by Kim Naparan
If you’re living and/or studying in one of the universities around the University Belt, you will notice how various canteens, eateries, and karinderias sprout like mushrooms – they are indeed all over the place! Competition is quite obvious, but the ambiance of the different food establishments gives you a sense of “food exploration” or “food adventure”. However, there is a particular canteen near the University of Santo Tomas that really stands out from the rest. Every Thomasian has his/her own taste when it comes to food and the habit of food tripping, don’t get us wrong. But they say that you are not a “real” Thomasian if you haven’t tried this canteen. Quick fact: The canteen has been serving hungry customers for 53 years and still counting!
Founded in October 1960, the Lopez Canteen was first established along the public market at Nepa Q Mart. Presently, Lopez Canteen resides at 1203 Unit A-4 I, De Los Reyes St., Samplaoc, Manila near UST Padre Noval exit. The canteen offers breakfast meals that includes all food with the -log suffix like tapsilog, tocilog and such; student combo meals that are very famous among workers and some professionals as well; the palabok and merienda fiesta meals that are craved and are the all-time favorite of customers; party packs that come with different freebies; catering services that are a great help for special occasions; and meals to go or food delivery for people who are practically always busy and for convenience as well. The canteen is open from Mondays to Saturdays, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. In fact, their popularity has reached the TV screens as well as the internet because the canteen was featured in ABS CBN, particularly by Kris Aquino in her TV show “Kris TV”, TV 5, and in several blogs.
The Story Behind Their Success
The Lopez Canteen pioneered by Teodora “Doring” Lopez-Bernardo, also known as “Mommy Lopez”, started during the 1960s. Together with her family, she gave life to the Lopez Canteen business. Her talent and passion for food ignited when she was just 18 years old. This also brought her opportunities to start opening different stalls for the canteen.
“18 pa lang ako noon nang magsimula itong business. Doon pa lang, nakita ko at natutunan ko yung mga dapat para sa ganoong klaseng business.”, Mrs. Lopez-Bernardo said.
Equipped with knowledge in selling food, she and her husband opened the first branch by purchasing a commercial space for just 2,000 pesos (prices during the `60s are cheaper that time). She said that their family was not rich but they had saved enough money to buy their necessities and to start their food business.
“Malaking bagay na ang 2,000 pesos noon. Syempre, iba naman ang panahon noon kumpara ngayon. Mas mura talaga ang mga bilihin noon. Pero lahat naman nagbabago, `di ba?” she said.
But as time goes by, her business grew and she reclaimed her properties. She installed other branches in different places to expand her business. In 1984, she opened her most popular branch, the one in Padre Noval St. near University of Santo Tomas. Now, she’s one of the most successful canteen owners in the city.
Favorite-of-all-time
For more than five decades of serving mouth watering food, Lopez Canteen has kept its promise to serve its customers nothing but the best delicacies of the Filipino culture. But recently, Lopez Canteen has tried serving another kind of cuisine. The canteen is in fact very open to the suggestions of their customers.
“Gusto ng mga customer variety ng pagkain hindi naman kasi pwede na paulit-ulit o laging pare-pareho ang hinahain namin. Magsasawa ang customer tsaka dapat talaga mag-experiment din ang mga food business kasi sila rin ang magbe-benefit doon,” she added.
It is no doubt that Lopez Canteen serves food that tastes very good but there is one certain meal that the canteen is very known for. The Palabok Special is in fact considered to be their best seller, together with the student combo meals. These meals consist of a viand, one cup of rice, veggies, soda, and a free serving of soup. They also serve tempting snacks such as Arrozcaldo, Spaghetti, and Chicken Mami.
Mrs. Lopez-Bernardo said that their menu is planned very well each day and they assure that their prices are affordable, especially for the students.
“`Yung menu namin ay pinagpla-planuhan talaga. Lagi namin iniisip ang customers namin, ang mga naiisip nila at mga kailangan nila,” she mentioned.
Customer Service Certain blogs have confirmed the courteous customer service of the Lopez Canteen. The employees smile a lot and they give vibrant energy to the customers. Indeed, the crew has pleasing personalities. They serve fast and they are always in a good mood. Also, they always make sure that every area of the canteen is really clean and spotless. After a customer eats, one of the employees immediately cleans the table. But the unique thing about them is they will not treat you as a customer. Instead, they will treat you as a friend.
