Mila’s Tokwa’t Baboy
If you visited Haduan Falls or just happened to see the sights in Clark Air Base, then you may have worked up an appetite. At this point, you have three choices: Go to a fast food restaurant that can be found all over the country, get yourself a table at one of the more expensive and better looking dining areas in Pampanga, or try a hole-in-the-wall place.
Since we’ve been hiking for three hours to and from Haduan Falls, we figured that trying out one of Pampanga’s more famous hole-in-the-wall restaurants was the best way to end the day. So we packed the few stuff we had in the car and headed out to Macarthur Highway, where the village containing Mila’s Tokwa’t Baboy is located at.
Table of Contents
Directions
If you are coming from Metro Manila and on the North Luzon Expressway, or NLEX, you need to go out through the Angeles Exit.
At the first roundabout, you need to get on Pandan Road. Once on this road, you will need to go to the very end, which will be another roundabout.
At this second roundabout, turn left to Macarthur Highway. Some of the landmarks you will pass on your right will include Honda Motor Sports, a Petron gasoline station, an O.B. Montessori school, and the Philippine Rabbit bus terminal.
After seeing the Philippine Rabbit bus terminal, keep an eye out for San Jose Street on the left side. You will need to turn left here as it is the entrance to Barangay San Angelo.
One inside the barangay, keep going then turn right on San Joaquin Street. Then keep going until you get to the corner of San Joaquin Street and San Andres Street. You will find Mila’s Tokwa’t Baboy at the intersection of these two streets.
To park, you will need to turn right into San Joaquin Street. Parking is just on the side of the road and in front of neighboring houses.
[Remember not to block anyone’s driveway.]
If you make a wrong turn along the way and get lost, you can try giving Mila’s Tokwa’t Baboy a call at +63 (45) 888-6727. This is what we did and they provided us with clear directions to their place.
Dining Area
It doesn’t get more hole-in-the-wall than this place. It isn’t a fancy sit down restaurant as it looks more like a converted house. In fact, some people may compare this to being a carenderia, or a canteen, than a restaurant.
The tables and chairs are made of mono block plastic, the waiters wore a simple t-shirt uniform and jeans, the walls were painted in plain white, and the screens were mounted on wooden frames; it looked so provincial.
And if that isn’t enough to convince you that it is just a converted house, the dining area was divided in to three parts. The first is a small area near the entrance outside. I am assuming this is where the locals can drink beer and smoke because they can see if friends or family are nearby and invite them over.
The second part is immediately to the right of the entrance. This area also appeared to be devoted to the drinking crowd as the place was a bit cozier with the smaller space and weaker lighting.
The third part to the left seemed to be geared toward families and big groups. Apart from the floor area being larger, the lighting was much brighter here.
Food
The menu was quite short and contrary to the volumes of pages I sometimes encounter with other restaurants.
The simple presentation of the food may falsely lull people in to thinking it is bland. However, when people bite into each dish, many may be surprised with the accompanying flavor.
Upon the suggestion of Mister and Missus Winefredo Rodriguez, we ordered the Sizzling Sisig, BBQ Tocino, Paco Salad, and the Beef Kaldereta. I was actually eyeing the Kalderetang Kambing but the waiter suggested I try the beef variety instead.
[I didn’t try the Toka’t Baboy as I preferred something to go with rice after our hike.]
We then added five scoops of plain rice because the three people I was with ate like birds. And this is despite walking three hours during or earlier visit to Haduan Falls.
One of the first things that surprised me about the place was the quick service. Given the full house and the number of dishes we ordered, I expected the food to take forever to arrive. Well that was not the case. After placing our order, I went back to the car and change the lenses of my dSLR so I could take pictures of the area. When I returned, the food was already laid out on the table.
[They are much faster than many expensive restaurants I have dined in.]
The second surprise for the evening was that the servings were bigger than what I had expected for a hole-in-the-wall. Due to their size, it was the first time in quite a while for us to carry a doggie bag home.
But like I mentioned earlier, the biggest surprise had to be that the food tasted the way it did. The Sizzling Sisig was crunchy and not soggy, the BBQ Tocino was flavorful, the Paco Salad was tasty, and the meat of the Beef Kaldereta was so soft, one didn’t need a knife.
[The sauce of the Beef Kaldereta wasn’t as thick as other restaurants’ though.]
Everything we ordered was spot on, but don’t take my word for it. A few steps from the entrance is a wall full of pictures of famous people who have tried the dishes at Mila’s Tokwa’t Baboy. These include movie stars, a famous chef, and a former first lady.
Oh, and just in case you are wondering, the prices are not at the hole-in-the-wall level because they can be considered high. The price range is from PhP 150 to PhP 350, with short orders starting at PhP 40 is a bit high, even by Manila standards. Notwithstanding the prices, the place was packed when we arrived for dinner.
I’m not sure if they take credit cards, so you may have to bring cash. To give you an idea of the cost, our bill composed of four dishes, five cups of rice, and a large soft drink bottle, set us back a total of PhP 1,128.
Final Thoughts
Today was a very, very good day. It was the first time in decades since I went on a hike. But instead of a mountain or cave, we went to a waterfall hidden within Clark Air Base.
After spending three hours walking and two hours swimming in the crystal clear waters of Haduan Falls, we worked up an appetite and decided to satisfy our hunger at Mila’s Tokwa’t Baboy.
After trying it out, I can think of no better place to end a good day at. The food was tasty, the servings were bigger than expected, and the service was quick. Everything we ordered just hit the spot for four very weary and hungry people.
However, it being a hole-in-the-wall may not appeal to everyone. Looking more like a converted house or canteen, people in search of ambiance will be better served elsewhere. But if people don’t mind the simple surroundings, this place provides an idea of what the best the province of Pampanga has to offer.
Must Do’s
- Try the Sizzling Sisig.
- Order the BBQ Tocino.
- Select the Paco Salad.
- Ask the waiter about the Beef Kaldereta.
Must Don’ts
- Do not forget to bring cash.
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We would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Winefredo Rodriguez for arranging the itinerary.