Every time we pass by the famous eatery, Duko-Duko Eatery , located in Macaas, Catmon, Northern Cebu City, Philippines, we always notice how packed it is with people.Curiosity always struck me, and I've always wondered what the hype is all about. Finally, since we have our own means of transportation, we decided to stop by for brunch on our way to Cebu City. It was a pleasant surprise to find out that the place was not as crowded as it usually is. As someone who doesn't like crowded places, it was perfect to have the eatery to ourselves.
The Duko-Duko Eatery is renowned for its specialties, particularly Pochero, a hearty beef soup, and native chicken. These two dishes are among the most popular items on the menu. In addition to the Filipino home-style dishes, the restaurant also serves beloved Filipino favorites like beef and goat and so much more. Duko is a Cebuano word which means to bend down your head or bow down. Now I definitely have no idea why they called this place Duko-Duko.
The huge signage just outside Duko-Duko Eatery makes it easy to locate. This place is famous to everyone, especially those residing in the northern part of Cebu. If you're passing by the highway heading towards Northern Cebu or traveling towards Cebu City Main, you will see the Duko-Duko Eatery just beside the highway. The sight of a lot of cars outside catches my attention and makes me curious about their food.
In the past, we used to publicly commute on buses and public utility vehicles. Since the designated bus stop was not at this eatery, buses would not stop here at Duko-Duko Eatery. I found it amusing everytime we passed by this place because there is just so many people here and made a mental note to revisit this place in my own transportation someday to try their delicious food.
We arrived at 4:52 pm and this is the parking area situation. There were no people and we were the only vehicle parked here so I love it that we had the place all to ourselves. We then went in after parking our motorcycle.
Outside the main eatery, there are huts available for dining in addition to the indoor restaurant. The huts provide extra seating for busy days when there are many customers. They have plenty of chairs, accommodating a large number of people. It's a pleasant experience to dine outside as the location is near the beach, providing a fresh and windy atmosphere with a sea breeze.
This is what Duko-Duko Eatery looks in the inside.
In addition to their Filipino meals and dishes, they also offer a diverse range of snacks and desserts. Indulge in their famous snack, crackers, chocolates, and other candies after enjoying a delicious meal. There is an abundance of treats to savor after having lunch or dinner at this establishment.
Please be informed that cashless transactions are not accepted if you plan to dine in. It is noteworthy that most establishments nowadays accept cashless transactions, through debit cards, credit cards, or Gcash. However, if you want to dine here, please prepare cash for your payment.
This restaurant is famous for its native chicken, and each bowl costs 320 pesos according to the lady I spoke to. If you're in the mood for some Filipino native chicken soup, this is the place to be, as they serve it hot and fresh. It's definitely on the pricier side, but if you're a fan of authentic Filipino cuisine, this spot is worth checking out.
These are the other dishes that are available in the eatery. Although I wasn't able to ask for their individual prices, most of the dishes are priced around 100 pesos and above. If you're planning to dine here, make sure you have enough budget. What I love about this eatery is that they offer a wide variety of Filipino cuisines and favorites, including my personal favorites.
These are the tables and chairs available inside of Duko-Duko Eatery and we decided to dine in here instead of eating outside because it was raining a little bit.
Here are the foods that we ordered.
We ordered their famous Pochero for ₱320, goat kaldereta for ₱150 and rice for ₱25 per cup.
POCHERO
GOAT CALDERETA
I relish the heat in my meals and the chili in our soup packs quite a punch. To enhance the flavor, we added an extra helping of chili. The best part about the soup is that it's served piping hot, making it all the more satisfying.
The food we had was absolutely fantastic, and I would give it a solid 10 out of 10. It's clear that the hype around this place is well-deserved, as the quality of the food is simply unbeatable. The Pochero was served piping hot, while the beef was incredibly tender, and the caldera was cooked to perfection, I was especially impressed that it didn't have any goat smell, which is a common issue with this dish. Overall, I can recommend this place enough - the food is flawless, and it's always served hot, which is a big plus.
We explored the area after having brunch and found a lot of interesting things being sold just outside of it. These businesses seem to be within the vicinity, so they might be owned by the same people.
At the store, we came across a section that had different varieties of fresh buko juice. It would make a great accompaniment to your meals, but I didn't purchase any since I had water instead. However, I did take a photo of the juice and its price list in case you're interested in trying it out. Feel free to come and enjoy a refreshing buko juice if you'd like.
If you're a fan of unique and exotic foods, you might want to check out the vinegar and fish intestines sold in bottles in this area. It's definitely not for everyone, but if you enjoy these flavors, it's worth considering adding to your food collection.
I noticed a table near the dining area that offers fresh fruits and vegetables for sale. If you feel like having a banana, you might want to check out the store and buy some.
In the area, you'll find a stall that offers a variety of snacks including pika pika snacks, fries, and more. They also serve fruit shakes and sell candies and gummies in food containers. Although I didn't inquire about the prices, I suggest dropping by if you're interested in purchasing these treats. Despite being full, I took some photos for my preference.
When we came here, there was only our motorcycle that was parked since we were the only customers. When we went out, there were more and more people coming in. As seen in the photo, there were already two cars parked, which were cars owned by the other customers, so there were more and more people coming in, maybe for their early dinner.
To sum it all up, I had a wonderful experience dining here for the first time. Duko-Duko Eatery is perfect for travelers heading towards the northern part of Cebu City. If you're craving Filipino cuisine and want to try their bestseller, the pochero and native chicken dish, then the Duko-Dulo Eatery is a must-visit.
May you all have a sumptuous brunch! Ciao!☺︎♡