Even the owner, Mrs. Lopez Bernardo treats her customers like her family. She will sit with you and you can talk to her about your problems. And when the streets in Manila get flooded due to typhoons, she will shelter you until the weather calms.
“May time nga noon, alam ko. Sa pagkakaalala ko may isang estudyante na pumunta dito sa canteen, walang-wala talaga. Sabi ko sa kanya, alam ko nagugutom ka pero `wag ka nang mahiya, alam kong gusto mo na talagang kumain. Ang ginawa ko, binigyan ko ng makakain `yung bata. Aba kawawa naman, pagod na pagod na nga siya sa studies niya, tapos `di ko pa pakakainin? Alam kong baka ako lang o iilan lang kaming gumagawa nun, pero hindi naman sa lahat ng oras ay pera lang ang iiisipin mo. `Yung kapakanan ng tao, ng kapwa mo, ang isaalang-alang mo,” she said.
53 years of service
According to Mrs. Lopez-Bernardo, the secret to success in a canteen business is to treat your customers well because they will always return the favor. Cleanliness must always be the top priority and the quality of the food should also not be underestimated.
“Paano ka babalikan ng mga customers mo `pag `di masarap ang pagkain mo, pero hindi lang dapat hanggang masarap, dapat malinis, alam na ng mga nagfu-food business ang mga dapat gawin, nasa kanila na kung paano nila gagawin, `di ba?”, she said.
Mrs. Lopez-Bernardo said that for those who are planning to start a food business, they should practice good social and communication skills to get along with the customers. These skills are very essential and must be practiced so that the customers will feel “safe and sound” while feasting on the food.
“Hindi lang naman kailangan masarap, malinis at mabilis ang service mo, dapat alam mo rin makisalamuha sa mga tao, sa mga customers mo. `Yung mga suki ko, mga dating estudyante, mga UST kunwari, kahit mga may anak at asawa na, de-pamilya na, may mga stable jobs na, bumabalik talaga sila dito sa amin. Nakakatuwa at nakakaiyak pa nga minsan kasi hindi sila nakakalimot. Kung ganoon ang gustong maranasan ng iba dyan, dapat sa customer pa lang iparamdam na nila na may pakialam sila sa mga customer nila. Ituring nilang parang anak sila, hindi lang para pakainin sila. Dapat nilang alagaan ang mga customer nila dahil dadating ang panahon, na babalik sila sa `yo,” she said.
To learn more about Lopez Canteen, visit their website and their Facebook page.
Founded in October 1960, the Lopez Canteen was first established along the public market at Nepa Q Mart. Presently, Lopez Canteen resides at 1203 Unit A-4 I, De Los Reyes St., Samplaoc, Manila near UST Padre Noval exit. The canteen offers breakfast meals that includes all food with the -log suffix like tapsilog, tocilog and such; student combo meals that are very famous among workers and some professionals as well; the palabok and merienda fiesta meals that are craved and are the all-time favorite of customers; party packs that come with different freebies; catering services that are a great help for special occasions; and meals to go or food delivery for people who are practically always busy and for convenience as well. The canteen is open from Mondays to Saturdays, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. In fact, their popularity has reached the TV screens as well as the internet because the canteen was featured in ABS CBN, particularly by Kris Aquino in her TV show “Kris TV”, TV 5, and in several blogs.
The Story Behind Their Success
The Lopez Canteen pioneered by Teodora “Doring” Lopez-Bernardo, also known as “Mommy Lopez”, started during the 1960s. Together with her family, she gave life to the Lopez Canteen business. Her talent and passion for food ignited when she was just 18 years old. This also brought her opportunities to start opening different stalls for the canteen.
“18 pa lang ako noon nang magsimula itong business. Doon pa lang, nakita ko at natutunan ko yung mga dapat para sa ganoong klaseng business.”, Mrs. Lopez-Bernardo said.
Equipped with knowledge in selling food, she and her husband opened the first branch by purchasing a commercial space for just 2,000 pesos (prices during the `60s are cheaper that time). She said that their family was not rich but they had saved enough money to buy their necessities and to start their food business.
“Malaking bagay na ang 2,000 pesos noon. Syempre, iba naman ang panahon noon kumpara ngayon. Mas mura talaga ang mga bilihin noon. Pero lahat naman nagbabago, `di ba?” she said.
