Things to do in Cagayan de Oro: Restaurants in CdeO That Will Tickle Your Love For Food

 

"Eating is not merely a material pleasure. Eating well gives a spectacular joy to life and contributes immensely to goodwill and happy companionship. It is of great importance to the morale." ~ Elsa Schiaparelli

I had a lot of toys during my childhood days. Toys that came from either of the more popular fastfood restaurants, Jollibee or McDonald’s. It was our happiness. But that was when I was just a kid. (Though I still enjoy the foods at present but definitely not collecting the toys.)

Imagine, we used to always eat to those fast food restaurants. Nothing else. Our tastes are boring, right? But that changed when we moved to Cagayan de Oro. I still can remember where we had our first try for authentic chinese food. The place was called “King Bee”. That was long long ago so I don’t know if it still exists in Gaisano Mall. Know that we don’t always go out, maybe we do but still on those fast food restaurants.

I’m so glad, now that I am employed, that I can get to have a taste of some of the established restaurants, specifically in Cagayan de Oro. And below are just some of the restaurants that serve best foods which had left me crave for more.

Pancake House

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I used to have a friend who brought me to some of the restaurant line ups in Ayala Centrio Mall. One is Pancake House. The place is so calm and soothing with the yellow hue that bursts a feel-good ambiance. Since it was my first time, I let my friend choose what to order. So, we had 2 orders of Pan Chicken Special Set for each of us. It is composed of Two pieces Pan Chicken with gravy, Tuna Macaroni Salad, Buttered Toast and iced tea. I know, we must have tried their pancakes, as what their brand name says, but we just chose their other product.

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And to give you my experience of the food, it was really overwhelming and satisfying. What I really loved about the food was the chicken which was very tender, plus the gravy that really complements the distinct taste of the chicken. The chicken can stand on its own but the gravy is a must try. Though wishing that the tuna macaroni salad was served cold and that should have been given to us later, but still it deserved to fill in the dessert portion. After we finished eating, I felt very full. Definitely would love to come back the next time.

And just this August, I came back to Pancake House but in a different branch (in Limketkai Centre) and with different people. I got to taste their Classic Pancake which was served with two pcs pancakes topped with whipped butter. I really enjoyed it with the 2 syrups that you can get to pour to your pancakes.

Classic Savory

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The same friend introduced Classic Savory to me. Still at Ayala Centrio Mall, their branch store has a classic interior. Majority of the colors inside is wood, and it feels just like living in our own homes. And I really commend the staff for being so hospitable and friendly. Anyways, we were looking for a combo meal and great that they serve such menu. I ordered a meal composed of a quarter Savory Chicken,Salt and Pepper Spareribs, Special Turon, Black Iced Jewels and iced tea. While my friend ordered same just replacing the spareribs with Fish Fillet. And we even ordered 2 extra rice for each of us. Imagine how hungry we were that time. LOL.

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How was my meal? Well, I just left nothing on the plate but bones. Their chicken was exceptional. It was unforgettable. Thanking my friend for bringing me to a paradise for food goers. And their special turon has already gained reputation in it didn’t fail my expectation. Honestly, the spareribs was too salty to me and the black iced jewels was just served with large cubes, but still I enjoyed them. After that, I said to myself that I will come back here.

Just this second week of September, I came back to kill my crave for their savory chicken. This second time was a bit different for I came just by myself and that I ordered same menu but replaced spareribs with Sweet and Sour Pork and the black iced jewels with their Pandan Fiesta Salad. I was in paradise again. The food served as my de-stresser from a tiring week. I can always come back, when my pocket allows me. LOL.

