Halo-Halo Havens
Summer calls for refreshing drinks. In Pampanga, Angeles City, the traffic is just as annoying as Manila’s. Due to the stress caused by the busy streets and heat one would definitely not mind eating something that would cause brainfreeze. Sure fruit shake stalls abound. But a true-blue Kapampangan or just about anyone who appreciates native recipes would definitely scream for halo-halo.
Now if you’re a newbie in Pampanga and you sense your palate itching for that familiar sweet refreshment, just where should you go? Here is a number of halo-halo hotspots that would satisfy your craving:
Razon’s
Known to help travelers survive the heat, from Guagua, Razon’s has also opened a few branches in Manila. It’s best eaten with pancit palabok and siopao, if your tummy has enough space for all of those foods that is. Of the 3 versions of halo-halo I’ve tasted, Razon’s halo-halo is one of the most malaman or filled with chunks of fruits.
Corazon’s
Its original branch is on Corazon street in Nepo subdivision in Angeles City. You can also find one along Mc-Arthur Highway just a few blocks from Angeles University Foundation. According to my taste buds, I really can’t tell the difference between Razon’s and Corazon’s halo-halo recipe.
Cool Spot
Someone who has lived long enough in Angeles City will definitely agree that Cool Spot is one of the oldest places that serves truly mesmerizingly tasty halo halo. I’m not sure though if they still put halo-halo in used evaporated milk’s cans if you order it for take-out as they used to. Voted as Top 2 of PampangaOnline’s Nukarin ing Pekamanyaman a Halo-Halo Poll (Places Where You Can Get the Most Delicious Halo-Halo in Pampanga). Cool Spot’s halo-halo is less filling because it’s not as chunky as Razon’s and Corazon’s. But it’s still milky and as tasty or even better than the other halo-halo’s.
Happy halo-halo season!
UPDATE: According to Ivan Henares, Arayat’s halo-halo havens are noteworthy, too, particularly Kabigting’s and Jurado’s as these are also two of the best sources of halo-halo in Pampanga.
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Ivan About Town » Apr 05, 2006 at 5:20 am
I would like to disagree with “In Pampanga, the traffic is just as annoying as Manila’s.” Please do not generalize Pampanga since it is only annoying in Angeles City. The LGU and civic leaders of the City of San Fernando have done wonders in creating a smooth flow of traffic especially along the flyover area.
Anyway, the entry talks about halo-halo havens only in Angeles City. If you are to say halo-halo havens in Pampanga, it must include those in Arayat where some of the best halo-halo in Pampanga is made. This includes stores such as Kabigting’s and Jurado’s which have branches in San Fernando and Angeles. In fact, there are three distinct halo-halo varieties in Pampanga. These are Guagua (Razon’s), Angeles (Corazon’s) and Arayat halo-halo.
It must also be noted that Kapampangan halo-halo is distinct from other halo-halos in the country because it uses only three or four ingredients or sahog. However, the richness of these ingedients more than compensates for the number of types thrown in the glass. Arayat is distinct for its pastillas and crushed beans while Guagua for its macapuno and mais.
Manuel Viloria » Apr 08, 2006 at 8:34 am
I enjoy the minimalist approach of Razon’s in Robinsons Galleria. It only contains macapuno, leche flan, matamis na saging (sweetened bananas), and probably a dash of lime/dayap juice.
That’s why I was surprised to read here that Razon’s (in Pampanga) is one of the most malaman or filled with chunks of fruits.
I always thought the Razon’s mall branch would serve the original Pampanga version. Maybe the mall halo-halo is just a zen version.
Alfa Mercado » Apr 12, 2006 at 12:24 pm
@ Ivan
It’s just that until now I can’t disintegrate Pampanga from Angeles City or vice versa thus, the generalization. Also, I’ve heard of Kabigting’s but I’ve never been there so I wasn’t able to come up something about it.
I updated the post. Thanks for the info. I promise not to interchange Pampanga and Angeles City again. Hehe..
@ Manuel
Razon’s is I think the most malaman of the 3 that I mentioned in my post lang. Updated it.
Ivan About Town » Apr 12, 2006 at 12:45 pm
I think Kabigting’s has a branch near the gate of Villa Gloria. I don’t know if it’s still there. You might want to try it out. Thanks!
wysgal » Apr 06, 2006 at 6:19 am
They have a nice article on halo-halo’s in last weekend’s Businessworld. You can find the article here.
keele_zeibel » Jul 10, 2007 at 10:15 pm
I think you’re mistaken. Razon’s halo halo only has very few ingredients.
Yum » Apr 11, 2009 at 11:03 pm
I would like to post my experience dining in one of Razon’s branches to be specific the branch located in Shopwise Araneta Center, facing The Araneta Colisuem.
We had our lunch around half past 1pm today, April 25, 2009. We’re almost done with our orders when my friend saw a COCKCROACH fried together with the Tocino!! EWWWWW!!!! it was inserted in the middle of the meat, and was fried together with the other Tocino slices he ate….
We called the attention of the Manager but she just offered a refund, a refund that is more of an insult to us.
This is not about a matter of refunding the money paid but about the quality of food and service provide..