu made me drool.  Looking at my plate, I had to scoop up my excess drool!  There were three large slabs of ribs, perfectly glazed and grilled to a charred covering.  I had hoped the spice level was at par with that of Racks', but sadly, it was not so.  I added a dash of Tabasco just to perk it up.  The meat, however, was definitely at par.  Tender and falling off, the beef was succulent and moist, cooked to a medium.  The barbecue glaze was sweet and tangy, and images of Man Vs. Food swept through my mind the instant I took my first bite.  "This is my private moment", as Adam Richman would say.  The fries were pure potatoes, dressed in a thin crunchy breading.  A sliced pickle was added in the mix, but I abhorred pickles so I left it untouched.

Uncle Andy's Cheesesteak, P365 (+10% service charge)

Mr. Jones also serves hefty sandwiches that are a meal in itself.  In a twist of the Philly cheesesteak, Uncle Andy's version consisted of US ribeye meat draped in liberal amounts of Cheese Whiz.  The meat was tender and soft, while the cheese complimented the peppery flavor.  All these were erupting from within a sliced soft smooth bun.  Strips of bell pepper added variegating colors, while the side of coleslaw and those luscious and addicting fries seals the deal.  An easy choice for those raring to cut down on some carbs.

Big Mama's Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf, P450 (+10% service charge)

Mom knows best, so she went for the Big Mama's Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf.  She said she loved meatloafs, so this was an easy choice.  The loaf itself was filled with chorizo, but the meat was a bit tough.  The bacon was crisp but barely wrapped the whole thing.  Served with a fried sunny-side up egg and some baby carrots and string beans, the meal was completed by a potato puree.  The veggies were crisp and fresh, while the potato puree was nothing spectacular.  The tomato gravy had a queer taste and texture, and did nothing to improve the toughness of the meatloaf.  It was a bit of a letdown.

Char-Grilled "Greek Style" Norwegian Salmon Steak, P450 (+10% service charge)

Dad of course went for the fish on the menu.  A large slice of grilled fresh pink salmon garnished with onions and bell peppers, lay on top of a heaping serving of rice pilaf.  There were baby carrots and string beans to complete the cast.  I didn't get to taste this but he finished it off in no time.  So I'm guessing it was that good.

Wicked Truffled Mac n' Cheese, P395 (+10% service charge)

We were craving for Mr. Jones' renowned Mac N' Cheese, and I wanted Mom to try it out.  And it was indeed wicked.  The macaroni was oozing with gooey cheese of supposedly 4 types, but my palate was not sophisticated enough to distinguish each.  Nevertheless, all four masterfully blended into a single satisfying taste, dishing out that homey flavor.  Sprinklings of smoked bacon, portobello mushrooms, and green peas contributed a contrast in texture and flavor, breaking the strong flavor of the cheese.  In my honest and humble opinion, this is the best macaroni and cheese ever.  I mean it.  Posers just put cheese on top of their mac.  Mr. Jones, in stark contrast, seems to have cooked the macaroni IN cheese.  Maybe they should rename it that way.  Or the other way around, like cheese n' macaroni.  Either way, this was absolutely, well, WICKED.

With its new menu, Mr. Jones is poised to dominate the diner theme.  Browsing through its selection, none of it is boring nor repetitive.  In addition, in keeping with the times, Mr. Jones also serves breakfast all day.  I would love to go back and try that out, along with their milkshakes, if I'm no longer cutting back on calories.  Although the prices seem expensive, the serving sizes more than made up for it.  Neither did they scrimp on that cheese.  A few complaints though, with the menu books probably needing a few pictures just to show how which dishes look really good (Although I think they remained true to the diner feel.  No diner would have pictures of their food anyway).  Also, service that day was rather slow, especially with our group seated outside.  (The window panels were so big, yet they couldn't see us waving our hands several times).  Notwithstanding, the overall experience is worthwhile, complete with that 50s diner aura.  Other joints attempting to replicate that diner feel may have fallen short of perhaps the new standard and measure of success, Mr. Jones.

Will the real Mr. Jones please stand up?

Mr. Jones

Greenbelt 5

Legaspi Street, Makati City

https://www.facebook.com/raintreemrjones

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