Membership Shopping in the Philippines
More players are coming online
Membership shopping is coming of age in the Philippines.
There have been membership shopping stores in the Philippines for years. However, in recent years the membership shopping scene is getting new players and better competition.
I find that membership shopping stores offer a lot of items that are not otherwise available. I also find the prices for membership shopping in the Philippines to be very good. Now, don’t take me wrong, if comparing to US prices, the prices here at membership shopping stores are high. However, in comparison to buying imported items elsewhere in the Philippines, the prices are great.
The Membership Shopping Stores in the Philippines
There are two main players on the membership shopping scene in the Philippines:
- S&R Membership Shopping
- Landers Membership Shopping
S&R Locations
| S&R Bonifacio Global City 32nd St., 5th Ave. Bonifacio Global City, 1634 Taguig City PhilippinesTelephone +63-2 888.0640 |
S&R Congressional 30 Congressional Avenue, Ramon Magsaysay, Bago Bantay, Quezon City, PhilippinesTelephone +63-2 929.8888 |
S&R Alabang West Gate Development, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang-Zapote Rd Alabang, Muntinlupa City, PhilippinesTelephone +63-2 771.9999 |
| S&R Aseana-Baclaran Bradco Avenue, Aseana Business Park, Blvd 2000, Baclaran, Paranaque PhilippinesTelephone +63-2 853.9999 |
S&R Cebu Ouano Avenue cor. E.O. Perez St. Subangdaku, Mandaue City, Cebu PhilippinesTelephone +032 344.3399 / +032 505.7057 |
S&R Pampanga Jose Abad Santos Ave. San Fernando City, Pampanga PhilippinesTelephone +63(45) 963.7788 |
| S&R Shaw 514 Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City, PhilippinesTelephone +63(2) 532.2888 |
S&R Davao McArthur Highway cor J Rodriguez St., Talomo Ave., Brgy Ma-a, Davao City PhilippinesTelephone +082 289.0909 |
S&R Imus Barangay Anabu 1-D, Aguinaldo Highway Imus Cavite, PhilippinesTelephone +046 471.8888 |
| S&R Nuvali Lot 1 Blk. 13 Solenad 3 Nuvali, Brgy. Sto Domingo, City of Sta. Rosa, Laguna PhilippinesTelephone +63(049) 258.0888 |
S&R Cagayan de Oro Zone 5, Barangay Kauswagan Butuan-CDO-Iligan Road, Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental PhilippinesTelephone +63(088) 880.9999 |
S&R Iloilo Barangay San Rafael, Don Nonato Pison Ave., Mandurriao, Iloilo City PhilippinesTelephone +63(033) 339.8888 |
| S&R Commonwealth Commonwealth Ave., corner Quirino Highway, Brgy. Kaligayahan, Novaliches, Quezon City PhilippinesTelephone +63(02) 332.0888 |
S&R Dau Barangay Duquit, Dau Access Road, Mabalacat, Pampanga PhilippinesTelephone +63(045) 626.6888 |
S&R Paranaque Rodriguez St., cor Ninoy Aquino Ave., Brgy. Sto. Nino, Sucat PhilippinesTelephone +63(02) 820.1888 |
| S&R Cabanatuan Hermogenes C. Concepcion Sr., Cabanatuan City Nueva Ecija PhilippinesTelephone +63(044) 803.9888 |
You may also contact S&R via email: [email protected]
Landers Locations
| LANDERS BALINTAWAK 1240 EDSA Balintawak Apolonio Samson, Quezon City Telephone Number: 819-7040 |
LANDERS OTIS 1890 Paz Guazon St., Paco, Manila Telephone Number: 819-7045 |
| LANDERS CEBU 23 Minore Park, Cardinal Rosales Ave. cor Pope John Paul II Ave (formerly J. Luna Ave.) Telephone Number: (032) 232-0594 |
LANDERS ALABANG Daang Hari Road, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City Telephone Number: 819-7060 / 819-7061 |
| LANDERS ARCOVIA Arcovia City, Barangay Ugong, Pasig City Manila Telephone Number:819-7065 / 819-7066 |
S&R Experiences
In 2013, S&R Membership Shopping opened in Davao City, where we live. We were so excited, and overall, our excitement was justified. No place is perfect, but S&R has been a blessing to us.
Here is a synopsis of our experiences over the years at S&R Membership Shopping.
A Real Game Changer
It is not often that something comes along that has a super deep impact. Something that changes things in a fundamental way. Some may think it is silly to call this a game changer, but I believe that it is.
I am talking about S&R Membership Shopping store that operates here in the Philippines.
S&R Membership Shopping is a lot like Costco or Sam’s Club in the States (and other worldwide locations). In fact, Costco is a part owner of S&R.
S&R has been in Manila for years already. They also have a store in Cebu and in Pampanga.
S&R Finally opens in Davao!
S&R. Wow. Wow! What a place. Amazing.
Feyma and I, along with Randy Countryman, showed up there at about 11:45 on Tuesday. The Grand Opening was at 12 Noon. The crowd was huge. Literally thousands of people. But, the crowd was handled well by the security folks, it was orderly and not much fighting, shoving and such. I was impressed. We got in quickly and easily. I’ll tell you when I walked through the doors, I literally felt that I had been transported back to the USA.
It was such an exact replica of the Costco store where we used to shop, although smaller in size. We kind of split up with Randy when we got inside, never to see each other again. It was too crowded, and Randy’s shopping interests were different than ours. So, we planned to meet up in the Food Service area when done shopping, but it just didn’t happen. Randy was done a long time before us, and I don’t know if we would have been able to find each other anyway.
Selection of goods
The selection at S&R Membership Shopping is great. I was amazed. Feyma and I both said that for the items we normally bought at Costco, S&R probably had at least 75% of the exact same items. There were very few items that I wanted and they didn’t have. Our main interests were food/grocery items. Meats, cheeses, etc. Another thing of interest was the freezer section and convenience type foods.
Lots of stuff that the kids took a real interest in. For Aaron and Chris, they remember Costco, and when they saw some of the freezer stuff, well, they loved it! S&R had a lot of great non-food stuff too. The sheets, towels and such are an amazing selection. Feyma loved the selection of kitchen appliances. I fell in love with the stainless steel BBQ grills, very nice.
Is S&R Expensive?
Prices? I had been warned by many about how expensive the place was. Feyma and I found it quite the opposite. We found the prices very reasonable, in some cases even cheap. We shopped only lightly for the opening. Spent about P5,000 or so. Didn’t buy everything we wanted in one trip, we decided to spread it out a bit.
You can spend a lot of money!
Yes, you can certainly spend a lot of money there, I am sure we could have spent P50,000 if we bought everything we desired. But, on an item by item basis, we found them very reasonable. For items that are available at other places, such as SM, we found S&R to usually be cheaper than other local options. But, the real value, in my opinion, is the huge variety of things at S&R Membership Shopping that was previously unavailable at any price. Many of those items were things I had forgotten about, but when I saw them again, it was really nice. As I said, we mostly bought food items on this trip, and I have been enjoying those items very much.
Selection of sausages
One food that I really enjoy is various types of sausages. I mostly really enjoy breakfast type sausage. We bought several types of these items. Jimmy Dean sausage products. Bought some “maple breakfast sausage links.” Super! I have grown used to some of the Philippine sausages (longanisa, chorizo, etc), but after eating some of this stuff from back home, I am not sure I would really want too much of the Philippine products any longer. Haha… I am getting spoiled now.
Truly, the membership shopping place is amazing, and nothing like I have ever seen in the Philippines before. We went on Tuesday initially. Wednesday we did not go. Thursday I went over there for lunch. Had a bowl of Clam Chowder, which I really enjoyed. I also walked through the store to see what they had. The crowd was much smaller, about what I would call a “normal Costco day” as far as traffic.
On Tuesday it was hard to see everything due to the huge crowd. After I came home from S&R and my great Clam Chowder lunch, I was telling Feyma about my trip, and she got enthused and decided to go over there herself. Luckily, it is only a 5-minute walk from our house, it is so convenient. I can assure you that we will be regular customers! In fact, I feel pretty sure that they will know us when we come in!
Food Concession
Yes, the food concession is just like Costco in the States. Everything was available. The food was good too. On Tuesday, as we were checking out, we had our niece go over and purchase one of their huge pizzas, which we took home for lunch. It was a pretty darn good pizza. As said, they also have clam chowder. They have hot dogs, salads, churros and other food items that you can eat on site or take home. They even have bottomless drinks, which is practically unheard of in the Philippines.
Why is S&R Membership Shopping a game changer?
Well, in the 13 years I have lived here, particularly when it comes to food items, I have had to change my diet to a great extent. In some ways that has been good, I have lost a lot of weight here. In other ways, though, it has made the transition to living in the Philippines tougher. While I don’t want to gain any weight, and I won’t, the food selections here just got a whole lot better! I can see that for a new expat who would move to Davao or one of the other areas where S&R has a store, this would make the move much easier for them.
Davao area expats
Since S&R Membership Shopping opened up on Tuesday, I have seen so many messages on Facebook from Davao area expats who can’t say enough good about the place. One of my friends, Kenneth Crawley, posted this message on Facebook:
Wife got up this morning and made me the most fantastic Biscuits and Gravy and sausage patties I’ve had since leaving the U.S. Thank you also to S&R, and my wife.
That message pretty much summed up my thinking as well. There were lots of posts on Facebook like this one too.
Imported meats and cheeses
In the past, here in Davao, we had a few outlets for imported meats and cheeses. Sausages and such. But, the imported items were all European products. While they were good, they didn’t taste like American meats and cheeses. To be honest, I had wondered if my taste buds had changed over the years because if I bought something like Italian Sausage at a deli like Swiss Deli here in Davao, it just didn’t taste the same as I remembered.
But, getting the stuff at S&R Membership Shopping, the taste was so familiar, I felt like I was on a trip back home for a while. So, in the past, expats from Europe had a source of their comfort foods. Americans, though, had no such source here… until now.
So, I have to say that S&R just made moving to the Philippines a whole lot easier for many people. Easier transition. There are a lot of great things that the Philippines has to offer. One of the downsides for many has been the food. I hear so many expats complain about Philippine food. I have grown accustomed to the diet here, as I have been eating the food in the Philippines for many years now. But, I have to admit that I was so happy when I saw the selection of items from “back home” when I went to S&R Membership Shopping. When I had some of that wonderful sausage with my breakfast the next day, I was in heaven!
Yes, for me, S&R is a game changer. I can’t say enough good about the place!
S&R Membership Shopping Revisited
Back at the end of May 2013, a store called S&R opened here in Davao. S&R was already a well-known name in the Philippines, they operate a number of stores in Luzon, and one in Cebu. Davao was their first Mindanao branch. S&R is owned partly by Costco, the US membership store. The S&R stores are very similar to Costco or Sam’s Club in the States. In fact, when S&R first opened, and I walked in for the first time, I honestly got a feeling inside me that I was back in the States again, it is that close to what you see and experience living in the States.
My review above
At the time that S&R opened, I wrote a pretty extensive article reviewing the store, telling of my experience shopping there, and such. I wrote that article shortly after they opened, and now that it’s been a few months, I thought I’d write a follow up to share my feelings about the place now that it has become sort of a “regular” shopping place for us. I have had positive and negative experiences with S&R, but overall, I consider it a pretty good place.
S&R, like their “cousin stores” Costco and Sam’s Club, is a membership shopping store. You must be a member to shop there, or you can go in with a member who has invited you. The cost of membership is P700 per year for the primary cardholder. A second card can be gotten for P400 per year. For example, in our family, Feyma is the primary cardholder and I am the secondary cardholder.
At this point, we are considering getting a second membership with one of our nieces being the primary cardholder and another niece being the secondary cardholder. Both of these nieces live with us, and it will be convenient if we can send them to S&R to pick up things that we need. We would like to get cards for our older kids too, but the rules at S&R are that members or cardholders must be at least 18 years old, and the kids are not that age yet.
Right near our house!
In our case, S&R is very close to our house. We can walk there between 5 and 10 minutes, making it very convenient. To be honest, we do a lot of shopping there. In fact, S&R has become our primary place to buy grocery items. We used to go to SM City a lot, but the truth is we rarely ever go there anymore for groceries. It is 90% of the time S&R where we buy groceries. In fact, because of the way that traffic is set up, we can actually walk to S&R more quickly than we can drive there!
I mentioned that we had experienced a couple of bad things at S&R. You are probably wondering what kind of things I am talking about. Well, I can think of two different types of bad experiences, one type which has happened 3 times when we have shopped there.
Rotten Meat
So, that first, and most common bad experience at S&R is in relation to buying meat there. They have some things like sausages that they pack themselves, which we have experienced problems with. There is one type of breakfast sausage, which comes in a shrink-wrapped plastic wrapper, and is packed by S&R themselves. I am not talking about stuff in the freezer section from big companies like Jimmy Dean or Hormel.
This one particular breakfast sausage is very good and we like it a lot. It is better than any other sausage that we have ever found in the Philippines, at least in my view. We consume this breakfast sausage regularly. One time, they were out of the sausage for a couple of weeks, then one day I went in and they had just one package of it in the refrigerator, so I snatched it up. Took it home, and the next day, Feyma prepared some for my breakfast. I took one bite and could tell that something was wrong with it. It was rotten. Tasted rancid. It was not terribly bad, but not good either.
It was still good enough that I told Feyma to just cook it all up and feed it to the dogs. They ate it without any problems. A few weeks later, we bought another pack of the sausage, and it was bad as well! We were quite disappointed. Feyma went to S&R and complained to a manager in the meat section. They apologized and said that it would not happen again, but did not do anything else for us, which is what I expected. A month or so later… same thing! Rotten sausage. Problem is, we really like the sausage, but not if it is rotten, of course. You cannot tell it is rotten by just looking at the bag.
Also, during the past few months, we bought some sliced roast beef lunch style meat there. The same thing, it was rotten. This roast beef was so bad that the dogs even turned up their noses! We won’t be buying any more of that!
I don’t like to buy rotten meat
So, I have to say, buying rotten meat is certainly a big downside for S&R, and we have come up with ways that we feel will minimize the problem. For example, on the sausage problem, we will now only buy it when they get a fresh shipment in. So, if they run out, and then all of the sudden they have a big supply of it, we will buy a few packs and freeze it. Hopefully, this will minimize the problem. If the problem persists, we will have to reevaluate.
Management approval?
The other problem that I experienced there was really just a hassle, but annoying. They had some nice frozen scallops there. I am really a big scallop lover (and scallops are not readily available here, at least not in our area), and although the bag of scallops was quite expensive (P3,000), I decided to buy them as a treat. Also, the bag was huge, and I felt that they would stretch out over many meals, and make the cost per meal really not that bad. So, I bought them.
Went up to the cashier and paid my money, then they took my scallops and laid them aside, and told me to “just wait”. I asked what I was waiting for, and they said that they had to get permission from the supervisor for me to buy the scallops. Hmm… I had already paid, frankly, they were already my scallops.
They explained to me that if you buy a single item over a certain price, the supervisor has to approve it before you take the items. You already have to get your purchase checked before you are allowed out the door (just like Costco in the States), so I could really see no reason for this. I complained to the Store manager about it, but I doubt that my complaint really had any impact. I was polite to him, but let him know that their policy was a big hassle for the customer.
That’s about it
Basically, though, as far as I can recall, these were the only hassles or bad experiences that we have had at S&R. I consider it to be a good place, with items that you just can’t get elsewhere. As I said, it is so close to our house, we tend to go there at least 3 or 4 times per week. There was a time when we went to S&R Membership Shopping daily, although that has calmed down a bit as time goes on. 🙂
So, I do recommend S&R for expats in the Philippines. You can get stuff there that you are used to having from back home. I feel that the prices are fair, although many expats complain that the prices are too high there, I just don’t find that to be the case though.
In the end, I am still very happy to have an S&R branch in Davao!
Food Service at S&R Membership Shopping
If you are familiar with the food service at Costco, then you pretty much know exactly how the food service is at S&R. For the most part, the same items are available in each place.
But, there is something that S&R Membership Shopping has, which Costco Membership Shopping doesn’t have.
The other day I was at SM City here in Davao and saw something that got me thinking. It was not something new, something I had seen before in other places, but it sparked a thought in my mind.
I was walking around the mall and saw that there was a new (to me) business on the second floor. It was an S&R food-service place.
Like Costco, with a twist
S&R is kind of the Philippine equivalent of Costco. They have been operating in the Philippines for years and opened a store in Davao City around five years ago. Many years ago, Costco had a partial ownership in S&R, but they sold off their percentage a long time ago, and as far as I know, it is now a fully own Filipino company. They still have an association with Costco, in that they carry the same merchandise, even the Costco private label, Kirkland Signature products are available at S&R Membership Shopping.
Well, in addition to the product selection, the style of the stores, and such, they have another big similarity with Costco. They have a food-service area. You could buy things like pizza, churros, hot dogs (not the bright red nuclear-option hot dogs), hamburgers, basically the same food menu that Costco has in the United States. Frankly, the first time that I walked into an S&R store, I felt like I was stepping back in time and had entered a Costco store in the United States. I say stepping back in time because it had been so many years since I had been at a Costco store.
Membership Shopping Food Service in a Mall?
Well, about a year and a half ago, for the first time, I saw in a local mall that S&R had opened a food-service outlet at the mall. Anybody could buy, but if you had a membership, you would get a 5% discount. But, even non- S&R members could go in order food and enjoy their meal. I never thought too much about it. But, these S&R food-service outlets are now in every major mall in Davao City!
When I was in SM the other day, I was shocked at how large of an outlet they had there. One thing that did not shock me, though, was how full of customers it was. Every one of these S&R food outlets is always chock-full of customers.
It got me thinking. I’ll bet you that these food-service outlets really drive many people to sign up for a membership at S&R! Most people I talked to love the food at S&R food-service. Personally, it doesn’t excite me. Much of what they serve are things that I don’t eat anyway. But, almost everybody I talk to raves about the food there. With all of these nonmembers being able to try out I am sure that they must pick up new memberships due to that.
Costco doesn’t have anything like this
Back when I lived in the states, Costco was not doing anything like this at all. I did some web searching this morning, and could not find any information on the Internet about Costco doing this either. For readers, perhaps you can fill me in, does Costco have their food-service outlets in non-Costco locations?
If not, I feel that this would be an avenue of great growth for them. Interesting that a Filipino company would (I suppose) come up with this fantastic idea to grow the business. Even if they are not picking up a ton of new memberships, the volume of business as they are doing in these food outlets is huge. I have talked to other ex-pats around the Philippines, and S&R seems to have these type of outlets all around the country now.
Anyway, as is something a little different, something that I do not believe membership stores have outside the Philippines. If you know differently, please let me know. As I thought about this, I just felt that it was a fantastic idea, sort of outside the box as well.
Feyma’s Review of S&R Membership Shopping
My wife, Feyma, did a review of S&R shortly after it opened in Davao. Here it is:
It’s been a few weeks now since the opening of S & R. We’ve been very happy with it. I’ve been rarely going now to the other grocery stores here. When going there I’ve been eyeing some stuff there, coming back a few days after and its gone. Just, for example, I want a purple colored towel, good for our girls here in the house. I was telling my daughter that we will buy that next time we go there, I had some other stuff in mind to buy that day.
Few days after when we came back it’s gone already. They still have other towels there, but the color that I want were gone already. Been going there a few times since then but no towel of that color yet there. So I will just have to wait. Or should I say Jean will have to wait for that color to come back there on stock then? For now, I bought her a different color of towel.
Trampoline
Other stuff that the kids were eyeing there was the gigantic trampoline. See we used to have a trampoline that we brought with us from the States. It was overused for a long time. Time to get a new one. The only problem our old trampoline the size it’s 10 feet in diameter. The one they have there at S & R was 15 feet in diameter. No matter what angle we are measuring on our yard that trampoline just doesn’t have enough space here. Big sigh for our kids and us. Bob and I both know that our kids enjoyed having a trampoline. We are waiting if they will have the size that we want later. We are hoping for it though.
