A few years back, our food show Foodprints did a feature on food discoveries in Marikina and Antipolo. It was such a revelation to me to see all these great dining places and snacks and goodies all over the place. Because of this, I have been a regular visitor of many Marikina food establishments.

I love the breakfast at Rustic Mornings. My kids and I are regulars. We go for the churro waffles, pancakes (one of the best around) and the huge servings of Pinoy breakfast.

I also go to Rochas for the puto, which is gone by noon, and I buy rellenong bangus at Mama Tings along J. P. Rizal Street.

I have been going to another tiny coffee shop also along J. P. Rizal called Mama Chit. Here, I would order the Waknatoy, which I’ve brought to many potluck get-togethers and, no fail, it is a hit. This dish is a staple that originated in Marikina, very similar to menudo and afritada. Many restaurants and homes in Marikina make it, but it is Mama Chit’s version that I love the most. A must try! The story is the dish had been served too often to many Chinese families that the reaction had become “Wak Na Toy!”

Mama Chit’s menu is not extensive, but everything in it is worth a try. There was a time I’d visit her at least three times a week just to try almost everything. 

I skipped dinner the night before and played a good game of badminton at our village. I was famished. I drove to Mama Chit’s for my first meal in 20 hours. I parked at the church nearby, then just walked 50 meters to Mama Chit’s coffee house. That day, she was making Chinese lumpia. But I was so hungry, so I wanted to also try her hamburger, which I had heard so much about. So what I had was a double cheese burger and a Chinese lumpia. The burger was huge. It was neatly presented, juicy, meaty, and so delicious! I was telling myself, I have to bring my kids here. The would love it 100 percent. I was full after the burger. And yes, I am takaw-mata! Burger is worth the travel wherever you live. When the lumpia arrived, I wanted to have it wrapped. It was huge. It had all the toppings. I smothered the top with freshly chopped garlic. But what caught my eye was a square peanut cake. This is the one you buy in Binondo that is square, a bit sweet, and crunchy. It was supposed to be crushed, crumbled, and put as part of the many toppings. I was fascinated with her idea. Galing! Of course, I finished the lumpia. By the end of the meal, I was seated sideways from being so, so full. But I was given a bowl of dinuguan, which I somehow made room for, squeezing it into my bulging tummy. Masarap din. Pork was tender, the black soup was so tasty with a slight tinge of vinegar. I knew I’d be back for this one day. I also love her turkey sandwich. Mama Chit bakes a whole turkey, flakes the meat, and portions them for sandwich orders. 

Another winner that I and my son have brought to many get togethers is her cuapao. The bread is soft, the filling delicious, and the textures of the crushed peanuts and wansoy all blend together resulting in the best cuapao in Manila today.

But there’s only one way to find out. Check her out! This is my new discovery of late. Winner!