Food. This is one of the many reasons why I always want to go home to Bicol. Not that our region has a claim to having the best cuisine in the Philippines. No. Some other region has already grabbed a claim to that. Probably it’s just because of the taste that I have grown accustomed to–the taste of food that I have grown to love. Whether it’s the simple home-cooked meal that my mother prepares, or the variety of meals served on the various restaurants in Naga City, I just can’t seem to have enough of the food whenever I go home.
So when I arrived at Naga City last September 17, I wasted no time in satisfying my cravings. At around 4:45 in the morning, shortly after we arrived at the Naga City Bus terminal, I and my brother immediately walked our way to the nearest restaurant of Bicolano fame–Bigg’s.
About Bigg’s
Bigg’s Diner is the biggest fast-food chain in the Bicol region, although they rightfully claim that they serve good food and not fast food. The restaurant, however, has not always been known by the name it has today. And while they may now be considered as the most successful fast-food chain in the Bicol Region, the Bicolano restaurant started small.
The fast-food chain traces its roots to the Mang Donald’s burger stand that opened in 1983. It was an instant hit among Naguenos, both because of its tasty burgers and its catchy name. However, it was the same catchy name that forced the burger stand to cease its operation due to legal suits.
In 1984, the owners of Mang Donald’s conceptualized Nalds, this time catering to the city folks who would rather have goto and dinuguan than burgers and other American food fares. Like Mang Donald’s, Nalds was a hit. When 1990 came, the creative minds of the Nalds’ owners again came up with a new concept–a restaurant that offers a fun dining experience with services nearing fast-food criteria in quickness. And like their previous ventures, the new concept was again embraced whole-heartedly by Naguenos.
From Carl’s Diner, the name again changed in 1994 to Bigg’s Diner. From 1996 onwards, the restaurant started to expand outside Naga City. Today, the fast-food chain has various branches in the neighboring municipalities and provinces. But through all these changes and expansions, the quality and taste of the food they offer remained the same.
First Stop
Tired from the trip home to Naga City, all we wanted was a simple, hot breakfast to energize us. We also want our meals to be affordable–I only had around P150 on my wallet at that time. So when we entered the Bigg’s outlet along Panganiban Drive, we ordered what we could afford–goto. And as expected from the restaurant, we were greatly satisfied.
That fateful early morning, however, was not the last time that I visited Bigg’s in my short stay in Naga City. On September 20, we again visited Bigg’s Diner, this time on their newest branch on the ground floor of SM City Naga. And during my second visit, I made sure I have more money in my wallet to spend. The downside however is that by that time, I also had more companions to treat.
Bigg’s Fave Food
So what’s my favorite Bigg’s meal? I love a lot of food on their menu, but for my favorite, I’ll have to pick their Tenderloin Tips with Baked Mashed Potato. As I’ve described it on my other blog, it tastes like a delicious serving we once had at an outback restaurant in Manila, but at around a tenth of the price. Great food at an affordable price, I would say.
But aside from the Tenderloin Tips, I also love other things on their menu. Also making it to my top 5 would be the Bigg Deal (BBQ, Chicken, spaghetti & Garlic Bread), Franks n’ Egg, Pork Kebabs, and Pork Cordon Bleu. Another thing that I like is their hot chocolate, although I would wish that they put it in a larger cup.
Biggs Locations
Now, if you are in Naga City and you want to taste for yourself the food choices I listed in this post, you can find Biggs in 6 different locations: near the Bicol Medical Center (BMC), on Elias Angeles Street fronting the Plaza Quince Martirez, at SM City Naga, along Panganiban Drive fronting St. John Hospital, near Advent Theater, and on Jacob Street in front of Universidad de Sta. Isabel. Aside from these Naga City branches, Biggs also has branches in Pili, Iriga City, and Goa, all in Camarines Sur. Farther south, you can also enjoy Biggs dining at their branches in Daraga, Old Albay and at the Pacific Mall in Legazpi City.
Food. This is one of the many reasons why I always want to go home to Bicol. Not that our region has a claim to having the best cuisine in the Philippines. No. Some other region has already grabbed a claim to that. Probably it’s just because of the taste that I have grown accustomed to–the taste of food that I have grown to love. Whether it’s the simple home-cooked meal that my mother prepares, or the variety of meals served on the various restaurants in Naga City, I just can’t seem to have enough of the food whenever I go home.
So when I arrived at Naga City last September 17, I wasted no time in satisfying my cravings. At around 4:45 in the morning, shortly after we arrived at the Naga City Bus terminal, I and my brother immediately walked our way to the nearest restaurant of Bicolano fame–Bigg’s.
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