NIPA HUT Restaurant in Orlando, Florida

 

By: Aeron Lancero

 

Magandang Araw sa inyo lahat and sana na enjoy ninyo ang magandang panahon. Summer is definitely here. We are having a great month thus far of gorgeous weather outdoors, although before that not so much and am sure during the summer months when the kids are out we are all looking for summer weather. Well, today’s kwento is all about when we go outside of our wonderful state to enjoy the summer months.

Obviously, there are Fil-Ams all over but there are not that many dining options if you are looking for Filipino food. My outside trip took me to a place where there are many Fil-Ams working and a place you’d love to visit especially when you have kids. Ano ang hula ninyo? If you said Disney, then you’re absolutely right! This past month, I was in Orlando taking my family to the happiest place on earth and Disney did not disappoint. I also brought my father with me as he actually never been there. The weather was great and the people were wonderful.

While we were at Disney, I was wearing and representing Pinoys with my t-shirt, “Powered by Pancit.” It obviously was a big hit and made it easier for other Fil-Ams to come to you and ask with confidence, “Are you Filipino?” I say maybe… biro lang! Of course I am, then a great conversation happened and many introductions followed. Even the many people who work out there do the same thing and ask, which then leads me to my question. Where can I get some great Filipino food here? I know we are in the capital of all the chain restaurants as it is such a tourist spot. But saan??? A few would say, like at my house, and others were, well, it’s our secret though. So I had to turn on my little charm and make bola bola with them. With great perseverance, I get them to share the spot.

So, on our last day at Orlando, we first ate breakfast and our amazing server who was also Pinoy gave us the same name of the place to go to which validated it has to be good. Our breakfast was at Bob Evan’s, then Sea World, then shopping at the outlet mall, with grand finale at this gem of a Pinoy restaurant.

The name of the restaurant is Nipa Hut, and they definitely did not disappoint. Located in the main floor of a hotel called Home Suite Home. The hotel is nothing to write about but the restaurant is nothing short of a great highlight of our trip. Once you get into the restaurant, its design is just like most independent Pinoy restaurants. Nothing spectacular, with the exception of the bar area. They had a hut built as the look of the bar. But before that, it’s just a sea of tables all square so it can be put together when groups come in. They also have a few T.V’s that show Pinoy programming and around the corner as you are walking to the bar, they have a stage as they do karaoke as well.

You kind of seat yourself, then an attractive Pinay comes over with menus, smiles and just lets you have it. The menu is small but solid. First thing was drinks, we were a party of six and we ordered mango juice, sago and gulaman, coconut juice, sarsi, and I had San Miguel light. A great start already. Then we ordered chicharon bulaklak, deep-fried cracklings, which is pork intestine, served with a garlic vinegar sauce. It was outstanding. I did not tell my kids what they were until after dinner and we ordered four orders as it was so good. Nex,t we ordered the Lechon Kawali (deep fried pork belly) which was also outstanding, served with liver gravy.

Next was the Bicol Express (stewed pork with coconut, onions and fermented shrimp). Then Chicken Inasal (marinated chicken grilled to perfection), then a sizzling bangus (dried boneless marinated in vinegar milkfish) no bones on this one, topped with pickled vegetables. This was so good we ordered three of them, then the garlic rice. For dessert, we hit the halo-halo x 3. If you like Chowking halo-halo, then this is described as even better than that. They candy their own ingredients and use Magnolia ice cream and make their own leche flan. We were all amazed at how the food was!

Concentrating so much on the food as I looked around, it was packed with all FilAms. What a great scene to see so many of our kababayans as it legitimizes how good the food is but more importantly that they support our fellow kababayans. I was honored to get the inside track and hope when you visit the city of Orlando for your theme park thrills, hit this place up, as you will not be disappointed.

As for other great places to visit outside of Illinois, please share as I would love to visit. And, for you, my fellow FilAms, if you want to see our food hit the main stream even more, post on social media, share and bring friends over to your spots and support your fellow FilAms on their places in your home town or outside of it.Thanks again everyone for reading, and let me reiterate although I am writing about this establishment, this story was not solicited by them and when I dine at this place I pay like everyone else.

I truly enjoy dining and sharing what other FIL-AMS have to offer especially when it deals with eating. Feel free to share stories at info@filameats.com so I may visit and share with all.

It has truly been an honor and pleasure sharing with you all.Maraming salamat! Till next month…

A very meaningful quote: Genuine Virtue consists of being charitable, loving one’s fellow men and being judicious in behavior, speech and deed. –Emilio Jacinto