Pop Tarts
Another craze for the kids there was the pop-tart and Dr. Pepper soda. Can’t buy every time we go there. It will blow my budget away. Ha ha ha. :-). We also like the cooked baby back ribs there. It comes with one bottle of 2-liter soda with it. Really sometimes when Aaron and I and my niece Glenda take our daily walk, sometimes we would stop at S & R. Just like to walk around inside and just see what new stuff they have there again. That’s the new place to be for our family now.
I’ve hardly been to other stores
Since the opening, we hardly shop at the other store. We now buy our meats and other stuff there. Just small stuff we would buy from the other grocery store. Good thing it’s just a walking distance from our house. That’s really a plus for us. One thing we saw there that we used to buy in Costco in the States was the king crab. Gee, it’s just too darn expensive. We just have to turn our heads away when passing that aisle. LOL. For Thanksgiving, I am already looking at their whole turkey there. It’s butterball brand too.
I brought a friend
I had a friend that I brought there. She’s living part time here in Davao. She wants to get the membership but she’s not sure if she will be here by the end of the year or next year. She might be in the States the whole year. So I told her just don’t get a membership right now, to just let me know when she wants to buy something at S & R. Day before yesterday I brought her there. She’s wanting some medicines that she’s used to buying in the States. They had there at S & R, so she bought that with a bottle of lotion that she likes from there too.
After she bought the stuff we ate our lunch there. Good food and affordable. She’s just amazed at the place too.
I’m happy
All in all, so happy to have the S & R here and especially it’s really near to our house. I know some of you would say that you will not buy something from a place that you will pay for a membership. But for us, it’s just so worth it. I found stuff there that my family was so happy to have it. At the end, that’s all that matters to me and Bob.
Paul Thompson is also and S&R addict
It was a Wednesday a week ago I was sitting at the computer posting on FB when Mayang came by with a cup of coffee (Yuban) and informed me that we were out. When I was on Subic a few days earlier I noticed that all the stores were out of coffee. Oh, there was instant coffee and decaffeinated ground coffee but as I said they were out of coffee.
As I sat there pondering my navel and life, in general, I was thinking of the following Thursday without my coffee fix, this was unsatisfactory, and something must be done. Then the benefits of reading LiP all these years struck me like a ten-pound sack of spuds. Bob Martin wrote an article a while back about a new store called S & R down in his neck of the archipelago.
Then, my buddy, Tommy told me they had opened a new S & R Store in San Fernando Pampanga which is about an hour away. What the heck, jump into the Mitsubishi G4 and get on the road. I mean what else did I have planned for the day? The added benefit was since February when we bought the car we still only have 3.780 kilometers on it and my second service check was at 5,000 “K”. I need to spin those wheels a bit more.
Road trip…
The National Highway vice the new expressway is faster and a straight shot to San Fernando. But sometimes the long way is better as I discovered halfway there. 40% of the way it was under construction and we know that all road construction on Luzon is done during the rainy season. So it can be repaired during the dry season and that will keep the employment numbers up.
People keep working and rice is on the table so who am I to complain about that. When it was not under repair it was under six inches of water for about 20% of this and not even 0900 hours (9 AM). Of course, the cars behind me were late for something and had to pass everything in front of them, I was passed on the left and the right and it was only a two-lane road. Oh, the joy of driving here on Luzon. Because of potholes the size of Olympic Swimming pools hiding under the standing water I ducked in behind a Honda Jazz and waited for it to disappear into a sink or pothole as a warning to me. We both made it through.
It’s Membership Shopping?
Then we arrived at the S & R store and found that it is a membership store. No problem Mayang likes to join things, and add a new ID to her collection. PNP 700.00 is the yearly fee, and for PNP 400.00 more I can also have my own ID. We passed on the second ID as I could not think of any situation where I would be there without my darling wife.
Bob Martin was right, the place was massive, and seemed to carry items not found even on the Subic Free Port. Wisely I brought along the largest cooler we owned and wished I had another one. Fresh whole milk from California (Yes the dates were good) Many frozen stateside products, plus items from New Zealand and Australia, except the Australian favorite “Vega-Mite” (Spelling?) I don’t eat it but our friends from down under grew up with it, so to them it’s like Marshmallow Fluff to me. I keep getting asked if it’s available so I keep my eyes open for our friends. (Saturday morning 20 Sept, and the milk is still good)
Jubilation
There I was up and down the many aisles suffering from shopping jubilation overload, thinking this will be a monthly trip albeit using the expressway vice the National Highway. A tip of my cap to our host Bob Martin and thanks for the heads up on spreading the word on this new (to us in my area of Luzon) store.
We were back home in Bataan with the car full and our pockets empty not to say the S & R store was overpriced, as it was not but we went (Read “I”) a bit nuts.
For the items I wanted I found it to be very reasonable. I’ll save the department/appliances side of the S & R for the next trip.
Watching out for our British Friends
It was huge and they even sell and mount tires (Or tyres for our British friends) in the store. At this store, the employees knew where everything was and not one shoulder shrug while I was there, very pleasant and knowledgeable employees. Not to forget, the very attractive young ladies at the end of each section handing out free samples of all types of items.
So this was a boring story of shopping in the Philippines, but then I’m easily amused, I find that lately, my wild oats taste very good with prunes.
Yes, I found and stocked up on my Yuban coffee, did you think I forgot?
S&R is not perfect
I love S&R. S&R is a membership store here in the Philippines. When you go inside S&R you would think you are Costco, it looks exactly the same! Same shelving. Same products. Everything is the same, except in most cases it is smaller than the average Costco, and the product selection is not quite as good.
A number of writers on this site have written about S&R. When S&R first opened in Davao City a few years back, both Feyma and I wrote articles about it. After I wrote about it, I remember that Paul Thompson got a membership, and he has written several articles about S&R too.
Downsides
There are some downsides to S&R though. One that Paul has written about is the “out of stock” situation that pops up there. That has not been such a big problem at the S&R here in Davao City, but it certainly does happen. I have noticed that while S&R used to be “cheese central” for many different foreign kinds of cheese, most cheeses are either out of stock now or no longer carried. That bothers me. But, “out of stock” has not been a huge problem here. Another problem, though, is what I am going to address in my monologue in the Video Cast today.
Expats are not perfect either
I know that my title could be considered a bit mean. I am not a mean guy, in my view, though. But, sometimes you just have to call something that it is, and not sugar coat it.
A while back, a fellow named Barry left a whole series of comments here on LiP. Each comment was a complaint. A bitch, and a lot of moans too. The article on which Barry commented was about S & R. I am sure many of you are asking… “What is S&R?” Well, S&R is a Membership shopping store in the Philippines. A big box store. Just like Costco or Sam’s club, but in the Philippines. At one time, Costco owned part of S&R, and it is possible that they still do, I am not entirely certain on that.
S&R has a long presence
S&R has been in Manila for years already. They opened in Davao City, where I live, about 2 years ago. My wife and I love S&R. We go often. I often joke with people and tell them that S&R Davao is only about 5 to 10 minutes walk from my house. Because it is so close, I go there very often. That is both a blessing and a curse!
Blessing
It is a blessing because S&R has many imported products. Wide selections of products from the USA and Europe too. Mostly from the USA, though. Since I am an American expat living in the Philippines, when S&R opened, I started being able to get American products that I had not seen in years. I have been very happy with nearly everything I bought from S&R, and have really enjoyed having them here in town.
Curse
Why is S&R a curse, if I enjoy it so much? Well, S&R is a bit expensive. Especially after having lived in the Philippines for many years, and paying Philippine prices. Most things are somewhat or significantly cheaper in the Philippines, compared to the USA. So, when you start seeing those brands of products that you used to love so much, you really want the stuff.
Nostalgia kicks in. Your stomach starts quivering and your taste buds start watering. But, then you see the prices! Not only are the prices USA prices, but they are also actually higher than USA prices. Of course, they are. Because S&R must ship all of this stuff from the USA to the Philippines, and that costs money. There are also import fees and such. So, prices are fairly significantly higher than you would pay in the USA.
That is why it is a curse to live so near to S&R. Because we go there all the time, and it can get expensive.
We don’t have a problem with the prices
But, for us, we don’t feel they are overcharging or anything of the sort. If you want to purchase and consume imported products, you should expect to pay more for it, no matter where you live. That is our attitude, and we do enjoy the things that we purchase from S&R.
Barry’s comments
When Barry commented about S&R the other day, he was just ranting and raving about the things that S&R didn’t have. Complaining that they don’t have this brand of meat or that brand of meat. On and on. Barry was particularly enthralled with “Columbus” brand meats from the USA and was quite upset that S&R didn’t have that brand.
Well, it became quite obvious to me that Barry must have only lived in the Philippines for a short time. When I moved to the Philippines some 15 years ago, we could not even buy butter or cheese in our area. You had to travel around 4 hours each way to find those products.
Brands
When S&R came to Davao 2 years ago, I started seeing brands of products that I had completely forgotten about over the years. Many of those things have become a regular part of my diet. Barry did not complain about prices, that was just something I mentioned. But, Barry was quite upset about the brands that he wanted but was not available at S&R.
Improved selection in the Philippines
Anybody who was an expat here 10 or 15 years ago would understand that compared to that time, the selection of products and services available in the Philippines is so wide now! I can’t believe the things that I can walk into a store and pick up now compared to before. And, if you are talking S&R, the selection is out of this world. For example, one thing that Barry was really talking about was Salami from Columbus meats. Well, they have many different types of salami at S&R, just not the Columbus brand. Know what? They have many Salami brands from Europe – Italy! Where was salami originated? Italy, of course! I would have to imagine that salami from Italy is at least of equal quality to salami made in the USA, and probably superior!
So, my point here is to expats, no matter what country you live in… be thankful for the products that are available these days! You can bet the situation is a lot better than it was in the past! I know it is here in the Philippines!
Landers
To be honest, I don’t have first-hand experience with Landers. I live in Davao City, the nearest Landers location is in Cebu, about an hour away by air.
What I will say, though, is that I have many close friends who shop regularly at Landers. I am told that the selection at Landers is better than at S&R. I expect to be visiting Landers in the next month or so, and if I am able to do that, I will post more information about my experience there. From everything I’ve heard, though, from various people, I have a favorable impression of Landers.
Love the stores! I have been to the one in Manila and Cebu. Before making my final decision to move, I needed to know if I could get all the things needed for my cooking, haha! I don’t have to give up my Western way of eating, woo hoo!
Hi John – I would have never believed that somebody would choose where to live based on there being an S&R there, but after experiencing the place, I can certainly believe it now. 😆
Sounds great Bob, especially having USA import type of food available at reasonable prices. I have only been to a nearby Costco store here once on a free pass as most of the items at that time were large family packs which just for me would be impractical but for a family could be considered a real bargain. With just a few minutes walk from your house I am sure your family will be frequent visitors LOL !
” Game Changer ” reminds me of the time when Walmart bought the UK supermarket chain ASDA. For years it was said that the different supermarket chains in the UK were in colusion with eachother to keep prices artificially high. After Walmart bought the popular supermarket chain ASDA and reduced many of the existing inflated prices, the others had no choice than to lower their prices or face going out of business. People there called it ” The ASDA Effect “.
Spending only 5K Peso on your first visit shows real control. Have fun Bob.
Hi BobNY – Really, I think that your story about Walmart, ASDA and price fixing is right along the lines of what is going to happen here. I don’t think that the local supermarkets really fix prices on local goods, but on imported goods, I believe that many of them over-inflate the prices. S&R will change that because they have the biggest selection (by far) of imported goods, and also good prices. It will be interesting to see how this develops.
You are right, Bob, they do stock mostly bulk quantities of goods, but since we have a large family, that is a plus for us!
I went to the one in Pampanga and loved it. I hope that they put one in Calbayog City someday but I doubt it will happen anytime soon. Like you, I was especially happy to see Jimmy Dean sausage. When I return to Samar in a few weeks from Montana, one of my suitcases will be filled with sausage, cheese and other food necessities that aren’t available in Samar. The other suitcase will be filled with pasalubong. 🙂
Bob did you know that KCC mall has started building in Dumoy
Hi Scott – Ha ha… I have to admit that I have never had a White Castle burger in my life! I have heard a lot of good things about them, but never had one. In the places where I lived in the States, we did not have White Castle restaurants. Now that they are available frozen, I might buy a box and give them a try. Maybe, maybe not! I am sure my kids would encourage me to get a box! 😉
Bob, as big as I am, I was hit on more times than you could shake a stick at! one even yelled… “I like your big body!”. I’ve never heard that in the states!
So, I hope there isn’t one anywhere near Dagupan City. I can resist beautiful women, but food… I have a serious issue with that temptation. Especially a luscious and decadent chocolate brown cake with filling baked to perfection and placed within a box for me to easily carry to the nearest fork. Or, heaven forbid, there is pecan pie anywhere near me!
See… issues. LOL!! I’m glad you’ve got a place to get some American style food. I’m sure I’ll miss something sooner or later once I am there, and knowing this place has it is good information, even if the nearest one is in Pampanga(three hours from where I plan to live). Especially since I found a new love/hate relationship food. Doritos flavored with buffalo and ranch. They are too good!! And I mean TOOOOOOOo good. I wish I had never tasted one, because I’m an addict now.
God bless!
So true Bob..
Hi Queenie – You are right Queenie, having S&R so close is a major temptation. Or in the words of past Miss Philippines, Venus Raj, it is a major-major temptation. I have to say, though, it is a preferable temptation in comparison to the other type of temptation that I wrote about recently!
Frozen White Castle burgers are available in 6 pack or the big Club Pack which I think is 12 or 16 burgers. I get them only when they are on sale. If you ever see them Bob M. Try em You’ll like Em’ . Small square burgers about a 16th of an inch thick with holes drilled thru them ( great if you are on a diet ). They are steam grilled with chopped onions sprinkled on top. I don’t know why White Castle never expanded to the proportion of the other Burger Giants in the USA.
In Philippines though you all have Jollibee, who needs more than that ? Speaking of Jollibee, they will be opening a flagship ” Tropical Jollibee ” in Iligan City on June 7. I don’t have too many details on it yet but it is said to be the only one of its kind in Mindanao. That will make 4 Jollibees in Iligan City now. I wonder where ” The Bee ” will bee buzzing off to next ? Virginia USA maybe.
For me, when it comes to peanut butter, I feel that the Philippine brands are way better than American brands!
White Castle has horrible burgers, nothing I’ve ever had has been close to being as bad as them.
The reason I keep buying and eating them is unknown.
Stupid me.. I thought that you got it for 50% off, plus they gave you an extra one too! So, 75% off in all! ha ha…
Bob;
The sign out front said:
50% off
And
Buy One Take One
Doesn’t that mean the same thing?
Hi PapaDuck – Yes indeed, they do have real maple syrup. They have butterball turkeys too. Breads are US recipe breads. They pretty much have everything you might want! 😉
Have a nice day, my friend.
Hi Dale, no need to worry about that. even though most filipinos likes american foods, a great majority still can’t afford them so there’s no chance food products from the US will become commonplace.
Hi Dale – Everybody gets to choose what they eat. If you think that “bad stuff” from the States is not already here, think again. I don’t know how many McDonald’s branches we have here, but it has to be at least 10 in Davao alone. And, if you think the Filipino foods these days are of a higher standard… well, that’s another story. Take the American foods and add a few cups of sugar, and that’s even worse than a lot of the American foods.
If you think the Philippines has been offering a lack of horrible foods… well, you are living in a world of about 50 years ago. Almost everything here is fried and dripping with grease, and even savory dishes are full of sugar.
The good thing is, Dale, nobody will force you to eat anything that you don’t want to eat.
Hi BigP – They had a very nice 6 burner CharBroil grill there. All stainless steel. P17,000. I looked on the net and found the exact same grill at Amazon.com for $387. The Peso price comes out to $404, so very competitive.
KCC or NCCC? No, I didn’t know that.
A box won’t get it done Bob, the burgers are small and light and that is why at the restaurant they are sold by the bagful. (12/bag) But they are like lays potato chips “Bet you can’t eat just One” . I have no trouble eating a full bag of them by myself!
I’m not sure anyone has ever walked into a White Castle while sober. For me, the frozen ones are”meh”…. Part of White Castle experience is the smell in the restaurant after half a bottle of whiskey.
Hi Gary – Unfortunately, I think it will be a long time before one ends up in Calbayog City, but it might happen someday! Sounds like you plan to travel pretty heavy on your next trip! 🙂
Hi Jade – I never lived in a part of the country that had White Castle restaurants, although I had certainly heard about them. Yesterday was my first time to try their hamburgers, albeit frozen ones. It was only OK, but I do think that the fresh ones in the restaurants are probably much better.
What a coincidence! Yesterday I turned in my Sam’s Club card at the Nashville TN Sam’s Club explaining to the clerk I am moving to Davao next week and will miss having a Sam’s or Cosco. From what I saw during my last visit all we need is a White Castle and Davao will have all of the best from back home!
Hi Robert – You are in luck! S&R has frozen White Castle burgers! I didn’t buy any, but saw them in the freezer section. 😉
OMG! WHITE CASTLE BURGERS?! I love them, but they hate me! I can’t eat them anymore. Everyone once in a couple years I’ll forget how bad they hate me, and buy some. And QUICKLY remember how bad it is. But they are delicious, and my Filipina wife loves them! I get them for here every once in a while. I don’t partake, and drive to another place for food if I am hungry.
I always travel heavy. Delta gives me two bags free up to 50# each but I will get charged plenty for the flight from Manila to Calbayog.
Ooooohhh… I have been to the ones in Manila. You make me want to check out the S&R here but I’ll wait until everyone has settled down. 🙂 I think I’ll check it out in July.
Hi John ~ I just got home from S ame R and bought 3 boxes of White Castle burgers for our lunch. Will give a report on them a bit later.
Ha ha, I certainly know that feeling. It will happen sooner or later, my friend!
Hi Xandra Holazo Marfori, how are you doing, my friend? It is safe to go now to S&R, the crowds are already very manageable.
OK, a few of you guys convinced me and I went ame bought some of the white castle burgers. They were OK but nothing too special in my book. I may or may not buy them again in the future.
Hi Bob.
I bought my first White Castle burger in Minneapolis in May of 1968. It cost me all of $0.05. The same week I bought my first McDonald standard burger for $0.15.
I liked the White Castle mini burger the best.
Now down here in Florida there is a chain of White Castle imitators called Krystal. they cost about 79 cents each but no holes in the burger meat…
Ha ha
Hi Gary – Somehow those extra baggage charges are all worthwhile when you see the smiles on the faces of the recipients! It’s a special feeling!
I’m great, Bob! Wonderful, I guess I’ll check it out sooner.
And yes, there is a mall being built here in Dumoy. It’s just starting though. I don’t think there’s any structure yet. (more malls… 🙁
My goodness, I am getting angry! You guys have forced me into it. I am going to buy a box of white castle burgers for lunch today. ha ha. I can’t resist.
I am not surprised to hear that a mall is going up down south, Xandra. Davao needs a mall down in that area, as nothing like that exists down there. Should help cut down on the traffic in the City center too.
do they have free samples like in the u.s.?
Ha ha… why do we do things that are bad for us and we don’t even like? 😉
you can eat a meal at costco free with all the food samples they give, lol
Surprisingly, Ron, yes, they were giving away food samples! I never thought I’d see that in the Philippines!
You are right, Ron Perry, I can remember many times when Feyma Bayoy Martin and I would schedule our Costco shopping so that we would get a free lunch out of the food samples!
when the one in cebu opened, i didn’t see any food samples, lol
Maybe they are changing now, adding the samples! They had literally dozens of different items on sample each time I visited the store over the past week.
Im with you Xandra about more malls, but yes they are just clearing the ground and my wife say it will be KCC Bob.
as long as the pasalubong suitcase is full of Jimmy Dean Sausage too, be sure to stop by my house!
