A SMALL diner in a corner of the Old PUJ Terminal in Lapu-Lapu City serves hotel-like food and beverages priced at P50 each.
For two years, Sweet Street Pasalubong Food and Coffee shop offers affordable nutritious meals located at Barangay Pajo.
“It started with a plain and simple desire to service the underserved,” said Cyrus Dela Rama, proprietor of Sweet Street Pasalubong Food and Coffee shop.
Cyrus said Sweet Street prioritizes customer’s quality experience rather than financial gain. The store stands for social responsibility by creating an environment where consumers can live a healthy life.
“It's not pure business, it's about social responsibility. I believe that profit is just the consequence of good customer experience.” Cyrus said.
The “natural food” store envisions not only to offer affordable high-quality products, but also to encourage people to live a healthy lifestyle, adding that they can enjoy a delicious meal without being unhealthy.
Chef Neil Dela Rama, the son of the owner, who formerly works at a luxury hotel emphasized that Sweet Street provides a hotel-like food experience.
“Dili mi mugamit ug (We do not use) preservatives... No shortcuts of cooking. We serve fresh and most especially healthy as well. Just natural and fresh ingredients,” Neil said.
The food shop offers a variety of menu from sandwiches, pasta, salads, and healthy shakes.
Sweet Street's best seller are chicken hot wings, clubhouse sandwich, caesar salad, carbonara, and mango shake.
Erica Beltran, a regular customer and a gym goer loves the idea that the store offers natural products.
"Affordable ra pud kay 50 ra gayud tanan price. Mas affordable siya kaysa muadto kag fastfood. (It's really affordable since all the food products cost only P50. It is more affordable than going to a fastfood chain)," Beltran said.
As the demand increases, the store plans to put up a new branch. Neil said that they will add a new set of menu like grilled food, steaks, and beer among others.
Sweet Street is open from Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m to 9 p.m., while on Sunday they are open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
They also offer free delivery within Lapu-Lapu City, with a minimum of P1000 worth of order. (Lawrice Glee Eltagonde and Vincent Clark Ermac, USC AB Communications Intern/SunStar Philippines)