Sandy's sampler pizza (Photo by PINGGOT ZULUETA)

Pizza has long been a Filipino favorite, and the pizza "phenom" definitely exploded with the advent of delivery services. Many brands now abound, but most have one mission, to bring the ultimate Italian experience hot and fast to their customer’s doorstep.

One pizza place goes one step further by giving their pizzas a decidedly Pinoy flair. Sandy’s Pizza, located at the Little Baguio, San Juan and White Plains, Q.C. areas, have varieties that would surprise even the staunchest pizzeria regulars.

For starters, they have a pizza topped with the Bicolano specialty called laing (flavorful gabi leaves cooked in gata). Pretty proprietress Sandy Arellano is also quick to offer her Filipino Adobo Pizza, which is made of adobo bits on creamy kesong puti. Those who want the sweeter stuff can opt for the breakfast staple tocino as a topping, and those craving for something saltier can try topping their pizza off with garlic tuyo in olive oil. Tastebuds who want to travel to somewhere exotic can belly dance on to the Indian Chicken Curry Pizza.

For more conventional palates, Sandy’s has their staple Pepperoni, Margherita, Bacon and Pineapple, and super loaded Meatzarella varieties. Those who are cutting calories can even order a Very Veggie pizza that is baked on whole wheat dough.

But at Sandy’s it is not just about the toppings -- it also about the crust. Sandy is proud to say that she has developed a real crust that is not too thick and not too thin, with a crisp outer texture that turns chewy at the center, owed to baking experiments she performed trying to capture the essence of the New York Pizza. This makes the perfect foil for her flavorful toppings that customers just can’t seem to get enough of.  And they mix and match with glee, because the restaurant offers a sampler pizza, and a Filipino sampler pizza. All their variants come in choices of 14 and 18-inch sizes, just enough for a barkada or family to enjoy. 

Sandy’s also offers sides such as their tangy Buffalo Chicken Wings (best enjoyed when hot), a spicy Tuna Arrabiata, and a creamy Basil Pesto. The servings of pasta are big enough for two to share.

The prices are not prohibitive, and Arellano says she gets regular delivery orders from students in dorms, call center workers, and government office employees. Delivery time is usually within 40 to 45 minutes, depending on location.

Sandy’s Pizza has branches at Little Baguio, San Juan and White Plains, Q.C.