Interesting, Tom. I had heard that NCCC was thinking of building down south, but it seems we’ll get a new player in the Davao mall scene instead! 🙂
Hi Joe – I know that the Jimmy Dean sausage was a major draw for me, something I was really waiting for when I heard that S&R was coming. I am amazed, though, how many others have mentioned the Jimmy Dean to me! It would seem that this would be a major opportunity for folks like SM, Robinsons and such.
Hi Bob,
Because The S&R is in the city, it’s a sometimes destination for us, and it really is a fancy add-on to the mostly Filipino food that we eat. It is really fun though, I agree.
Among other things,I like that they have some American candy that I can’t get anywhere else.
I must say that I would be in trouble if S&R were five minutes away though– too tempting!
Have fun guys!
ha ha, maybe I better just avoid them altogether.
Hi Jack, sorry I can’t help you on that one. I can say there is no S and R there, but I don’t know any other places either.
hi Jack, the newly renovated Robinson’s In Ozamis has a limited inventory of some imported canned goods and peanut butter And Smuckers jams and preserves but beyond that , Don’t know of anywhere else you might look in Misamis Occ.
Hi Randy – You are right, the crowds have gone way down now. I think they are still doing great business, but all of the lookers and “checker outers” have come and gone now, and the people who are there are there to make a purchase.
I am sitting here debating whether we should go over there today and buy a few things! ha ha…
If the Cebu store carries the tortillas, I am sure that the Davao one will too, probably pretty soon. I noticed a few things that I wanted to buy, but put off to a later trip, are already sold out! Ha ha.. it’s just like Costco, you gotta get the stuff while it’s there, you never know when it will run out!
I can fully agree, when it comes to Pasalubong stuff I don’t care if I have to pay for the overweight on the comparatively short domestic flight from Manila to Cagayan De Oro and back. As I recall I usually pay an extra 3000 peso ( about $75 USD ) overweight charge on the domestic flight. On more recent visits I have become a bit more weight concious. I cut the weight of the 30 or so Hershey Chocolate Bars from the half pound size to the 4 ounce size, although there are always a few exceptions so I still bring just a few of the half pounders. Textbooks that I donate to school libraries I have also cut back on due to the weight.
That 50 Pound ( formerly 70 Pound ) baggage allowance on the long haul International flight is anything but free as it is paid for in the price of the ticket as well as the Airport fee and who knows what all else.
For me, it is more about the Pasalubongs than just about anything else. I spend all year long accumilating them ( I keep an eye on sales ) for the non-perishable items. I enjoy packing the large suitcase with pasalubongs and find packing the clothes rather boring.
My best Pasalubong experience was when I was doing the ” Bob New York Pasalubong Contest ” on Radio DXMA, Iligan City where I was giving away half pound Hershey Chocolate bars and other prizes I had brought with me. Due to popular request the following 2 years it was All Chocolate for the prizes. A young Filipina was one of the lucky winners who came to the station to collect her prize minutes after she had won it. The smile on her face made it all worth while to me and I always remember that smile when I have to pay that 3000 Peso overweight charge on the domestic flight. That one smile makes it all worthwhile to me.
http://liveinthephilippines.com/on-the-air-from-iligan-city/
Hi Rey – Don’t take me wrong, there are some Filipino dishes that I enjoy!
i’m not a big mall fan either, but we do have a walmart here in tulare california where i am now, lol
Thanks, Queenie!
i avoid the big malls in cebu city if i can and shop in bogo city where there are less crowds, lol
Malls are different in the Philippines. Almost everything revolves around malls here. Even if you want to buy groceries you do that at the mall.
sorry bob, i buy groceries at prince warehouse in bogo city and sometimes at gaisano supermarket. but most of my shopping for fresh fruits and veggies is at the public market
we are 120 km to cebu city and only go there if we can’t find it in bogo city
I am not talking about fresh produce. Of course, those are not generally bought at the grocery store. I am talking about milk, meat, packaged foods, etc. Most people in the Philippines purchase those kinds of items in the mall. Here in Davao, there are few non-mall places where you can buy those types of things.
Yes, I’ve been to Bogo… know right where it is! 😉
been married to a filipina for 23 1/2 years, first trip to bogo in 1990. i still buy meat at the public market. fresher and cheaper. i saw the first mall built in cebu and am not impressed. i’m a country boy (provinciano)
We are almost the same, Ron Perry, Feyma and I have been married nearly 23 years now. We buy some of our meat in the public market, but not all. I do enjoy some of the malls in Davao.
its ok bob, i know malls are very popular with many people and expats, but i’m not even a mall fan here in the u.s. i spend about 3 months a year at our resort north of bogo and when our kids finish college here in california, will spend about 6 months a year there.
I am not a mall fan in the US, never was. Philippine malls, though, are different in my view. 😉
I think you guys might have me beat, but I went there 3 times last week. Once was only to have their pizza for lunch. I think it’s a pretty deal, as the slice is huge.
I also had to go back and get the Vegan Boca Burgers. That’s not something I can find anywhere else in Davao, and is a welcome addition to my meals. I do hope they’ll eventually carry the fresh tortillas, as Cebu does, but otherwise it was great.
I don’t think the crowds are too bad at all during the week now.
Hi Bob,
S&R means absolutely nothing to me, lol, but good news for Americans, enjoy.
Does anybody know of anywhere in Misamis Occidental where imported food can be bought. Not that I would die without it or anything like that, I would just like to browse there and see what’s available. Thanks
Never mind, we will live in hope…………
Your article generated alot of interest I can’t add to it ….But wish there was a S & R here in Duma
hi Jay ~ it is always nice to find a good balance like that!
Thanks Joe, will check it out next time I get back.
Hi Chas – You Europeans already have several outlets in Davao! About time we Americans got something of our own! 😉
HI bob – Is this a member only store like Costco?
Thanks Bob, I didn’t think so.
I am so looking forward to going back to Davao just for a trip to see the new S&R!! There hasn’t been so much excitement on this site for a while. It will be a welcome break from the traditional food that I am still adjusting to ( said very diplomatically ). Thanks for this enthralling article Sir Bob.
Hi Lenny ~ seems there are a lot of people making that same wish.
Ha ha Bob you fell in love with S&R huh. IThe Garlic shrimp pizza, calzpne and clam chowder is bargain for for one with huge appetite. That’s what I always order after doing the shopping. You saw those huge BBQ grills….you gonna buy that?
Here’s a tip. They have two super sale everywhere during March and September.. not sure if they’re the same dates in the province…. but the sale prices goes down..like really bargain price. Never miss that sale because really it’s a shoppers delight esp for the coming Christmas season. Wait for September sale you’ll see what I mean. Get your CC ready. He he.
So nice to hear about a new S&R being opened their. When our time comes to move their in about 5 years, an S&R will have some impact as to where we will live, as stupid as that may sound, no more than an hour away from one, hopefully. Davao or Samal is on our short list of places to move too, so now with an S&R those areas have moved to the top of the list for us.
I went to the one in Cebu a couple months ago when we were their, as we do about 60% of our shopping at a Costco here in Virginia, and prices on things in both stores were quite similar actually, which surprised me. Dried mango for instance I figured would be much cheaper their, but its only about 50 cents cheaper their than here, so factor in import costs from their and its probably the same. How much do they charge for membership their Bob, its $55.00 and $110.00 for an executive membership here, but with the executive, when used with an American Express card gets you pretty good percentages back on all purchases everywhere, and then once a year we get a check from AmEx. for the rebate and can use it at Costco for purchases, just got ours Feb. or March for $661.00 and used part of it their, and was surprised that we got the change from our trip to Costco as cash instead of a Costco card, found out then that the check can also be cashed at Costco if desired and used for whatever. Costco here in the states doesn’t have sales ever, or buy one, get one free. They print out coupon books and send them out apx. every 6 weeks or so, so yeah, I guess they do have sales if you look at it that way.
Have been meaning to send Fema a email one day to ask her a little bit about real-estate in your area, but at this point its just curiosity in prices for land their, and don’t want to waste her time, so haven’t bothered her yet. My only source that I have found is Craigslist for real-estate and kinda think the prices posted on it are maybe more intended for foreigners, since many are foreign owned it seems, but don’t know for sure.
Bob its good to read about you having so much fun. What is the price of a 3 or 4 burner grill there. I am spoiled in the states as a good one in home depot runs anywhere from 2 to 5 hundred dollars. I told my nephew to bid up to $500.00 dollars here in Olongapo for a us comparable $400.00 grill, at an auction of heavy equipment, and the bid started over a thousand and ended at $2400.00 US.
Hi Boss, I am sure you will enjoy a visit to S & R. I know that we have sure enjoyed the place.
Bob, I am worried that S&R will exporting the bad stuff from the states. Over-processed foods, Genetically modified foods, empty calorie foods e.g., diet soda, that are killing Americans. We are so overweight here. Just because it came from home does not make it healthy or good. Filipinos are so smitten with things from the States, I am concerned we are exporting death to the Philippines. Adding our junk food to the too much salt/too much sugar foods in the Philippines, I think is a recipe for disaster.
Part of the allure of the Philippines, for a future ex-pat like myself, is the lack of the horrible foods we have in the States.
Hi Bob – We don’t have anything like this supermarket in Dumaguete. It seems like an experience. I will surely check it out in the future. I like my cheese a lot. Limited food choice is always difficult.
Hi Sugar, they are having a huge sale right now for the grand opening. Lots of buy one take one and such. Lots of fun.
I am debating on the grill, probably won’t get one for now.
yes, it is exactly like Costco.
Wish I could have given better news. Maybe somebody else will know a place to recommend.
Totally agree on that. I love the malls in the philippines, but hate them in the US. It is a big plus for me that my wife’s mother lives within one jeepney ride of BQ Mall and two of ICM. I personally would not want to be in a big city, but I would not want to be too far from town with a mall either.
Bob,
Thanks for the info about S&R. Do you know if they have real maple syrup, turkeys or just turkey breasts, breads. Also gas grills sound nice. Take care have a nice day
I was amazed when in Davao a couple months ago at the high prices for large flat screen TVs, at least compared to Costco US prices. How about electronic prices at S&R?
Hi BillE – You are right, and I have written dozens of times in the past about how electronics items are much more expensive here than in the States. At S&R I saw that large TVs were cheaper than other places like SM, but still expensive by US standards.
It appears from the comments that Christmas has come early to Davao.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
You are right, it is like Christmas in June!
For any one who wants to know if S&R Stores are nearby their area, here is the web site that show locations.
http://www.snrshopping.com/location.html
Thanks for sharing that, GNFM. Perhaps somebody will find it helpful.
Do they sell chewing tobacco at this S&R i was just curious, i heard they are partly owned by Costco in the states i wonder if i can just use my Costco membership card?
Hi John – I agree with almost everything you said… except about the US brands, since that is what i grew up with! 😉
Costco cards are not accepted.
Barry – I think you are in need of attention. You are really on a rant, and I think your blood pressure is up a bit. Maybe too many Ballpark franks, or it could be that SW meat (??) that is getting to you. Calm down a bit. Stop and smell the Pepperoni! Even if it is not Hormel brand.
http://www.columbussalame.com/products/….Columbus Italian Deli Meats are in every large grocery chain in the USA..nothing but the best..headquarters in San Francisco…but I was always hoping it was my hometown of Columbus,Ohio just brought some back to Davao from Minnesota..Salami,Hams,Pepperoni..the drug sniffing dogs going crazy at the airports..I bought on sale at Kroger,Walmart,Mills Fleet farm and also brought a large Bridgeford 2 foot long Pepperoni all for snacks,Sub Sandwiches and the greatest pizza in the Philiipines..Mine..Like good food and quality products..that is why I e-mail S&R monthly..so they can get on the ball and quit selling fake low qualityproducts and import the real thing and sell for the same price..Bob…just try to help people if you can and be supportive…Thanks..
I find that S&R has lots of American foods. But, perhaps they tailor their product selection based on sales. If few American brand products are purchased then maybe they get more European or Australian products.
You really are hung up about this SW meat, I don’t understand why. I am also happy that you know the local word for trash… basura. Keep working on it and I am sure you will learn the entire language in no time!
Good luck to you, Barry.
Hi Barry – You are also free to say what you wish, as long as it is civil. I believe that I kept a civil tone with you and only expressed my opinion. I did not try to demean you in any way. I am sorry if you felt that way.
You made your point over and over and over again, not sure why it was necessary to keep repeating the same things over and over, but you did, and I didn’t stop you.
I have bought the deli meats at S&R, and have found them to be fine, as long as they are fresh. I have been stung a couple of times by buying out of date product, and have complained to them about it. I even wrote on this site for people to be careful about that.
You say that people are free to have their own opinion, as long as it agrees with mine. Hmm.. didn’t you post your opinion freely? I didn’t delete it or ask you to stop posting, did I? Our opinions are different, but we were both free to post, right?
I am sorry I have never heard of Columbus meats, Barry. I simply stated the truth… never heard of them.
Good luck to you, Barry.
I just went to the Columbus Foods website. It’s no wonder I never heard of them. I have lived in 15 different US states. When I went to the page for “where to buy” and entered every zip code where I have lived in the United States, on every occasion it said that they had no retailers in the area. So, I suppose they are not quite as big as it would seem from your post. If they don’t sell in many areas of the USA it is not surprising that they don’t sell in the Philippines either….
http://youtu.be/LYJ_9n4jmPM Columbus Deli Meats
Find a Columbus Retailer Near You
It’s easier than ever to find your favorite Columbus products. Please note that product selection varies by retailer. It’s best to call ahead to confirm with your retailer that the product you’re searching for is sold at that location …. Bob entered my USA zip Code it pulled up 81 stores in my geographic area..but it did not show another 100 or so locations that carry their products in Minnesota ,like Cub Doods,Walmart.Sams Club.Costco,Byerly’s, nation wide 1,000 s of sales locations for Columbus Deli Meats… AKA Columbus Salame
Here we go again….. another repeat performance! Are you feeling OK, Barry? Did you take your meds today?
Only shoppers from the USA???
Does that S & R sell milk imported from the US ?
You never know, Randy! It might pull in more expats, then it might drive some away, because a lot of expats complain that the prices are high. Personally, I don’t feel that they are, but we all have our own opinions!
They are very slow in replacement stock.
From what I saw on fb prices are similiar to USA,if they complain,well they just are not making enought Money,In my humble and acurate opinion lol sorry to be so blunt
Greetings I live in CDO hoping S&R well open here, right now we do must of our shopping at Rustans problem with them is you well buy something there, then well not see it again !! As for the cost at S&R most prices look to be the same as in the U.S.A., right now I just take a ferry to Cebu to shop at S&R is not cheap just to shop !!! Any news about a S&R coming to CDO ??
Good idea!
Ha ha.. sounds like you kept your wallet active in Singapore, PapaDuck! 🙂 Hope you had a good trip, though.
Yes, they do, Alan Cline
Hi Randy – Ha ha, you should not hold back your opinion so much! 😉
I do also know that some there are on a small pension and SS,at the same time is understandable.
I have not really found that to be the case, Leon. Perhaps I am just used to Costco in the States, that if an item is there today, you better buy it, because it might not be there tomorrow.
On the Horizon” Mindanao Bob Home made Sausage”
I think another problem is, Randy, that a lot of the expats who come here are just single, or just have a girlfriend living with them. S&R sells in large quantity, just like Costco, so buying a huge amount might not be reasonable for some people. For me, it works great, as we have a large household.
Hi Leon,
” British Sausage Week ” would that be ” Bangers ” ? I enjoyed them on my visits to the UK.
Hi Bob,
I would guess you have to cart away appliances yourself, or do they deliver?
I have a Costco located close to my house and I have long wondered exactly what they are looking for. It is a rather odd way to do things. The person seems to count the number of items and collates against the receipt. It’s likely that you are right with regard to whom is actually being watched.
Yes, they have ground coffee. Everybody has their own opinions about which coffee is “good” so I will leave that up to you. 🙂
I don’t know, to be honest. I have not bought appliances there, or asked about delivery. Sorry.
My feelings exactly, Tom. I have always kind of wondered why myself, but they seem to be pretty adamant about it, so I guess it works for them. It kind of turns me off, but not enough to make me stop shopping there.
Size , price for the milk , if known ?
Ha ha.. that won’t happen, Neal. Now, Feyma’s Homemade Sausage.. that is something she has been doing for years already!
I have not heard about any plans… but surely CdO would be the next logical location in Mindanao. S & R has really changed our shopping habits, and opened us back up to being able to get some items from back home! It’s been great. I hope you guys get one soon up in CdO!
If I recall, a half gallon is like P160, Alan Cline, but I have only bought it once out of curiosity, so I am not an expert on that price… sorry.
I just picked up a Sausage Stuffer Machine for the Balibbayan Box
I agree, John. Overall, S&R is great, and I like it a lot. Your feelings about being back in SC mirror what I felt exactly… except I felt I was back in Washington/Oregon! 😉
Bob when I 1st read the article you did back in May,I got excited that there is finally place in Phils to get American items..it just might draw more expats 🙂
That’s great, Neal Roberts. I think that would be valuable to have here if you like good sausage.
Thanks Bob.. price is reasonable… Paying 220 or so here for 58 oz. Florida Gold 100 % Orange Juice at Rustan’s . Buut ,sometimes got to have it… 🙂
Hi Alan Cline – Yes, I found the price reasonable. I have never had a problem with the local “boxes” of milk,mostly imported from NZ. I feel that it tastes the same. I know many don’t like it, but it is fine for me. 🙂
Well , sound to me like we need a Davao – CDO shuttle of sorts… 🙂
YOu and Feyma are lucky becuase you live near the city. I live in a barrio in Camiguin Island..There is a small supermarket about 15 miles away so we eat what is available. Whenever we are home, I send balikbayan boxes of stuff like pancake mix, peanut butter, jam and jellies, chocolate cake mix…But we end up eating fish almost everyday…what ever is the catch of the day. I guess in the end, one learn to live accordingly. And it is not too bad…I read you and Feyma’s articles all the time. I may visit Davao next year and I told Feyma, we should have at least a cup of coffee together…
Haha.. There are buses and airline flights between Cdo and DVO.
Hi Neal, Biggest problem I’ve found here making sausages is obtaining suitable casings.
Hi Leon – I wonder if a place like Swiss Deli would be willing to supply you with casings?
Met a brick wall there with my request Bob. Have some coming with Keith Beairsto if he doesn’t forget. Can get small quantities from a local sausage maker however not enough for my planned British Sausage Week this coming November.
What about checking with a butcher shop? They should have plenty of intestines available.. that’s what casings are made with.
Hi Bob,
When we visit the Philippines we always search for pastuerized milk out of health concerns for our kids, but do not find it. We also buy the NZ milk in the box, but I am not sure it is pastuerized. If I remember correctly it says something about heat treated which may be the same thing I don’t know. Do you know if the NZ milk is pastuerized?
Leon, are you talking about the dried collagen casings?
Hi Jay, the milk in the USA is pasteurized at a lower heat level. The New Zealand milk is pasteurized at a much higher heat level. It is at least as healthy as the US milk.
Neal, Yes. I’m still trying Bob.
Thanks Bob for the information! The wording on the package is not clear to us. We were looking for the word pasteurized.
Good info here. http://www.waltonsinc.com/t-collagen-sausage-casings-info.aspx
Great Article Bob,I look forward to shopping at S&R when I come back to Manila 🙂
Not that I am aware of.
Leon, they have lots of casings there. What is the most desirable ones/size?
Neal, at this time, any I can get. I think the best size would be 26mm. I am chasing a local source but?
Thanks Bob. We have an S&R store here in Manila and we love it. The first time we went there, I made the remark that I was back in South Carolina again..
Hi Perla – Of course there are advantages to the city, but there are also advantages to living out in the barrio like you do! Pluses and minuses are what make life interesting, i suppose! Thank you for reading our articles, we appreciate that very much. One of these days, maybe we will visit you in Camiguin, it is a place where I really want to visit!
