CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan—The people of Bulacan can now enjoy the authentic taste of Filipino dishes after the 14th branch of Aristocrat Restaurant, “Home of the best chicken barbeque in town”, opened in Barangay Tikay in this city.
Malolos City Mayor Christian Natividad, and Priscila Reyes-Pacheco, the president of Aristocrat Restaurant, led last Saturday the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the symbolic opening of the restaurant.
Bulacan Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando; Justice Andres Reyes Jr. of the Supreme Court; Arturo Reyes Jr., treasurer of Aristocrat Restaurant; Jolly Reyes-Gomez, a director of the board of the family corporation; members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, other officials of the compaany’s board of directors and guests participated in the event.
Fernando expressed gratitude to the Reyes family in choosing Bulacan for their restaurant. The vice governor said it is a big help to the province, especially to the local officials, because they will no longer have to go out of Bulacan to conduct sessions and other official gatherings.
Natividad said he is happy for the opening of the restaurant in their city. He added it is an honor for Malolos to host one of the finest restaurants in the country. He said he considered the opening of the restaurant as a homecoming because its owners are Bulakenyos.
Pacheco said they chose the city of Malolos because it is a historical place and a symbol of the expansion of their business outside Metro Manila. She added it is their second branch outside the National Capital Region, next to Imus, Cavite.
Aristocrat Restaurant began as a rolling store way back in the 1930s in Luneta. The restaurant has been in business for at least 81 years. It was opened by Engracia “Asiang” Cruz –Reyes, his grandmother, to avoid losing their forks and spoons. Aling Asiang introduced chicken barbeque.
Gomez said the restaurant sought to open a place where Filipinos can eat delicious and traditional home-cooked comfort foods, like arroz caldo, lumpia, mechado, and many other dishes.
“Old style, fresh from the market, made from the kitchen,” Gomez said, adding customers appreciate the fact that the taste and quality of their food remained constant all these years.
Gomez said the investment for the Malolos branch is at least P40 million. It is located on a 640- square meter lot. It has two floors, and has a 200-sitting capacity. The dining area is located in the first floor, while the outdoor balcony and function hall for events, like seminar is, loacated in the second floor. The restaurant also has a bakeshop where they serve coffee and a variety of cakes and baked goods. They are also known for their “torta de los Reyes,” a chocolate-flavored sans rival.
Gomez said they are also looking at opening this year other branches in different provinces such as in Lipa, Batangas; San Fernando and Angeles in Pampanga; and other areas outside Metro Manila. He said they plan to launch at least three branches every year in the country.
The restaurant sells about 10,000 chicken barbeque a day, with at least 3,000 customers visiting their branch in Roxas Boulevard. He said their sales top P1 million everyday. The restaurant is not open for franchising to control and preserve its quality.