Filipino-style spaghetti from a new fast-food counter in Washington, D.C., is one of Food & Wine magazine’s Best Bites of 2021.
The dish, Pogiboy’s homage to Jollibee’s famous offering, made it to the American magazine’s selection of dishes that stood out to Food & Wine restaurant editor Khushbu Shah released on September 17, 2021.
Filipino chefs Tom Cunanan and Paolo Dungca of Pogiboy in downtown Washington were praised for putting their own spin on the Pinoy classic.
“This cheffy riff on the Filipino fast food classic from Jollibee is the ideal comfort meal. Chefs Tom Cunanan and Paolo Dungca toss al dente spaghetti with a Bolognese made from hot dogs and shower it with melty Gouda cheese,” said Food & Wine’s Khushbu Shah in the best-of list.
Pogiboy’s rendition is named the Fiesta Spaghetti which has a Bolognese sauce with hot dogs and Gouda cheese.
“It’s deeply savory but also has a punch of sweetness from the banana ketchup in the sauce. What’s not to love about a giant plate of carbs covered in cheese and tossed with slices of bright pink hot dogs?” adds Shah.
“It’s a dish that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but just seriously enough to be the best version out there.”
In a previous interview with The Washington Post food writer Tim Carman, Pogiboy chef Paolo Dungca bared that their Fiesta Spaghetti and other Pinoy signature dishes take much inspiration from Filipino fast-food chain Jollibee.
The chain’s Jolly Spaghetti and Chickenjoy are both reimagined by Dungca and James Beard awardee Tom Cunanan at Pogiboy, the restaurant project reunion of the two original chefs of Bad Saint.
The Filipino chefs opened their new food stall, Pogiboy, inside Block D.C.’s food hall in January this year. Aside from Filipino-style spaghetti, Pogiboy also offers a variety of dishes including sinigang, fried chicken, palabok, longganisa and tocino burgers, lumpiang shanghai, and many more.
Food & Wine magazine has also honored two Filipino chefs in their Best New Chefs in America list this year.
SEND CHEERS in the comments below to Filipino chefs Tom Cunanan and Paolo Dungca from Pogiboy in Washington, D.C., for having their Filipino spaghetti make it to the Food & Wine magazine Best-of List!
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