Where to Eat in La Trinidad
January 5, 2009 by lisa
Filed under benguet, restaurants & bars
With strawberry picking in La Trinidad resuming this month, I figured to tell you about my “secret restaurant,” the place I love to eat in whenever I am in the area which, by the way, is pretty often since I have this little vegetable dealership supplying restaurants with hotel-quality highland produce sourced mostly from the Trading Post nearby.
I guess we can call Jack’s Restaurant the biggest little restaurant in La Trinidad, the capital of Benguet, Philippines. It might interest visitors to know that Baguio City is located completely within the area of Benguet province but is administratively not a part of it, so this favorite eatery of mine is really not very far from home.
Its address is Km 6 4, Central Pico, La Trinidad, Benguet, by the way so that just means it’s only 6 4km from the center of Baguio! Of course there’s always been a lot of traffic on the road to Trinidad Valley but there are alternate routes to take to avoid that depending on where you are coming from.
Jack’s Restaurant also has branches in malls and small buildings in Baguio City but there’s nothing like the “real thing.” So if you are looking for a good place to eat in La Trinidad, Jack’s is it!
Jack’s Restaurant is an unpretentious, “highway restaurant”-looking eatery with a large seating capacity. It’s filled with simple and clean metal tables and chairs with a lot of pine-paneling (this is sooo contemporary Cordillera) And when one goes there for Sunday lunch like I once did with mom and a few other senior citizens, there’s always a huge party going on in the second floor and the regular tables are filled to capacity during lunch so be sure to come early to avoid sitting under the stairs.
The restaurant's specialty has chicken, lechon, chopsuey, egg and rice. We always find the lechon kawali served under the vegetables
Since 1965, Jack’s has been known for their most popular menu item which is called Jack’s Rice. It is a combo plate containing a slice of chicken, lechon kawali strips, chopsuey vegetables, and white rice topped with an egg cooked sunny-side up. At Php65.00 the price is not bad!
Their menu cover contains mythology of how Mr. Jack asked Chef Bariaga to put small portions of all these items in one plate to save on washing dishes. When the waiter brought it to him, one customer asked the waiter what that meal was called, he said it was Mr. Jack’s meal. The guest insisted he also wanted to order the same. Later it would be included in the menu and officially named Jack’s Rice.
The story also goes on to say that their customers would eat in other restaurants in the City of Pines and order “Jack’s Rice,” which prompted other restaurants to introduce variations of their “creation.” Whether that assertion is true or not, it does not matter, Jack’s Rice is filling, popular, yummy and — CHEAP!
The menu is composed mostly of Chinese dishes of the Cantonese variety, sauteed or pan-fried, which has become comfort food for a lot of Filipinos. There’s this one particular item I like called Fried Rice Toppings with Chicken. It’s a large bowl of flavored rice with diced pork and topped with a good-sized piece of fried chicken. Price is Php65.00.
This dish is pretty dry so it is best paired with a vegetable viand. We usually order the quail eggs and mushrooms but the last time decided on the Lechon with Pechay which complemented the rest of our orders quite nicely. This dish costs Php80.00.
One of the ladies behind the counter approached these two strange people taking photos of everything (Nico Cawed is to be credited for shots of the building, while I took photos of the food as each one arrived), and when she found out I was planning to do a feature of the restaurant at Baguio Insider, she said, “Oh you did not tell us, we would have made the presentation better!”
We said, “Don’t worry, the food looks good, and we prefer to show folks the real thing every time.” Then she suggested we try their Mushrooms in a Nest the next time, which is a bed of crispy canton noodles topped with sauteed mushrooms. And of course we will.
Jack’s Restaurant also has a glass display case containing their different cakes and pies, and I usually head straight for it upon arrival to check if my favorite, their pineapple cake is available. The pineapple cake actually looks like, and has the consistency of, heavy banana bread, except when you get to the glaze, you will find that particularly sweet and sour taste of pineapple. Lovely! And lovelier still is the Php20.00 price.
And since I’m a such a dessert person, always making sure my taste buds are ecstatic, I always have the sweet stuff first. Maybe that’s because in my family, we start our meals with fruits. So, I usually take one of those irregularly cut triangles they call pineapple cake before the main course, nibbling the dry section first and making my way to the sweet part. So, how does one “make room for dessert?” Then begin your meal with dessert, I say!
