The streets of Mindanao were empty, everyone was tuned to the tube as Pacquiao and Bradley smashed each other senseless. We planned to head to Dapitan City the day after the Hudyaka ZaNorte Festival but delays were inevitable as we found ourselves drawn to the TV like the rest of the country.

As the fight ended, life moved forward again. We boarded a non-aircon bus and looked for lunch. L of PinayTravelista who went ahead hours before us recommended that we try Erlinda’s Food House when we asked her where we can eat in Dapitan. She said that her tricycle driver cum guide suggested it and added that one should never argue with a tricycle driver’s nose for good food.

Erlinda’s is housed in a simple native nipa structure along Dapitan’s Sunset Boulevard. The roof is made of dried cogon and the interior walls, bamboo. The columns are cut from rough tree trunks and everything looked like they’re made of wood. The combination makes for a very relaxing and cozy ambience.

Guests have the choice of eating inside or dining al fresco. We chose the latter as it looked more inviting outside, festive banderitas lining the ceiling and all. The restaurant was almost empty except for us; I guess the people of Dapitan were still mourning Pacquiao’s lost.

We were soon checking out Erlinda’s menu. They serve mostly Filipino dishes with prices ranging from Php45.00 for their bread and butter breakfast to Php290.00 for their Crispy Pata. Drinks range from coffee to beers, but we’re in no mood for alcohol as we still have some exploring to do in the city.

After a five-minute council, we decided on Calamares (Php150.00), Sinigang na Hipon (Php180.00) and a Tuna dish that I forgot the name of (sorry!). According to the waitress who entertained us, those were their best sellers. Six minutes later and our orders, along with the steaming kisses-shaped rice started to arrive.

Each dish is served in a size good enough for sharing. We were five in the group and everything was more than enough for us.

The Calamares which was paired with sweet chili dip was the first to disappear from the table. It was quickly followed by the fish, which I must say was extremely good. And last was the Sinigang, which doesn’t mean it was no good; only that there were a bit of soup left on the huge bowl, but the prawns were already nowhere to be found.

Our late lunch was quite heavy that we had a hard time leaving the place to tour Dapitan City. It was so tempting to just sit back and let the hot afternoon unwind. And yes, the instinct to trust in tricycle drivers paid off, Erlinda’s Food House did not disappoint.

Erlinda’s Food House
Address: Sunset Boulevard cor. J.Carreon Road
Brgy. Dawo, Dapitan City
Telephone: (065) 908-8395 | (0916) 821-1912
Menu: Click Here

GPS Coordinates: 8.653026,123.419159
View Location on Google Maps: Click Here