Saning’s – Orgasmic Linaga

Saning’s is a small eatery in Banago, Bacolod. When I say eatery, i mean that little carinderia where the blue-collared citizens usually go to for satisfying their hunger rather than seeking a fine culinary experience. The area around Saning’s is a farmer’s and fish market. But then again, we’re not here for the ambiance but for the BEST LINAGA SOUP (beef stew) i have ever had . Ever!

The moment you step in this little place, you are greeted by 3 big cauldrons of hot soup over a charcoal clay pot. If you go here for lunch, you’d be lucky to have a seat as this place is usually full from 11:30 – 1:00 pm.

If you are of the uppity-snob-type and can’t deal with proletariat furnishings, then this place ain’t for you. Its not air conditioned. The tables and chairs are made of plastic, and if you really are the classy type, i’m sure you’ll never even find yourself in this part of the neighborhood. But being a food hunter, we boldly go where no “cheffer” has gone before!

The Menu is as follows:

Paras – Beef Ribs

Unod – Beef Cubes

Bendungo – Beef Tripe

Ahi – Spleen

Perpilla – Beef Intestines

You order the above parts to be the main meat of your linaga soup. The same soup based is used for all.

For the Saning’s experience, we always order the house specialty, PARAS. A single order is good for 2 people, but you usually say “Manang, paras for 3!” Depends on how many you are. I have friends who can eat like 2 to 3 persons, so adjust accordingly.

The Paras beef is excellent. The beef literally falls off the bone. An evidence that it has been brewing in the pot for several hours. The soup base is incredible! It’s sweet with a distinctive flavor of crushed bones that can only be described as SANING’s! The soup base also has tanglad, onion leaves, ginger, garlic and other herbs. It all blends very well in this tsunami of flavors that enter your mouth. After the first sip, you will definitely go for more. Sili (pepper) is available for you to crush and mix with the soup base and there is a method for doing it properly. We crush 3 peppers on the 3 corners of the bowl for that extra added kick in spiciness. A serving of rice is served in a plastic bag. The rice in the plastic bags that are not eaten will not be charged to you. A way to combat the looming rice shortage.

The eatery is not air conditioned and it is not exactly a place where you’d like to stay and have a chat. When you sip the hot soup during lunch, be prepared to sweat! Bacolod heat is humid and being out for lunch feels like going to the sauna. People just come to eat and run. I think its a strategy to keep the tables moving.

Saning’s has such a loyal following that our dear friend, Robbie, ate here for lunch everyday for 2 months straight. He even offered Tiya Saning if he could franchise the establishment. Sadly, Tiya Saning declined saying that she just purchased 3 new electric fans and was thus hesitant to enter another business investment. 🙂 Keep tryin’ Robbie.

The food here is truly excellent and service is very fast. For me, this is indeed an ORGASMIC LINAGA. “Orgasmic” level is that level of extraordinary deliciousness that would take you to the heights of pleasure!!! NGYAAAHH. I have had a many culinary orgasms in life but most of them are ordinarily out of reach like Kobe Beef steak and russian caviar. Its good to know then that everytime I go home to Bacolod, Saning’s will always be there with a hot pot of butter-soft beef stew. Most recommended after a night of heavy drinking.

The only disadvantage of Saning’s is location and facilities. But for food hunters like me, i’m really there for the food and i don’t mind going to hell for it if i can find the best beef stew there. The price may also surprise you because it is actually not so cheap. An order of Paras good for two can is at around P 180.00 and the Unod (Beef cubes) is at P 60.00. For a party of four we spend around P 500. By no means is that cheap for Bacolod and for an eatery. But at P 500 bucks, you will be so full when you get out that you’d just wanna sleep. Snake mode on.

Try to stop by when you can. If you transcend the physical aesthetics of the eatery, you’ll find it to be a worthwhile dining experience.

We love you Tiya Saning!