Did you know we make authentic style Chili-Cheese Nachos at SmallFry’s? We start with crispy Tostito corn chips then add a layer of real cheddar cheese and put it in the oven to melt. The melted cheese protects the corn chips from getting soggy when the wet ingredients are put on top. Next we add the chili, chopped onions and tomatoes, another layer of cheddar cheese and finally the pickled jalapeno peppers. Back in the oven under the broiler until the cheese is bubbling and the edges of the corn chips are lightly toasted. We serve it directly from the oven while it is still very hot. Served with a couple ice cold beers and your cravings are sure to be satisfied.
Carthels has become our favorite spot for a morning coffee. It’s about 1hr walk/trek from SmallFry’s up the mountain. It’s not on Google Maps, but here is a link to the location. We discovered Carthel’s by accident when we were trekking through the mountains and someone recommended we go there. It was pretty tricky to find it the first time and we had to ask people at every intersection. Now there are signs from the highway and it is pretty simple to find. It has become a favorite for cyclists from San Carlos because it is about the right distance for a couple hours ride, and the last kilometer is through the forest which is very nice.
We have been there about 10 times now, and each time we go they have made improvements and additions. Initially they just had coffee and simple snacks from the Sari Sari. We have made suggestions each time we go, and either they are listening, or have thought of it themselves. Now you can get other snacks and Adobo there if you order in advance, or can wait long enough. But the best part of Carthel’s is the friendly atmosphere. Even the dog “Lucky” makes you feel welcome.
Carthel’s is very colourful, and they keep adding more things to see, climb, and take selfies. The treehouses are great for kids to climb. I’m sure we will be going back again and again. If you are staying at SmallFry’s and want to get a bit of morning exercise, we are very happy to take you there.
As trekking and discovering new places is a personal interest of ours, and as service to visitors to our Website, and our guests, SmallFry’s Beach Resort will post blogs about where we visit so others can share in our experiences.
Sampat on Dalhia Street in San Carlos City is back from the main road and until recently we did not even know it was there. We enjoyed it so much the first time, we have been back four more times already.
At home we primarily eat Filipino so when we are out I usually order Western food if they have it. I’ll start by saying the Filipino food is excellent. I tried everything that my wife ordered and the last time we were there I order Filipino too. This was primarily because on the Western sandwiches side of the menu I never found anything I would order again. The tuna melt was the best of the worst but the mayonnaise was very sweet and overpowering. The crispy chicken sandwich wasn’t, the club sandwich was OK but too gooey and too much sweet mayonnaise again. But the worst of all was the bacon grilled cheese. It’s not real cheddar. They use the local Eden cheese which is dry, tasteless and just horrible in a sandwich. A bit disappointing. If you like good Western style food I’d recommend Mr. C’s, Mike’s Burgers and of course Smallfry’s Beach Resort. But if you like Filipino, Sampat has some of the best we’ve tried at a very reasonable price. The staff is great, the place has a nice ambience, and the beer is cold. We will be back again.
As trekking and discovering new places is a personal interest of ours, and as service to visitors to our Website, and our guests, SmallFry’s Beach Resort will post blogs about where we visit so others can share in our experiences.
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.
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.
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.
