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………