Located on Malingap Street in Quezon City–perpendicular to the more popular Maginhawa–The Zone Compound (aka ‘The Z’) used to be the garden area and driveway of an old house. After opening up the space to several small-time food tenants, the space now plays host to 13 medium-scale restaurants and has become the perfect place to spend an evening downing a few bottles of beer while sampling the many food options from each stall.
The landowner, Eric Cadavillo, decided to lease the place for five years upon his discovery that Malingap Street was fast-becoming a food haven. From Japanese to Filipino cuisine, barbecue to ice cream, one night may not be enough to sample everything. But one can certainly try. Each food stall has its own operating hours, but the best time to visit would be on a cool Saturday evening when everything is guaranteed to be open. Move over, Maginhawa. Just kidding. We still love you.
Bochic
What’s on the menu: pork chop, pulled pork buns, pork barbecue
A container van-turned-restaurant-and-kitchen, Bochic is the latest addition at The Zone Compound. It offers turbo broiled pork chop prepared as luscious pulled pork buns (P89), pulled pork rice (P89), and, its specialty, the Bochic with rice (P69) composed of strips of broiled pork chop served with steamed white rice. You also have the option to choose between six flavors with which to dose your pork order: barbecue, spicy, buffalo, pesto, wasabi, and teriyaki. Try the Bochic with rice in pesto flavor and experience pork in a whole new garlic-y way. The pulled pork bun with teriyaki sauce, meanwhile, is your usual pork barbecue but better.
Bochic
Operating hours: 12 p.m.– 11 p.m.
Hijo D’Pita
What’s on the menu: Mexican pitas (chicken, beef), chili con carne, chili beef fries
With a name like Hijo D’Pita, our expectations upon approaching the counter are already high. They do not disappoint. Hijo D’Pita serves more than the usual Mexican fare with their various pita options such as chicken (P88) and beef (P88), as well as several Tex-Mex items like their chili con carne (P75) and nachos (P240 for family size, P150 for individuals). Other offerings include chili beef fries (P135) and side dishes such as Mexican salsa (P35), Mexican rice (P35), and Mexican pita (P30).
Hijo D’ Pita
Operating hours: 12 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Facebook: Hijo D’Pita
Meshwe
What’s on the menu: Lebanese and Middle Eastern (shawarma, shawarma rice)
One of the more popular restaurants in the compound, Meshwe provides authentic Lebanese shawarma and Middle Eastern cuisine. Its line-up includes a classic version of chicken shawarma (P85) with pickles and Arabic Fries, and the meatier beef shawarma (P100) which is a combination of toasted beef slices with pickles, onion, parsley, cabbage, and tomatoes. Rice eaters will also enjoy the Chicken Shawarma Rice Plate (P100) composed of Bukhari rice topped with chicken shawarma and sliced tomatoes served with a spicy tomato salsa and Meshwe’s garlic sauce. The beef option (P125) provides a more satisfying experience especially for meat-eaters.
Meshwe
Operating hours: 3 p.m – 10 p.m.
Facebook: Meshwe
Burger Hub
What’s on the menu: burgers, fruit shakes
Served on a wooden chopping board, Burger Hub’s meat sandwiches are crusty yet juicy, packed with flavor, and freaking cheap. While The Snack Shack will always have our hearts (and stomachs), these ones are close considering their price. Their bestseller, the famous Juicy J’s Burger (P89) that comes with a side of fries. Make it an Angus beef patty (P150) and you’re good to go. They also serve sausages such as Frankfurter s(P99) and Hungarians (P99). Wash it all down with a fresh fruit shake because, you know, you want to be healthy.
Burger Hub
Operating hours: 3 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Facebook: Burger Hub
The Backyard
What’s on the menu: spizza, pasta, burgers
No fuss, straightforward, and packed with flavor, The Backyard offers all your favorite carbohydrates that go best with an iced cold brew. For starters, get a side order of their crispy French Fries (P65). Their bestseller is the Pasta Lantoni (P140) which is a mixture of cream sauce, bacon, and fresh herbs. Their sandwiches are also worthy to note. The ham and cheese (P135) is simple yet satisfying, while and the BLT (P135), with–what else?–bacon, lettuce, and tomato is always a good choice.
The Backyard
Operating hours: 3 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Facebook: The Backyard
Me Love You Long Time
What’s on the menu: Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian
We still don’t know what Me Love You Long Time (taken from the film Full Metal Jacket) has to do with food, but when it’s this good, we don’t really care. The place offers Southeast Asian cuisine such as Thai, Vietnamese, and Malaysian dishes. Among them, the classic Vietnamese rice noodle soup that’s Pho (P99), meat skewers (P129) with a choice between beef, pork, chicken, or seafood; Thai Chicken Curry (P109) with a combination of eggplant, chili, basil leaves, and curry sauce; or the Bahn Mi (P79), a sandwich with chicken or pork. Other favorites include the Pad Thai (P99) and the Spring Rolls (P79).
