Elsie’s Cafe And Restaurant: Like No Place Else

Carinderia with class and elegance – this is how I often describe Elsie’s Cafe and Restaurant to my friends whenever they ask me where’s the restaurant and how’s the place. There are a number of carinderias, including kambingan, in Victoria but Elsie’s stood out among them all in terms of food, ambiance and interior. 

It’s also evident that the owners invested a lot in interiors just to give their customers a comfortable dining experience. You won’t believe that this hut is air-conditioned. Chairs and tables are made with expensive wood. It is low-key my favorite restaurant and I’m glad I got to discover it. 

Their menu is mostly composed of home-cooked Filipino meals. Although these are meals that we always see at our homes, we are so willing to travel a long way just to dine in their restaurant and eat their delicious food. 

Chicharong Bituka / Kalderetang Kambing

Wow! This Chicharon is a lot! These crispy big rounds are definitely pig’s intestine and not just from a chicken. It’s good with the accompanying vinegar because it’s salty. But we, kids, like it that way. It’s just a little bitter. The sauce of Kalderetang Kambing isn’t the usual Kaldereta sauce. It has this distinct savory flavor, which I love. The goat meat is totally flavorful. It’s tender but there are chewy parts.

Beef Kare Kare / Dinuguan

Just by looking at the Kare Kare, I immediately got the enthusiasm to eat. It’s a complete package. There’s beef meat, beef internal organs and vegetables. They are obviously fresh from boiling pot. Perhaps, it has to have more peanut flavor for the sauce to be perfect. On the other hand, the Dinuguan has rich and natural flavors. It’s saucy and has generous serving of meat and internal organs. The touch of tanginess was addicting.

Canton Guisado / Lumpiang Shanghai

We found the noodles of Canton Guisado overcooked since it’s very soft. Maybe, it’s just me because I like al dente cook for noodles. The sauce is thin and bland. But thankfully, it’s generous in vegetables. Upon seeing the long thin rolls of Lumpiang Shanghai, I know that they will be good. I recommend to add more wrapper so it will be crispier. We also had Bopis. It was actually my boyfriend’s order but it was me who finished it. I’m sorry I just loved it! 

Buttered Chicken / Buffalo Chicken

We didn’t regret ordering these two chicken platters of Elsie’s. They definitely gave us big cuts for both flavors. The Buttered Chicken lacks the buttery flavor so I guess it’s safe to call it Fried Chicken. It’s crispy and juicy at the same time. It’s yummy even without ketchup. Buffalo Chicken is basically their Buttered Chicken with buffalo sauce. The sauce of isn’t spicy. It’s actually as sweet as teriyaki. But it’s also delectable.

Tuna Sandwich / Grilled Cheese with Fries

These are not just sandwiches. These are paninis, which is so unusual in Mindoro, especially in Victoria. The bread alone is crispy and flavorful. The Tuna was corned and dressed in mayonnaise. The Grilled Cheese was gooey. I was craving for this but I ended up liking the Tuna Sandwich more. But both are delish. Both are made with quality ingredients. Both are oozing with fillings. The fries is plain salted but I love it. They’re starchy inside and crispy outside.