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Tawhay Sa Bukid

October 8, 2020December 19, 2020Cafe

One of the nice things about living in or visiting the San Carlos City and Calatrava area is exploring the mountains. Whether you like to trek, enjoy the views, or just have a nice place to have a morning coffee, there are dozens of places to choose from if you can find them. As trekking and discovering new places is a personal interest of ours, and as service to our guests, SmallFry’s Beach Resort will post blogs periodically so others can share in our experiences.

We went back up the mountain in Calatrava and this time stopped at Tawhay Sa Bukid. This cafe has been around a long time and has decent food and great views. Like most of the places up the mountain, parking can be tricky. If you have a motorcycle or truck you can park on the hill. If you have a car you would probably need to park on the highway. The coffee was a bit bitter, but the bacon and eggs for 55 pesos was surprising good! The tables are lined up against the railing which gives you a night view to look at while having breakfast.

While at breakfast, we were a bit surprised to see there was a 15 peso entrance fee. For what? The view? On the way out we saw the path up the hill, and there is a few attractions to see. A couple are good for selfies, especially the “hand”, but certainly not that interesting. Would we go back? Not for the attractions or coffee, but the staff is friendly and maybe for the bacon and eggs.

Hill 350

September 19, 2020December 23, 2020Cafe

Today we decided to go up the mountain road in Calatrava and we stopped at a new cafe called Hill 350 Cafe about 5km from town. We originally were planning to go to Malview Cafe but when we saw the incredibly steel hill we wanted an excuse to use our 4 Wheel Drive. They paved the bottom of the hill so a two wheel drive can make it up at least part way. We decided to park at the first level and walk up the rest of the way because we didn’t know if there would be room to turn around at the top. There was, so if you’re brave enough to go up all the way in your car, there is space to turn around to come back down.

Hill 350 is cute. We ordered a coffee, chicken and rice for the kids, and Bachoy soup for us. The staff is friendly, and food not too bad. The coffee is the same and even in the same paper cups you get at most of the roadside cafes, but that is not a bad thing. The local coffee beans are quite good.

The furniture is all home made and the chairs a bit small and hard on your butt, but if you’re not staying too long it OK. The view is amazing from the cafe. It’s higher than the cafes down on the highway, but it’s hard to say if that gives a significant advantage. There are lot of tables scattered around the natural rock structures. They cut open one large rock for display, and it appears to be solid quartz inside. The kids enjoyed seeing that.

All in all it was worth the visit especially if you like a rustic setting.

“Best Burgers In Town”

August 27, 2020June 1, 2023Resort, Restaurant

PAPADOUGS HOME MADE FLAME BARBECUED DOUBLE CHEESE BURGER

Two years ago when we first opened we did a post about our hamburgers because a few guests had told us how much they enjoyed them. Today it is still the most popular thing on the BBQ menu. What’s our secret? No secret really, just 1/4 lb (or 1/2 lb if you’re really hungry) of pure ground beef, egg, spices, and lots of fresh garlic flame grilled on the BBQ. Well maybe the spices are secret, but since the chef is Canadian you might be able to guess. 🙂

And of course made the way you like it with fresh lettuce, cheese, onions, tomato, mustard, and pickles. Ok fine, that’s the way I like it. But you can also have mayonnaise and/or ketchup if you must. 🙂

We’re only 15 minutes from Calatrava, and 20 minutes from San Carlos. Why not come out to the beach in San Isidro on your lunch break. You can have lunch in town, or you can sit on the beach and enjoy one of the best burgers around.

This is what some of our guests have said:

Best Hamburgers in town.
Mano (Google)

..yummy Good ..the Burger
Ruth (Facebook)

Lots of good local food choices and some really good burgers 🙂
Rebecca (Google)

Doug makes the best burger on Negros! I just can’t say enough about this place! It’s Great!
Domingos (Facebook)

The best food around. Try the Burger you will not be disappointed 5/5
Howard (Google)

The host’s burgers are actually sensational
David (Booking.com)

The burgers are amazing.
Hotels.com Reviewer

Coral Reef Snorkeling at Smallfry’s Beach Resort

July 22, 2020August 22, 2021Activities, Resort, Vacation

You don’t need to go far to find good coral reef snorkeling while staying at SmallFry’s Beach Resort. There is a beautiful reef directly in front of our beach only 500 meters from shore. We can take you there by pump boat or kayak. Bring your own snorkeling gear, or we have gear you may use if you don’t have your own.

It is rumored that the coral reef in Calatrava and Toboso were long ago damaged by dynamite fishermen before it was outlawed. Over the years the coral has been returning to it’s healthy state. We had some scientists stay at SmallFry’s to do a recent study of the reefs and they were pleased to say they have both recovered admirably. Some of the pictures included were given to us by this dive team.

Just one more reason to come visit SmallFry’s Beach Resort in Calatrava, Negros Occidental. Come as our guests, leave like family.