A Jollibee In-N-Out

My mom and I spent last weekend "window shopping" and buying several ingredients for our noche buena/Christmas meal. There's a really famous fast food joint in the Philippines called Jollibee. Luckily, there are a couple of chains that have opened here in the Los Angeles are. The fast food comforts of home. They're mostly known for their version of fried chicken called Chicken Joy. As well as their Spaghetti (with hot hotdog slices). I guess that one of the perks of living in and around an area with a large Filipino community. I'm always surrounded by the comforts of the country. They also serves various breakfast items as well as burgers and the bucket of chicken.

My mom orders the Chicken joy with palabok. It is a rice noodle dish with an orange colored shrimp based sauce with slices of egg and meat toppings.

I order the chicken joy with spaghetti. See the slices of hotdog on top. That's when you know it's Filipino style as well as the sauce being a bit sweeter than traditional red sauces. Also each piece of chicken is served with a side of gravy for dipping. The chicken is tender and juicy with the crispy skin. Makes me homesick for Manila.

We also shared a side of lumpia. A Filipino style egg roll. These are shanghai style that has a ground beef mixture inside and deep-fried.

Just for fun. You'll know when you're near a Jollibee when you see the face of the bee above.  Just like McDonald's has Ronald, Jollibee has the bee.

Up next, just like how the east coast has White Castle. Here on the west, we have the In-N-Out burger. Locations mostly in California with some in Nevada and -- I think -- Arizona. After a long day of baking my holiday giveaways, I didn't want spend anymore time in the kitchen.

I got the #2. A cheeseburger with fries and a drink with an extra packet of the famous spread to top my fries with. I usually order both items animal style, which is from their (not-so-secret) "secret menu." There they add grilled onions, extra sauce, cheese, lettuce or tomato. It's been a while since I've had one of their burgers, so it was a good meal after a long LONG day of baking. It was one of those instances where I didn't want to spend another minute in the kitchen. I love their fries. I could eat those alone and be happy. Everything is made to order with fresh ingredients. So delicious.