The Other Side of Mae: The Foodtruck at Big J Ranch

With Chef Jong and His Foodtruck Crew

I'm always, always a big fan of Travel and Living Channel even before it rebranded as TLC and was still Discovery Travel and Living. So now you know where I got influenced with my travel, DIY, food, and more and more food frenzy! Too much TV-ing, huh? Anyway, one of the reality TV shows that was aired in TLC from Food Network is The Great Food Truck Race hosted by Tyler Florence. It is a showcase of various food trucks in the US, each competing with the other in coming up with a new twist from the usual recipe of American staple food. Food trucks have always been a big hit in the US, bringing in comfort food to people anywhere. It got its roots from Texas' chuck wagon which was used as a mobile kitchen for cowboys in the olden days.

In the local scene, we have a Texan-style resto that has been serving the big OZ with its grilled goodies, the Big J Grill House. As I've featured here, I always come back to Big J for their Hungarian sausage and fish skewers. They serve really good food, super delish yet affordable and word of mouth has it! People flock to the place especially the boarding students for their unli rice. The place is always packed so they moved to a bigger field, the Big J Ranch at Maningcol Highway, Ozamiz City about a couple of years ago. And just last year, they added up their Foodtruck for another "something new" in the city!

The Foodtruck serves on-the-go American food but in Filipino-style of Chef Jong's original recipe like the Big J Burger, Fish and Chips, Chicken Wings, Roast Beef Sandwich, etc. Fish and Chips and the Chicken Wings became my instant favorites! The cream dory is perfectly coated and fried, crispy on the outside and soft and creamy in the inside. The potato wedges that come with it is distinctly flavored that I wish they also have a serving of only potato wedges alone. Oh, I'm just a sucker of potatoes! And what I love most of their Chicken Wings is that it comes in different flavors and sauces. You have three of each to choose from. Cheese, sour cream, and barbecue for the flavors and another barbecue, hot garlic, and teriyaki for the sauces. All you have to do is pick as you please the same as their iced dessert, halo-halo. This is another new experience 'coz you'll also get to choose what condiments and ice cream flavor you want in your sweet mix! This is so awesome 'coz you'll also have the chance to experiment with your very own food. As an adventurous foodie, this gimmick works very well for me!

So aside from Big J's original dishes, there are now new varieties to drool over as well as other Big Catch's specialties that they are also serving. A trip to the ranch is always worth it not only for the more than good food but also for the very festive ambiance every night. They have different fun activities to entertain their customers and the atmosphere is just so homey. They have the most accommodating staff in town spearheaded by Chef Jong's mom, Mrs. Helen Tang. The place is always too crowded and always too busy. They have too many diners to serve but the food. Oh, the food. Then and again, the food is still the best! Moreover, you know when you're really a lumad of Ozamiz if you bump into friends from 3-5 tables in only one setting at the ranch. So for movie date night, jammin' with the band night, or stand-up comedy night, visit Big J Ranch!