Panagatan

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You see, my friend (the same friend) really is a certified food goer. Maybe he knew that I’m such a first timer when it comes to food tripping so, for another time, he brought me to Panagatan Seafoods Restaurant still at Ayala Centrio Mall. You might have already noticed that Centrio Mall has become a foodie place for us. LOL

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Panagatan Seafoods, obviously, serves seafood dishes but also serves a variety of dishes. And they serve fresh catches. We’re hungry monsters that time so we ordered a Grilled Seafood Platter good for 3 persons. What’s great with the menu is that you are given the option to choose what kind of rice or the specific seafood portions you prefer. We chose rice with crab fat instead of just plain rice. And as what my memory can remember, that specific seafood platter feast consisted of fish fillet, shrimps, large squid, and whole tilapia (all grilled).

What a meal! We really uttered same after we finished eating. Since our meal was preferably good for 3 persons, the two of us really tried to finish the plate up. No regrets. We really had a great eat. And since we occupied the outside venue, we also enjoyed the view of the other stalls and people that pass by.

Seafood Island

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You’ve read it right. It’s another seafood restaurant that you can get to visit still at Ayala Centrio Mall. They have a live acoustic band that I believe will serenade you during dinner time. My friend also took me here due to our demanding stomachs. We thought that their boodle feasts are too painful for our pockets so we decided to order separate menus. I can no longer recall all of the dishes we had but Calamares Fritos and Butter Garlic Prawns. Again, hunger-killed. Smashed it!

A friend suggested that we’ll be hanging out and have dinner at Seafood Island later this week so you know how excited I am. Can’t wait!

Thai Me Up

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Last December, the company in which I am employed celebrated our Christmas Party at Thai Me Up located at Capistrano Street, Cagayan de Oro. It was the company’s first to celebrate such event and Thai Me Up was just the perfect venue. I really enjoyed the food they served to us, especially their beef steak and sweet and sour chicken.

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But since it is a Thai Restaurant, trying their authentic dishes is a must-try! The same friend said that he missed eating such dishes so we spent our dinner in Thai Me Up Centrio Mall branch. It was my first time to try thai food so the taste were a bit unfamiliar to me but still, I really enjoyed them. I liked their Pad Thai which I think has a nutty taste. I’m not into spicy foods but their Tom Yum Soup is a great one, though I really enjoyed much the shrimp and not the soup itself. Their Tempura Shrimp is great too. Now, you can really say that I’m fond of shrimps. What really interested me was their herbed tea. It gave an unusual taste but the aftertaste really had me. It’s like you don’t want it but you really do. And that happened to me. Silly. We really had a great time there with the calming ambiance.

Redtail Shrimps and More

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This restaurant is located at Stall 5 & 6, Papa Juanitos Square, Cagayan de Oro City near Divisoria. Redtail made a first impression to me during my first visit at it. Same friend took me here after having Badminton and Table Tennis at Sports Zone Fitness Center located at Tomas Saco St., Cagayan de Oro. It is where Crossfit Kagayan, one of the city’s fitness gyms that offer any fitness solutions for any fitness needs. Back to Redtail, it was also my first time so I got excited about what it offers.

My friend chose to order Chicken Tenders, Fish n’ Chips and Calamari. So we put on our paper bibs and wore our plastic gloves. And the food battle started. That was exaggerated but really, I fought effortlessly with the food. I just gave up my hunger and let the food conquer it. The chicken tenders was overwhelming. It didn’t even need dipping so I just munched it with rice. Plus our favorite, the calamari and definitely the fish n’ chips. Redtail must have been very proud of their dishes. I hope I can get back there to try their chicken tenders again. And I’m tagging my friends. Yuhoo!

Lokal Grill and Seafood Restaurant

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Located at Corrales Avenue, Corner Ebarle Street, Cagayan de Oro, just beside BFB (Big Flat Bread) is Lokal Grill and Seafood Restaurant. It was my first time but definitely not my officemates’ first time. So, it was our bosses’ idea to have lunch there after a tiresome workout at CrossFit Kagayan. And since Lokal Grill and Seafood Restaurant offers local viands like lauyang baka, and others like sisig, roasted chicken and a lot more. Just knowing the foods they serve, you know why we went there for lunch.

Read my testimonial about Lokal Grill and Seafood Restaurant experience here.

