There are quite a few of these dishes that have made an indelible impression on me. They aren't necessarily the greatest, or most delicious, dishes I've ever tasted. It's just that I have come to associate them with specific times and specific places, and they invariably make me smile. My list follows. Do you have one?
- Goto from Aling Belen's carinderia near my childhood home
- Hot pan de sal from Aling Auring's sari-sari store
- Hot dog waffles from the Don Bosco Makati elementary school canteen
- Chick N Chips from Shakey's Katipunan branch
- Baked macaroni and cream peaks from Sweet Haven
- Fishballs and isaw from the sidewalk vendors around the UP Diliman campus
- Beef stroganoff from CASAA
- Shawarma from the Rustan's Supermarket food court
- Ham and "fake" cheese pizza from Greenwich Pizza Greenbelt branch
- Corned beef omelet from Pancake House Greenbelt branch
- Chocolate cake from the Cookie Monster Bakery
- Fresh lumpia from Triple V Greenbelt
- Rib eye steak from Chili's Los Altos branch
- Beef brisket with noodles from Tung Kee
- #27 (Thai Basil Pork) from Thai Basil in Sunnyvale
- Kosher hotdogs with a bit of sauerkraut from Manhattan sidewalk vendors
- Jambon beurre sandwiches from the Palais Omnisports in Paris
- Regular tacos from any Taco Bell
- Cochinillo from Casa Armas
- Meat pies from the Sydney Zoo
- Molten chocolate cake from the coffee shop at The Bellagio Las Vegas
- Tri-tip panini from Zanotto's Grocery
Whew. Now I'm hungry.