Intestine linings
Hi Perla – Of course there are advantages to the city, but there are also advantages to living out in the barrio like you do! Pluses and minuses are what make life interesting, i suppose! Thank you for reading our articles, we appreciate that very much. One of these days, maybe we will visit you in Camiguin, it is a place where I really want to visit!
I am almost ready to retire so I will be back and forth between Camiguin and Caliornia. I am not fully free..I became a legal guardian to my 8 year old grandson..so there are responsibilities that I must fulfill..But yes, I should get you and Feyma to visit Camiguin one day soon…
I am almost ready to retire so I will be back and forth between Camiguin and Caliornia. I am not fully free..I became a legal guardian to my 8 year old grandson..so there are responsibilities that I must fulfill..But yes, I should get you and Feyma to visit Camiguin one day soon…
Good luck with your grandson, Perla. I am sure you will raise him up right!
Last time I was here for six months and I did a lot of bitching to my wife about everything was costing us as much or more than it was in the USA. Then when we got back to the USA I found everything cost a lot more than when we left. It is becoming a world economy but I seen on the news that McDonalds $1.00 menu has items up to $5.00 on it.
Hi Bob and thanks for the info.
I love sausage myself for breakfast, but no I don’t like it when it tastes rancid/rotten. We may try S&R but since we are only 2 of us, I will have to see how they package (bulk) there stuff?
By the way you say S&R is like COSTCO? do they also sell appliances?
i was out to s&r last week i wish my way walking distance,takes me 15 min one e-way,
It is very convenient for sure
Hi Loren – good to hear from you! Yes, it is true that everything just keeps getting more expensive! I don’t think we will see the day when prices are on the decline! 😉 We can always hope, though.
Good point Loren.
I feel that many expats who have been away from their home countries for a few years would have a shock. Food prices are continually increasing the World over.
I would agree that this policy is designed to catch employees who may be working in collusion with customers to commit theft.
Wow, so many questions and comments. I hope mine was not answered earlier and I missed it. About the bad sausage, here in the US (you know this of course), every food or drink item has a “best used by”, “produced on”, or some such similar date. This is required by law. Is there anything like this with PH food/beverage.
Thanks
Went to S & R again yesterday. I’ve got it down to a handful of items, but of course they always have new items and sales 🙂
I wish they would carry the Kirkland brand laundry detergent. I also wish they had they bakery items that Cebu carries. They do some odd things with the selection of deli cheeses they offer – some are sliced and some are not, but they don’t seem to be what you’d expect. Otherwise I’m pretty happy with them.
They carry some VERY expensive things. The prices are higher than in the US in every case that I saw. Some were close, maybe just the cost to import. Others were well over double. For the most part the average filipino is not going to shop there.
Thanks again Bob as we will need to buy a new refrige when we get to Davao. One thing I hope they have is good ground coffee also? About the prices….as we have traveled this year, and I have noticed prices are way up in many countries for food items (smaller packages same price also).
Hi Dave C – Yes, they sell appliances, and the have a huge selection. Very nice refrigerators, better than I’ve seen at SM or other places, and the prices are better than SM too for models that they both carry.
I’ve wondered, since Costco opened a store in our area (Reno, NV), why anyone would subject themselves to being treated like a criminal on their way out the door. Frankly, after I’ve just traded with a merchant, I expect a “Thank you for your business. Please come again.” Not a “Hey, we think you may have stolen something between the cashiers and this exit door! Prove that what is in the bag has been paid for.” Is the selection/price really worth it?
Ten years ago I first encountered that at one of the Wal-Marts here. So I dug out my receipt and pushed it and the cart to the Return Counter. Tina wasn’t too happy and my teenage daughter was humiliated, but they have kept me informed of other big box stores that pull that kind of nonsense. So I’ve never been in a Costco.
At LCC and Pacific Mall in Legazpi City they search for weapons going in but not when you’re leaving peacefully. I suppose if I were running for the exit they would want to talk. The stores that appreciate my business seem to have most of what I need.
So are their prices really that great? If they lowered them another 1 or 2 percent, would it be ok for a clerk to follow you out to the parking lot and call you names? Just wondering.
Thanks for the heads up on the local sliced roast beef an turkey breast. On a good day it takes about 90 minutes to drive the 45 klickes to get to SNR, will not be buying any more of local fresh sandwich stuff. Back to buying frozen Ham an Pastrami.. Since I have been here since 2001, the lack of customer service is just typical.
I think I mentioned tis before
Hi Mike – I have been a pretty big fan of Costco for a long time. Shopped there regularly when we lived in the States. That said, I have also always kind of resented the way that they inspect your purchase before you can leave the store. I mean, for me, it’s already my stuff, since I’ve already payed for it. It is a hassle, and in my view it is disrespectful of the customer. I have, though, just lived with it and not complained. I can feel your sentiment too, though. S&R is exactly the same as Costco on this as well.
tnx for this post… might try to avoid those hahahaha!.. by the way, this September 25-29 S&R will have a Members Treat, which means that we can purchase stuffs at a lower cost up to 50% off the price or get a “Buy 1-Take 1” on some selected items. isn’t that great!?.. im preparing myself for a bulk buying. hehehe!
I saw looking at the S&R website and it seems like a Philippines Costco. I believe I even seen Kirkland products. Until they build one further north we will visit the same one there in San Fernando. My wife’s uncle lives there in San Fernando. April needs to hurry up and get here.
Costco has a percentage of the ownership, Gary. Lots of Kirkland products there. I was at S & R on Saturday and saw that they now have a lot of Safeway products too, which surprised me because they never had that in the past.
Bob;
I remembered the Costco connection that you had mentioned in your article before. But being a single sailor all those years I’ll admit I had never been in a bulk store before. But Mayang was enthralled by it. Thanks for the heads up on S&R; it was well worth the trip.
Papaduck’
We have an S&R Pizza Snack bar here on Subic at the Pure Gold store but no big store yet. But yes it is good pizza. We also went a little nits and as you pointed out it is worth the drive.
GaryM;
To me it was worth the drive over and I’ll do it again the first of October. The way the Philippines is growing I think there’ll be an S&R in Subic within a year or two.
Kirkland is a Costco brand. It is usually cheaper then the name brands but just as good of quality.
Ron;
I was just as surprised about the milk as you and the fact that it stayed good for over a week in the ref. shocked me. You know I stocked up on Oreo’s to go with it.
Gary, I’m not familiar with the Kirkland brand back in England, but yes, S&R stock Kirkland EVERYTHING!!!
It is like Costco.
Is S&R like a Sam’s club or Costco in America?
FRESH MILK??? 2 years and not one drop…oh I am licking my lips.
Another great article. I also have found this site extremely useful time and time again. Glad you found your supply of coffee!
BTW its pronounced Vegemite. The POM’s(British) have a equivalent called Marmite. Even as a Aussie, I can’t stand the stuff!
Paul,
I’m glad you finally made it to S&R. We go there monthly to the one in Alabang. It’s more than worth the 1 1/2 trip. Anne also like those free samples too, especially the cakes. Do you try any of there pizza from the snack bar? That’s the best I’ve had here. Did you buy one of there apple pies? Just wait till near Thanksgiving when they start having pumpkin pies. Both pies are good. They also have whole smoked turkey breasts there. You can really go through money there, but to me its worth it because its things I want. It’s like being a kid in a candy store and it makes living here even better.
I had my first taste of pasteurized “American” milk the morning of our arrival in Monterey, California, many moons ago when I was 15. My first reaction upon tasting it was “yuck!” To this day, my taste for milk remains oriented to the fresh, still warm, straight-from-the-animal carabao milk delivered to our house in Salaza (Palauig, Zambales) every morning in beer bottles topped with with banana leaves. Although carabao milk was always boiled when given to the newly-born, pasteurization was never an issue for us provincial folks. We simply never got sick from drinking carabao milk straight from the animal, but that’s because of our natural built-in defenses against bacteria developed over time. To me, unboiled carabao milk wins hands down over pasteurized cow milk.
John;
Ordering seems to be hit and miss unless you need Spam. I just wait and somehow the product shows up again, or not! (LOL) Like all things here shopping falls under the adventure column.
RT’
I do like the pizza there.
Paul, welcome to “the club”. It’s a bi-weekly thing for us as well and a great source for all our meat, eggs and greek yoghurt. Avoid Sunday afternoons, though if you can. My “fight-or-flight reflexes” start kicking in when I can’t get out of an isle for all the shoppers and lookie-loo’s. I have to admit, I’m not a fan of the experience, but it makes Asawa ko happy, so who am I to complain? I take her to lunch beforehand an just consider it to be an investment towards marital harmony.
Funny coincidence, we had the same experience yesterday testing our own alternative routing as well. It’s become outright comical to see how predictably chaotic the traffic here can be: Every gap will be filled before you get there and every left lane will be blocked by someone turning when a jeepney pulls up short. I feel truly blessed when I can pass two cars with success. And we still joke daily about your “golden rule of the perpetual turn signal” – so true!
It’s the little things in life, isn’t it?
John;
Better you than me, the kids from the Mid-West in bootcamp used to tell me the same story about cows milk fresh on the farm. I’ll take the cold milk straight from the carton thank you. (LOL)
Pete;
I find it odd that you can drink Philippine coffee in Virginia, yet I can’t in the Philippines. It’s just one more conundrum.
Loren;
The Navy cured me from drinking frozen milk, although it is better than UHT. I’l drive you over when you get here..
John, my experience in basic training was similar. I was raised on fresh, unpasteurized cows milk delivered to the end of our driveway by the dairy farmer whose farm adjoined our land. It was in one gallon jars, and there was a deep layer of cream on the top of the milk. When I first drank milk from the dispenser in the chow hall, I couldn’t figure out what was wrong with it.
I recently found a brand of milk from a dairy near my old homeplace. They must pasteurize it by law, but they offer a non- homogenized variety that very much resembles the real milk of my childhood. But soon, I suppose I’ll be limited to the UHT milk from the Savemore in Solano.
Axel;
They do carry some European food stuffs, and I’ll admit that Danish butter is the best, but New Zealand butter is quite nice also.
Hardware, there is a Home Depot right up the street within 3 minutes drive.
Heinz;
As I said above that being I was a single sailor I seldom went to any stores in the states. But here I do to find proper food. My wife loves the malls and I get tp pass on them, but food shopping I want to be there.
Funny on the timing or the article. The S&R folks came over to our office last week and was giving p200 in gift certs to sign up so I finally took the plunge as they have one in BGC that is walking distance to my place. It is probably like 70% the size of Costco in the states I have been to. And prices are good.
My wife wants the 50″ smart tv so will be keeping an eye out for it now. I think it was priced around p80k for a Samsung. A not smart tv will go for around p50k. I know in the states that they can be had for around $500, but they cost of shipping is to be considered.
I havn’t seen Yuban Coffee on the shelves in my local stores for quite some time although I usually only buy instant coffee f another brand for myself. I remember the TV adds for it from years ago ” Deep Dark Delicious Yuban ” LOL.
A question was recently asked on one of the tourist websites I frequent about the availability of ground coffee ( not instant ) in Iligan CIty. The individual was questioning why coffee makers are sold but he could not find any store that had ground coffee, only instant. Something I will look for on my next visit just out of my own curiousity.
From reading here on ” LIP ” about these S&R stores, it sounds like a potentially big retailer has recognized a significant amount of foreigners now living in The Philippines. That’s a good sign !
Thanks for informing us of the one near you Paul.
Victor;
And I thought all Aussie’s loved it, like American’s with peanut butter. I sure Bob enjoyed reading your comment, I sure did.
John;
Weekend shopping is something I convinced my wife is wrong and an affront to the gods. We have to avoid it as on weekends the hoards from Mega Manila invade Subic and bring their own style of traffic with them.
Using the longer highway system I can leave home in Bataan and be in the S & R parking lot with only 7 minutes on a regular road. Bi-monthly is the best I’ll do for now until the repairs on the national road id finished.
FYI:
S&R is having a huge store- wide sale at their outlets starting Wednesday of this week. Buy one get one free and 50% off many items. It might be worth checking out.
God Bless,
Pete – Yes, I remember the thin, tasteless milk served in mess halls during basic and AIT in Fort Ord, California, then in Aschaffenburg. I had no choice but drink it just like everybody else. Sometimes, I had to pretend it was carabao milk to make it more palatable in my mind. LOL
Back in Salaza of my youth, I always hanged around the kitchen at my aunt’s house during the feeding of her infant son. I would wait there until she finished boiling the carabao milk in an old WWII U.S. Army canteen that sat atop 3 rocks on the dirt stove called “pugon”. My aunt would then let me skim off the layer of hardened cream that rose to the surface, and eat the sweet, buttery cream. In an impoverished rural barrio that didn’t have much to offer in the way of simple pleasures in life for a curious little boy, eating the sweet, buttery cream from a freshly-boiled carabao milk was a treat of a lifetime.
An uncle had a small business making “pastillias” made of carabao milk, also.
August;
I did not see that brand of coffee, but then I stopped after I found mine. (LOL)
No, they do not have K-cup coffee. I doubt you will find that anywhere in the Philippines, at least I have never seen it here before.
Shipping Don! From where???
Don;
Why does the term “Smart TV” seem like an oxymoron to me? I’m saving the appliance section of the store for a later date, or the overload would get to me and my bank account.
I had a friend ship a 40inch TV to the Philippines from Virginia using the PH Post Office, it arrived and it worked plus they forgot to collect customs. I’ll wager that wouldn’t happen twice.
Dave;
I think I will check that out, Thanks!!!
Did you guys know that the Kirkland Brand stems from the City of Kirkland, just east of Seattle, WA? This is where the 1st. Costco originated. I used to buy there, but now they are everywhere. Only big box store who has more stores is Walmart where I NEVER shop, poor service and mostly junk from China.
Well, since my car is sold, I don’t think I’ll be visiting the S&R in Pampanga anytime soon. There’s as S&R Pizza and that’s it at the Pure Gold building at Subic (along with a KFC, a Mercury Drugs and another place I can’t remember).
Now i have to do it….Since S.Fernando isn’t far from me it should be a swift affair to go there.
Even i normally find the things i need – and have learned to like – here in SM or other malls, i think S&R could bring me some new excitement.
I don’t think they have any Danish brands, but ok…i can find Danish cheese and butter elsewhere.
Maybe the hardware section can open up a new world of quality? Thinking of tools and accessories. We’ll see soon.
Yes Paul, they don’t seem to understand “Stock Control”. I always have the same problem in Makati Supermarket, with my breakfast cereal. I think they wait until they are out of stock before they reorder, then you have to wait for it to be shipped!
Bob New York;
The sad part about ground coffee is the local brand “Cafe Pura” made from beans grown here on the Islands, one of the best I’ve ever had. But like many other things it has disappeared. In my area (Subic) ground coffee comes and goes off the shelves but phone a buddy and he’ll tell you who has it in stock.
Fresh ground coffee is no problem for us. Friends of ours own a coffee plantation. We’ve been drinking Filipino coffee in Virginia now for several years!
Take care,
Pete
My wife has an ex-coworker that is our coffee connection. His parents are from Batangas and we get 3 kilo every few months for our house consumption. Batangas Baraco Siete ground…….OMG !~~!
For those of you who like the USA brand of milk and don’t want to make weekly trips — you can freeze it and it lasts as long after you thaw it out as it normally would. Be sure and remove a cup full from the jug before freezing. Gallon jugs here in Delta CO run about $3.50, last week they were $1.99 so I stocked up and froze them.
Their Facebook page is current on all their sales event. I love my Costco here in the US and I’m glad that there’s an S&R nearby. I wonder if they have Keurig K-cup style coffees.
S & R…Lousy food products and high prices…Davao location…SW deli and processed meat products you sell..lousy..infrerior products..please get Hormel,Oscar Mayer,or Columbus meat products in…Salami,pepperoni,ham…last 3 months no Hormel Pepperoni..how is a person to make a edible pizza with out…no Fritoe Lay brand Fritoes for 7 months…only thing good is your restaurant food service food..how come you do not sale your allbeef hotdogs in the store..please listen to your customers..S&R Davao..still no fritoes for 8 months..no Hormel Pepperoni..Deli Meats only inferior SW meat pruducts..garbage,Basura…please listen to your customers…Hormel,Oscar Mayer,Columbus meat products…Salami,Ham,Pepperoni………..please get rid of SW meat products…terrible quality and poor ingredients..Davao Location..No Fritoes for last 6 months..no Hormel Pepperoni..all your SW deli meat products terrible and of poor quality..better stick with Hormel..,Oscar Mayer,Columbus Meat products…especially for Italian Salami,Pepperoni,Ham…your SW products terrible..I am shocked you keep selling the terrible SW brand Deli meat products…your beef hot dogs from restaurant..great..how come you don’t sell them in store or get the best tasting Hotdogs in the World in store…Ballpark allbeef hotdogs…if you ever need a consultant to what foods you offer that Americans might like..just ask me..myself and my friends noticing your having less and less American food products..we can get that at Gaisono Grocery less price..your novelty is wearing off then people will quit making an effort to come here…we want back Hormel pepperoni..want to see Oscar mayer hard salami,bologna and other products you keep ramming the SW meat products down peoples throats..I bought SW Pepperoni..400 peso’s..garbage-basursa…threw it out once I tasted it..Please get more American Products..foods..meats or people won’t show up anymore..read the handwriting on the wall…novelties wear off..but good quality products keep people coming back
myself and my friends noticing your having less and less American food products..we can get that at Gaisono Grocery less price..your novelty is wearing off then people will quit making an effort to come here…we want back Hormel pepperoni..want to see Oscar mayer hard salami,bologna and other products you keep ramming the SW meat products down peoples throats..I bought SW Pepperoni..400 peso’s..garbage-basursa…threw it out once I tasted it..Please get more American Products..foods..meats or people won’t show up anymore..read the handwriting on the wall…novelties wear off..but good quality products keep people coming back
A big sale is always a good thing, Stephen! 😉
The above was posted will trying to make edit!!!!!
I think I mentioned this before, I let my wife handle all customer service problems. She is a Filipino and takes NO PRISONERS . If we furriners complain,……. someone is going to complain,by filing something with La Migra, that we are not showing proper respect for FILIPINO CULTURE
Well Bob, you’re in the company of a million other Costco customers internationally, my family included. All I can do is wonder, shrug and shake my head.
Hi Mike – they do have those “best used by” and also even a pack date on the packages of meat. Funny thing is, though, these sausages (and sliced roast beef) that were already rotten were well within the “good” date. So… kind of makes you wonder…
In other stores, meat is just loose, not packed or wrapped at all, so you never know how old it is. There are a few stores that wrap their meat, but very few.
Hi Fred – We buy the sliced ham at S&R and have never had a problem. But, the roast beef is a no-no for us.
Bob,
People shouldn’t complain about prices at S&R until they have visited Singapore. You would really get sticker shock there. It’s a nice place to visit though. Yes S&R is higher, which is expected, but they have things I like from the states which overrides the price.
From my own experience, most customers are receptive to, and cooperative about, showing their receipts to the receipt checker at the exit door. I have never observed a customer who felt offended by this policy, which, btw, is spelled out in the membership agreement you signed. I also have never seen a checker or a store employee chase a customer outside calling him names, but, then again, this is only one man’s personal observation. In my mind, though, the presence of the receipt checker at the door serves as a deterrent against any possible collusion between cashier and customer. Since there are hardly any merchandise that can be lifted in the area between the cashier and the exit door, shoplifting had to be the least of the receipt checker’s major concern.
Hi Randy – I have also whittled my number of “regular purchases” by quite a lot. You try things that you remember liking, but you don’t care for them any longer. I have been wanting to buy some “light cranberry juice” lately, but they have been out. Hopefully more stock will come in soon.
Overall, I am happy, though, and glad that S&R came to town.
