Way before fancy coffee drinks were introduced to us, we drank coffee plain or with milk and sugar. We Filipinos drink a lot of coffee since we’re the only Asians who drink more coffee than tea. Just like tea, coffee drinking is a social thing that’s why local kapehan flourished where you get to drink the best brewed coffee and listen to local gossips before they hit the news stands.
Sadly, one of these local coffee shops, the La Corona Café was already closed. The owner apparently got sick and nobody wants to take over the place. Now, where would their patrons go? Team Tikim need not search far since a few steps away from where La Corona was located in Hilado St. is the recently opened Kaffe Sadtu.
I missed the Kaffee Sadtu building since I was expecting some fancy coffee shop. Kaffee Sadtu is located in a decrepit, post-war building that has seen better days. The 1950’s building had been through several facelifts, it used to be a hardware store, an ice cream house, and Aristocrat Bazar whose iron signage is still attached on the building.
Sadtu is Hiligaynon for “olden times” and that’s what Dane Algara wanted when he opened Kaffe Sadtu two months ago, to bring back the coffee-drinking ways of olden times. That’s when people drink inexpensive coffee in an unpretentious place without a care for so-called ambience. Just give them freshly brewed coffee and they can sit and chat away with friends and forget about the time.
That’s exactly what Team Tikim did at Kaffe Sadtu, we chatted and feel a little guilty for overhearing the topics from the other tables. But you certainly will not feel guilty for spending P15 for a cup of coffee. It’s the best you can buy with your P15. The coffee is strong but without the bitter taste and there’s no coffee residue on your cup. They also serve light breakfast with a corned beef or sausage meal with buttered toast and scrambled eggs priced at P35. It’s also homemade so there’s no tin-can aftertaste on your corned beef.
Lo and behold! It’s a Martian invasion! Where was I when these little contraption which makes these little flying saucer sandwiches became the craze? It probably became in vogue in the 70’s. They’re so cute and would make any kid and the kids-at-heart excited to eat. There will be no spills from your sandwich fillings too. We were the first to try the flying saucer sandwich which Dane is planning to sell at P20. But not all about Kaffe Sadtu is old. They have free wifi connection, mind you.
Kaffe Sadtu opens at 6am till 5pm daily except on Sundays and the 32-seater coffee shop is filled with customers during weekdays with customers ranging from medreps to businessmen. Dane has built a cabinet so patrons can bring their own cup. Some even asked if they can bring their own chair!
One reason why I couldn’t say no to a Team Tikim review was I really wanted to meet Carmen, wife of the owner and one of my avid readers. It was nice that I finally got to meet her in person when we only used to exchange emails and comments. Just a few minutes of talking to her and I like her already. I actually love the profile of my readers whom I’ve already met. They are people who bring their kids to museums, love history, and can recognize a gem even in a rundown 50’s era building.
Not everything that’s new must be embraced and not everything that’s old should be forgotten. Kaffe Sadtu is one of those places that keeps old traditions alive. They may not filter their coffee with a sock or serve your coffee in a sartin (enamelware) cup but they still make coffee the old fashion way. No frills. Just perfectly roasted locally grown coffee, freshly brewed for your satisfaction.
If you’ve been to Kaffe Sadtu, please share with us your experience at the comments section. Please help guide our visitors by giving your ratings with 5 stars as the highest.
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Thank you Glady, for your information. I love all your write ups, very educational and informative, especially about the spas in bacolod. More power to you Glady. Wish I can meet you when I go visit bacolod.
Thank you, Glady.
Yes, I love Bacolod. The best place to live in my opinion.
I retired early and Bacolod was my first choice in Philippines. I enjoy eating at places you review, buying native products at the stores and seeing the sights that you write about. Keep up the excellent work!
Every day unfolds a new adventure here for me. Take care.
Hi Glady, is Fresh Start based here in Manila? Or would you know if they have affiliate outlets here? Thanks, and more power!
They are based in Bacolod but their coffee products are available at Eco Store.
Thank you for the review of Kaffe Sadtu. Like with so many of your other reviews, you are giving me new places to explore in Negros Occidental. I am retired and living in the Bacolod area for the past 2 1/2 years.
You’re welcome Gary and thank you also for reading my blog. Glad you like it here in Bacolod. 😀
This reminds me to buy locally grown Kanlaon coffee when I go home. It’s sad to know that La Corona closed down, had wonderful childhood memories of that place. Kaffe Sadtu will be on my “visit” list next time I’m back.
You since it’s already available in Manila. Chinchin Uy of Fresh Start shared to me that their coffee which are locally grown in Negros were the most visited during a fair sponsored by the Coffee Board.
I think it’s a blessings in disguise that after L.C was closed the owner of Kaffe Sadtu saw the available space just beside the closed coffee shop. Now we are still enjoying a cup of coffee in the same area.
thanks unwired tech
if you are there and am around let me know who you are
coffee and flying saucer is on me
hehehehehehehe
funny how no-frills coffee in one part of the philippines may be considered gourmet in another. they had a coffee expo in greenbelt a few weeks back where they were marketing locally grown coffee like benguet/kalinga blends like its gourmet or something when up in the mountains its regular fare. marketing at its best.
too bad about la corona closing though. i grew up in bacolod but i’ve never been there and now i have a feeing i just missed out on something.
I just hope they make it as authentic as possible. If that’s the way they make it in Benguet then that’s the way they should make it too.
oooh, yummy…is that flying saucer made of cheese??? was it good? the flying saucer concept has been around since the 60’s. El Ideal in Silay used to make the best using cheddar cheese or corned beef ever. Now-a-days I long for the flying saucer cheese sandwich of my childhood. BTW…is that building safe? heheh. A great review Glad!
Yes Doc, it’s filled with cheese! It’s best eaten when hot. But we suggested they can use other fillings as well.
Amo na gid na gali kadugay sg flyring saucer nga ina? I think the sandwich maker that the owner bought was still an original. It could be 20-30 years old.
Hehehe… daw safe pa man ang building a.
This is one of the best reviews of a coffee shop I’ve read in recent years, here and abroad! I commend Glady for her excellent writing, clear presentation, and entertaining style. Reading the article makes me remember my fave coffee shops of yesteryears – La Corona along Hilado Street near Burgos market, and Atang’s Coffee in Central Market.
Thank you Atty! It’s a pity that La Corona closed. They’re like an institution. Their customers are now the customers of Kaffe Sadtu.
I wonder kung sin-o ang owner ka La Corona? Gusto ko siya tani ma-istorya kay basi may ari di sa Manila nga entrep that would be much interested for the naming rights and basically the use of their recipes whatsoever. 🙂
I have no idea Mark. You can probably ask the people at “You know…”
May i know the exact address of Kaffe Sadtu (nearest road corner or intersection along Hilado Street)?
Thanks..
Sorry, I forgot to put the map for reference. It’s near corner Hilado-Burgos where Grace Pharmacy is located).
Thanks for putting the Map Glady! Hope to see you again 🙂