{"id":2978,"date":"2017-04-17T12:05:00","date_gmt":"2017-04-17T12:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/?p=2978"},"modified":"2017-04-19T10:03:17","modified_gmt":"2017-04-19T10:03:17","slug":"how-red-bus-is-giving-mobile-diner-a-pinoy-twist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/how-red-bus-is-giving-mobile-diner-a-pinoy-twist\/","title":{"rendered":"Giving \u2018mobile diner\u2019 a Pinoy twist"},"content":{"rendered":"

Food trucks aren\u2019t \u2013 as of now \u2013 THAT common in the Philippines. Yes, we get the occasional trucks\/vans turned into food outlets (the inside of the van turned into a kitchen or something), e.g. there were some right across De La Salle University in Taft Ave. in the City of Manila a few years back, until they were \u201ckicked out\u201d, thanks to the urging of local businesses that were threatened by them. Not surprisingly, these food trucks aren\u2019t exactly second nature to us as, say, those in Roosevelt Street in New York, or the streets around Central Park or Hyde Park; or in the streets of LA.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Having said this, ONE food truck that managed to somehow survive can be found in Tagaytay; though this one isn\u2019t a food truck per se, but more of a diner that makes use of the food truck concept to make a mark (i.e. the truck was converted into a mini-kitchen; but the same truck is no longer functional). And so welcome to\u2026 Red Bus Mobile Diner.<\/p>\n

WHAT\u2019S THERE<\/strong><\/p>\n

To start, and as was already noted, this one isn\u2019t \u201cmobile\u201d \u2013 that it, the \u201cfood truck\u201d doesn\u2019t move from one place to another to sell the goods. Instead, whatever vehicle that\u2019s there is only for show (even if it is also where the grilling happens).<\/p>\n

The \u201ctruck\u201d is also NOT a truck (per se) \u2013 it\u2019s more like a van.<\/p>\n

Behind the vehicle is a \u201cshed\u201d that houses the wooden tables\/benches for the diners. And these are \u201cswamped\u201d by knick-knacks on the walls \u2013 from old road signs to an antiquated jukebox to an old telephone to\u2026 a poster of Audrey Hepburn. Stuffs \u2013 I suppose \u2013 for the diners to check (a la museum) while waiting for the meal\/s to arrive.<\/p>\n

Menu-wise, there\u2019s not much here; just burgers and some Mexican fares. And yes, some lemonades plus local beers as pantulak<\/em> (chase down the food).<\/p>\n

WHY GO THERE<\/strong><\/p>\n

The easy answer to \u201cWhy should I visit the place?\u201d is \u201cNOVELTY\u201d. As was also earlier said, there isn\u2019t that many \u201cfood trucks\u201d in the Philippines. And at least in my experience (while living in New York), some of the best foods that can be had are from these food trucks. So any \u2013 I say ANY \u2013 attempt to be one of those good food sources is worth checking out.<\/p>\n

But novelty can also go so far. And here, it is good that Red Bus actually has some good offerings.<\/p>\n

Tried during the visit were:<\/p>\n