S&R Davao..still no fritoes for 8 months..no Hormel Pepperoni..Deli Meats only inferior SW meat pruducts..garbage,Basura…please listen to your customers…Hormel,Oscar Mayer,Columbus meat products…Salami,Ham,Pepperoni………..please get rid of SW meat products…terrible quality and poor ingredientsDavao Location..No Fritoes for last 6 months..no Hormel Pepperoni..all your SW deli meat products terrible and of poor quality..better stick with Hormel..,Oscar Mayer,Columbus Meat products…especially for Italian Salami,Pepperoni,Ham…your SW products terrible..I am shocked you keep selling the terrible SW brand Deli meat products…your beef hot dogs from restaurant..great..how come you don’t sell them in store or get the best tasting Hotdogs in the World in store…Ballpark all beef hotdogs…if you ever need a consultant to what foods you offer that Americans might like..just ask me..
..That is exactly why people go to S&R..for the imported foods from the USA..like Hormel Pepperoni..Oscar Mayer Salami..Columbus Italian Meat Products…the Hot Dogs from your Restaurant..The All Beef Hot Dogs…if you don’t get these products and offer these at a reasonable price…and switch out these products for the local made SW meats..OMG..these are terrible especially the Salami and Pepperoni…god awful..we got the beef hot dogs from your fresh meat section..the clerk said these were the same ones from served at S&R snack bar..boy was she mis informed..terrible…I should not be having bad experiences every time I go to S&R in Davao City..Salami and Pepperoni and Hot Dogs are made with curing salts,spices,seasoning then refrigerated for three days then smoked and dry aged for up to 6 weeks…I hope some of your Mgt. Team can go on a fact finding mission to maybe to Austin ,Minnesota,USA to the big Hormel Plant there or San Francisco,California,USA to the Columbus Italian Meats so they exactly know how quality meat products are made then come back and go to their local meat suppliers manufacturing facilities..they would be shocked..because that’s real life..the local products..little seasoning,spices or curing agents then run through a meat grinder then stuffed into a casing..flash cooked then sold as premium product at S&R at premium prices..if you try to keep fooling your customers with garbage-basura products at a high price…ask anyone its about the quality of your products and pricing…hope you clue in or people will not be drawn in to your novelty store and be misled…they will simply quit coming there and you will be out of business..another failed venture with high expectations but did not deliver…hope you forward this to the higher ups and not just play nice…
Hi Barry – S & R does have Hormel, I have bought Hormel products there. I have never heard of Columbus meat products before. They have never had Oscar Meyer that I have seen.
Of course you are entitled to your own opinion, but I find the products there to be of high quality.
The All Beef hot dogs are sold in the store, I have bought them many times.
It seems you keep repeating the same thing over and over again, I am not sure why you feel you need to do that.
Thanks Bob..for your critisizim and moral support..but of course this is your blog..you are the one in control and can say what you wish..however demeaning and biased..are you a paid agent of S&R or what…Sure Bob they have Hormel Pepperoni Sometimes and used to have Fritoes..go buy some of their SW Deli or processed meats..you be the judge instead of personally criticizing me and insulting me…many Kudos To MBOB maye he reign worthy as the King of Pinoy Expat Blogs and he will only let you have your own opinion of things as it agrees with his way of thinking..anybody got any BS repellant here..because arrogance and might rule supreme on Mbob’s Blog…hail mighty MBOB…Hey Bob take a look on Amazon.com for Columbus meats not OLX,Aysdito or Lazada you can find Columbus meats there or if you get Deported go to any Costco,Sams Club,Walmart,Krogers or any major grocery store chain in the USA..Good Luck MBOB…
A few years back I was living in a remote’ish provincial area. Every once in a while there would be cheese or sour cream at the local store, but it was rare. That was less than three years ago. We made quartely road trips to the “big city” on the island to stock up on food supplies. I haven’t been in an S&R yet, but it sounds like a mixed blessing for sure 🙂 Do they have PopTarts? I could go for one of them….
I haven’t been in S/R yet, even we have one not so far away – in San Fernando. It will come, even i am not American i guess i can find things i – if not miss – would like,
As i as i see it, when we decide to live here it is for what it is and what we can get.
Complaining over things you can get here is somehow lack of respect or understanding, we are the ones who choose to live here and the ones that have to adapt.
Sure i can say….arrghhh….why can’t i find this or that, but i find a substitute instead.
When that is said, it is easy to find almost anything i could miss, around here. I come from Denmark and there is even less products from Denmark than US products..
Some things i really do miss i just have to myself.
As time goes by. there is less things i miss – i just get used to how it is and what i can get.
Hi Axel – Nice to hear from you! I hope you are doing well.
You said one thing that is the key to it all, Axel. Finding substitutes! My wife has become a real expert, when it comes to cooking, at finding ways to match western tastes using local ingredients that have been substituted into recipes.
Hi Rease – Indeed, they do have pop tarts! They come in a big box consisting of like maybe 6 or 8 of the regular sized boxes. My kids love them!
Hi again, Joe. How are you doing today?
Spot on! You are exactly right. Some people can’t seem to recognize that.
Basically a similar concept with a twist. It has been quite successful for me.
Thanks for your vouching, John. I appreciate that greatly.
Been shipping Chicago Electric products to the Phils for 3 years now, especially Grinders & Cut offs. Asawa sells them for roughly 3 times what I pay for them at Harbor Freight Co, the exclusive seller for that brand. Yes, you need a voltage converter, but a good one will last many years!
Everyone has liked these tools so far, they don’t burn up like the cheap Chinese tools do, also the grinding and cut off wheels (4″) are much cheaper.
Aw man, I haven’t had one of them in 4 years I think 🙂
Ha ha… like I said, Rease… it’s a blessing and a curse! Pop Tarts are not cheap! 🙂
I’m going to have most of the motors of my power tools rewound for 220v. It’s not really that expensive and it beats worrying about frying the unit if someone plugs it into a 220v outlet without the transformer!
I agree that it’s an amazing opportunity. There are certain items simply not used here that I’m bringing over (thank you Harbor Freight and Manila Forwarders) to help some family members get a leg up on their businesses.
Bob:
Quite frankly, Barry sounds like an idiot, or is just not well-traveled, or both.
The Philippines is the third country outside of the USA where I have lived. I remember in the Bahamas, only 100 or so miles from the USA, availability in the supermarkets was marginal. In fact, that is how I earned a living. My father and I were exporting store brands from a Florida grocery chain, Kash and Karry. We were shipping things like breakfast cereal, jars of peanut butter, ice cream, and hot dogs. The Bahamas levied something like a 100% duty on imported food products (except very basic staples), and the importers usually charged a margin of around 100% to get to retail, so by the time that jar of peanut butter hit the shelves the retail price was up to 300% higher than retail in the USA. The result is that stores in the Bahamas only carried limited supplies of expensive imports. This in a country far closer to the USA, and with a far larger number and percentage of US expats and visitors.
In Abu Dhabi, Costco or stores like it were not there, but there were the Tesco and Carrefour hypermarkets that carried imports, and they could get very expensive, though these two companies had pretty robust distribution chains there and what was on the shelf one week was usually there the next week. However, there were a relatively small percentage of US expats, so brands tended to be British, German, or Australian, rather than American. The expats there tended to bitch and moan about the lack of pork products (Muslim nation and pork was restricted). These were available in two licensed stores, always with long queues near Filipino or Chinese holidays. That pork salami from Italy would cost you around US$30 for half a kilo. Pork belly was over US$40 per kilo. Lots of demand, very limited supply (two stores), and they could charge what they wished.
John – you have hit on something that fits right in. Something that I tell people constantly, but few people recognize the truth in my statement, or probably yours. If you find something that bothers you or is a problem, that is an opportunity. A business opportunity. An opportunity to make a pretty good amount of money. For Barry, he was really wanting this Columbus meat brand. Well, if he thinks it is so great, then other people probably want it too. If Barry takes the time and spends the money to import the stuff himself, he may have just found a key to his fortune!
Yep… I’ll even vouch for your service right here!
I am in total agreement with you Bob. When it comes to Power tools I prefer high quality brands such as Makita,or DeWalt. Both are expensive in the USA and I have found both brands Here in Ozamiz but even more expensive. Why? Both are imported here and import fees and shipping causes the increase. I realize that a business has to make a profit to survive and can not afford to sell an Item below what it costs them. Bottom line is If you want the quality found in imported items you have to pay the price. No bitches from me since I insist on getting
the best quality items I can Find when I buy and save money on labor, water and food if i stick to non imported stuff. also hotels are for the most part much less than in the USA and I use them frequently.
Bob:
Exactly. In Abu Dhabi, there were perhaps 15 or 20 small Filipino grocery stores in the part of town where the OFWs lived. They carried pretty much the same stuff in each one (banana ketchup, Mamasita’s brands, White Swan vinegar and patis)… all of the stuff that OFWs liked and missed from home. They charged roughly 3 times the retail price as in Manila, but they all did a fairly robust business.
In fact, OFWs could get about 90% of what was in the Philippines there, except the aforementioned pork, which was too expensive for most OFWs to buy except for birthdays and such.
People saw an opportunity and they capitalized on it.
Hello Heinz – You sure are right, they have Tillamook Cheese and also Tillamook Ice Cream at S&R. Good stuff, and I am happy to have access again! I used to always go to their factory and have a tour to see what the latest is.
Adapting is a very important thing, and people have to remember that. No matter how many items they start getting here in the Philippines, you still have to adapt to cultural things and such too.
I am like you, Heinz, I had never heard of Columbus brand before. But Barry swears that it is very famous everywhere in the USA. Since you are a chef, I am a bit surprised that you didn’t hear of it before, but that probably means that it is not as popular as Barry thinks it is! 🙂 The company is based in San Francisco, so it would seem it should be available all over the West, at least!
LOL Bob, made me laugh!
First of all, what’s a Columbus Brand? never heard of it out here on the West Coast. Secondly, if he wanted that brand so badly he should have stayed in the USA.
Something you have mentioned MANY times, ADAPT, ADAPT, ADAPT! or stay home!
I can take a Chicken or Pork or Beef of any Nationality and turn it into a mouthwatering experience, it need not say Hormel, Columbus, Tyson or any others. You use what’s available, use some ingenuity and create a great dish. I’m sure your daughter will agree with me.
There also is a S&R in Cebu and I doubt very seriously that aside from purchasing Cheeses and some other western items I will not have much use for it. I purchase from Costco now for my business, but only for business, Winco for personal use is much cheaper as you don’t have to buy bulk. Cash & Carry for business or personal is even cheaper than Costco.
I think Barry needs to stop his whining and get some Tillamook Cheese (yes they have it) with his whine, LOL
Good article Bob, as always!
Hi John… let’s see… WowPhilippines… ring a bell? 😉
Rease Wold are you serious? POP TARTS? Might as well grab a bunch of artificially flavored chemicals and eat them! Not even kids here like them! lol
Hi Doug – It sounds to me like you came up with an excellent solution!
Flavored Cardboard, lol!
This post is so true, Bob. 10 or 11 years ago when I first visited the Philippines I visited my wife’s home just outside Metro Manila and I noticed how difficult it would be to live there. All but the limited selection of meats and vegetables at the local market and very little else was available from local shops or stores. I could not have lived there.
I often see today guys who haven’t really lived in the Philippines (although they may have been here many times living in hotels or resorts) saying how they plan to live so cheaply out in the provinces somewhere. Well, good luck to them, but if they even want a loaf of bread and a recognizable meat product to put on the bread to make a sandwich .. Fuggedaboudit” as we say back in Joisey. And lettuce and some tomato to put on the sandwich? Ha, you would have to be joking.
In ten years so much has changed. There are well stocked supermarkets all over the place, a decent size mall with book stores, computer stores, Ace Hardware, my bank (open ’til 7 every night, seven days a week), and so on.
And then there is S&R, about a 20 to 30 minute drive from me. It’s a real life line.
Expensive? Well my response to that is, compared with what? If something is not available at any cost, or is available in a clean, modern store at typical US price, with perhaps a markup for transportation, which is the better deal.
I’ll take availability over doing without any time.
You can’t move to the Philippines (or any country outside the USA and expect everything to be available at US prices. If that’s what you want, my advice is to just stay home, because especially for food, there is no substitute for the USA. Many Americans just don’t realize how cheap food and supermarket prices are in the USA. You can’r live for “free” in any country.
Frankly I’m very grateful for S&R and other stores who try to stock many US items. Of course you have to pay, but the choice between paying and enjoying as opposed to just doing without seems pretty simple to me.
Ha ha, I think all kids like those things! 🙂
When will you be back in the Philippines, Kevin?
Hi Bob
One thing that you might want to suggest to the moaner is to speak to S&R to request that they supply the items that he wants. If there are enough requests they will supply whatever they think they can sell.
We use S&R frequently when in Davao as there are things there that we just cannot buy elsewhere. One item, my favourite Sauvignon Blanc wine, is occasionally available and at a reasonable price which is similar to what I pay in the UK.
If people think that the Philippines is restricted then they should try living in the shipyard areas of South Korea. They have Homeplus there, part of Tesco UK, but it is very limited. When I was working there I used to take things back from the Philippines to South Korea for the Brits in the office. Most of the items were available in the SM supermarket before S&R existed in Davao.
I have to say though that no trip to S&R is complete without a couple of packs of the pre-cooked ribs. Oh and one of their pizzas from the outlets after the check-outs. Pag ka lami oi!
Cheers
AJ UK
I look forward to seeing you, Kevin. Want to learn about life in China!
Exactly Bob, exactly my point. At least not reasonably within my personal lifetime, and I know that.
Strange to complain, when I moved here I remembered what it was like back in the early 70’s when I lived here for 3 years. And I was lucky, most of the shopping was done on the Navy Base I was stationed. But even then it was hard to fine things. The selection I find is much more than I dreamed possible. But then I am happy just to go to the market to carry the bags as Katleen purchases meat, fish vegs and fruit from the venders and farmers. The food here while it might not be like what was at home at least it is fresh and has no hormones or other additives and vine ripened. The food here is wonderful and if I need a taste of home there is always the Malls in CdO. But I hope that an S & R opens in CdO sometime. Be interesting to shop in the store.
Hi Luke, I heard there ar. plans for an S & R in CdO! Good news for you guys in NorMin.
I bought some Poptarts for Juanito… Becky had never had one, tried it, and said, “I am NOT feeding that junk to MY son!”
Nope Bob, never heard of it, must be an obscure brand!
My kids like Pop Tarts too. We get them here in Chengdu at a local import food store. They cost about 38 Rmb, which is a little over 6.00 USD a box.
Bob, I periodically have people who are treated on visit, tell me “why don’t you open a restaurant ?!?” My answer is that even if I had the personal ambition and capital, it would fast fail because Pinoys will not be willing to pay for the product you (usually Pinoy) so much like.
Funny, my wife says no one likes my food. Yet everyone is always pestering me if we have this or that in the freezer when they visit and of course the kids want _my_ food hourly and aren’t terribly happy with the otherwise omnipresent rice-silog.
“Daddy, bread, your bread!!!”
I’m telling the oldest that soon he will be old enough to be the baker.
My homemade sausages (which I BB|Q’d in advance mid-afternoon) again mysteriously disappeared before supper. My pizza is sadly now a once-a-year-treat if we can “import” the ingredients from Davao. I can make psuedo-fake KFC but the gravy just isn’t it.
Presuming no visitors to increase the queue, if I make a hamburger I have 4 kids lining up and surely within a year #5 will be fighting for position.
Same here. I’ve lived in something like 20 US States over 40 years with the USAF and I have never heard of Columbus brand meats. I don’t doubt there are a great many other brands like that too … may be very popular with certain people but totally unknown by many others.
Barry also might be trapped a little by the mistaken idea many expats have … that stores like S&R exist to serve us expats. Nothing could be farther from the truth, IMO.
One could never make a go of a retail business like S&R by depending upon only the expat trade. There are a couple hundred thousand (at most) of “us”, spread over more than 7,000 islands, while there are about 100,000,000 hungry Filipinos out there. Trying to stock every know US brand meat product would be a recipe for retail disaster I would think.
I had never heard of them until I moved to the West Coast and started seeing their products at Costco. Like all major retailers, Costco does tend to source regionally. If you were on the East Coast, you might well have seen a different brand of deli meats.
I used to have a favorite string cheese I would buy at the Costco in the Spokane, WA area when I lived there. I subsequently moved to Las Vegas where the string cheese offered by those Costco outlets was a different brand that I didn’t like as well. My solution? Buy my favorite brand at a retail grocery outlet in smaller (and more expensive) quantities.
The lesson? What I’ve seen here a number of times already: adapt to what’s available or be prepared to pay a premium!
Hi Ed,
Certainly what it comes down to on this sort of stuff, is that in a smaller area like Kidapawan, there simply is not enough demand for these imported products to justify stocking them in the stores… spoilage would be rampant due to the lack of demand.
You outta come to Davao more often! Just about anything you could want is available here!
Unfortunately, Dave, you are spot on about the pizza business.
Dave Starr wrote:(and I edited down to barely retain context) …
“foreigners … came here and opened restaurants. They ALL failed miserably. … 50 Pesos more than the imitation cheese on cardboard crap that Greenwhich sells you will NOT make it.”
Pinoy brand-recognition and advertising have a LOT to do with success (or lack thereof), you must consider that in conjunction for any chance you must budget and locate in a major mall. Someone who doesn’t have, budget, and *spend* at LEAST 2 or 3 million pesos and likely more the first year *before* you even start to see *any* income let alone break-even, that someone will be gone and poor within 3 months. That’s absolute bare MINIMUM, and then you better have someone very wise manage getting your intended customers to your door and help you have them come back again and again. 5 to 10 million is actually a more realistic _starting_ point these days.
I didn’t personally experience this failure, but was sorry to see my X-gf lose the significant amount of my retirement capital I gave her so that she could pursue her dream and have a good income for life. Sadly fast gone as is the very nice house I paid for also gone so I’ve heard. It’s not enough to open a beautiful resto-bar beside the mall. If you want customers, get the “girls” in and they will attract the boys, and they together will attract the families. If you don’t start realistically, no one will know to go there and no one will.
The very few who beat that were in exactly the right place at exactly the right time and spared no expense and they eventually broke even and have good business many years later. Very much the exception, very few venues like that.
If instead you want to stand any sort of a chance, fork over the big-pesos for a Chowking or Greenwich or McDo or Jolibee franchise. Then, if you are prudent and intelligent and have all the right help that you need at your beck-and-call then maybe you’ll win going for family clientele from gate-go.
MAYBE
Oh, and I’m talkng about *Pinoys* here, not even foreigners.
IMHO.
Hi David – Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I have been a complainer at a time in the past, but I believe I have moved beyond that. Of course, everybody complains about something at some time, but I rarely complain these days. 🙂 Hopefully others around me would agree!
Have a nice day, David.
Thank you for the heads up. I will let Katleen know.
Classic!
Hi Dave, for sure, there are not enough expats here to sustain a business like that.
Anytime I go to S & R it is full of Filipinos and a few expats. The Filipinos generally have overflowing shopping carts.
Dave Starr wisely pointed out “One could never make a go of a retail business like S&R by depending upon only the expat trade.”
At best, some can travel to a major city, pick up a few things as budget might (or not) permit, then make the long trek home, and that can’t happen very often..
Also, a few meat-and-cheese import specialty shops have been seen to come and go in the Metro Manila and Alabang (Las Pinas) areas, with of course import-plus-pay-the-mall-space prices. When you trip over one you may drool over the selection and purchase a once-every-few-years tiny teaser set.
A better option should you happen to be within reasonable commuting distance of (I may be wrong on the name) Price-club or something like that, whatever replaced Rustan’s grocery. Price-something. The location in Harrison plaza (Harrison Rd in Pasay in Manila, which is what Mabini turns into when you’re going south from Malate), wonderfully stocks excellent _locally_ produced versions of imported products plus some imported cheeses and dried and cured meats – a great option if you can get to one. Just before I moved way south, I saw they were building a new location on Molino Blvd in Bacoor. There may be more by now (up there), and with some luck my kids may be able to get to one here sometime after I’m long passed and they’re grown. Quality is excellent and prices will forever thereafter keep you away from S&R for most such.
