Going American, Italian and Chinese at Uncle John’s

If you have a big brood with different food moods, eating out can turn out to be a complicated operation. The most determined in the group will successfully lobby to satisfy their particular cravings, leaving the others discontented with the choice. In most cases, the best alternative is to let each one go his separate way, and then meet up again afterwards. This is just too bad, since some of the best catching-up conversations happen in the course of a shared meal.

Fortunately, we now have Uncle John’s. The quick service restaurant located at the third floor of Robinsons Galleria serves popular American, Italian and Chinese dishes all under one roof.

"Our research showed that Chinese, American and Italian dishes are the most popular among the local market," says Bobby Go, business unit head of Uncle John’s. "Our menu has the flavors of the East and the West. Ordering is likewise quick and easy since we have a common counter, a common kitchen and dining area."

At Uncle John’s, the food is prepared fresh and hot daily and served approximately 10 minutes after you order. Aside from the quick service and tasty meals, a big plus for the restaurant is its affordability.

It was difficult to decide on what to eat with what was available in the menu: Big burger steak (P80), pasta puttanesca with focaccia (P75), fish fillet congee (P70), beef wanton noodle soup (P100), braised beef rice topping (P90), and so much more

On the day of our visit, we tried the pizzas (cheese and garlic, ham and cheese, Hawaiian, pepperoni, Italian sausage, and four-cheese, P240 to P300 for the 14-inch pizza, and P420 to P480 for the 18-inch pizza), pork (P32), and shark’s fin (P45) siomai. We also had Buffalo chicken wings (P100 for two pieces) and Hungarian sausage spaghetti with white sauce (P80). So far, the last two are my favorites. However, I am certain that this list of favorites will lengthen with subsequent visits to the store.

If you find yourself confused with all the choices available, it may be a good idea to consider the value meals. Pizza, pasta and chicken served with a regular drink, for example, will cost you just P130. Your dining partner may opt for a different combination — maybe chicken noodle soup and siomai (P80), and you can sample food from each other’s plate. While I know that my priggish friends will surely frown if I spear something off their plate if we were dining at a formal restaurant, I am certain that they would not mind if I do so at Uncle John’s. They might, in fact, be tempted to pick things off my plate, too, since the restaurant is such a friendly, easygoing place — free of useless frills and furbelows.

Was Uncle John’s named after Robinsons patriarch John Gokongwei Jr.?

The name "Uncle John’s" topped a survey to find a suitable name for the restaurant. "Our respondents associated this name with fun and a friendly atmosphere," says Go. "Everyone seems to have a favorite uncle who always visits us, laden with gifts and colorful stories about his travels. And the name John is familiar and easy to remember."