It was a long trip to Imus, Cavite last 17 March 2018 but it was very worth it. I got a chance to dine in at Big Ben’s Kitchen, the home of the famous Imus longganisa. So what’s so special about it? I packed my tennis bag and my taste buds to know more about this restaurant.
Big Ben’s Kitchen started from a dream. From small batches of longganisa (delivered to office mates and friends of Mr. Gene Gutierrez) made in the working kitchen, it became a full size restaurant. Big Ben’s Kitchen got its name from the grandfather of the owner of the restaurant, Gene Gutierrez. He was really inspired by their family tradition of making tasty heirloom longganisa and he wanted the recipe to be back for everyone to enjoy. The ground floor of the family residence is the current location of the restaurant which opened last July 2015.
The restaurant had a cozy and fresh vibe. You can feel the past gastronomic experiences of the patrons through their writings in the walls of the restaurant.
The longganisa that they serve contains quality pork and devoid using preservatives, extenders or nitrates. In short, you get the best and fresh longganisa from Imus.
Here are some of the best picks I had during my visit:
I started off with Calamansi Cucumber Honey. It was the perfect thirst quencher. Would you believe that I had 4 servings of this drink? It was that good! Refreshing and tangy, it was also cool and palate cleanser. I’ll give it an ACE.
Batchoy Tagalog was served steaming hot. I like it because it reminds me of my grandmother’s batchoy. They added malunggay leaves making it healthier. I tried my noodle pull but then it was too thin. I’ll try it again next time. My verdict? I’ll give it a HIT.
Fiesta Menudo was the next dish I tried. I must say, it was not the typical household menudo. It was a bit smoky and savory. It would work perfectly with a nice bowl of plain rice or slices of fresh loaf bread. It’s actually one of my favorites during my visit. I’ll give it an ACE.
Sometimes I love eating my appetizers late or in the middle of my meal. I tried their Party Nachos. It was made of organic corn and the sauce was made with their special seasonings and ingredients. I like the presentation but it can be improved with toppings on it. I’ll give it a HIT.
The Fiesta Kare-Kare reminds me of my mom’s version of kare-kare. The sauce was made with freshly grounded peanuts. It was topped with fresh vegetables from farm to table. It was paired with fresh beef maskara slowly boiled for 8 hours. It can be paired with bagoong or alamang to add saltiness to it. I’ll give it an ACE.
I’m a big pasta guy! I tried their Linguini Pasta. Well, did not meet much of my standards but then it has its positive points. I just love how firm their pasta is. It was the perfect al dente. Oh and look at the presentation. Isn’t it cute? I’ll give it a HIT.
Let’s move on to Big Ben’s Breakfast. So I picked the Grass Fed Tapa + D’Famous Imus Longganisa combination. The longganisa was so good. If you’re a fan of the classic garlic and pepper taste, then you’ll agree with my taste buds. It was cooked well. Not too oily and it was not soggy. It was paired with garlic rice and a hearty sunny side egg. The grass fed tapa was firm and tender. You can really taste the flavor of the beef in every bite. I’ll give it an ACE.
I love desserts. I picked Special Sylvanas. It’s perfect with coffee or an afternoon tea. It is best served chilled. My grade? A HIT.
Leche Flan w/ Macapuno was my favorite dessert. I literally finished it. The macapuno at the bottom of the flan gave a different crunchy texture from the usual firm and smooth flan. It was not too sweet too. My verdict? Of course, a BIG ACE.
Will I be back at Big Ben’s Kitchen? Yes! For sure! I love the Imus longganisa and the Fiesta Kare-Kare. I definitely enjoyed the refreshing Calamansi Cucumber Honey. Leche Flan w/ Macapuno is a big plus for me. I’ll definitely come back for more!
Big Ben’s Kitchen is located at 385 Medicion 1st D 410, Imus, Cavite. They are open from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm everyday. For any inquiries, you may call them at 09151371888 or (046) 4351967. You can also like their Facebook page at Big Ben’s Kitchen and follow their Instagram page – @bigbenskitchen.
Would love to start seeing larger photos of the food! That way I can pretend I ordered it myself!
Wow. This just looks amazing. The cucumber honey beverage looks so refreshing!
what that is so awesome that you got to visit there and the food. OH my gosh it is making me so hungry!
This place is so beautiful! And the food looks yummy! Hope I could visit this place one day
This looks like a lovely place to dine. I like the wall where you can write a message I bet it’s really interesting to read!
