Everybody's Favorite Tita

In the Philippines, "Tita" is the equivalent of Aunt or Auntie. In a culture where calling an elder (who is not a relative) by her first name is not the norm, the term "Tita" is used as a sign of respect.  And in San Pablo City when you mention the name "Tita Melba", two things come to mind - Joel Town and Liemposilog!

Tita Melba is the owner of Joel Town D' Original Liemposilog. Saying the name of the place is quite a mouthful so we usually just refer to it as "Sa Joel Town" or simply, "Tita Melba's". This carinderia-style place is already an institution and has been there for the longest time.  This humble place has captured the hearts and appetites of people from all walks of life. So don't be surprised if you see long lines of vehicles parked along the street where the eatery is located - from tricycles to luxury cars!

As you enter the place, it is just a typical eatery where the tables and chairs do not match - some are made of wood while the others are your monoblocks or plastics, where there is a big and blaring television featuring local stations, and where there are only a few wait staff running around the place to get and deliver orders. Oh, there's no air conditioning.  So, what makes it special that makes people love it? There is only one answer, the food!

Liemposilog but you can also have it as Liemposi only

While most eateries offer SILOGS (something + SInangag and itLOG) like Tapsilog, Longsilog, Chicksilog, etc., Tita Melba's offers the LIEMPOSILOG (Php65/order) and it's not just fried liempo.  It's more similar to a lechon kawali but intsead of being cut into cubes, this version is cut thinly but still keeping the crunchiness of the pork rind and the juiciness of the meat. That description alone will make you want to try it. If you prefer a complete meal, you can order Liemposilog with Chopsuey.

Aside from Leimposilog they also offer other combinations such as Adobosilog, Beef Asado with Chopsuey and sizzling dishes like Sizzling Bulalo with Creamy Mushroom Sauce (uh-oh)! Senyora Buigotti's favorite is the Ataysilog and you can have it cooked medium rare, medium well and well-done.  Just refer to the photo above for the menu of Tita Melba's.

Crunchy Tofu Steak

Another staple order for us is the Crunchy Tofu (Php90/order). Think nuggets and replace the meat with tofu.  The breading is very crunchy and yet the tofu inside is very soft. The dish is completed by a savory and sweet sauce.  Perfect combination!

This Sisig literally sizzles

Another dish that we always try in restaurants and eateries that we visit is the Sisig (Php140/sizzling plate).  The version of Tita Melba's has a twist.  Theirs is made of crunchy liempo. And instead of serving it with siling labuyo, they use the larger ones similar to those in sinigang. There's only one way to describe this dish - Fiery! And we don't mind getting our mouth's burned because it's just soooo good!

Here's something interesting about eating at Tita Melba's. Usually, extra rice is ordered when the meal is half way through. At Tita Melba's, we order our extra rice at the start because we know we will definitely need it! As the boys say it, "ang totoong chick, nag extra rice!"

Though Tita Melba's has a standby water dispenser, the best way to wash down these dishes is with ice cold cola or soda. Unfortunately, the last time we went there, soft drinks were out of stock. What we did was buy one at a nearby sari-sari store and they did not mind us bringing in the drinks (unless they did not notice it)!

If you are not maarte and do not mind eating in a carinderia, Tita Melba's is the perfect indulgence - oh so sinfully good food, affordable price and you can laugh as hard as you can when chatting with friends!

Joel Town D' Original Liemposilog or Tita Melba's is located at Mayon St., Joel Town Subd., Brgy.  San Rafael, San Pablo City. They also deliver.  We love their lomi. Yes, served with liempo bits.