I do not carry any degree in Nutrition nor do I claim to be a a dietician but I regard myself as a gourmet. I simply love fine dining and have traveled across the globe tasting the best of the best in international cuisine at 5-star hotels.
I love my country of origin and proudly declare my being a Filipino.
However, I am not a great lover of Filipino food. In particular, I hate bagoong (shrimp paste) and cannot stand the smell of patis (fish sauce). For me, patis simply stinks and I am aware that it is the juice derived from rotting fish.
Occasionally, I eat at some Filipino restaurants. One of my favourite places is Pabico Fast Foods at Westfield Shopping mall in Mt. Druitt. It is owned and operated by Mr. Lope Pabico and his wife. Lope, who was a former chef at Hotel Nikko Manila Garden has undoubtedly mastered the art of cooking. He not only supervises the kitchen staff but cooks some of the viands himself. Trained as a master chef, Mr. Pabico ensures that the premises are always clean. It’s no surprise that his eatery is always given 5-star rating by Blacktown Council.
Reasonable prices and generous servings
For only $7, a customer gets a combo meal, consisting of a fairly large bowl of rice and a choice of 2 dishes from a wide variety. But that’s not all! The customer can also get a chilled can of Coca Cola for only $1.
In another restaurant owned by the same couple — Pabico Club 55, they offer a choice of 300g rump steak, vegies, mashed potato, and soup of your choice from the salad bar. An alternative is roast chicken or grilled fish fillet with the same side dishes that also includes a trip to the salad bar. All for an amazingly low price of only $7.
In comparison, I have tried the food at a Filipino restaurant in Doonside. The price of a combo meal is $9 but the portions served is exceedingly much less than anyone would expect. Quantity of rice is served on a miniscule bowl and is not even 50 per cent of what is served at Pabico’s. They also charge $2 for a can of coke versus $1 at Pabico Fast Foods.
With less and less customers visiting to eat, I can only hope that this restaurant will survive. Clue — they don’t serve ambrosia (food for the gods) but the name suggests something celestial.
I have not tried the Filipino restaurants along Main Street in Blacktown. The owners can only hope that they pass my culinary standards.