People have always told us to “get out of our comfort zones” and try out new things that could test us, all for the purpose of discovering ourselves. But there’s this certain “comfort zone” where I would not mind staying in. It’s just right down the streets of J. P. Rizal in Marikina City, right beside a church I call my home.
From an intensely hectic life back in my previous school overseas, I did not have time for leisure and comfort. I would study from as early as 3 in the morning to as late as 3 in the morning, as well, everyday. Although I give myself at most 4 hours to sleep, the only other times I have time for myself are (1) when I’m on social media, (2) when I go to church, (3) when I need to buy school supplies or food, and (4) when I video call my friends. Other than that, I basically lived outside my comfort zone. Especially since I live without family and friends in another country and people speak a different language, one can definitely infer that my comfort zone is faaaar from reality.
However, when I got back home, the minute I took my first steps into this particular place, when I looked behind the stalls, I found new friends whom I felt would be close to my heart in no time. And after about of month of eating almost everyday in “Brad’s Family & Friends Diner,” I have seen how it really has lived up to its name, because seeing people from all walks of life gather in this place gives one a feeling of home – a step into a comfort zone where everyone belongs and where everyone should try stepping into.
For the past month, I’ve brought lots of my friends to my newfound comfort zone, and they themselves have felt the same homey feel I have felt the first time I ate there. BFF Diner has become this sort of home where the important people in my life and I could be ourselves and catch up for all the time we missed.
Looking back and thinking deeply about it, BFF Diner is really unique from other places I’ve been to. Aside from the wooden boxes at the center of the tables to put your phones in to make more substantial conversations with your peers and relatives, you can rent board games for you to play during your stay! Just go ask the staff to give you this “board game menu” and you’re a step away from an overload of fun! And as far as I know, you can also request what to watch on the TV screen right up the food park!
But of course, if the ambience amazes you already, you should absolutely check the food they serve! They serve a variety of silog meals, street food, barbecue, burgers, sandwiches, frappes, buffalo wings, ribs, potato wedges, Japanese food, fruit juices, tea, milk tea, coffee, pasta, nachos, burritos, cake, ice cream, fruit salad, siomai, siopao, roasted chicken, takoyaki, liempo, crispy pata, chicken skin, and a whole lot more! Aside from having great sets of food, the prices are reasonable!
As a regular, it’s really great to try out new food everyday, especially since I haven’t tried every single one from the vast collection. Some hidden gems I have come to appreciate are the following:
1. Chicken Skin (40 pesos or 80 pesos, depending on serving size) from Felipe’s Chicken Fillet – I don’t know how many times I have ordered this from my cousin’s store, because it is REALLY good! Aside from the crunchiness, the flavor of the chicken skin itself mixed with the vinegar is just the bomb!
2. Roasted Chicken (95 pesos, with plain rice) from Siomaity – This is my favorite dinner of all-time! With the juiciness of the chicken plus the sauces and the plain rice that come with the meal, I am always sure to be busog and satisfied after eating this!
3. Almond in Vanilla-Chocolate Ece Cream with Hershey’s Syrup (65 pesos) from Jeriah’s Desserts – With a choice of either chocolate, vanilla, or mixed, this is a people’s favorite, as I have seen from the customers’ orders. They also have these 4-in-1 set with cake and fruit salad, and it is just so worth it!
4. Carbonara (99 pesos) from iMunchies – I am very fond of carbonara that has this certain milky taste, and iMunchies really met that! I can’t help but order it every single time I pass by their stall, especially with their 89-peso Cheesy Fries!
5. Milk Tea (70 pesos) or Sumo Drinks (125 pesos) from Let’s Drink to That! – Served from actual tea, unlike others, the milk tea from their stall is one of my most-ordered-drinks aside from the Calamansi Iced Tea. When I would have my friends around, they would often order the latter as a Sumo Drink good from 3 to 6 people!
6. California Maki (6 pieces for 75 pesos) from Naruto Sushi – I am a Japanese food addict and Naruto Sushi serves one of my favorite California Maki! It’s perfectly aligned to my taste buds and I wouldn’t have it any other way! They also serve Katsudon that my sisters constantly crave for!
7. Potato Wedges with Honey Mustard (65 pesos) from Briquette – Briquette’s potato wedges are definitely my mom’s favorite! I would always ask her to order this, not just for her, but also for me (mwahaha!) to enjoy! It can also be a delectable side dish for their very tasty Baby Back Ribs! ❤
8. Cookies & Cream Frappe (75 pesos) from Meat & Bread – I’m not a burger person, but I definitely am a desserts one, and M&B prepares frappes that are sure to please your sweet tooth! All throughout the frappe, you can taste the cookies and cream, unlike other frappes where there’ll be tasteless parts. You should also try out their Choco Caramel Frappe!
9. Barbecue (25 pesos) from Tatang’s Grill – To be honest, I actually love all the tusok-tusok from this stall, especially Isaw Baboy, Tenga, and Isaw IUD, and it’s just so much better with the plain rice, and of course, vinegar! There are also Barkada Packages you can try and Set Meals you can order – very convenient!
10. Tocilog (80 pesos) from PinoyMix – Let me just say that my all-time favorite Filipino breakfast is Tocilog, and PinoyMix serves a tummy-satisfying one served in a clever kawali-like plate with tomato, egg, and vinegar! Much better with their Kikiam and Fishball!
Although this looks like an overwhelming list of food that they serve at BFF Diner, prepare to be more overwhelmed for more! I just can’t help but share to everyone about this place of comfort that I have grown to love and enjoy! Do take some time out of your schedules and visit BFF Diner! It is worth the visit! ❤
Comfort Zone People have always told us to "get out of our comfort zones" and try out new things that could test us, all for the purpose of discovering ourselves.