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ISAW the Sun... And It Opened Up My Eyes
Quezon City, Pasig City
The first time I tried isaw was at Mang Larry's isawan in the early 1990s when I was a college freshman in UP. His barbecue stand was nothing like it is now. In an empty lot in front of Kalayaan dorm, his stand was a makeshift bicycle with side car with a barbecue grill at the back. And you wouldn't believe the crowd that gathered every 5pm. You would have to wait a good 20 to 40 minutes to get your order. But it was always worth the wait. The BBQ aroma of soy source, banana ketchup and vinegar would fill the air and even stick to your clothes as he grilled his isaw. And it made us even hungrier. Each chicken isaw stick would be around P3 and pork isaw was P5, i think. So you can imagine how many sticks we ordered. He also had pork BBQ and pork ears, which was also good. You also had the choice of spicy vinegar or sweet sauce for a dip. MMMMMM... my mouth is watering just remembering biting down on that crispy, chewy chunk of chicken intestines! Now, Mang Larry's isawan is a legend. Delicious and clean, Mang Larry's reputation grew even beyond the grounds of UP. His makeshift bicycle grill has evolved into a BBQ koisk and even expanded to different locations in UP. Because of the quarantine, they are open for pick-up and take-out for now. Note: Photo from FB Mang Larry's Isawan
Updated 3 years ago
There are actually 2 locations on campus. One is located in the empty lot/parking area across the UP chapel along Magsaysay. and the 2nd is along Jacinto street near the College of Fine Arts.
Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
SPECIAL MENTION: If you want to get your BBQ isaw fix without going inside UP, there is quaint resto along Katipunan ave. Countryside started out as a small sari-sari store with a grille and grew into a full-fledged restaurant. Aside from the chicken and pork isaw and BBQ tenga, must-trys are lechon kawali, caldereta, and papaitan.
- +63 2 8647 1448
228 Katipunan Ave, Project 4, Quezon City, 1800 Metro Manila, Philippines
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