Food parks are sprawling just about everywhere! These days, a lot of food parks can be spotted not just in Metro Manila, but in provinces as well. The culinary capital of the Philippines, Pampanga, is probably the province with the most number of food parks, having 6 operational ones and 3 more set to open within the year.
Let’s get to know one of Pampanga’s food parks: Yard Food Park. This food park started when Angeles City Councilor Jericho Aguas, his siblings, and their partner – actress Jaycee Parker, started thinking of putting up a food park in Angeles City. This was because they were amazed by the number of people who flock to food parks in Manila.
Many aspiring tenants applied, but only few were chosen because the owners want to make sure the concepts are unique, that the taste of the food shall pass Kapampangans’ meticulous palates, and dishes would be well-presented.
Here’s a rundown of their Yard Food Park's 29 carefully-selected stalls:
1. Blends & Barrels
Juices, smoothies, and more.
Thier Rainbow Fruit Jar on Dragon Fruit Lemon Juice is one of the prettiest drinks I’ve seen yet! One of the freshest, too.
You remember your mom’s home-made avocado salad and DIY melon shake? These taste just like those! Just one sip and the sense of familiarity kicks in.
2. Melt – Cheese Scraping Shop
A cheese scraping stall by Ranch 90's Diner — where all your melted raclette dreams come to life.
Melt’s Monster Burger is the perfect family or barkada meal for sharing! But we promise we’re not going to judge you one bit if you want this all to yourself. Go for it, buddy.
3. Ha Ha Patata
Love potatoes of all shapes and sizes? Whether you’re up for some fries, croquettes, or chips, let Ha Ha Patata take care of all your potato cravings.
4. House of Frappe
No need to go to fancy coffee shops when your neighborhood frappe place offers a drink this good!
5. Wipeout Ribs & Grills
Affordable slow-cooked ribs brought to us by Starstruck alumnus, Benj Pacia.
6. Frozen Hub
Sweet and cold–a deadly dessert combination we all crave for at times. Have fun eating liquid nitrogen treats at Frozen Hub!
7. Stoned
Nope, their drinks won’t get you stoned. The name of their stall and its products are just for fun!
8. Sweet Illusion
Who wants s’mores? No need to go camping, everything you need is in this tray. We’re also digging Sweet Illusion’s Cake Jar – it's a cake topped with ice cream, and then finished off with our favorite 90s treats!
9. Papa Dough Chimney Cake
Councilor Jericho Aguas is a fan of chimney cakes, so he brought this well-loved dessert from Europe to The Yard. This is also known as funnel-loaves, cornet-loaves, funnel-doughnuts, tree-cakes, and spools-on-stick.
10. Sunny Side Up
Sunny Side Up is all about serving dishes that will bring us sunshine: all-day breakfast and deliciously unique desserts.
11. Urban Crunch
Known for serving various bagnet dishes, Urban Crunch recently earned Tasters Choice Award – 1st Runner Up in the recently concluded inaugural Pampanga Taste Fest and was part of our “8 Must Try Restaurants for an Ultimate Pampanga Food Trip” list.
Also available are Dinakdakan Bagnet (P140), Bagnet with Atchara (P140), and the newest item on their menu – Tokwa’t Bagnet (P150).
12. Ugly Monkey
Ugly Monkey is a bar that offers a variety of liquors and cocktails. It’s not just food trip with friends and fambam at The Yard–you can enjoy a chill drinking sesh and cocktail hits, too!
13. Tempura Zen
Yay for affordable tempura!
14. Tom Tom Mongolian BBQ
Tom Tom is the brainchild of former child actor who became famous for playing the role of Cedie: Ang Munting Prinsipe – Tom Taus. Tom is now a DJ/entrepreneur. You would often see him mingling with the crowd at The Yard.
15. Kanto Curry
Kanto Curry is a delightful fusion of traditional Japanese curry cuisine and Filipino street food favorites. Delight in the light spicy taste of Japan’s signature curry through affordable yet delectable meals!
16. Ba Ngoai
Enjoy fresh and tasty Vietnamese food without breaking the bank at Ba Ngoai!
17. Wrap Eat Out
Love lechon kawali? We found a way to eat it with less guilt – with greens and wraps! This and many more yummy wraps at Wrap Eat Out!
18. Halal Kabab Express
Halal Kabab Express was just founded last year and now has 4 branches – 3 in Manila, and 1 in Pampanga. It is famous for serving authentic Halal Persian food at mid-range prices.
19. Waffs
These egg waffles are just too instagrammable! Choose from their 4 signature flavors or create-your-own waffle treat!
20. Pizza Panada
Pizza and Ilocos empanada cooked and baked fresh from scratch!
21. Flame Grill Cartel by Chef Elese
Never tried eating a burger with beef, prawns, and clams? It might sound a little odd, but I say it looks and tastes good!
22. Ban Chak Ban Chak
Are you a Korean cuisine fan? Then take note of this stall!
23. Dotonbori Takoyaki
Yes, Japan’s best-known street food is available here! For the ones who don’t know, takoyaki is a ball-shaped snack made of a wheat flour-based batter and cooked in a special moulded pan. It is normally filled with minced or diced octopus, tempura scraps, pickled ginger, and green onions.
24. Sushi Bar by Jiro
And some more Japanese favorites. Hard to say no these very attractive and flavorsome rolls!
25. Juice Lab
Artsy and flavorful juices available here! #IGWorthy
26. Wing Bucket
A bucket of savory chicken wings is always a good idea!
27. Wild Apron
Brought to us by the same group behind one of Pampanga’s well-loved homegrown restaurants – Hungry Neighbors (also part of the “8 Must Try Restaurants for an Ultimate Pampanga Food Trip” list), Wild Apron certainly puts inexpensive appetizing dishes to the table, too.
28. Green Cube
If you’re a chicken lover, Green Cube offers several famous chicken dishes – both local and international!
29. Steak House
There’s also a stall for steak lovers out there!
Aside from sumptuous food and refreshing drinks, Yard Food Park’s entertainment game is to be commended, too! You will occasionally see this funny duo making the crowd laugh, or live bands and DJs performing at the food park for a livelier vibe.
Yard Food Park is located at Magalang-Pandan Road corner Brgy. Mining Road, Angeles City. It is open Tuesday to Sunday, 4pm to 12mn. Like The Yard Food Park on Facebook (/yardfoodpark) and follow on Instagram (@yardangeles).