Just to be sure, many times I would order the pineapple cake and get served the pineapple pie instead. I really prefer the cake, which is more Italian in style, being bread-like in texture with a fruit glaze.
Jack’s Restaurant is to your right when you head back to Baguio from the Strawberry Farm. It makes a pretty good stopover if you’re hungry and can’t wait to get back to the city or just in the mood for cheap, good eats.
We just...
I missed eating at the main branch of Jack’s, which is featured, because there is something not “Jack’s’ when you eat in their branches in Baguio. [Center mall, Mabini, Empire Cinema Building and the other kitchenette] Maybe its the chef of the place or just plainly me. I Can’t really tell but I’m not saying it is a bad thing. I agree that you can get a delicious, satisfying and cheap meal when it comes to Jack’s in any branch and not only in the main. [But if you want to see and dine where it all started, feel free to go to Trinidad]
And there’s something about eating in Jack’s that is kinda weird in a good way: even if the only thing I order from the menu is either jack’s rice + 1 extra rice + 1 pineapple juice or jack’s fried chicken rice + 1 extra rice + 1 pineapple juice or chicken curry rice + 1 extra rice + 1 pineapple juice, the dishes NEVER gets old even if I just order jack’s rice + 1 extra rice + 1 pineapple juice for 1 whole week.
Hi AcidRayne,
I tried the different branches in Baguio but honestly, I do not like their locations in malls and buildings. Too hectic and stressful for me, but that’s probably just me. I came to live in Baguio for the graceful life I insist on living.
But in La Trinidad, there’s no other place that give me a wide open space to actually relax in, and a quick hearty meal. That it’s cheap is a super bonus!
What is it about the food that makes us want to complement it with pineapple (cake for me, juice for you!) every time?
Hi Lisa,
I’ve seen Jack’s when i made a visit at strawberry farm last year…i’ll try it next time. I love to eat in restaurants where i can relax and unwind following a long trip from Bulacan.
Hope you can also recommend a good place to eat in Sagada…Thanks!
Hi Lalaine, I am getting everything about Sagada ready, and rest assured it will include recommended restaurants. Offhand, I can tell you that my favorites are Log Cabin and Yoghurt House. Lemon Pie is new, Rock’s Inn if you’re bringing a car, Masferre and their muesli cookies. That’s a quick list in case you’re going earlier than I can publish my articles and pages. Why am a taking long? A thousand photos to edit. I can’t choose which ones I like the best.
I agree that Jack’s restaurant has good food. How interesting to learn the prices! I got billed in November 2009 for jack’s rice at P95, not the P65. Has a price rollback occured?
Hehehe Marie,
Could it be the eyesight or the memory that’s failing? Maybe you ordered other items and that was your total bill. A drink and dessert (the pineapple cake used to be 15 pesos for the longest time, plus bottled water or a drink at 15 pesos) perhaps. Or could you have seen the 6 as a 9?
Hi Lisa,
It’s ok..and thanks for the info. I’m a bit excited on your upcoming Sagada series maybe because i havn’t gone to the place. That’s why me and my husband are rarin’ to go. But before Sagada i hope to visit first Atenara so i can meet you.
hi miss Lisa,
nice feature on Jack’s resto, im from La Trinidad and i love the food in here too. The cheapest good tasting barako can also be found in Jack’s at P15 a cup, goes great with the food. May i suggest also Mary’s Canteen located right at the heart of Trading post. The food is great with fresh vegetables all the time, my hubby and I always think of Mary’s whenever we want to eat our favorite “lechon curry”, its veggies crisp and curry sauce just right…hmmm writing about it makes me want to have one lol!
Thank you Janice!
I’m always at Trading Post but never thought to try Mary’s Canteen (well, probably because I’m forever looking forward to Jack’s). That Lechon Curry sounds interesting. Can’t wait to try it.
Hi Lisa, we’re just walking distance from the Jack’s eateries here in downtown Baguio. Quite a surprise last night when we ordered pancit miki bihon. From 50 pesos, it’s now 75 pesos. A big jump.
Hi Resty,
Do you think they raise their prices seasonally or could it be that they have not raised their prices for years and decided to do a “one time, big time?”