Me Love You Long Time
Operating hours: 5 p.m. – 12 m.n.
Facebook: Me Love You Long Time
Samu Eats
What’s on the menu: Japanese
Named after the Sumo wrestlers in Japann, Samu Eats is quality Japanese cuisine at a price that would make even the burliest of sumo wrestlers cry. Take their fresh sashimi, for example. Their tuna (P110), salmon (P180), and spicy tuna (P120) are fresh, clean-flavored, and are prepared well. Their sushi items are also notable like the samu wasabi (P69 for 4 pieces, and P99 for 8 pieces), and, of course, the California maki.
Samu Eats
Operating hours: 5 p.m. – 12 m.n
Facebook: Samu Eats
Bagneto
What’s on the menu: bagnet, sisig
Deep fried crispy pork belly is enough to get anyone through the figurative door, but when it’s as affordable and good as Bagneto’s, it’ll make them stay, as well. Their crispy bagnet meal (P109), when paired with a bottle beer is the stuff that makes grown men weep. Other offerings include Bicol express (P129), Pork Binagoongan (P129), and the ever-popular Pork Sisig (P129), served with an egg and a steaming cup of rice, of course.
Bagneto
Operating hours: 5 p.m. – 12 m.n
Facebook: Bagneto
B-B-Que Zone
What’s on the menu: barbecue
Among all of the establishments at Z Compound, B-B-Que Zone is the one closest to landowner Eric Cadavillo’s heart because this was his first business–and this was also where he got the name for the compound. A casual diner which specializes in barbecue Tex-Mex recipes, one of their specialties includes a succulent whole-roasted chicken with a free pitcher of ice cold lemonade (P220). Be sure to also sample their sisig, pork barbecue, pork liempo, and the chicken inasal–all served with rice (P99). Order any three of the aforementioned and they’ll throw in a free pitcher of iced tea .
B-B-Que Zone
Operating hours: 10 a.m. – 12 m.n
Facebook: BBQ Zone
Cuckooh Puffs
What’s on the menu: pastries
Cakes, blueberry cheese cakes, and other desserts for P65 to P120, what more could you ask for? After you’ve done your rounds at The Zone, make sure to drop by Cuckoo Puffs for that much-needed sugar fix. While the red velvet cupcake is always a good choice, their cuckooh puff, a classic cream puff filled with cream and drizzled with chocolate syrup is a fitting end to a long and hearty meal.
Cuckooh Puffs
Operating hours: 12 noon– 11 p.m.
Twitter: @CuckoohPuffs
Healthbreak
What’s on the menu: salads, vegetarian meals
If you’re not into devouring pork, beef, of chicken; or you’re a pretentious little girl looking to make other look bad as you proclaim you’re on a diet, you can always opt for something healthy from Healthbreak. Also a container van-turned-restaurant, they offer sumptuous meals with a variety of dishes like their salads (P110) and fish-based dishes like fish sticks (P80) and fish platters (P130). They also offer fresh juices.
Healthbreak
Operating hours: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Lucky Noodles and Dimsum House
What’s on the menu: noodles, dimsum
You don’t have to go too far if you find yourself craving for noodles, siopao, or dimsum. Lucky Noodles and Dimsum House offers bola-bola siopao (2 pieces for P60), asado siopao (2 pieces for P155), classic sago’t gulaman (P35), pork siomai (4 pieces for P55), as well as chicken feet (3 pieces for P55). Crispy wantons, meanwhile, go for P50.
Lucky Noodles and Dimsum House
Operating hours: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Lucky Noodles and Dimsum House
What’s on the menu: milk tea
If you’re looking for a cool way to end your meal 8 Tea 8 Tea 8 offers milk teas and ice cream, too. Choose from several milk teas flavors: watermelon, hazelnut, butterscotch, coffee, macchiato, chocolate malt, and royal milk tea (P80). For ice cream (P45), you have a choice between pistachio, cookies and cream, strawberry, avocado, and vanilla.
8 Tea 8 Tea 8
Operating hours: 12 p.m. – 12 m.n
The Zone ‘Z’ Compound
33A Malingap Street, Teacher’s Village, Quezon City
(63) 927 6915283 (Eric Cadavillo)
Photo Credits: Bagneto Foursquare User Richel P.; Z Ivee S., Iconosquare Cuckooh Puffs, Instagram Healthbreak Picture
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