There are a few other foreigner-oriented groceries in Alabang with excellent quality items including many imported that you can’t otherwise easily find – Makati Supermaket there comes to mind 2003-2011, after that I don’t know, things change. If you want S&R high prices, there’s one a few minutes away from ATC (Alabang Town Center mall) in Alabang too. S&R Alabang does have great huge-slice NY-style pizza.
Ok, so much for fond recollections too far away in the same country.
Ignore the “brand name” and buy on *quality* when you see what just may be the tastiest offering in years. Hope this helps some of you closer to get what you crave for. If I can make summer-sausage in my kitchen, those huge conglomerates can do even way better here in Philippinesr, you just have to find them, Then when the wife causes you to move, consider what you will NOT have sensible access to. She will have her rice, lechon baboy, et al, and you will have … not much. If you’re lucky your wife might leave you barely enough of your money to pay the rent and the cable bill so that you can watch the food you miss on TV while working. *IF* you’re very lucky. Enjoy, either way.
LOL… That is a very good perspective.
I can find absolutely *great* pizza in my kitchen – **IF** I have the ingredients, which means about once a year until the supplies evaporate. 🙂
Bob, there is a site that gives relative prices among countries: numbeo.com for many goods and services. All in all it figures that the U.S. is 91% more expensive. Here is a sample: Indices Difference Consumer Prices in United States are 91.24% higher than in Philippines. Consumer Prices Including Rent in United States are 132.75% higher than in Philippines. Rent Prices in United States are 360.34% higher than in Philippines. Restaurant Prices in United States are 191.10% higher than in Philippines. Groceries Prices in United States are 96.51% higher than in Philippines. Local Purchasing Power in United States is 250.52% higher than in Philippines. Levi jeans and Nike shoes are cheaper in the U.S. than in the Philippines. Milk is cheaper in the U.S. No listing for cheese.
Thanks, Donald Lecraw. Interesting. There are a number of such sites. One that is quite popular is Expstistan.
Homemade pot roast mash potatoes gravy at my friends American bar cafe The Pit Stop Butuan City
I like it just fine at my house, Arnold Engstrand! Ha ha… my wife cooks great American style meals.
Bob you are very lucky haha
Dave you wrap up my thinking nicely. Sure. S and R is missing a few brands that I would like to see, but they sure open up the world to us expats. Stuff we could not even dream of before.
Thanks for sharing, Dave.
We’ll be back June 22nd for the summer. Hope to catch up with you sometime after that.
Ain’t gonna happen.
Sure David, tht is possible. But, the kind of foods that I am talking about here is not in a can. Also, for me personally, I don’t eat food in a tin can, so that would be of no value to me. But, I am happy with the foods I can get here, so it is not a concern for me. 🙂
Now that’s funny. The only food item I ever had sent was when I asked a neighbor *here* to lug a box of pancit-canton overseas and then mail it from there to someone deprived. Never from _there_ to _here_, though I suppose it’s possible.
I prefer fresh tuna too, not canned
Hi Alma – Wow, 10 hours drive from a “real” Costco! Lucky you! But… as you say, in many ways it is better to just kick the habit.
After having lived for many years without access to these American products, I found that when S & R came here, I am hooked to many again! It’s a tough habit to kick.
I agree that food prices can seem cheaper in the US. However, we just went to the supermarket this afternoon. Not the local market, but a Robinson’s market. We bought a BUNCH of produce: canteloupe, watermelon, honeydew melon, green beans, eggplant, squash, bittermelon; several kilos of various meats: adobo cut chicken Php199/kilo buy-one-take one, pork BBQ on stick, chicken barbecue; my necessary supply of Coke Zero, and a few other things. All told, I’d say we have enough to feed 6 of us for close to a week. Our bill? Less than $70 US.
Yes, if I was trying to buy a USDA Prime steak I’d be paying through the nose. However, there’s another advantage to being here: far fewer GMO type veggies. Much more organic and (in my opinion) nutritious. Don’t even get me STARTED on how much better the eggs taste here compared to the US!
I simply LOVE it here. Some things I’m learning to do without, or wait for a special “splurge.” Other things I’m learning to love!
Hi Todd – Yes, Kirkland products are all around S & R, lots of them! Also, yes, they have a nice electronics area, not as big as a Costco store would have, but still very large!
Donald, you forgot to mention that wages are higher in the USA, stands to reason why everything is higher here! Everything evens out!
If it were my teenage son surveying the shelves, he’d be looking for Dr Pepper LOL. We live in a corner of Costa Rica that seems not to have heard of this even though they have all the other US brands of pop. There is one store in town however that occasionally has a few cans, usually a mix of diet, regular and cherry flavored Dr Pepper. They all go into our basket. 🙂
Hi Bob – Interesting information and it really reveals that the same situation is present in reverse, only to show that it is not just a “Philippine thing”. Keep enjoying your 3 in 1 coffee! You can have my share too! 😉
Take care, Bob.
Oh please, let’s not go there. The nightmares of that horrible crash are still keeping me awake … LoL
Hi Bob New York, look out for Nescafe 2 in 1, there is no sugar in those. We have them here in the UK.
Wish they had one in Gensan
Arnold, can you imagine P40000 a month rent on a P3000 a month wages? think about it!
Rent of $1000 a month is affordable on $ 2500 a month wages.
Pretty interesting, AJ. Especially the part about Korea. I had no idea of the lack of availability there.
Good point AJ UK!
I have on occasion done exactly that.
One particular Indian curry paste disappeared from SM. I asked them if they might restock. |They did, fast, and I bought it all, Years later I still have a few pouches left. Sadly it would take a plane to get back there for more but surely given their location lots of other people are buying it. The good news is that I can make the same in my kitchen with available ingredients including from my backyard.
Lately, a few weeks ago wondering why KMCC’s supply of “Cossack Vodka” (local, Tanduay product) has been absent for a full year, I inquired. Mysteriously a dozen bottles suddenly appeared on display within a week, though still no 8=year “Primero” that’s been absent almost 3 years now. They were (as usual) out of stock very fast, gotta wonder who does the ordering.
Cheese … real cheese, not “quickmelt” … next thing to try to request in earnest. Problem with cheese is that there’s not much of any cheese produced in the Philippines and groceries in provincial capitals just can’t get any of that little, and if they could they would need some sort of refrigerator display to display it so that people can see and buy it, gasp what a concept! Either that or the wrapped-for-centuries-in-wax-real-cheese (eg most uncut cheese) that doesn’t care about room temperature. Imported cheese? Well, you need an SM or somesuch for that. Actually there’s a small new grocery (Martha) here that had some. I bought it all on sight. No replacement stock and it’s almost a year now, sigh. I suspect they bought it at someSM far away, trucked it in with the other weird stuff and marked it up and haven’t been back for more since. I was there the other day to buy some ridiculously expensive meat-spread and saw a bottle of V8 juice! Last time I saw V8 was in the previous century before coming here and it was 69cents (Canadian!). I asked “magkano to” (how much is this) …. 895 pesos!!!!! I put my hands up in surrender, looked at it wistfully, said a silent prayer to it’s prominent position on their display shelf, smiled at the clerk remarking that they have a truly iconic relic forever, and paid for their last 2 cans of SPAM-spread.
You make a good point: for those of us not totally swayed by the sweet pizzas available here, the pizza at S&R is quite wonderful!
Wow that’s big money for rent
That’s average for a 2BR, 1 Bath Appartment in WA or OR USA
Don’t forget! we make much more money here and do NOT have 6 month contracts!
Bob, heh, I heard there are plans for an SM in Kidapawan too, *and* a Robinson’s! Maybe even a Pure Gold, and rumour is a huge other-half-of-the-Guisano-family mall. Hehehehehehehehe.
Hope I have money for good stuff come Davao in Jan/2016.
Actually that brings up a good point that you, Bob, could likely help with.
Surely I’m not the only one who makes the annual Jan/Feb trek to BI Davao, with small hope to also come home with some sorely missed items from Davao. Here’s the question – the “sakian” drops you off at BI across from Victoria Mall. Nothing special there. So, if _you_ (and yes I know you’re privileged but please ask you to still help the rest of us) were on your annual BI reporting trip, where would you go to get some rare stuff, like KFC and then buy smoked meats and cheese, spices, and such, and what public transit would you take to get from BI to … wherever … and on the tail end in time to get back on the road home before the last trip leaves. Presuming attendance at 8am BI opening, that realistically that likely means 2 malls in the afternoon, fast, and then terminal for home.
If you needed to do that, what and how, pls?
Went to S&R for he first time last week, recon mission was all I intended, about 12,500Pesos later we exited the store. Great article Bob.
I go to the wet market, or Harbor Point in Subic, and shall go back to S&R. . . .
I live, I laugh, I love. . . .
I enjoy life here in the Philippines. . . . .It is not the food (although it is very good), that makes my day, it is the people and the surroundings. . . Barry let it go, grab an iced cold one, enjoy your day and evening too. . .
Oh ok I was thinking Philippines being quote in peso haha
Check S & R, Swiss Deli (2 branches) and Gourmet Deli. All of these places have vast selection of meats and cheeses, and other ingredients as well.
Hi Bill – You are free to throw in your 2 cents any time… go for a full dollar if you want! 🙂
Corn meal is not hard to find here, you just were looking in the wrong places, most likely. We buy corn meal all the time, though. Next time you are in town, don’t hesitate to look me up, and I will be happy to help you. You are right, that when it is not available, you can grind your own with little effort. I have never seen the little black bugs in any cornmeal that I have purchased.
Glad to hear that you mostly found the things you would want and need!
Amen on that Bob. Heinz, I could write a huge post here listing a number of foreigners (guys I have known and counseled personally on this subject) who came here and opened restaurants. They ALL failed miserably. See some of the other comments also. Your pizza may taste great and be made with the finest ingredients, but if it costs 50 Pesos more than the imitation cheese on cardboard crap that Greenwhich sells you will NOT make it.
By all means come here and learn the ropes _first_.
Hi Bob,
Seems odd to me that after 32 years in the food , beverage and hospitality industry here in the States I’ve never heard of Columbus brand meats if they are that well known.
As my girlfriend and I discuss our move to the Philippines in three years, the subject of food availability has come up frequently. Personally, I like the foods her family eats, and the foods that are available where she grew up in the province. And luckily neither one of us is stuck on particular brands but there are a few things that we’ve decided to learn to make ourselves that may be difficult to find. Simple things like pesto, or a spinach artichoke dip that we often buy premade.
In my mind, moving to the Philippines and then complaining about a lack of acceptable food just seems odd to me.
Now if I could just find a kid here that would stop by every morning with warm
Pandesal the wait would be just a little more bearable.
Thanks for the topic Bob
I UNDERSTAND and YES! Philippines is still cheaper to live using US Dollars, NOT Pesos!
Thanks Bob, but as I had asked an hoped you’d respond, if you landed at BI Davao, finished at noon and had 4 hours, in what order and _how_ would you attend at the stores you suggest and then get to a terminal in time to trek home to Kidapawan? What jeeps please and where to catch them from those respective locations. Please bear in mind that _you_ know Davao and I don’t, hence my questions.
You caused me to trek to my pantry. I have “Hunts” (not Heinz) here, readily available anywhere; gud’nuff for me. 🙂
We signed up at S&R San Fernado Pampanga about 5 weeks ago. Yes there are a lot of simularities with the Costco we are used to in the UK. The family and ourselves enjoyed the Pizza. I still haven’t found Heinz baked bean, the tomatoe sauce is widely available now, also I’ve yet to see Marmite yeast extract, but you never know one day it will turn up. by the way those two films are great but the wife couldn’t see the leasons behind the racist remarks, I guess that a cultural thing.
Hi Bob,
That movie was first released in 2011, a sequel “The second best Exotic Marigold Hotel” was released a few months ago.
Enjoy 🙂
Converted of course!
There are multiple terminals in Davao City, Ed, and I don’t know which terminal you intend to go to. The easiest thing you could do is just hail a taxi and tell the driver to take you to one of the places that I mentioned.
S & R and Swiss Deli are directly across the street from each other on MacArthur Highway in Matina. Any taxi driver will know exactly where they are. Gourmet Deli is a bit harder to find (but still known to taxi drivers) it is in Uyanguren (China town) on Governor Sales Street, at Chimes Mall.
I have heard of Hunts and we saw some Hunts products but I’ve not seen the plain baked beans. I think it was pork and beans and beef and beans. When we ship the Heinz the family love them so there could be an opening for them.
Rustans in Manila area is actully about the same as S&R now. Not bulk buying but they carry most of the same brands.Even some US brands S&R doesnt have.
Hi Heinz Schirmaier I do pay that much rent here!
I wish there were more brands from NZ available here, so many good foods are not available here but of course true for the opposite too. I like Rustans and shop there often and have become accustomed to the local ingredients (fruits, vegetables, spices, sauces) here to the point where I am comfortable cooking. The imported meat from Australia at Rustans is very good value considering how far it has travelled but as it has been frozen its a bit drier and tougher than the fresh meat back home but its still fine for eating
You make an excellent point. We took everyone who lives in our house (currently six of us) to dinner at a local favorite the other night. Our total bill was less than US$30. And this wasn’t gut-bomb burgers, but things like fresh lumpia, garlic fried rice, sausage fried rice, lechon, and some other wonderful tasting stuff.
Six people, stuffed to the gills, for $5.00 each. Good food, good times, good prices!
Hi Chas – I never heard of that movie that you mentioned, I am going to see if I can find it…. sounds interesting. 🙂
BTW, I never said anything about the concept being exclusive to expats. 🙂
Actually, when the budget permits the purchase at all, as an immigrant I would greatly prefer to pay an extra 10 or 20% for top quality in a “small town” (provincial capital). Sadly no such choice, likely for the very reasons you illustrate.
S and R has NZ meats, Brent.
You need to shop in Thailand Brent Mattock hahah they seem to cater more to British and Austrailan foods
WOW Bob! you pay a $1000 rent there? outrageous! asawa pays less than $100, yes, $100 for a furnished 2Br, 1 Bath house in Mactan
Thanks Arnold, but my kitchen is a *whole* lot closer than Bituan. Roast beast, mashed, gravy, you forgot the carrots! … _that_ I can make without too much effort given budget.
Purchasing smoked meats or dry-cured salami, or real cheese locally, heh! That’s what the original and followup “Bitching and Moaning” is all about., not stuff we can cook wonderfully at home. Ok, I can (and have on several occasions with difficulty) made my equivalent of “Montreal Smoked Meat”) but no way I can smoke or dry-cure a salami here. You’re welcome to tell us how _you_ do that, please.
Hi Don – I can’t disagree with you! I have seen it with my own eyes. Some things are extremely expensive here, I am talking US prices or more, and for no apparent reason. I don’t know why, it doesn’t make sense.
Heinz, let me put Bob’s comment in reasonable perspective.
I currently live in North Cotabato. Will you deliver your pizza to my home? I’ll happily pay you 20% over the normal Pinoy pizza rate for your top-quality pizza just the way I remember a good pizza should be. I’ll even pay cash if you don’t accept international credit cards. Depending on your location I know I may have to wait a few hours or maybe a day or two for your express delivery but I trust it will still be “fresh” and wonderful. I may be able to order once or twice a year; wish more often. I would likely order several each time if you offer a good “promo”.
Taking that into account, can you open your business and prosper?
Hi Queenie – Hope you had a good day in the City.
Like you have in Cebu, here in Davao we also have multiple outlets for a good selection of imported foreign goods. But, S & R has to be considered the “Capitol” of foreign shopping, I think. There just is no other place with as wide of a selection.
Hope you are loving the calabasa/pumpkin pie! We eat it at times all through the year, not just during Thanksgiving/Christmas! And, it is really tasty!
You are right, those specialty meats are very expensive, and more of a “not and then treat” than a regular item, no doubt.
Ok Queenie, but you seem to live in a place where those outlets exist.
Lucky you, that is not the case for everyone.
It’s however NOT my intention to “bitch and moan” about my wife’s choice of our location, but rather to mention that not everyone can hop on a tricycle to get to where you can. Something to consider.
My idea of “fresh tuna” is good and thinly sliced, served as sashimi with ‘sushi rice’ (malikit, pilit , other regional names). Heh, Japanese if you can find it at any price. Yes I have a stock of wasabi powder.
I’d prefer salmon, but never such here; what passes for relatively ‘fresh’ “albacore tuna” is what we can have.
This is one thing my wife never knew about prior to meeting me and now it’s one thing she actually asks me for. That and my beef stir-fry. With a huge wad of money on the side, daily.
Hi Scott – Unfortunately, there are plenty of people like that – looking to always have something to complain about.
Heinz: You should see pictures of his very large house in an a very large city. That amount is not surprising at all.
Heinz, as Tom said, I have a very large house, and somewhat upscale. We feel the rental price is a bargain. Also, though, I don’t earn typical Filipino wages.
Right on in all aspects of this particular post, Bob. 🙂
Beth and I are fortunate enough to be experiencing
that same blessing and curse.
Glad to hear it, Robert! It has been mostly a blessing! 🙂
I agree.
I am happy getting what ever is available in the Philippines for foods, I like Asian style cooking and maybe once a blue moon I would cook up a Aussie style bbq with a good steak, so shopping over there is no major problem for me,
Understanding our own complex human bodies and psyche has often amazed me…we get accustomed to the way things are and don’t like changes. Funny how we miss the “little things” the most!
For example; I lived in Singapore for years and simple things like milk there was nothing like the milk in the states, yet I got used to it. The only milk available there was 3-4 types. One was a brand in cans from Australia that didn’t require refrigeration until opened (2 different types/flavors) Also to be had was a milk in a strange triangular carton that you either clipped one of the corners off to pour or pop a straw in a hole that was covered with foil. Yet another was in a heavily waxed carton that resembled the American quarts on top – yet round like fast food cup on the bottom. There was not a Mc Donalds to be had and the only 2 American franchises operating there back then were KFC and A&W. So we really missed fast food.
I learned to adapt and realize – we weren’t in America! Being abroad or in a new place, finding and trying new things just adds more to the total experience.
Now I miss certain things that I grew accustomed to there and haven’t had since Singapore! Some I have had in the States – but its not the same!
Sweet-n-Sour Pork and Chinese fried rice/Nasi Goring. Yes, its to be had everywhere in the States but haven’t tasted it quite how they prepared and cooked it there. I learned to try new things (had no choice) and grew to love a quite a few things. “Satay” being my favorite and haven’t had it since. Roti prata bread, Rambutans, Chili Crab, Tiger Beer, and the list goes on….
As we move about in a lifetime we develop a certain fondness for things that are no longer available to us or not in our region.
No sense in “Bitch and Moan” about it!
Even in the USA, another example is, food to be had in Ohio where I spent quite some time was nothing like the food in my home state of Louisiana 1100 miles away. Bob can relate I am sure to the smells and foods of Louisiana! Nothing like a good Po-boy and a “mess” of boiled seafood – such as crawfish! With Mardi Gras in full swing here crawfish season is also – as well as King Cakes! Is “nostalgia” kicking in Bob Martin?
C’mon, no “bitch and moan!”
Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Geaux Tigers!
Hi Terrence – Ha ha… P12.5k later…. I know the feeling well!
Hi SteveC – How are you doing? Hope all is well.
It seems that few if any of us here have heard of Columbus, but Barry is a big fan though. It’s OK, I understand what it is like to miss something that you truly enjoy. But, we have to get past it if we hope to enjoy our lives and not be bothered by such things!
I am happy thus far with what I get here in the Philippines. We do 99% of our shopping at Robinsons’ and they seem to have a wide variety of items for people from various countries.
Crawfish? Po boys? Are you trying to get me wanting to have stuff that I can’t get here Peter Danos?