Lefty’s Chick-N-Chops

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Where can you find the taste of American food in Cagayan de Oro? Definitely at Lefty’s!

Located at Great Spot Arcade J.R. Borja Extension, Cagayan de Oro, near Limketkai Center, Lefty’s has been serving Kagay-anons the American experience. And I was one of those lucky people who have got to experience it.

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I was asked to join an interview for Lefty’s Chick-N-Chops as photographer. And since photography is one of my dream jobs, I didn’t think twice and then went with them right away. So, the location is just beside The Wine Cellar which offers wines, imported beers and spirits that come from all over the world. And upon entering their restaurant, their interiors are well-designed with the abundance of yellow and orange colors. And noticeable on the upper edges of the walls were phrases, humors about being left-handed. Even their array of framed-pictures shows left-handed subjects. But that didn’t mean that the restaurant is solely for left-handed people. It’s just that the couple owning the restaurant are both left-handed. Yes. That’s a fact. You know, I’m also attending to what the interview has been going.

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So, the foods were being served one after another so that we can enjoy one food after the other. From hamburgers, nachos, their best-selling chicken buffalo wings, roasted beef sisig, to their delectable warm fudge brownie ala mode. All was worth it. Honestly, I felt full with their hamburger already but I just can’t resist their food. Know that you can have the option of how spicy your foods can be, like that of the nachos and chicken buffalo wings. I’m eyeing for their dessert again so, Lefty’s, better watch out for my comeback. LOL.

Kagay-anon Restaurant

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From the name itself, undoubtedly a must-visit when in Cagayan de Oro. Kagay-anon Restaurant is located at Limketkai Center, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro. That when you are so much used to eating restaurants inside Limketkai Mall, then Kagay-anon Restaurant is for you.

One of the clients of the company, in which I am currently employed, who came from California, USA visited us last January. And in order for us to offer a taste of Cagayan de Oro to our client, our bosses decided to have lunch at Kagay-anon Restaurant. It happened that I was also offered a first taste of what this restaurant can offer. LOL.

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I can no longer recall the actual happenings and the foods we had but what retained to my mind was the goodness of their Beef Kare-Kare. And I noticed that our client really enjoyed the calamares. Their varieties of food really taste great. Foods that can only be tasted at Kagay-anon Restaurant. I might as well bring my family here, my bad, I haven’t brought them here yet. Perfect for family lunch or dinner-outs.

Kambingan sa Buena Oro

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In my hometown, my relatives occasionally butcher a whole pig or goat. I am fond of pork dishes especially dinuguan, caldereta and lechon, but not with goat dishes. I just don’t find it delicious. Not until I got a taste of Kambingan sa Buena Oro.

Yes. My first impression about goat dishes was changed. If it wasn’t because of Kambingan sa Buena Oro, I don’t know.

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Anyways, it was my first time so I wasn’t sure if I’ll be able to survive that lunch. LOL. Exaggerated but I worried about it. Not until we-- our bosses and my officemates arrived in the location. It was Higalaay Festival at that time and we celebrated the fiesta at Kambingan sa Buena Oro. Then the foods were served and to my surprise, there was no stink. Yeah, it’s what I hated about goat dishes. But interestingly, I smelled none but the good smell of the dishes. My appetite went back and I just indulged the great food. What I really liked in their menu is the kaldereta. I really enjoyed it a lot. And all of us went back in the office happy, satisfied and full.

I just enumerated some of the restaurants that Kagay-anons and even tourists have already enjoyed when in Cagayan de Oro. So, whenever your appetite is looking for a satisfying, sumptuous, overwhelming and two-thumbs up food tripping, you know where to go.

Things to do in Cagayan de Oro: WHITEWATER RAFTING

Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. ~Helen Keller

When I was in grade school, I’ve always been too shy for the world. Lived in a barrio with only making friends to my neighbors. I only stick to them since I am too shy to meet other children. That’s why whenever we went to the city, I always creep under my father’s arms. I’m always conscious with the moves I’m making. Anyways, I’m still the same person even though I have grown older. But more adventurous and risk-taker.

