FAMILY-owned restaurants bring to mind humble wooden tables, nondescript cutlery and flatware and chock-full of comfort food favorites on the menu. Whether they are generations old or relatively new, widely known or a hole-in-the-wall, these restaurants reflect a labor of love, dedication and hard work. So it’s no surprise that some of the most soulful dishes come from these gems.
No matter how many new food haunts sprout in the metro, no matter where our travels take our taste buds to, everyone has his own piece of household-restaurant haven. One such place is Butchero, owned and run by Joy Veloso and her family. Causing a culinary commotion in a cozy-chic setting, the flavor combinations that the Velosos concoct are aimed at making classics into better classics.
Located beside a butcher shop—one of the four they own—Butchero focuses on meat offerings and turns carefully sourced local ingredients into no-fuss dishes. “We thought we had a lot of fresh meat, so why not go into the restaurant business?” said Joy. Everything fell into place and Butchero opened in September 2018. On the wall people can see the following items: a framed bone saw, S-hook, meat cleaver and barbecue tools. On the other side? A handheld meat grinder, which commands attention.
Temptingly tasty, the menu was developed based on family recipes that the family used to cook whenever they would miss Filipino food while living in Australia. A perfect meal here kicks off with tortang talong and progresses into the heavyweight mains—roast chicken and crackling roast pork. Putting its own twist on familiar favorites, Butchero also offers feet-ta-tim which uses pig trotters instead of the leg, as well as homemade pork chicharon without the fat. Pair any of the dishes with the garlicky kinupusan rice. The pickled vegetables and guyabano shake add a nice counterbalance to the meaty meal.
As it listens to and addresses the demands of both new and repeat customers, it constantly adds items to its menu. Also on offer are soups, seafood, noodles and set and boodle meals.
With a seating capacity of 65, Butchero caters to private functions too. Find it on 8 Wilson St., Apas, Cebu City. Open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday to Friday, and from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Butchero should be your next “meating point.”