Quickie Meal 1: Sunburst Combo

When hunger strikes me, I forget all other cares and my mind is focused to just one purpose. Find the right food at the right place, the quickest way.

Marching hastily through frustration, I made my way to Ayala Terraces undisturbed. I was hungry and mentally complaining. Prior this, I walked to my bank from work sacrificing lunch so I can get to the bank while early and less crowded. To my dismay, as soon as I walked in, the huge "Offline" signs at the tellers' desk glared at me. Frustrated, I decided to hop to another bank for another transaction that was supposed to come second after the first to avoid going in circles. Luckily, my bank transaction there was swift as wind.

Now, my stomach was making strange sounds. I knew I had to feed the minions (thinking of the trending Despicable Me characters) inside. A quick meal was certainly the answer I need for this physiological demand.

That answer I found in Sunburst. Sunburst originated in Iligan City and was formerly named A & C Chicken and Pizza House (1). It gained fame and quickly spread to over 10 branches nationwide in 2010 and probably doubled its number 3 years after. Five of its locations I spotted in Cebu which kind of made Sunburst and Cebu tightly associated. My friends in Manila always remember Cebu through their Sunburst experience.

Sunburst fried chicken definitely sets itself apart from Jollibee, KFC, or McDonalds in terms of fried chicken. Their cooking does not include the batter that usually does the trick of making the parts look huge and puffy. Still, the chicken skin crackles at every bite. This they pride themselves of to the point that they decided to include a plate of crispy chicken skin in their menu.

See more items on the menu here.

This visit, however, highlights their Combo Meals that are usually the fastest-served order between 10AM to 2PM daily.

Photo from here.

What's on the plate?

1 cup rice
4 pcs lumpia shanghai
2 pcs fried chicken (usually the wing part)
sauteed noodles (canton/bihon/sotanghon)
* served with 1 glass iced tea

What's the price? All for P135.

Sometimes all you need is a quickie. And wow, aren't quickies delicious!

Location and Contact Details
Sourced here.

Sunburst Fried Chicken Restaurant
CebuCity,Cebu,Philippines
Telephone No: (6332) 254-9400, 254-9500

Address: SM City Cebu, , ,CebuCity,Cebu,Philippines
Telephone No: (6332) 233-1820/1850

Address:GF Mahogany Court,Archbishop Reyes Ave.,Archbishop Reyes Ave.,CebuCity,Cebu,Philippines
Telephone No: (6332) 233-9275
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1 http://www.pinoy-entrepreneur.com/2010/07/10/sunburst-fried-chicken/

Pasta, Hot in Pizza Hut

Who says Pizza Hut only makes pizza? They make good pastas too.

People go to food shops to scout for the cheapest meal set. Probably not everyone, but most people do. Wise buying, they say. is purchasing goods that have value for money. Only millionaires hit a shop and browses a menu based on appealing graphics or classy sounding names then snaps the finger to place the order. The common and rather wiser customers hit the shops and scout for the options that suit the budget, look at the picture if it is appealing, ask recommendation or common feedback about the selection from the waitress, pause... then finalize the order.

I happen to be one of the thinking customers (a common).

Like today, in a practice where you kind of use your craving as a compass to point the direction towards your food destination and your mind like a recorder where you rewind in search of shops that offer a match to your craving, I decided to stop at Ayala's Pizza Hut. I was tight on budget and resolved to spend lightheartedly no more than a hundred.

Pizza Hut, does not only sell pizzas in a box at a price range between P200-P400. They run occasional promos and they have the steady budget meal offer at 99 pesos. The latter entitles you to a 2-course meal of your choice and a refreshment. The image below shows the available options:

Crediting the dependability of my compass and recorder, I wasted no time ordering my usual set: 1) Ceasar's salad, 2) Spaghetti Bolognese, and 3) iced tea. As I have mentioned earlier, the store's not just about pizza, it's about everything else too like the aforementioned items.

PH's Ceasar salad is a plate of fresh green leafy lettuce (the non-typical type), croutons, fried bacon cutlets, and that sour-sweet, salty dressing combined to make that mouth watering entree. A dash of pepper and "who knows what else" leaves a spicy taste in the tongue. You know the leafy vegetable in a salad is fresh when it is crunchy and succulent.

The second entree was pasta, not pizza. Spaghetti bolognese is pasta in a stylish baking bowl with rich spaghetti sauce on top baked under sufficient temperature enough for cheese to melt evenly with the meat sauce. It's served with regular precautionary statement from serving staff "Be careful. The food is hot." It is best to have buddies around or play games on a smart phone when it is served so you do not stare funny at it until it's cooldown. It does take a good 3-5 minutes before it becomes ready for digging.

Drink the cold glass of iced tea prepared with just the right sweetness for finish.

Leaving the store after eating the same set of entrees oftentimes make me forget that they make good pizzas too. Oddly true.

Personal Assessment based on experience at the Ayala branch:

    Flavor/Taste            - 4
    Value for Money      - 5
    Presentation/Class  - 4
    Crew Service           - 3
    Ambiance                - 3

   Overall experience: Recommended

Pizza Hut 

2nd Level, Ayala Cebu, 
Cebu Business Park Shopping Center, 
Cebu City

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