Six More Hole-in-the-Wall Eating Places in Cebu

“I get way too much happiness from good food.“ - Elizabeth Olsen

The love affair of Cebuanos for good food is evident on the number of restaurants located in the Metro. These restaurants are well-known and easy to spot. But there are some restaurants offering great-tasting food even though they are not easy to find. The following is another list of some hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Cebu.

Big Tom’s Charbroiled Burger

Big Tom’s Charbroiled Burger – image source: Big Tom’s Charbroiled Burger Facebook Page

Burger lovers will likely include Big Tom’s Charbroiled Burgers in their list of must-visit places in the Queen City of the South. While the original location is found along a side street with a high traffic volume, it is relatively unknown to people who do not normally pass through the area. The place prides itself in offering fresh patties all the time for its burgers. They make use of 100 percent premium sirloin beef that is freshly ground and hand-made.  The burgers may be quite pricey compared to regular fast food burgers, but the flavor speaks for itself.  The price of their burgers range from PHP 65 for the Mash Burger up to PHP 360 for the 12 oz Double Decker Cheeseburger.

Row’s Batchoy House

Row’s Batchoy House – image source: Row’s Batchoy House Facebook Page

The batchoy is soup dish that originated in the La Paz district of Iloilo. There are a number of batchoy houses in Cebu offering among the best batchoy in the city. One of these places is situated close to the Ramos market. Row’s Batchoy House is located on the ground floor of the residence of a well-known makeup artist. Diners can choose to have the Regular or Special batchoy. Big groups can also opt for the Super batchoy, which is served in a bigger bowl. Aside from the batchoy, Row’s Batchoy House also offers barbecue, pancit guisado and beef steak. 

Burgaholic

Burgaholic – image source: Burgaholic Facebook Page

Looking for a no-frills place serving great-tasting burgers? Well, head on over to Maria Christina Ext and check out Burgaholic. Located right beside Bordz Restaurant, Burgaholic was borne out of the passion for food.  The place is actually a garage that was turned into a small diner. But customers do not go to the place for its ambiance. They go there for the food and many of the customers of Burgaholic have one thing to say about the food, delectably delicious.  Aside from the char-grilled burgers, the place also offers grilled ribs with mashed potatoes and grilled pork belly with puso (hanging rice).

Lumpia ni Senyang

Lumpia ni Senyang – image source: Lumpia ni Senyang Facebook Page

While residents of Mactan Island are very much familiar with the place, Lumpia ni Senyang is quite unknown among the mainlanders. The place looks like your typical carenderia, but there is nothing typical with the lumpia (spring rolls) it serves.  The place actually opened around three decades ago and is still one of the favorite places for a number of residents of Mactan Island. Lumpia ni Senyang  Is located close to St Joseph High school in Lapu-Lapu City.

Eskina Sizzling and Grill

Eskina Sizzling and Grill – image source: Eskina Sizzling and Grill Facebook Page

Located along Joaquino Street, Mabolo, Cebu City Eskina Sizzling and Grill is a hole-in-the-wall eating place that has attracted the attention of some food lovers in the Queen City of the South.  While it is relatively unknown to many locals, it has been frequented by a good number of tourists visiting the city. The name essentially shows what the place offers: sizzling and grilled food. Its menu offerings include sizzling gambas, grilled scallops, sizzling sisig, sizzling squid, and, of course, barbecued meat. Eskina Sizzling and Grill also has other non-grilled items, including special chopsuey, steamed fish, and Caesar’s Salad.

Gate 5 Pochero Haus

Gate 5 Pochero Haus – image source: Gate 5 Pochero Haus Facebook Page

​Gate 5 Pochero Haus is located on a street where two well-known restaurants are located. While it is a bit far off from the main road, it has attracted the attention of a good number of food lovers who swear they have one of the best-tasting pochero in town. The place is well-known among BPO employees at the IT Park but is relatively unheard of among a good number of residents in the city. Despite this, it has attracted the attention of some celebrities who dropped by the place to check out their menu offerings. Aside from the pochero, Gate 5 also offers chicken and pork barbecue as well as a number of other Filipino favorites.