I was invited to join white water rafting, sponsored by Great White Water Tours whom I believed to be the most secured rafting companies in Cagayan de Oro, with their equipments purchased from US top brands. At first, I was hesitant if I’d go with this opportunity. I started to think of the possible events that might happen to us during the rafting proper. So what I did to lighten up my doubts, I tried searching youtube videos about river rafting. And that made my worries worsen.

But we were given the Basic Rafting Course, hayy, I felt relief. LOL. I realized that what I’ve seen from the videos I searched were in advanced level. So, I didn’t let the chance slip away and made a confirmation that I’ll be joining the rafting. Whew!

The day has arrived. It was an early Saturday morning. The fetch-up location is at Divisoria fronting McDonald’s Divisoria branch where a jeepney, with a raft loaded on the top, beeped as if calling us to get inside the vehicle. The driver rode us to the main premises of Great White water Tours where we signed papers and left our stuffs. We also applied sunblocks and wore our comfortable outfits suited for river rafting such as rash guard, etc, but still I wore my long sleeved shirt. until everyone was already prepped up, we rode the jeepney again heading to the base point where our river rafting adventure began.

As we arrived to the base, we took pictures first of course. Then we were given helmets, safety vests and paddles. Before the rafting proper started, we were given a 10 minute or more briefing about what to do during the ride. We were oriented about safety measures and the different ways of paddling. Then we loaded ourselves to our respective rafts. As far as I can remember, there were 3 sets of rafts at that time. And on our raft, there were 8 of us including two of our rafting guides.

The Rafting Experience

We were told that we’ll be passing 14 rapids. WOW. I avoided to think about the negative thoughts. It just can’t be helped, and there was no turning back at that time. Our raft was already floating on the river. While I was having mixed feelings. Maybe a meter or two, we just passed the first rapid. Our raft went up and down angrily so I panicked a bit. Remember, it was my first time. And I shed a tear, blame it to the sunblock. It really made my eyes sore. But felt accomplished because we just survived the first rapid. LOL. There are 13 rapids more. But at that time, I felt excitement.

So, to make this portion short, we were able to see the beauty of nature on its simplicity and grandeur. The steep mountains and the abundant trees. We also met local people who have lived near the river, some were doing their laundry while some just bathed. Maybe to feel refreshed from the sun’s heat. The sun was very high at that time, thanks to the sunblock, even though it made me dry, at least I won’t worry about my skin turned to charcoal. LOL. We were also served with bottled waters and snacks. It was the first time I tasted Malunggay Pastel and I liked it. 

What I enjoyed much during our rafting ride was when we were able to jump out of the raft and just enjoy the coolness of the water, know that there are portions of still waters, and the exhibitions we did as organized by our guide kuya “Dodong”. Those exhibitions have made us nervous but felt triumphant after we did them flawlessly. Plus kuya “Dodong” humor that made us giggle and historical facts that made us utter “aah” while nodding. And I bet, our team was the noisiest among the rafts that joined along us. We just can’t contain our thrill and the feeling of shouting “Ahoooo” whenever we get to pass a rapid. We would like to have more rapids until we’re left with the last rapid. To end the ride, we shouted the last “ahoo” with our hearts out. Then got out off the raft and took some pictures together with the team and kuya “Dodong”.

After the exciting adventure of our lives, we then headed back to the main premises where we then had our satisfying and loaded lunch. They served us plates of rice, roasted chicken, liempo, and some fruits such as pineapple and watermelon. Thanks to Great White Water Tours.

That experience will always be remembered. It offered me lot of first times. And I just can’t believe that I was able to survive Cagayan de Oro’s Whitewater Rafting. Such a great achievement for me. And for those who want to enjoy this once in a lifetime adventure only in Cagayan de Oro, you can contact Great White Water Tours for booking and make reservations for you. So whenever you get to Cagayan de Oro, don’t miss Whitewater rafting or you’ll definitely miss a part of your life.