I’VE always associated the experience of food with memory and I think whether we are aware of it or not, it is almost always the case. When we talk of our grandmothers, probably we remember her as the bibingka woman who cooks kakanin every Sunday or we remember our mother’s humba or sinigang during rainy days.

Here in Davao City, despite the culinary evolution and the mushrooming of different restaurants with different concepts, what remains strong are the restaurants Dabawenyos grew up with. Despite the different cuisines readily available in different parts of the city, what we want to come back to is the taste that reminds us of happy memories when we used to eat merienda with the family after Sunday Mass.

We went back in time and recalled the existing restaurants in the city that has left a mark in the hearts of many Dabawenyos.

1. Cecil’s Snack Inn & Bakeshoppe, Inc.

Ask any friend you know who was born and raised in Davao City and they will sure to have some Cecil’s experience to share with you – whether it’s feasting on an afternoon palabok or spaghetti or maybe indulging in some sweets like Brazo de Mercedes, Egg Pie, or even Chocolate Cake. Cecil’s has been the go-to restaurant of Dabawenyo families most especially during the 90s.

What is now the Cecil’s we know and eat at at Anda Street used to be just six tables set up by Rosita Celiz Guino-o by their garage. She needed to continue with the food business after the family-owned Guinoo Hotel, where she supplies food, closed down in the 70s. Her business continues to flourish with different snack offerings as pancit molo, lumpia, batchoy, pastries, and pies. Now, they have at least 10 Cecil’s branches all over the city.

2. Merco’s

Merco is being remembered as an ice cream and dairy destinations for most kids back in the 80s and the 90s. However it did not necessary start with that. As early as 1946, the first Mercantile Corporation (Merco) was set up at Acacia Street by cousins Anselmo Shotwell and Belito Ferrazzini.

But back then, it was a business of all sorts like hardware, paint, and food on the side. Eventually, the chiffon cake baked and sold in the store by Anselmo’s wife Consuelo became more famous to the patrons compared to the other products that they had. In 1959 when the original store burned down, the cousin-partners had to establish again a new branch at San Pedro St., this time selling merienda products including Consuelo’s chiffon cake.

Throughout the years they continue with their business venture passing on the business skills to the generations after them. Now, Merco is more known for cakes and pastries. Aside from restaurants where people can dine in, they have also established take-out counters all over the city.

3. Kusina Dabaw

When you ask Dabawenyos of their favorite siopao, they might point you to Kusina Dabaw. A 43-year-old restaurant now located at San Pedro St., it has passed several generations and still continue to be alive in the food industry despite competitions.

It was started by a Chinese journalist who came to Davao City and who started this food business in Bangoy. He got married and had a son named Marcelino Yu, who with his wife Leah Yu, now manages the restaurant. Their best-sellers now include the lomi, siopao, and batchoy among many others. Leah explained to us that the logo of Kusina Dabaw actually was made by her father-in-law himself and plays with the letters “M” and “Y”, the initial of their son.

“I think it’s because we maintain the original ingredients and the quality of the food that we serve that’s why people still come to eat here,” Leah shared.

4. Chickies and Patties

Before Jollibee and McDonald’s, it was every Dabawenyo’s early 80s to 90s memory to dine at Chickies and Patties and indulge in their crispy chicken with rice.

“Come all friends! Come to Chickies & Patties, where the chickies are always the best. Taste is different at Chickies & Patties. Once you bite you will never go for less. Prices are right at Chickies & Patties...” and the jingle goes on. This would usually ring a bell for people who grew up hearing this advertisement multiple times over the radio.

Now, Chickies & Patties is still very much open at Magsaysay Avenue, Davao City still offering the food favorites that people of then and now used to enjoy and continue to enjoy.