It has become apparent in the recent years that the Cebuano’s strong love for food has gotten stronger and stronger. With restaurants popping up from left to right and food bazaars every weekend that we eagerly flock to to sample whatever is new in the city, there’s no denying that nothing brings our proud culture closer together like food does.

With all the fancy new restaurants with their modernized and chic interiors or bunk type cafes that we’ve all spent countless afternoons in, sometimes it’s nice to return to our roots and spend our favorite times of the day somewhere cozy that reminds us of home.

Chik Chow Food Express is a humble and promising establishment that is located along 316 – C Mango Avenue. What was recently the owner’s residence has now been transformed into this cozy restaurant that offers a Filipino- Chinese selection of food in an eat-all-you-can style.

My first impression upon walking into Chik Chow was that it fondly reminded me of Saturday afternoons spent at a friend’s house making projects, homework or just hanging out. Of course, that friend always had the best food which truthfully was always one of the main reasons why everyone loved going there in the first place. The ambiance was so homey and unpretentious that I could not wait to bring my family there to share stories, laugh and just enjoy each others company over great food. My apologies for going on and on about how much I loved the coziness but it’s simple things like this that make me notice a restaurant right off the bat but to address your curiosity- yes, the food was amazing.

With its wide spaces, Chick Chow can easily accommodate around 50 or more people making it perfect for private functions. They also have a very generous and guarded parking space leaving no problems when it comes to leaving your cars or finding a place to park it. And whether you decide to enjoy your meal indoors or outdoors, both scenarios should not be a problem with their well ventilated areas that is sure to give you the full dining experience. 

  As mentioned earlier, Chik Chow offers their food in an eat-all-you-can style with most of their dishes being either Filipino or Chinese with a high chance of a menu change every once in a while to spice things up. During my visit there I was able to sample everything except their dugo- dugo (for personal reasons) and although their meals look simple, most of them really did blow me away. Their lengua, meatballs in cream sauce, grilled chicken, seafood, Chinese lumpia and every dish that came with potato wedges were a few of my personal favorites.

Chik Chow is open on Tuesdays- Sundays from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm for lunch at P 288.00 and 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm for dinner at P 388.00. Aside from unlimited meals, they also have an unlimited flow of iced tea and lemonade to quench your thirst and a few Cebuano delicacies and items from their menu such as their lengua, roast pork, chicken feet, meatballs, panga and dinuguan that can be purchased to take home.

Needless to say, I ended up leaving Chik Chow eating more than I had initially planned but it was a hearty kind of stuffed which was not only from the delicious meals but from conversations with old friends and familiar faces- the best kind by far.

I can’t wait to go back and I hope to run into a few of you there!

For reservations you can contact them at (032) 255 9959 or contact them through Facebook.

Til our next gastronomical adventure,