That is good to hear, Paul Vollmer.
Talaga!? I will be going there tomorrow Bob Martin after treating asawa ko 🙂
Yea I will get a rubber ducky Roger Craft and go to Thailand for my meat shop 🙂 I will just stay away from the pink fleshed Thai chicken!
Haha yea i would stay away from that 🙂
Where in Butuan, the next time we r there we will stop in and have try some since the city is only about an hour away from home.
Nah, not at all Bob, my apologies – just a trip down nostalgia lane! Lol It is to my understanding that they actually have crawfish there, (?) certainly crabs, shrimp and oysters. How about loaf bread that a seafood po boy can be made with, and roast beef? (my favorite)
Just remember – I will have to endure the same when I am there!
I am actually looking forward to immersing myself in the Philippine culture and trying the new foods I have heard so much about. Such as Chicken and pork adobo, Sinigang, Lechon manok, and baboy. Even pushing the envelope with oddities such as pork blood soup, and even balut! (But -I think I will skip the adobo aso though!!! Lol)
Perhaps one day, if and when we decide to meet up, I will fix a Cajun dish I made night before last, Chicken stew – made from a roux!
I would also like to cook Cajun dishes to introduce my world to theirs, ie; jambalaya, seafood Gumbo, beignets and more!
I have often dreamed of retiring to a tropical island because I hate winter and love the sun and being able to take clothes off to be comfortable – instead of layering them on! My growing years in S’pore and beaches in the south of Thailand spoiled me I think.
For me, I don’t think it will be so much of a culture shock as it is for some who have never ventured outside of the U.S. until their later years and have become so ‘set in their ways’ that change is difficult to accept, or their homesickness is broadcast like a light from a lighthouse in everything they do, and everyone they encounter.
For me, I am a place on the beach type of person – than a cabin in the woods. There is so many beautiful beaches, waterfalls, lush vegetation, and scenery there in the Philippines that I am anxious to explore!
Ingat
There should be some sort of aptitude test for potential expats, because this is a common theme: the bitchy ones are the ones who do not have a high adaptability quotient. Especially, it seems, when it comes to food. I’m not too excited by Costa Rica cuisine in general, but I’ve learned to like many things that I didn’t when I first arrived, and we do a lot of cooking that has become a fusion of what we normally ate in the US and the local cuisine. And, we’re always discovering new places to find “exotic” food items or restaurants that are above the norm. Just part of the adventure.
What Bob!!!! they don’t have Mudbugs & Poboys there??? How uncivilised!! hahaha! I cook many Cajun dishes having worked with Paul Prudhomme at Che Paul’s in New Orleans many years ago. I’m the one who actually invented the “Blackened” thing, quite by accident, but that’s another story, LOL!
Just kidding you Peter. I have heard of a few places where you can find crawfish here, but they are rare. 🙂
Hi Heinz – You are not related to Brian Williams are you?
Bob’s situation *in* Davao suggests that $1K is about right for what he has.
My current rent for a substantially lesser home in the middle of nowhere is PHP11k and the owner does NOTHING to maintain the property. Ongoing endemic rat and termite infestation and if I don’t want an incredibly huge water bill then I can either pay for plumbing every few months or pay because I didn’t pay to fix the landlord’s property. He’s well aware the choices are very limited for those of us with a large family of young kids. Hope by a year from now we are in our own home under construction with extreme budge limitations.
Yes what Bob writes is very realistic to the best of my knowledge. Don’t believe me, go google for high-end rentals in Davao! I surely can’t afford to move my family to Davao! With this year’s huge drop in my currency, PHP40k is close to $1400 with income substantially less than what US citizens enjoy.
If you have it on the cheap, be happy that you are privileged. Not so for all.
Hmmm…That might be an idea for a business venture seeing how you can grow rice and crawfish in the same pond
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/06/us/in-louisiana-farmers-use-rice-fields-as-crayfish-ponds.html?_r=0
I don’t think that the average person here would eat crawfish. Just my opinion, though. I love them.
Also I have been to his house. (thanks, Bob, Feyma and all for the wonderful hospitality) I have also rented very cheap accommodations here in the Philippines.
Heinz, with respect, you are off base. There’s no comparison with how Bob is living and how anyone would be living in a P5,000 bungalow rental on Mactan island.
I lived my first 8 years in a little 3 (tiny) bedroom, 1 (tiny) bath cold water rental bungalow for P7,000 a month. My wife and I were happy. But we sure as hell weren’t living in anything anywhere near the equivalent to Bob’s house or his environment.
Each person has the right to live as they wish, but I personally feel Bob is getting a pretty good deal on his home.
A while back my wife and I were considering a move to Makati. You should see what you’d have to pay for a house equivalent to Bob’s there. P40,000 is hardly even entry level.
Let’s think rationally. P40,000 is only a little over $900 USD. How many places in the USA can you rent nice homes that comfortably accommodate 10 or more people in good neighborhoods, off street parking for multiple cars, close to shopping and such, and top echelon private schools for $900 USD.
Answer? Not very many.
My gf says they are expensive there and only the rich can usually afford/purchase them. She has done tilapia fish farming there and said she made out lucratively as they were already sold to restaurants before they were ever harvested!
I have never seen crawfish for sale here in the 15 years that I have lived here.
Hi Bob, no, not related to Brian Williams, but always liked a family get together on a Sunday in Louisiana and feast on Mudbugs, Crab, Oysters, Corn, Hushpuppies etc. all served on a picknik table covered with newspapers. I think it was called a Daisi Do or something like that! Musicians and dancing & eating! those were the days!
Hi Heinz Schirmaier – I was just teasing you. I didn’t realize that you used to live in Louisiana? I lived there for about 10 years from 1977 until 87.
Peter, I’m not a fan of farm raised Tilapia, too mushy and bland tasting, also not of much nutricional value as the salmon have.
Yep Bob, lived and cooked there from ’64 to 74, some of my most memorable years of my life! Was also on a cooking TV program with Grandpa Justin as Sauce Chef, my God what fun we had! Old Justin with his Overalls and always drunk! He loved cooking with wine or any other alcohol for that matter. His motto was: A little in here (the dish) and a lot in here (himself). I sure miss those days as an up and coming Chef!
I guess another thing we have in common, Heinz.
Sure miss those huge mudbugs, after cooking, squeeze and twist them right and the tail will come right off and then suck the heads, yummy!
I have done a little research and here is a few links I have found:
http://bilogangbuwanniluna.blogspot.com/2012/08/crawfishulang.html
https://allaroundbacolod.wordpress.com/2012/05/22/crayfish/
http://philippines.dataotuan.com/metro.manila/shop-13059
Peter, NOT even the same! Ulang is SHRIMP, not Crayfish or Crawdads. Picture shown does not REMOTELY resemble a Crayfish, it’s a warm water SHRIMP! Yes, Crayfish resemble Lobster, just on a smaller scale and taste a bit like lobster. They like to live in MUD, therefore the name Mudbug!
Peter, all of those blogs above misname warm water Shrimp as Crayfish, someone needs to show them what a REAL Crayfish looks like.
It’s ridiculous that people come to the Philippines or other countries and think it should be like the States or their homew country…ever hear of “when in Rome do as the romans do” same as in the Philippines. If you don’t like the prices for food or the food go back HOME and enjoy your whjining lifestyle there.
In MA we called them ‘crawfish’ .
Philippines has my favorite food already pizza I will not miss anything here. in us.
Crayfish, Crawfish, Crawdads, Mudbugs, all the same, depends on what region you’re from!
Don’t fool yourself, Anthony. There are things you will miss, I guarantee it! 🙂
Ha ha, an aptitude test for potential expats? I love it! It would have to be administered by the destination country, because the origin country would probably be happy to get rid of the idiots! 🙂
i know me i can change ..no snow no problem…lol
pizza tha’s all i need and they have it in phil
I can tell you, Anthony Bosetti, it is hard to find good pizza in the Philippines. Most of the pizza here is downright horrible. But, in a large city you can find decent pizza if you try.
Yes, the memories were very tough on Brian too.
So if I open a wood fired oven Pizza Joint with maybe 5 options and 1 size handmade thin crust pizza it should be a success?
Will you travel abroad to get the ingredients, Heinz? If not, your pizzas will be the same as all of the others…
Also, the pizza here, Heinz, is what they like. It won’t be what you like. If you want your place to be a success, you will need to cook the pizza that the people here like, and that is not good to our tastes. If you make what we like, you will have mostly just expat customers… and there are not enough expats to support it and make it a success. The expat population is way less than 1%.. not enough to support a business.
i found no matter where i got my pizza shakys or greenwich it tasted the same
In my area (central Luzon) the are “crayfish” available but they don’t look or taste like “crawfish” from Louisiana. This may be a local variation or it may be that the creatures here are a different species/sub species.
Anyway they wouldn’t be a good business basis from what I can see because they are not very popular with Filipinos at all.
You sure are right on the mark, James! My wife has done exactly what you suggest and made all types of sausages.
Sodium nitrate (and nitrite) are only important if you want to dry-cure or make slow-cooked then keep dry or smoked sausage and hold it for months.
If making something like fresh “Italian” or “breakfast”-type sausage to be refrigerated then soon cooked (or frozen for a few months or a year), no nitrate needed so do your body a favor and don’t include it. Hint: garlic, lots of garlic, and some regular rock salt and various healthy organic spices. If you can’t grow it, you can still find it cheap in the middle of nowhere as I do. There are lots of recipes, if anyone asks I’ll send mine to Bob for posting here.
If you are making dry long-hanging sausage, you can easily find nitrates cheap (often called “Prague powder #depending) at most palengke and lately noticed at Guisano, KMCC and a few other groceries).
Question – if you’re making long-hanging sausage (only for which you need the nitrate), how do you deal with the climate issue here? Such must be hung in a much cooler place than available here.
Yeah that’s a good point. One of the very least used tools in our kitchen is a can opener. Really I haven’t opened a can in years, with the exception of Century canned tuna from Gen San.
Well, that is not correct, Anthony Bosetti, they all have their own tastes. I can’t believe you are a pizza lover, and you like places like Greenwich! 🙂
Ah but Bob, the ingredients are available at S&R, maybe time to introduce something different and better?
OK, Heinz… guess you know better than I do… I wish you the best of luck with your pizza place. Let’s talk after you give it a shot.
I agree with Bob Martin most pizza in small towns is bad ugg!! But in bigger places like Makati or Global city both locals and foreigners frequent upscale pizza places.
The same thing works in reverse concerning getting what you want. There are a few Philippine grocery items that I liked during my visits. The ever so popular in The Philippines Nescafe 3 in 1 instant coffee. On my past few visits I have brought home 3, 36 packs of the stuff. If you ever wondered why it taste so good, look up the ingredients LOL I found it is available in the USA, same exact item as sold in PH, on Amazon for about $16.00 per 36 Pack. That is way much more money than I paid for it in The Philippines but I am thrilled that I can even get the exact same thing here. I place toe order thru Amazon which goes to an importer in California and in about 5 days I am very happy. I don’t drink it on any regualr basis because it is mostly sugar but I do enjoy it as a special treat from time to time. Same things apply as they do for USA items sold in The Philippines, import duty, shipping and the merchant in Calif. who is entitled to make a profit too. The fact that I can even get it here puts a smile on my face so I don’t mind shelling out a few more dollars to have it.
Another item I found out about in The Philippines is Sulfur Soap. I found out it is good for skin blemishes, rashes and who knows what else. I asked around about it here and most people never heard of it and those that dis daid they have not seen it on store shelves for many years here in the USA. On my visit of 2014 I bought a dozen 80g sixed bars to bring home with me. I think I paid less that $1 per bar for it in PH. Later on I checked Amazon and sure enough they have it for about $8.00 USD per bar. Same exact item made in PH. I still have not tried the ones I brought home with me but it is nice to know at least it is available here in the USA. Same with some other PH products I checked on. Cost more but at least it is obtainable.
So why someone should complain about prices of imported USA stuff in The Philippines, I don’t know. The fact that you can get it at all should put a smile on your face and from the comments I have read here, those items do exactly that. The reason for the higher cost should be plainly obvious.
Were I to actually live in The Philippines, at this point I don’t know what grocery items I would really miss. With the prices I pay in restaurants when I am there I am beginning to think that just for myself that might be less costly ( considering the price of propane and other fuels ) for me to eat out. The only problem I have ever had with the food there is that I can not easily remember the names of many things although I do remember fovorites such as Halo Halo and Leche Flan.
Columbus Brand Deli Meats ? Never heard of them until I read this article and the comments. A quick websearch revealed they do have a website. At first glance it looks to me like Gormet cold cuts that you would find in Gormet Deli’s and grocery stores. I don’t think it would sell well there because it would be a very high price.
After all this talk about imported grocery items, think I’ll have a cup of Nescafe 3 in 1 as brought back from my visit of 2014. It is snowing outside, about 20 Deg F. A cup of Nescafe 3 in 1 brings back fond memories of my visits to Iligan City where to me, Summer never ends. 85 Deg. F. and humid never felt so good ! If only I could import some of that. Maybe I can find it on Amazon, I will have to take a look.
Just a thought Bob, pizza in addition to burgers, hot dogs and phil foods!
Davao has a couple of upscale pizza places too. But, now we are talking about very expensive pizza. The local folks in small towns cannot afford that, so if you open up a shop selling high end pizza in an area that is not in a big city… well, the odds of success are virtually zero.
I hope you succeed, Heinz. I think, though, that you don’t know the lay of the land yet, and you will be in for some big surprises when you arrive. I really do wish you the best in your venture, though.
Thanks Bob, been doing a lot of research and I also have many pinay friends there who give me input! But yes, I’ll have to find out myself and adjust the menu as I go along.
Heinz – the local people here will tell you lots of things… the things you WANT to hear, even if it has zero reality to it. It is your choice who to listen to, but I can hear the same words now that I have heard from a lot of people right before they lost their shirt. Believe me, I have seen and known hundred of foreigners who lost their shirt here.
One thing to remember in smaller towns is the mentality. If your product is 50 peso more then competition you will not win ,EVEN if you offer a better or bigger product! They will look at cheapest because quality is second.
Hi Roger Craft – You are correct.. but even if your product is 1 Peso more they will shun you… it is that tight! If you use the highest quality ingredients from S&R, you still cannot charge more than the guy who makes his pizza with garbage. It is hard, very hard, to make people understand how things work here. About all you can do is tell them, so they know, then step back and let them make the same mistakes that everybody else makes.
We’ve already decited to settle in Valencia near Dumaquete. Valencia needs a little Trattoria and basically it will not be the only source of my income, but will give Shirley and me something to do. I have a good friend who lives in Valencia and the town is laid back and between it and Duma there are lots of Xpats. The main reason though moving there is because of the quality of schools. My oldest girl will be going to college shortly and Duma has great colleges.
I can’t argue, E.
Heinz – all I can do is wish you the best of luck. I hope it all works out for you.
“E”, we can be nostalgic, but you are absolutely right. People who don’t like where they landed should have stayed where they were more comfortable. The rest of us ultimately make do and are happy with any pleasant surprises but know not to expect any.
Good one, Norman! It would be interesting to hear Barry’s reaction to that! 🙂
Some of the best pizza I have ever had has been in The Philippines ! http://liveinthephilippines.com/whatta-pizza/
Bob, have you ever heard of Honegger, Alfredo’s Swiss & Italian Restaurant in Mactan? Now THERE is a success story! Small place, mostly reservations only, top quality food and HE does most of the cooking. He already has the reputation of THE Restaurant in Mactan and NO! it’s not cheap, it’s upscale. Average lunch or dinner is P950, drinks not included!
You know when I am faced with the inability to find something I want I figure out how to make it. I mean Columbus brand sausage is not bad but we have three or four local varieties in Central Texas that are better. However if I really wanted Italian style sausage I would just gather up the spices, these I know are available in SM Market except for maybe the sodium nitrate, some pork, which is one thing they definitely have plenty of in the Philippines, and get to it. I mean they figured out how do this before Athens and Troy had that dust up I think that we might be able to burn a few pixels and Mbits and muddle through. Also since the state of butcher that exists in most of the markets is what it is sausage making seems to be the intended usage for most of the meats. If you want smoked sausage you can even get wood chips from the True Value’s apparently.
I guess what I am saying is that if you want something bad enough but all you manages is to do is complain that you can’t find it you must not want it bad enough.
Yep! It’s hard to beat do-it-yourself ingredients. I do a lot of substitution in my Thai kitchen.
I use to shop at Sams and Costco for the same reason. Then I decided to find alternatives or to just go with out. For example, I would shell out a high price for peanut butter. Then I stopped and local supermarkets started carrying it, And then I stopped eating peanuts all together because it turns out I am allergic. I suppose I have the advantage of living so close to the border, about a 10 hour car ride, but I honestly much rather do without or find alternatives to brands and foods that I love, I chalk it up to an expat life lesson!
haha…I have yet to meet an expat that doesn’t complain and bitch yet. Do they really exist Bob?..I will tolerate most of them and listen if their criticism is constructive but when they are loud and aggressive as in most cases of the American expats i encounter. i just simply walk away with a passing comment “not interested mate”. I dont mean to offend anyone by saying americans, no doubt there are many from other countries but my personal experience is just what i stated after living here nearly 4 yrs….haha, i guess i am having a whinge and a bitch myself now.
Isn’t it possible to send tinned stuff and other non perishables from the US or other countries back to Philippines through the balikpapan box ?
For example, Bob can ask his son who is holidaying in US to send him the stuff he likes through a balikpapan box.Enough for at least 6 months of ” craving ” ?
This should also work if one travels on holiday to Singapore,Hong Kong etc. Just go to some huge warehouse food outlets, buy all you want and then send them by balipapan to Davao or elsewhere in PH .
Doleable ?
I’ve been here in Global City for over 4 years and can find just about anything. However, my wife (a Singaporean) just moved over here with out newborn. Talk about comparing quality and prices!! Singaporeans really have it good with the selection, quality and pricing as when it comes to food items.
I do agree with her on not understanding this – why is certain items like fresh fish, chicken and pork more expensive in Philippines than it is in Singapore. Seems odd as everything in SG is imported. Maybe its because we are in a big city, but shouldnt really be the case.
Also another case of price disparity, rice sold in the Philippines is some of the most expensive in the region. Since the country cant produce enough, it charges a high levy to protect the local farmers and keeps overall rice prices high.
What is that Barry guy going to say if he’s going to undergo surgery at a local hospital here and the surgeon is about to administer a local brand of anesthesia? “Doc, can I have an imported one?”
Actually, that is a joke from the Marcos era, Filipinos poking fun at their own obsession with all things “made in the USA”.
Barry, do it the way the US Marines do when faced with adversity: improvise, adapt, overcome.
Hi Bob,
Just now reading this post because we just got back from Cebu City and one of our errands was grocery shopping.
Can’t imagine how this particular complainer is justified at all.
Here is Cebu we have S&R which is great, but also Rustans Supermarkets have a lot of great imported items from the US, Italy, the UK and Australia too. My husband enjoys local fare much more regularly than I do, so I’m only limited by my budget. I could really go “hog wild” with all the items available here, and it’s also the “thrill of the hunt” that keeps me searching the shelves in every market for that elusive item that I’ve been searching for! When I find it it’s a thrill, but many substitutes and local replacements turn out to be equally satisfying.
I’m totally in love with my stove and oven now, and can whip up many old favorites that I used to make at home in the States. From Feyma’s inspiration, I now bake my version of calabasa pie that has been a big hit here:)
Meats I find somewhat lacking, because I can’t always justify spending a lot on great imported ones, and the local ones don’t always appeal to us. We’re not big meat eaters anyway, but I’ve been able to purchase local artisan bread, sausage, organic eggs and chickens here in the province which is great for us. Local honey here is fantastic too!