The standard increase for restaurant prices is 15% for it not to be noticeable, which is why there must be updated costings and menu revisions. Now some restaurants in Baguio in trying to keep prices low, do this until they lose all the elasticity and then do what Jacks just did. Sometimes it’s because they do not want to spend on printing new menus, either.
See, if the noodles changed prices by from 50 to 55 to 65 to 75 in two years, you would not be commenting on it even!
“Do you think they raise their prices seasonally or could it be that they have not raised their prices for years and decided to do a “one time, big time?””
-Lisa
Must be this, Lisa. But prefer small increases from time to time rather than jacking up price big time.
Oh so this is the Jacks my Papa was talking about. I’m glad to know that you like it too. I will go to Jack’s when I’m in the area.
Hiya Tina,
Yup it’s an institution in Benguet, with several branches in the City of Pines. I like the main restaurant the best.
Jacks’s is comfort food. I grew up in La Trinidad in the 70s and 80s. The Jack’s my father and I frequented is now demolished, the one near Orion Drug. Crowded, with its own tables of smokers, a greasy spoon setup, but Jack’s Rice was something to relish.
Hi Ferdi,
You will be glad to hear that smoking is no longer allowed inside, it bright and airy and pretty clean. Welcome to the 2000s!
good taste mut ah……
Hi miss Lisa,
They just opened another branch at Session Road last saturday and there was no available table for us to dine. It just shows that there are many people supporting Jack’s.
I hope that next time we visit Jack’s, we will have a space to try their Jack’s Rice…
Hi Miss Aislynn,
I find their branches in Baguio City to be small and tight. That’s why I make it a point to go all the way to La Trinidad to eat there. It’s not about the price — everything seems fresher and more charming in their main restaurant.
hi lisa,
I’m back from my week long vacation w/ my friends there in baguio.We really had a good time there.We enjoyed the sights and sounds,weather,session road in bloom and most of all THE FOODS.We ate at Zola,Pizza Volante,Kubong Sawali at military cut off and not to forget JACK’S in La Trinidad(ang sarap ng mga foods nila.4x kmi bumalik during our stay there..hahaha!)We would definitely go back to baguio.thanks for your very helpful tips on your web site.
Glad you enjoyed your stay, topher! The summer heat is upon us. Come back soon!
hi… lisa finally we went to baguio last march 20-23…. i follow your itineraries posted in your site… we had a great fun in baguio after almost 20 years especially my son boating at burnham park almost everyday kami ron..i really missed the weather especially in the morning… and carlos pizza located at camp john hay (ang sarap) and taxi drivers were courteous and polite unlike here in manila. were planning to go back this september hopefully…thanks for your info..
hi lisa… were not able to see Jack restaurant in la trinidad… were looking pa naman a restaurant to eat after we went to strawberry farm..
Hi Cris,
Glad to know you found the Go Baguio! itineraries helpful. Now you know about Jack’s restaurant in La Trinidad and can try it on your next visit.
Strawberries will not be in season when you come back up in September but the flower farms should be open.
Hi Lisa,
I’m planning to go strawberry picking with my kids. Age 1 and 7. Is this advisable? When is the nicest time for this activity? (morning or afternoon)
Thanks for all your infos. Your site is very very interesting and informative.
we ate at jack’s abanao branch last holy week…i would give 10 fingers up for this resto….coz’ i like veggies and meats together(oh lechon kawali)…i don’t care about ambience(cafe by the whatever) coz’ baguio has lots of it…all i want is good food(and fairly priced). long live Jack’s!!!
Hi Jenny,
Best to do anything in Baguio in the mornings these days. Summer showers in the afternoons.
Hi Rap,
Haven’t tried Abanao, although I did try the one in Center Mall. Seems prices are a bit higher in Baguio City. The reason I recommended Jack’s for La Trinidad is so that folks have a place to eat there. In Baguio there are many more options for dining out!
Agree with Rap Suing. Remember Jack’s Rice was only one peso and fifty cents in the mid 60’s. Jack’s in LT is good also but the drive is atrocious. Hungry going down there, fill-up your tummy, by the time you head back to Baguio, hungry again. Whew!