I like all the dishes you tried, but if I had to choose, I think I would choose a dessert. I love everything crunchy.
Wow! Now, I am hungry.
Great photos by the way. The food looks delicious and the place so inviting. I am surprised at the similarities between Mexican food and Filipino dishes: the Menudo, the nachos (more tex-mex but still counts), and the FLAN! I want to try that flan.
I have to admit that I am disappointed in myself for never before trying food from the Philippines. Thanks for sharing this blog. You have encouraged me to go out in search of authentic Filipino food in TEXAS!
Kare kare!!! Nom!
Hmmm thinking about it, I would leave my website on their graffiti wall! haha
All these dishes look incredible!! I cannot wait to try them.
I love the decor of that place! And oh my do those dishes look soooo good
Oh goodness!This lovely pictures are sending my stomach into a series of rumbles; I’d really eat Fiesta Menudo and the Big Ben’s breakfast especially.They look so delicious. Such a treat you truly had at Big Ben’s Kitchen. So lucky you are!
This reminds me of a restaurant I went to as a child in Chicago… we got to write our names on the wall and I thought it was the coolest thing ever to be a part of history there (some day I should go back and try to find my name)
That dessert looks amazing, I’ll have to keep this in mind when I’m in that area! thanks!
This is the one area that I struggle with while traveling. I don’t like eating out at restaurants. I’d much rather visit the local market and cook my own food.
Seems like a nice place to eat. Do you follow anything special after your workouts? Like eating more carbs?
You tasted such a wide variety of dishes, many of which I have not encountered, so thanks for sharing. I have many Filipino colleagues and will definitely let them know about this place in the event they are ever in the vicinity.
Thanks for sharing another humble restaurant in Cavite. Bookmarking this post for our next food trip.
What a great find. I love trying new food places. I will have to give this a go if i’m ever in Cavite!
This just looks amazing. The cucumber honey beverage looks so refreshing!
What a cute looking restaurant! I love the cozy and easy decor. The food looks fresh and delicious, I would love to try the Fiesta Menudo!
Looks amazing! I wanna try the calamansi cucumber honey. It looks refreshing! Thanks for sharing!
New place plus foods to eat .Definitely will visit soon.
Not only does the food at this place looks good, but the interior décor of the restaurant looks amazing, too! I’d love to go here one day.
I like leche flan but I’ve never tried leche flan with macapuno. This place looks like they serve really good food. :0)
The restaurant has a vibe perfect for some casual and relaxing dining! The food looks absolutely mouthwatering!
I personally liked the interior of this restaurant. Those Party Nachos looks so yum! 😍
That place has such a great vibe to it! I love good food even more when I can eat it in a place that has the perfect atmosphere.
The place is so nice & it stands out. The options you have highlighted all look so wonderful including the drinks exhibited.
Those dishes are so mouth watering! I think I’d have more than one glass of that drink too. Oh and those sylvannas! I could eat a whole lot of them. I’d just have to make sure I have my insulin pen with me!
Now that is some fine dining! I wouldn’t my getting a bite to eat there!
These food looks amazing! I would really like to try them out one of these days.
all the dishes are presented so well and looks yummy. i so want to visit this place!
What a fun place to eat at, the food looks amazing. I’m craving the honey drink, that looked super yummy.
The cucumber honey drink looks delicious. i bet it was refreshing and healing.
First of all I love this vibe! Secondly the food looks amazing! If I’m ever in town I will be sure to check it out 🙂
The Calamansi Cucumber Honey looks absolutely amazing! No wonder you had 4 serving of this drink. The breakfast is delicious and had a lot of variety. I wish I could visit it one day!
This looks like a fabulous place to visit! Thank you for sharing about it.
The place looks really nice. I think that the decor is just perfect and the food looks so good.
What a cute place to eat! The food all sounds unique and delicious, from the drinks to the meals.
This place looks really lovely. Everything about it from the decor to the food, in fact, especially the food!
These places are really my favorites I like them a lot, they have the right atmosphere!
Let’s talk about the dishes? Delicious!
Wow, the dishes looked so great! Definitely I will go to Big Ben’s Kitchen when traveling to Imus, Cavite. Thanks for sharing the place!
I think this restaurant is really great to visit and try their pasta. I am big fan of pasta.
Yum! Thank you for sharing your trip!
What a beautiful restaurant. I like Batchoy Tagalog, too. The food looks beautiful, overall.