Restaurant Review: Otep's Tinuno (Cauayan City, Isabela)

 

Otep's Tinuno

After our morning visit to the Church of Our Lady of the Pillar, we were to have our lunch at Otep’s Tinuno, a hidden gem of Cauayan City.  At this local version of Gerry’s Grill in Cauayan City, this one-storey, native-style family restaurant serves comfort Filipino food in an al fresco but relaxing tropical ambiance.  The word tinuno is an Ilocano term for “grilled.” 

Check out “Church of Our Lady of the Pillar”

 

Cauayan's hidden gem

From the entrance, it was a short walk, through a pasalubong counter, an open court (with synthetic grass), a gravel and flagstone walkway and nipa and bamboo picnic sheds, to our reserved spot.  Since we were a large group, we occupied a dining area that could accommodate 20 people.  Though alfresco, it had ceiling fans, a synthetic grass floor and a chain link fence hung with potted plants.  Our fare consisted of two orders of their bestseller Boodle 3: Fiesta (Php1,915.00) served on banana leaves.   

 

Entrance foyer

The sumptuous fare consisted of Crispy Pata and Fried Chicken plus the best freshly grilled Filipino eats such as Inihaw na Tilapia, Inihaw na Liempo and Inihaw na Tanigue, all served with Ensaladang Kamatis, Sili, Talong, Steamed Rice and Otep’s Pancit. It was a great boodle fight experience!  The food was tasty and the meat tender. Though without airconditioning, the ambiance was still cozy and comfortable.  The menu was reasonably priced and the customer service was good as well.

 

Pasalubong counter

Their two other boodle sets (Php1,195) feature, aside from  Inihaw na Hito (or Tilapia) and Stuffed Baby Squid, Tortang Talong, Crispy Pork Bangoongan, Chicken Barbecue and Laing ni Lola for the  Boodle 1: Klasik and Daing na Banus, Lechon Kawali, Inihaw na Liempo and Ensaladang Talong for Boodle 2: Isla.

 

Our media group.  The author is on the right

 For appetizers (good for 2 to 3 people, Php85-295), they offer Chicharon Bulaklak, Salmon Sashimi, Kalabasa Soup, Calamares & Onion Rings, Potato Fries and Kilawing Tanigue/Tuna. Favorites include Sizzling Pork Sisig, Beef Bulalo, Binagoongan Crispy Pork, Kare-Kareng Pata, Pinakbet and Tortang Talong. 

 

Boodle 2: Fiesta

For their Pinoy-style tinuno (Php105-365), they serve chicken (thigh, breast, wing and leg), pork (barbecue and liempo), fish (tanigue, tuna, hito, bangus and tilapia) and squid.  Their specials, good for 2 to 3 people (Php205-420), include Broccoli with Beef, Chopsuey, Buttered Fried Chicken, Sinigang na Bangus, Salted Egg Yolk Fried Chicken, Kare-Kareng Crispy Liempo and Fried Pampano.    

 

Open court

The restaurant has sufficient parking space and, come evening, they have an acoustic performance. As they want to preserve a family-friendly atmosphere, light beer is only served from 8 – 10 PM.

 

Another dining area

Otep’s Tinuno: Don Lucas Banigan St., Brgy. San Fermin, Cauayan City, 3305 Isabela. Tel: (078) 652-3721 and 652-5128.  Mobile number: (0956) 980-8847, (0927)418-0849 and (0975) 321-3988.  E-mail: otepstinuno@gmail.com.  Website: www.otepstinuno.business.site. Open daily, 10 AM - 9 PM.

How to Get There: Cauayan City is located 390.1 kms. (a 7.5-hr. drive), via Pan-Philippine Highway/AH26, from Manila and 35.5 kms. (a 50-min. drive) from the City of Ilagan.