TrueBlue,
You’re funny — then it’s a good excuse to eat again at the Baguio branch! Hahaha!
hi lisa! am back in manila hu hu hu… had a most pleasant time in baguio particularly our visit to you. we were hoping to touch bases before we left for manila but the to do list of the kids was so long though we managed everything except for strawberry picking, john hay hiking and horseback. anyway i wanted to share that we went to jacks trinidad as ianne was so inspired by your description. we went there after several hours of ukay2 hunting in session area so we were so hungry when we got there. it was a bit flooded in trinidad but it just added to the excitement heh heh. the one plate meals are really great deals, just could not resist ordering extra lechon kawali.
by the way, until now all the kids are reminiscing over your delicious roast beef. next time i’ll get a group of 10 ready so we can attack the buffet at Atenara
i’m missing baguio already so i’ll lurk around your sites since its the next best thing to being there.
PS I second the motion about doing everything in the morning. i guess thats why our two week stay seemed so short. the whole family enjoyed bonding around the fireplace so much that we usually wake up at 10 so we spent most days indoors, pero not just at home but also inside ukay ukay heh heh.
KUBONG SAWALI, BAGUIO CITY,, THE WORST RESTAURANT YOU COULD EVER EAT OR DINE,WE BEEN THERE 3 TIMES,EACH MONTH WE COME UP TO BAGUIO ,WE WANT A NATIVE AMBIANCE,NATIVE MEAL.BUT FOR SOME REASON,THE FOOD THE SERVE ALWAYS HAS SOMETHING IN IT,LONG HAIR IN THE RICE4,ROACH FEET IN THE SOUP,STAIL TUNA,UNCOOKED RICE THAT TAKES FOEREVER FOR ADDITIONAL ORDER,OBVIOUSLY THE OWNER DOESNT KNOW WHATS GOING ON ,I BET THE SUPERVISOR DONT TELL THE OWNER,THE WAITE IS NICE,AND WAS VER APOLOGETIC WHEN THINGS LIKE THIS HAPPENED,SORRY IS NOT THE ANSWER,WE ASK FOR THE CHEF,BUT THE SUPERVISOR SPOKE TO US AND CHANGED THE FOOD,HELLO,WE CAME YESTERDAY WITH AMERICAN FRIENDS,AND THEY SERVED STAIL TUNE FISH,OBVIOUSLY IT WAS NOT FRESH,IT TASTES LIKE A YEAR OLD FISH,,DOES ANYONE GOES TO THIS PLACE TO PAY AND EAT,,,SCARY,AN SANITARY,FOOD IS YUCKY
Um, Sassy,
Not that I particularly like Kubong Sawali or its food (or think that it enhances Baguio City), but –
1. The place is not in La Trinidad
2. If you hate it there so much, why do you keep going back? You mentioned you’ve been there 3 times
3. You’ve tried year-old tuna before? So much so that you know how it tastes?
I was about to delete your comment but figured I wanted to reply to it.
Hello.
I experience eating in the said restaurant several times. I even ate in their different branches in baguio city and i really find their foods delicious. I am interested in opening a business in our province and I find your products to be a good one. I am planning to open a restaurant in our province and I want to know if you allow franchising. In this way I could be able to help you advertise your products. I will wait for your immediate reply and kindly send me the contact number of the person whom I can ask regarding this matter in my email.Thank you
Hi Kleiz,
I just eat there, too and have no connection to the owners. I guess you’ll just have to personally contact the owners and submit a proposal to them. I’m certain they’ll be flattered!
Hi Lisa!
Uhm, I’m a La Trinidad resident and am obviously familiar with the municipality. I would like to point out a single correction to your post–Jack’s Restaurant is actually located at Km. 4, La Trinidad, Benguet and not in Km. 6. Kilometer 6 is from Epiphany church up to La Trinidad town, where the Benguet Provincial Capitol is. That’s all…
Rogue|Hero
Hi Roque!
Oo nga, Jack’s is way before the Capitol. Thanks — I will correct the post.
hi po! I know that you really love Jack’s Restaurant, Can you help us on its SWOT analysis., me and my group mates are having difficult time with it.’ Can i ask you: What do you think are the Weaknesses and Threats of Jack’s ?
Hi Lisa! I so love your blog! I love how you write and how you focus your blog on topics regarding Baguio. I’m so proud of you. Keep on blogging!
Lots of love,