24 Jan A Millennials’ Guide to Eating in Cagayan de Oro
It would seem that many have “tagged” millennials with the wrong connotation, relegating them with the negative tag that they don’t know how to choose the finer things in life, such as good restaurant food. Many see millennials as those eating from sidewalk food vendors and carts, enjoying fares like proben, isaw, adidas, kwek-kwek, fish ball, ballot, and taho, though many will debate that taho isn’t considered as street food.
And yes, street food is delicious, but millennials are also creative, resourceful, and confident when it comes to restaurant food. The perfect example to this is that in all culinary schools across the land, more than 70 percent who graduate as chefs or pastry specialists are millennials. So the next time you eat in a restaurant, chances are your food was cooked by a millennial.
Image Source | LRSus.com
So, in the reflection of attitude towards finding restaurants in Cagayan de Oro that suits the palates of millennials, they would like to share a little secret in their search. Millennials like restaurants where the clientele majority are millennials. Now this speaks volumes, but we’ll limit it to two main reasons: A restaurant filled with millennials as customers means that millennials really know how to find good restaurant food. If a restaurant is filled with fellow millennials, then other millennials are soon to follow. Next, millennials hate going into restaurants that are filled with baby boomers and Gen X people. The older generation has a different palate that millennials have difficulty comprehending.
Anyway, in the city, here are some of the restaurants where millennials love to congregate because of the food, and no older generations around.
Mango Mania Healthy Dessert
Who says millennials aren’t health food buffs? Millennial health food enthusiasts are drawn to this health food joint at the Lifestyle District on Corrales Avenue Extension, Ayala Centrio Mall, and Limketkai Mall.
While the main staple of their health food is mango, they serve other food and desserts using other fruits and vegetables. They also serve up delicious drinks and smoothies with coconut, sago, fruits, and glutinous rice ingredients.
Their desserts are well worth it, and talking of price, they’re quite affordable. If you want to indulge a bit (if it’s your cheat day), there are options to top off selected desserts with their homemade ice cream.
Image Source | www.facebook.com/MangoManiaCDO
And their newest addition is their French press coffee. All their ingredients are all-natural with no artificial additives.
Bigby’s Café and Restaurant
We said millennials hate places where the oldies congregate, but many millennials come to Bigby’s as a group or with the family.
Image Source | Facebook: Bigby’s Café & Restaurant
Image Source | Facebook: Bigby’s Café & Restaurant
This is probably the most well-known name in the city when it comes to fine cuisines, meals, and healthy salads using only the freshest veggies and ingredients.
Image Source | Facebook: Bigby’s Café & Restaurant
Image Source | Facebook: Bigby’s Café & Restaurant
Image Source | Facebook: Bigby’s Café & Restaurant
And if you’re a bit of a tightwad with the wallet, their food is actually quite affordable. The delectable are just too many to mention here so you need to drop in to see for yourself.
Missy Bon Bon
This restaurant isn’t really fine dining but they serve some of the best pastries, gelato ice cream, breads, cakes, and sweets in town. Located at the Limketkai Center, their specialty and best seller is what they term as their all-day breakfast meals. They also serve very good snack meals.
Image Source | Facebook: Missy Bon Bon
They are actually the only place in CDO that serves really whopping gelato ice cream. The place opens early at 6:00 a.m. and easily fills up with breakfast eaters. Millennials love to eat here just before going to the first class or to work.
Modan Japanese Wagyu House and Modern Bistro
This is Cagayan de Oro City’s newest restaurant located along Corrales Avenue in front of Hotel Xentro.
Image Source | Facebook: MODAN
Image Source | Facebook: MODAN
You could say it is a Japanese specialty restaurant that specializes in Wagyu Beef dishes while also serving other Japanese foods.
Image Source | Facebook: MODAN
Image Source | Facebook: MODAN
A portable stove on the table allows you to cook your own meals or you can still opt to just order. Millennials love to come here in groups because it’s fun cooking your own meals. This Japanese restaurant is considered truly genuine in serving real Japanese cuisine.
The Hungry Plate
Another new restaurant that just opened last year along Corrales Avenue. It serves really deliciously crafted American dishes and craft beer.
Image Source | Facebook: The Hungry Plate
Image Source | Facebook: The Hungry Plate
Just gawking at the menu will show you an array of delicious food that are truly American, and very affordable. Millennials love to come here in groups.
Image Source | Facebook: The Hungry Plate
Image Source | Facebook: The Hungry Plate
Image Source | Facebook: The Hungry Plate
On the second floor is the Tap Room that serves specially crafted beer. This is local craft beer made only in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Cebu, and other places.
The Center Point Arcade
Center Point isn’t just a single restaurant; it’s a long arcade-styled place and each door is a different restaurant, bar, and karaoke place. Each restaurant serves up a different class of food and drinks.
Image Source | Facebook: Wild Onion Pub & Grub
Image Source | Facebook: Wild Onion Pub & Grub
This is one of the city’s favorite hangouts for millennials because they want to try out each of the restaurants every time they go there as a group.
Image Source | Facebook: Wild Onion Pub & Grub
The food choices range from burgers, fusion dishes, international cuisine, Filipino ihaw-ihaw, and more. You need to drop by if you haven’t made this arcade your favorite food visiting place yet.
Boy Zugba Kusina Bisaya
This place has already gained fame and a reputation with its first restaurant along Corrales Avenue by serving up a mix of traditional and modern menu of home-cooked meals, street food, and grilled foods.
Image Source | Facebook: Boy Zugba
Some of the food items on the menu are actually the normal fare you would find in local Carenderias that have now been cooked up on a higher level and dubbed with amusing Visayan names like Pisbol sa Corrales, Pancit sa Pulis, Sinuglaw de Cagayan, Buko Pancit, Chika Chicharon, Binaki, Bistek Bisdak, Na-uyapan na Baboy, and many more.
Image Source | Facebook: Boy Zugba
They recently opened a new branch last year at the Ayala Centrio Mall.
Butcher’s Best
Now, who doesn’t know about the famous Butcher’s, a Kagay-anon favorite especially with students and yuppies since the late 1980’s, and now a favorite with millennials?
Image Source | everythingcdo.blogspot.com
Their affordable barbecue dishes, garlic rice, and sisig dishes have always been the favorite fare for quick lunches or relaxing group or family dinners. Their main restaurant is still at Arch. Hayes Street corner Corrales Avenue.
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