Amid the buzz on Tropical Hut, Vice President Leni Robredo shared a memory of her dining in another homegrown fast food chain where she recreated a picture that has become viral on the internet.
The former presidential bet on Tuesday shared a picture of her and her late husband, former interior secretary Jesse Robredo, eating at Bigg’s Diner during its opening in Naga in 1990.
A service crew member can be seen carrying a tray toward their table in the background.
Robredo juxtaposed the photo with a recent one taken with the same server, albeit in a different setting.
“Two pictures taken 32 years apart. The first one was in 1990 at the Opening of Biggs, which has since become the most successful homegrown food chain in Bicol,” she wrote. She hails from Naga City in the region.
“The second pic was taken last night at a Thanksgiving Dinner with my High School batchmates, catered by Biggs,” the vice president added.
“Ambe Francisco was the same person who served us food. He showed me his phone and his wallpaper was this first pic from many years ago. Ang happy lang (kiss emoji),” Robredo continued.
“Thank you to Tina Señar who took the second pic. Sayang we couldn’t recreate the exact one because Jess is no longer with us,” she further said.
Her post has reached a whopping number of 120,000 likes and “love” reactions. It has also been shared 3,900 times.
Robredo’s post came amid the renewed popularity of Tropical Hut fueled by nostalgia. It has also earned new patrons following the online buzz.
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Meanwhile, the vice president’s photo with her husband has previously appeared in memes.
Her post also prompted some Filipinos to share their own experiences with the homegrown diner.
“Bigg’s Diner… has good food… Sana mag-open ng branches sa Metro Manila,” a Facebook user wrote.
The restaurant has a branch in SM City Fairview but majority of its branches are in Bicol Region.
“Favorite ko rin po ang Biggs! Sarap ng chix & spag nila,” another online user commented with a beating heart emoji. “Chix” refers to chicken while “spag” is spaghetti.
“BIGGS, everybody’s favorite meet up place and tambayan!!! Sarap ng LUGAW (Arroz caldo) diyan…” shared a different Filipino.
“Yes at SM Naga, we always dine there every year. Celebration of the Feast day for Viva la Virgen de Peñafracia,” wrote another Facebook user.
“Nalungkot ako sa last statement. Biggs is my favorite restaurant. Sarap ng lahat ng pagkain nila,” shared a different fan.
Bigg’s Diner started operating in 1983 as a take-out counter specializing in hamburgers and fries.
By 1990, it opened its first dine-in to serve Nagaeños western comfort food in large portions at affordable prices.
It has nine company-owned stores and seven franchised branches located all over the Bicol Region, as well as Batangas and Lipa.
The diner prides itself in its American diner-style ambiance and food that is “reminiscent of Pinoy favorites.”
Its offerings include crispy fried chicken, baby back ribs, pork cordon bleu, pasta, salads, tenderloin tips and Pinoy comfort food like goto.