EATS and SWEETS : San Miguel, Bulacan Culinary Tour! Part 4

San Miguel, the northernmost town of Bulacan, is known for its historicity as well as its many sons and daughters who have played important roles in the country’s path to independence. Biak na Bato, Maximo Viola, heritage and ancestral houses, San Miguel Archangel Parish Church, and Pablo Tecson are just some of the many names, places and things these town is known for. But aside from that, it is also known for its culinary heritage, especially sweets, from where the old name “San Miguel de Mayumo” came from (“mayumo” means “sweet).

I, San Josenyong Gala, was fortunate to be able to be a part of the San Miguel Culinary and Heritage Tour 2018 where a visit to the town’s some heritage sites as well as many food establishments serving culinary and modern cuisine was conducted. The food tour proved that San Miguel is indeed a culinary haven, and a visit to the town will not leave anyone hungry, or unsatisfied.

This last part (out of 4) features San Miguel Bulacan's emerging leading restaurant and catering business, ARKI's Grill. Its owner, Arch. Ervin Garcia, is the one responsible for this culinary and heritage tour and can be considered as one of the prime movers of the town's restaurant industry, especially when it comes to marketing them outside San Miguel.

ARKI's Grill, aside from being one of the more famous restaurant in San Miguel, is also the leader when it comes to offering affordable multi-cultural cuisines, bringing the taste of different countries to the people of San Miguel and neighboring towns. In here, aside from excellent Filipino dishes, one can also find Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and Thai cuisines. Customers are also treated to unique way of eating for each cuisine wherein at times, the food is being cooked right in the front of the diners.

After touring us around San Miguel, Arch. Ervin led us to his restaurant which is conveniently located along the Maharlika Hi-Way, with enough parking space for those who have cars. The restaurant is spacious and can accommodate more than 80 people in one seating. There is also a stage where performers sing while the customer are having their food. The place is well-lit, and the ambience is very good! The best part? The comfort room is very clean, well maintained (with bidet), and definitely gives you that comfort you seek! 

Arki's Grille started through the perseverance of Arch. Ervin and his wife. They have experienced failure but their fighting spirit didn’t wane and pushed more. The grille’s name, Arki’s Tambayan, was derived from Ervin’s nickname “Arki” as his friends call him being an architect by profession. The first Arki’s Grille was located at San Juan, San Miguel, Bulacan which opened in May 17, 2014. They decided to move to this bigger place last December 18, 2017.

Arch. Ervin Garcia, Arki's Grille owner

The food they served us was very good, and new to my taste. We were served with Thai Mookata, and that was the first time I was able to try it. I am accustomed to the Korean Samgyupsal but not with this one so I enjoyed it very much. The (uncooked) seafood, meat and vegetables were served alongside a stove with Mookata utensil (or whatever it is called) which is very new to my eyes. It sort of combines grilled food, hotpot, and noodles in one with Thai spices and sauces at the side. And because I am a big fan of Thai condiments, I definitely eat my food with gusto.

The very delectable Thai Mookata!

What made this Thai Mookata better than Samgyupsal I think is the soup that comes with it. While the noodles, vegetables, eggs, mushrooms, shrimps, and balls are being cooked in the broth at the side, the juices of the meats being grilled at the top drips towards the broth making it more flavorful. Nothing ever gets wasted in this type of cooking!  

Aside from the Thai Mookata I have just described, they also offer other short orders for people who just want to have a light snack. They also have Samgyupsal, Shabu-shabu, boodle fight, and unlimited buffet to serve the different needs and preferences of the customers. They also have a plethora of beverages from where the customers can choose from to combine with their meals. To top it all, they also offer catering services to those who are interested. Simply said, Arki's Grille is a very fitting place for those people who loves to eat 'til their tummy's full!

To know more about ARKI's Grille, here is how to reach them:

FB Page : ARKI'S GRILLE

Address : Salangan, Maharlika Highway, San Miguel, Bulacan 

Contact No. : 09358891003

Open everyday, from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm

Aside form their San Miguel Main Branch, Arki's Grille also have a branch in BALIWAG (Arki's Cafe) located at Gil Carlos St., Concepcion Baliwag, Bulacan beside Fernandez College and STI in front of Baliwag Transit Terminal. They also have a branch in SAN ILDEFONSO, located inside Bea’s Food Park, Cagayan Valley Rd., Sapang Putol, San Ildefonso, Bulacan.

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READ THE PART 1 (Amazing Glaze Doughnuts, Milktea Network, Adam's Pizza) here: EATS and SWEETS : San Miguel, Bulacan Culinary Tour! Part 1

READ THE PART 2 (Cristy's Pastillas, Inay Goyena's Chicharon, Sweet Bulakenya Foods) here:EATS and SWEETS : San Miguel, Bulacan Culinary Tour! Part 2.

READ THE PART 3 (BJ Snack House, Thumb's Up, Rasta Taco) here: EATS and SWEETS : San Miguel, Bulacan Culinary Tour! Part 3