next time you visit the other former US base in Central Luzon, i hope you can try out the VFW Canteen right by the Clark Perimeter Road after Fields Ave. Think classic American 1950s-1960s fare by way of Betty Crocker.

i tried to e-mail this to you in the “contact” key of your website, but i received an “injection error” (!) reply.

anyways, hope this recent post in the pinoyfrugalchowhound yahoogroup helps. and i hope you can find the time to join that group too. lots of dedicated foodies in the house!

spanx!

after a long absence, i visited THE VFW CANTEEN over by the Fields Ave/Perimeter Road of Clark Air Base,
and had an intensely satisfying brunch.

i’ve forgotten what the other letters in VFW stand for,
but V is for Veterans’, not Vendetta.
it’s a restaurant run coop style by a group of American veterans.

this is perhaps one of the very very few places in the Philippines
that serves a real SHIT ON A SHINGLE,
or S.O.S., what GIs affectionately (or derisively) called their staple wartime food,
Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast.

it’s similar to a Sloppy Joe, except that the ground beef is simmered in cream,
and the whole mess is slathered onto a couple of slices of toasted bread
(your choice of wheat or white bread),
and the intermingling of crunchy toast and creamy beef almost makes you feel like you’re in Oliver Stone movie.
one full order of the S.O.S. is only a hundred bucks.

VFW’s version of EGGS BENEDICT takes a while to prepare,
mainly because each batch of Hollandaise Sauce is cooked up fresh upon each order.
another cholesterol feast!!!

and if you miss that late lamented McDo breakfast of Sausages/Egg/Cheese on a Biscuit,
look no further!!!
VFW bakes their own authentic southern style BISCUITS that melt in your mouth.

and HASH BROWNS?
present and accounted for!!
thick diner-style MILKSHAKES?
yes sir!!!

needless to say,
the best burgers in Angeles City/Dau can be found here.
PATTY MELTs overflowing with caramelized onions,
and other Hotshot/Brothers-type burger creations are among VFW’s top-sellers.

walking into the VFW Canteen is like returning to pre-Pinatubo eruption Clark Field.
the furniture and fixtures are well-maintained 1970s chic.
it’s fully airconditioned, and very cool and cozy inside.
at any given time, the crowd is divided evenly between Americans and Capampangans.
and the serving staff is almost bargirl friendly.

but don’t worry, this is very much a Family Friendly establishment,
although if you prefer, you can enjoy your Carnivorous American Feast in the bar area.

located in a nondescript building a block away from the main Perimeter Road,
VFW is indeed a local secret that deserves to be discovered by Pinoy foodies.

So next time you go duty-free shopping at Clark,
forget about the chowkings and the jollibees,
and take the ten minute drive out to the VFW timewarp!!!

THE VFW CANTEEN
Santol Road corner Pinatubo Street,
Clarkview Subdivision
Perimeter Road,
Angeles City

From inside Clark,
take the Friendship Highway exit on the right side of the main road,
turn left on the Perimeter Road and drive towards Fields Ave/Mac Arthur Highway.
Go past the Oasis, Majarajah, and Clarkton Hotels,
look out for the Zapata Mexican Restaurant on the right side of the road,
a couple of blocks down, turn right into Santol Road, and voila, VFW!!!

or if you get lost,
just call 045-8922408 and ask for directions.

Oh and MM we finally made Kare-Kare, and it was good! It took a lot of work, and quite a bit of money, because the ox tails and tripe are not cheap here. We agreed to make something similar to Nilagang Baka next time and just add the Kare-Kare sauces, for a similar stew.