Can’t agree with Bob NY about the 3in1 though– just not my taste! I but the Nescafe Classic Suave instant coffee imported from US/Mexico is good, and also the Nescafe Gold imported from South Korea. I love imported ground coffee but that’s another thing I just don’t crave as much now, and so I won’t spring for price wise. Wine and imported liquor is readily available here too.
Back when I was in the Peace Corps here, the most that you could hope for was some Star margarine for your pan de sal, and some Nido powdered milk or Milo in an old metal can..
Absolutely no complaints from me now, about the lack of availability of imported items in our area.
Don’t get me started on my favorite drugstore, Watsons! I get so much great stuff from there too!
Queenie
Bob,
Barry sound like a person who just wants to find something to complain about. If he found a sack of $100 bills he would complain he had to carry them. And my wife wonders why I just don’t stop and talk to every expat I see. This guy seem to be a prime example. I personally avoid these people. Life is too short and people needs to grateful for what is available. When I came there for the first time in 2006 to get married there was little familiar to me. Did I complain? No not once. I was in another country and I did not expect to find anything I was familiar with. Actually I enjoyed the change. Like for breakfast, I was not accustom to having rice. I discovered I love it with eggs. Flexibility is needed to live outside your home country.
Well said Bob. Theory and reality are rarely identical.
This article really conjured up some comments, so figured I may as well throw in my two cents also, Bob.
My last trip there , was very much about spending as much time as I could to see what things that are dear to our hearts (just me really). I had for months, been writing down things I wanted to try to locate there and had printed out all kinds of lists for food, hardware, tools , etc. I even wrote you when I was there because I had not found a few things that I felt I should be able to find hopefully somewhere there in Davao, and you being a nice guy even offered to meet me at a store and show me where they were, but I hated to bother you with such menial things, so I said I would keep looking. I would guess that I found over 90% of the foods I was looking for somewhere in Davao area. We went to S&R many times while there, and we both noticed that things we would have sworn we had not seen just a few days prior we were finding on different visits there.
We bought lunchmeat a couple times there at S&R, although it’s sliced a little thick for my taste, I thought they had a pretty nice selection. The things we couldnt find there as far as food goes, I discovered that most of them could be made rather easily from scratch like cottage cheese for example. I personally did not have much luck finding corn meal or any sort, from anyplace there. I was talking to a guy there at SM, and he said he did occasionally find it , but most times it had little black bugs in it, and he had started making his own from hard corn he found there for chicken feed, so I found an attachment for grinding grains that fits our mixer, and it works great. Like others have said, you can substitute or make your own, much of the time, for the things you cant find there.
I found a big Stihl dealer there in Davao, that I can buy parts from. Tools,,,,as many have said, bring what you need from home cause you wont find much there, and they are correct it seems. I had hoped to do stained glass there for a hobby, but I had no luck finding anyplace there to buy the materials from, so will take as much as I can and have it replaced with Balikbayan boxes as best I can. For me, having a hobby to keep me busy is going to be necessity, since I get bored easily just sitting all day and doing nothing. We looked quite a bit while there for houses to rent but found few, but we just rode around in different areas for a couple hours late in the afternoon on a trike a few days, so that may not be the best way to find them, just hope we can find one within a 2 month period or so, once we sell the house here and have shipped everything over there, before it gets there.
Well said Bob in your title “Bitch and Moan” !
Please, reader, try as you might to differentiate between my reply to Bob and the moaner he refers to – they are not the same.
So very tempting what I can’t get here, and if I thought for a minute that it might help one or any of those super groceries to build an outlet (which hear means “mall”) where I could just attend within reasonable commuting distance and pay exorbitant (yes import) prices … well … that’s not going to happen immediately tonight or this year or … who knows if I will live that long.
Bottom line is that if you want good stuff like dry-cured salami from any country and *any* price then you must go to where it’s offered, which is NOT in the *provincial*capital* in the middle of nowhere, any country.
Bitching and moaning about specific *brands*, it’s literally idiotic to expect such unless the complainant goes back to the country where it’s prevalent. Either that or (go fir it!) arrange to import a container or 10 of wonderful smoked meats, and we’ll all buy from “you” (not implying Bob who knows better). No problem, “you” can have the “profit”, just make sure I can get what I sorely miss within a 5 minute tricycle ride. Get the local traditional majors, Sugni and KMCC to stock your imports – if you approach them nicely they might on consignment – try it – go fir it – PLEASE!!!
Thanks for the pic Bob, yes those S&M prices seem about right given origin of meats, blew it up to check. Wish you had a pic of smoked/dry-cured meats, since getting to where you are is …. ummm, once-a-year (and this year my wife arranged straight-pass-through to Samar, no chance to even stop for KFC takeout!) Only Davao stop on the way home was for “krodo” and we filled our water bottles. Food, no way!
Anyway, if you’re fortunate enough to be in Davao or Manlia/GMA or Bacolod or such, hey you’re in expensive heaven. The rest of us fondly remember what cheese and salami used to taste like many years ago, but no piont in bitching and moaning about it unless you want to start a local dairy factory (and you will get your milk from _where_ to process into real cheese???) , plus build a nice smokehouse for the meats I surely wish someone would, I’d gladly provide the space to do it here.
Just to make all this less appetizing, I expect that by the time there’s an SM or anything that might stock just a little of what this thread is all about, my wife will have completed our house up in the mountains and it will be a few hours by once-a-day jeepney back down to what, heh, doesn’t yet exist below.
Bitch and Moan, talaga! And it will help me get a paper-thin slice of real salami how? Not. Now, back to *Real*Life*.
Do they still have all the Kirkland products, associated with Costco? What about electronics? TVs, stereo equipment and the like you would find at a Costco?
Hi Bob,
“Bitch and moan” I don’t think is exclusive to expats anymore, they seem to be breeding like wildfire in the Western World, lol.
Although basically a comedy, the film “The best Exotic Marigold Hotel” about a group of expats who retire in India, does to some degree demonstrate that some fully embrace their new culture whilst others fight it.
Just wondering, since it’s like a sister company of Costco, will they honor Costco membership too?
I like you Bob, find S&R mostly ok, but I’m British, and thy don’t cater so much for us or other Europeans. I do find some things a bit expensive. A 24(?) pack of Hunt’s Diced tomatoes is more expensive per can than Makati Supermarket in Alabang. But as others have said, you go there for things you can’t get elsewhere. I love their sliced ham, and pastrami, which I had never tasted before. They also stock good Cheddar cheese. Proper Cheddar, not like the orange coloured, US version!(sorry). Their vegetables are also very good. Being British, I’v not even heard of most things Barry was ranting about. Hot dogs are not popular there, and I have no idea what Fritoes are! When I was working, I used to buy the US fresh orange juice, and Marigold milk. But now I changed to Dole, or Del Monte fresh pineapple juice, with no added sugar, and one of the many UHT milks available. I find them both more than acceptable. They also stock lamb, which is difficult to get here. Also some good pickles and olives. I find the guy checking you at the exit hilarious. You have a big trolly load, and he looks at it, then looks at the receipt, ticks it. Then another look. He doesn’t have a clue whats in the trolly!
So there you are Bob, I’v said my piece, and NO repeats!!!
Saw some K-cup coffee at S & R Shaw (McDonalds, Dunking Donuts, Starbucks, etc.)
Saw K-cup coffee at Robinson’s in Nuvali, Sta Rosa , Laguna
This thread seems a bit old, but I’ll throw in my 2 cents about imported American food. I have always loved steak. I remember my 1st trip to the Philippines back in 2002 and a friend and I went to a restaurant and ordered a “steak”. When the waiter brought it out I was like…WTF??? But maybe it would taste better than it looked. NOPE. It was the toughest piece of “beef” I have ever tried to eat. Then I ordered fried chicken and had them take the steak away.
After many more vacations/extended visits here, I found a great place to buy imported USA steaks. Santis Delicatessen in Makati. They have quite a few branches around Metro Manila, but I usually go to the one next to Power Plant mall in the Rockwell area of Makati. Yes, the steaks are expensive, but they are delicious. On Saturdays they cook a prime rib and you can buy slices of that. They also have lots of meats, cheeses and some produce.
Rustans grocery stores occasionally have some USA items, but it’s hit or miss. They used to have cornish game hens, big slabs of pork ribs, but I haven’t seen them in a couple of years.
I’ve heard of S&R over the years but never signed up and joined. I think I’ll have to check them out though.
I’ve lived all over the USA and never heard of Colombus brand meats. I do however love Fritos, so Barry I hear ya on that. 😉
We used to go to the S&R in Alabang which was a 70 pesos toll each way. Now there is a new on in Nuvali, Sta Rosa and 6 pesos toll each way. We get there at least once a month. Each time we go it seems we can find a “sale ” item that is marked as such but the sale has ended . They give it to us at the “sale” price though as we don’t back down. We can ALWAYS find items not priced at all and they tell us “oh that is a new item”. Put the price on the shelf first. That would be more customer friendly. We love the store all in all. We bought a LG Smart TV 43 ” and the picture is awesome on HD channels. We used to buy “BIGGER BETTER” choco chip cookies made in canada which blew Chips Ahoy out of the water only to be told later it was no longer available since at 600 pesos for 3 “sleeves” of 18 BIG cookies loaded with real chocolate chips was too expensive for most Filipinos. Tsk tsk. No more Romano grated cheese either. They do have great buys on a LOT of products.
I think S & R is more of a wannabe Costco with limited selection and very high prices. The best thing about S & R is all the New York pizza restaurants they are opening.
Great, Alex, thanks for sharing your opinion.
We are opposite. I like S&R but think their pizza pretty much sucks. 🙂
All the freestanding S & R pizza restaurants that are popping up all over the place are probably better than the ones in the wannabe Costco facilities.
I agree.. when S&R makes the pizza correctly it is the best in the Philippines to my tongue sadly though 1/2 the time is it poorly prepared.
Ha ha.. good luck.
The ‘out of stock’ situation could happen more if the peso slides to the dollar; more expensive to import these items.
I hope you get your grits. But.. I can’t be a monitor of S&R for everybody! LOL
If you don’t mind corn grits they are easy to get here, and can be prepared like hominy grits. They taste virtually the same.
SM has grits here in Cebu.
Perhaps. I don’t think that is the issue, though.
Thanks for the feedback. I haven’t seen them in laguna or even when I’ve shopped in Manila. Sounds like I’m not looking in the right places. So far I’ve checked SM and PureGold.
We don’t have Landers here in Davao. Sounds pretty good though.
Let me know when they have Grits, and I’ll go!
We used S&R here in Cebu for about 8 months until Landers Super Store opened. When me and my wife walked in we thought we were back in the US. Landers is a club from the US and it is twice the size of the S&R here. It has all the same brands as S&R (Kirkland, Sam’s and others), but they a bigger selection of items. If you ever get a chance to visit a Landers you will be pleasantly surprised at the selection and prices.
Here in san fernando i also use S&R and here i feel it a lot of out of stóck ,, was get use to a coffe from there, , and next is it gone , and try that with some candy also , never came back ?? And not all is cheap there , some cost more than in a mall i feel ,
I have been to the store in CDO and noticed higher prices than Robertsons just saying
You know, come to think of it, that is how Costco is in the states too… if you see something there better buy it, because it probably won’t be there next time!
Some products like vitamins is too near the expiry date.
The expiry date is there to get you to throw away the old and buy new. There has been studies of Meds over 20 years old still being good to take. Just saying.
That has not been my experience, perhaps it varies from store to store.
yes, really, very little importance is to be paid to the expiration date. but try to convince most of the people here, 1 day past and they think it will kill you. maybe a bit of an extreme but the point is made..some years back my pinoy family were making something with tomatoes and they were collecting all the seeds to be thrown away, I asked why and they said it would cause appendicitis if eaten? I told them it would not cause that to happen and ate ( drank ) half a cup of seeds..they were worried but nothing happened.. imagine if by coincidence I had an attack, holy macaroni then they would never had let me forget it…?
we did a comparison with my mom as to which would be cheaper, s&r(davao) or costco(new york)? costco hands down. not counting the fact that it’s my siblings who would pay the total upon check out in new york. while i have to pay for it here in the philippines.
Ha ha. I never heard that about tomatoes.
Bob,
We go to the S&R in Alabang. We have out of stock items from time to time. No problem with cheese in that S&R. In fact I believe they are increasing the selection of cheese here. My favorite cheeses are the mozzarella string cheese and the cheddar/Monterey Jack and now they have Gouda in cheese sticks. One thing I like that S&R now has in Alabang is fully cooked whole turkeys, turkey breasts or legs for a very reasonable price. I believe a whole fully cooked turkey is 2200p. As far as expiration dates, they will usually reduce the price in half when the exp date gets near. Like a few months ago they reduced the price of almond flour by half. They had quite a bit in stock, so we stocked up on it at the reduced price. Now it is not in stock and I don’t believe it will stocked again. As far as credit cards I only use cash there.
Bob, To the best of my knowledge, Costco does not have any food service outlets outside of their warehouse locations in the US, or at least in Washington State where I live. I am a long time Costco member, and think I would have received many advertisements regarding off site food services. I also did a little Googling and did not find anything.
I have also heard from others that Costco is not doing this. Frankly, I think it is a brilliant marketing move, and I know that S^R is bringing in big money, because these places are always packed.
I don’t think Costco in the US needs more customers, actually! They are always packed, and have other perks, like cash back from their company credit cards and their cheaper gasoline is also a perk that gets a lot of members. Non-members can buy food at stores where the food service is outside the store, like in California, where the weather is nice all year. But bulk pricing, cheap gas (and free samples) are a bigger draw than the food service, for Americans. The kind of foods they serve are not really so unique, just cheap and convenient.
Since S&R does not have any real perks, just imported products which tend to be too pricey for the average Filipino, plus the annual membership fee, they have a limited customer base. This idea of selling their food outside their stores is a really good one! Costco is the biggest seller of pizza in the US, and obviously has a taste and style that no other pizza place in the Philippines provides! We buy the slice and just eat the toppings! Very nice pizza! They do not sell the same all beef, very tasty, food service hot dogs in their stores. If they did, I would buy them! S&R serves a different demographic in the Philippines, mainly the rich, but by branching out with their food services and American flavors, they are now selling their food products to anyone who wants lunch! And I agree, it will bring more people into the main stores, those who can afford it, but never thought it was worth paying for.
I agree, AmericanLola, except one thing… every business always wants more customers, no matter how big they are!
I also get the pizza sometimes and eat only the toppings.. throw out (or give away) the crust. Good for low carb that way!
Thanks to your site I learned about S&R. Went there last night and loved it. We bought a few things but will hit it hard before going back home to Bislig City in a few days.
Ha! I am sure that is true! And yes, I can always find a kid at home who wants my ‘naked’ pizza!
Hope you find one nearby!
Interesting. Here in the Metro Manila area, I’ve been told that SM refused to partner with S&R a few years back, when S&R started rolling their food outlets into other companies malls. I don’t know how accurate my info is but I don’t believe there are any S&R outlets in any SM properties in this area. Certainly plenty of S&R food locations in other big malls. and you’re right, they are always doing good business from what I have seen.
I find the food pretty insipid and the variety limited, but my tastes are overruled by the “thundering herd” of shoppers lined up to order every day.
As an example of how important food sales seem to be, at the S&R store I frequent most often, a huge area devoted to tire sales and a smaller, but very prominent area that sold all sorts of designer shoes, bags, sunglasses and similar high-priced items, have given way completely to seating for the food service counter. More money in “baked” burgers and pizza’s than in Michelin or Gucci.
When people ask me for advice about starting a business in the Philippines, unless they already have experience in some other line, I always tell them, “Get into food, there’s a LOT of hungry people here” 😉
One of my kids will take it, no doubt. LOL
Yep, I am aware! Our opinions differ, though, on the Pizza. LOL
Nice to hear from you, AJ.
I never saw any Costco food outlets here in the New York area. I only went to the nearby Costco once on a free trial. Nice place but I don’t really need large quantities of many things that they offer. Nice place though and most likely good for family shopping. Late last year Robinsons opened a brand new mall in Iligan City. I only saw part of it and did not get to the food court area so I don’t know if there is an S & R food service there.
Their pizza is good. The rest of the store, not so much.
Hi Dave, nice to hear from you. S&R Food Service is in every major mall in Davao now, including both SM Malls (SM City & SM Premier). They seem to be doing fantastic, and like you mentioned, in their warehouse location they have a huge area for food service seating, and it is usually full!
I’ll have to look for one next time we are back there on vacation. Hadn’t seen one before, but my wife seems to stick to SM, so maybe that is why.
Also have never seen Costco food outside of a Costco location. Locally, in Cincinnati, they don’t need to drive more members. The sams club near me closed and now Costco is overflowing with traffic.
I love the store… hate the pizza. LOL… All opinions welcome.
No, I’m living in Iligan right now, and no S&R. In fact, no S&R food outlets in CDO where there is an S&R and LOTS of malls! After reading this article, I am wondering when that will happen! I am guessing Ayala’s Centrio Mall will be first, but who knows?
Hi Bob
SM Lanang has an S&R food outlet on the 1st floor directly opposite the car park
They certainly have the best pizza and fried chicken in Davao, in my opinion.
Cheers
AJ UK
I am sure it will happen soon at the CdO Malls. Those food outlets are always packed in!
Hi Bob, no there is no Costco food services in any other place other than a Costco store. They do offer a lot for the money you pay, a subsidy, taking care of members. I liked S & R when I was in Davao and thought the same as you.
Not sure where you are going in the Philippines when you are here. S&R is only in the major metro areas like Manila, Davao, Cebu and a few others.
Here in the UK there are no food outlets outside the stores. There is a S&R pizza outlet in the Subic mall (ayala) the nearest S&R is about a 2 hour drive away. We always eat in Costco/S&R but I’d put their pizzas a poor 3rd behind Pizzahut and Shakeys, much cheaper though.
Yep, no Costco Food Service in other locations… seems to be the consensus! I think it is a brilliant marketing decision for S&R!
Bob, We are usually in Trece Martires, Cavite or down in Palawan (PP or Bataraza)
Bob,
We get a slice of pizza occasionally when we visit S&R. But We like to eat at Chili’s at Alabang Town Center which is nearby as they have pretty good Mexican Food and Burgers. We always like to get the already cooked turkey whenever we go if it is available. And they continue to have a pretty good selection of cheeses and deli meats. Have they improved the cheese selection down there in Davao?
Hi Bob; (My internet was fixed this morning)
Here in Olongapo we have two S&R Food courts, one at the Mall and the other at Pure Gold. I never knew about the S&R Stores until I read about here on LiP. But then a few years ago we got the store in San Fernando Pampanga 45 minutes away.
Good Hot Dog’s Okay Pizza and nothing I’d complain about. As Bob pointed out they are never empty. But they have a large salad with chunks of chicken (NO BONES) really good, and if you ever tried to find salads here it isn’t easy. I’m speaking about a salad that is a meal.
There are several places in Davao with great cheeses here. S&R has an OK selection, Swiss Deli is probably the best place for cheeses in town.
Excellent article and discussion. Over the past two years, I’ve divided my time between Davao and Las Vegas. My wife belongs to S & R, and we still retain a Costco membership. A shame that although there’s a partial ownership involved, Costco membership doesn’t extend to S & R. The S & R membership fee is certainly low when compared to Costco, so that’s not an issue. However, it would be nice if S & R purchases counted toward the 2% rebate for executive Costco members. Regarding your issue with the security check when exiting. . .although I agree that it can be annoying and intrusive, I also find it comforting that I can leave my cart unattended while dining or using the restroom, with the knowledge that the cart won’t easily be walked out of the store by someone else.
It has been many years sine Costco had any ownership in S&R. S&R is fully Philippine owned now.
Great article! I can’t wait to return to the Philippines.
S & R stands for what?
Like SM stands for shopping mall or shoe Mart..
Using Google is pretty easy…
S&R stands for Sol & Robert.
One question, will S&R honor our Costco membership cards?
No. S&R has no affiliation with Costco, so they do not honor Costco cards. They honor S&R Membership cards only.