Breadtime Stories

Everybody needs a sanctum. A place where they could just retreat, stare through the confines of the walls or at people passing by for hours and feel inspired, better, or at peace. These are moments that can only be possible when you find that one abode that offers you the feeling of home (away from home). It is without a doubt proven that conversations and realizations are all the more meaningful when done over a cup of coffee (or hot choco, depending on the preference) in a corner where we could care less about time and the fast paced world passing us by.

Between the streets of Pabayo and Hayes in Cagayan de Oro City is a small nook that I would personally call a small haven, Breadtime Stories Cafe. The cafe supports local coffee growers in Bukidnon (Mindanao) which is a big plus for me, and the menu items are priced just about right. I was able to photograph some of their delectable delights and luckily got to taste them at the end, here are my thoughts on the dishes that struck me the most and the place:

For Starters: Kaya Toast

Considered to be a snack or breakfast staple in Singapore / Malaysia, the Kaya toast was something I would order when I went around the busy streets of the restaurant districts whenever I was abroad. For 60 pesos, the cafe offers a taste of the international.

A toasted bread with a special spread and your choice of flavor, simple as it may sound but it can really fill the void or get you going the moment you take that first bite. As the first cafe in the city to offer this product, I felt the deep need to test it out for myself. And boy did they deliver. With 3 flavors to choose from (Cheese, Butter, and Peanut-Butter), it goes well with any drink in hand. They’ve spared no expense on the ingredients and the process of making it for you, and this just might make you order a 2^nd serving. 

Personal Tip: (Goes well with coffee or hot chocolate)

On The Go and Semi Heavy Meal: Pizza Rolls

Coming from a public school from elementary to secondary level days, pizzas were hard to come by as a student. Aside from the fact that they were expensive, you’d have to go to Divisoria or a mall to purchase one. There were cheap alternatives, but nothing came close to worth the centavo when pizza rolls were in the school canteen. Fast forward a few years later and I come across the familiar once again, and it was everything I remembered and more! Imagine a pizza slice with all the cheese, vegetables, and meat rolled into semi-bite size.

The cafe serves a fresh roll of tasty goodness to every customer and might take a few minutes to prep and cook but their pizza rolls sell fast, so better be there early in the cafe to get your share. For 90 pesos, you get 4 pieces of pizza rolls which can fill any empty stomach or can be consumed later when you’re on the go.

Personal Tip: (Order their juices to fully satisfy your craving, an ice cold healthy drink is at 35 pesos only)

The Main Course: Golden Chicken Nuggets

These aren’t the ones from your local fast food chain that is 90% flour and 10% chicken, this my friends is the real deal. The cafe recently added a rice meal to their menu due to insistent public demand, and they picked the right meal to offer for 99 pesos. For that price you get the nuggets, a glass of juice, and a serving of rice. This will become the go to meal for anyone who hangs out at the cafe late in the afternoon and wants to avoid the long queues in fast-food chains and the bustling city traffic.

Personal Tip: ( You can choose from a variety of flavors when you order, go with the one you like or if you’re feeling adventurous, consume to your heart’s content)

Aside from the meals, there are a lot of choices for drinks that you can indulge yourself. From the sweet-toothed to the minimalists, there is a drink or dish that can certainly fill up your appetite. Fries, tuna sandwiches, desserts overloading with sweetness, or just a simple cup of coffee, one can say that this nook’s atmosphere is filled with stories written, seen, or yet to be told. Breadtime Stories Cafe is home grown in the city of golden friendship, an establishment that can easily be spotted when you’re at the corner of Hayes and Pabayo street.

Follow them on Facebook: @BreadtimeStoriesCafeCDO