But as time goes by, her business grew and she reclaimed her properties. She installed other branches in different places to expand her business. In 1984, she opened her most popular branch, the one in Padre Noval St. near University of Santo Tomas. Now, she’s one of the most successful canteen owners in the city.
Favorite-of-all-time
For more than five decades of serving mouth watering food, Lopez Canteen has kept its promise to serve its customers nothing but the best delicacies of the Filipino culture. But recently, Lopez Canteen has tried serving another kind of cuisine. The canteen is in fact very open to the suggestions of their customers.
“Gusto ng mga customer variety ng pagkain hindi naman kasi pwede na paulit-ulit o laging pare-pareho ang hinahain namin. Magsasawa ang customer tsaka dapat talaga mag-experiment din ang mga food business kasi sila rin ang magbe-benefit doon,” she added.
It is no doubt that Lopez Canteen serves food that tastes very good but there is one certain meal that the canteen is very known for. The Palabok Special is in fact considered to be their best seller, together with the student combo meals. These meals consist of a viand, one cup of rice, veggies, soda, and a free serving of soup. They also serve tempting snacks such as Arrozcaldo, Spaghetti, and Chicken Mami.
Mrs. Lopez-Bernardo said that their menu is planned very well each day and they assure that their prices are affordable, especially for the students.
“`Yung menu namin ay pinagpla-planuhan talaga. Lagi namin iniisip ang customers namin, ang mga naiisip nila at mga kailangan nila,” she mentioned.
Customer Service Certain blogs have confirmed the courteous customer service of the Lopez Canteen. The employees smile a lot and they give vibrant energy to the customers. Indeed, the crew has pleasing personalities. They serve fast and they are always in a good mood. Also, they always make sure that every area of the canteen is really clean and spotless. After a customer eats, one of the employees immediately cleans the table. But the unique thing about them is they will not treat you as a customer. Instead, they will treat you as a friend.
Even the owner, Mrs. Lopez Bernardo treats her customers like her family. She will sit with you and you can talk to her about your problems. And when the streets in Manila get flooded due to typhoons, she will shelter you until the weather calms.
“May time nga noon, alam ko. Sa pagkakaalala ko may isang estudyante na pumunta dito sa canteen, walang-wala talaga. Sabi ko sa kanya, alam ko nagugutom ka pero `wag ka nang mahiya, alam kong gusto mo na talagang kumain. Ang ginawa ko, binigyan ko ng makakain `yung bata. Aba kawawa naman, pagod na pagod na nga siya sa studies niya, tapos `di ko pa pakakainin? Alam kong baka ako lang o iilan lang kaming gumagawa nun, pero hindi naman sa lahat ng oras ay pera lang ang iiisipin mo. `Yung kapakanan ng tao, ng kapwa mo, ang isaalang-alang mo,” she said.
53 years of service
According to Mrs. Lopez-Bernardo, the secret to success in a canteen business is to treat your customers well because they will always return the favor. Cleanliness must always be the top priority and the quality of the food should also not be underestimated.
“Paano ka babalikan ng mga customers mo `pag `di masarap ang pagkain mo, pero hindi lang dapat hanggang masarap, dapat malinis, alam na ng mga nagfu-food business ang mga dapat gawin, nasa kanila na kung paano nila gagawin, `di ba?”, she said.
Mrs. Lopez-Bernardo said that for those who are planning to start a food business, they should practice good social and communication skills to get along with the customers. These skills are very essential and must be practiced so that the customers will feel “safe and sound” while feasting on the food.
“Hindi lang naman kailangan masarap, malinis at mabilis ang service mo, dapat alam mo rin makisalamuha sa mga tao, sa mga customers mo. `Yung mga suki ko, mga dating estudyante, mga UST kunwari, kahit mga may anak at asawa na, de-pamilya na, may mga stable jobs na, bumabalik talaga sila dito sa amin. Nakakatuwa at nakakaiyak pa nga minsan kasi hindi sila nakakalimot. Kung ganoon ang gustong maranasan ng iba dyan, dapat sa customer pa lang iparamdam na nila na may pakialam sila sa mga customer nila. Ituring nilang parang anak sila, hindi lang para pakainin sila. Dapat nilang alagaan ang mga customer nila dahil dadating ang panahon, na babalik sila sa `yo,” she said.
To learn more about Lopez Canteen, visit their website and their Facebook page.