Give in to your all-American appetite at “Kayu”

Located in front of *that* iconic 7-11 in La Union, Kayu, is an authentic American-owned restaurant specializing in grilled meat. Their serving sizes are meant for big appetites and can easily be shared between two people—especially with a price range of ₱300 to ₱500. 

Appetizer Sampler

If you want to sample most of the appetizers Kayu offers, try their Signature Smoked Meat Platter. It includes four of their meat appetizers, a side of fries or mashed potatoes, and dip of your choice. This is best ordered if you’re dining with a small group—priced at ₱500, the serving size matches its price.

Kayu Signature Burger

If you want a taste of a genuine American grilled burger, Kayu has it for you for ₱320. The patty is perfectly smoked, with the burger sauce keeping it from being too dry. The serving size won’t leave you feeling too full, even though it's packed with all the classic burger ingredients. In addition to the 100% grilled patty and their special sauce, it comes with cheddar and mozzarella cheese, lettuce, tomato, mushroom, and a side of fries.

Smoked Beef

For beef lovers, the Smoked Beef Strips at this restaurant is a great choice. For ₱430, you get a set of their juicy smoked beef with their signature Kayu sauce and your choice of mashed potatoes or rice. The grilled beef retains a rich smoky flavor, and even without the sauce, it’s still highly enjoyable. The balance of meat and fat is also worth noting, as it’s a perfect ratio that isn’t too overwhelming.

Smoked Peri-Peri Chicken

This half-spring chicken, smoked with fruitwood, comes with a special peri-peri sauce and a side of buttered green beans. The sauce is flavorful and tangy with a hint of spice. However, the chicken itself is under-seasoned, and the peri-peri sauce doesn’t fully compensate for it. Priced at ₱280, there are better options on the menu.

Aglio Oglio with Ribeye Strips

Next is the classic aglio olio—spaghetti sautéed in minced garlic, olive oil, and tomatoes, which pairs well with the juiciness of the ribeye strips and comes with a side of toast. The aglio olio is tasty but takes a backseat to the savory flavor of the ribeye. The serving size of this dish is also great for two people as it's priced at ₱500.  

Enjoy a tasty beachfront breakfast at “Clean Beach Coffee”

Located right in front of San Juan Beach, this quaint restaurant offers peaceful and quiet access to the shoreline. The solar-powered café and restaurant is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays to Thursdays, and until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Kaya Toast

If you’re craving toast but find it a little too plain, this is the perfect menu item for you. With a fun take on French toast, Clean Beach Coffee serves theirs in bite-sized, buttered toast with a homemade spread. It’s also served with a bowl of soft-boiled eggs and dashi soy sauce in the middle. This ₱220 breakfast item is on the sweeter side but balances perfectly with the paired dipping sauce. Be sure to come here early when you visit as seats fill up quickly.

Good Morning Pancakes

Under their “Breakfast Favorites” is this filling classic American breakfast. Priced at ₱370, you get three pieces of buttermilk pancakes topped with banana, bacon, fried chicken, and your choice of brewed coffee or house blend iced tea. The dish itself is quite filling; the buttermilk pancakes are airy and not too heavy. The chicken is also good, though a bit dry, while the bacon is fairly standard in taste. This item is only available from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Pork Liempo

Next up, this ₱350 item is only served from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. so make sure to arrive around lunchtime if you want to give it a try. The portion size of the liempo is generous for a single serving, and its juiciness and savory-sweet flavor leaves you wanting more. Although the meat could be more tender, the salad side dish is a great balance to the pork cut.

Nacho Karlo

One of the items from their “Pick-A-Pika” menu is this classic plate of nachos topped with nacho sauce and diced vegetables. This ₱300 appetizer is a great choice if you visit Clean Beach Coffee with friends and want an appetizer that won’t fill you up quickly.

Hot Chicken Sandwich

Priced at ₱250, the Hot Chicken Sandwich is well-seasoned and crunchy. If your taste buds are sensitive to spicy flavors, this menu item is for you, as the sandwich isn’t as spicy as its name suggests. The sandwich doesn’t have many distinguishing layers in terms of texture, but it’s still very filling.

Fave Meal Veggie Burger 

Clean Beach Coffee is one of the few restaurants in the area that offers a vegan option for their patrons. This burger can be upgraded to the “Fave Meal” option, which includes your choice of burger or sandwich, a side of kamote fries, salad, and a house blend iced tea for ₱350. Their veggie burger tastes just like a classic beef patty but with a vegan alternative—though the burger itself lacks sauce. The side salad is flavorful, and the kamote fries have the classic sweetness you’d expect.

Satisfy your Mexican food sweet spot with Onlypans Taqueria 

Located right next to Clean Beach Coffee is Onlypans Tacqueria. While the establishment has multiple locations in Metro Manila, its La Union branch offers a unique menu item. Diners can also find classic Mexican food items such as tacos and quesadillas, made with fresh ingredients. 

Urbiztadas

Listed under their “House Special” menu, the ₱300 Urbiztadas is unique to their La Union branch. “Urbiztadas” is a play on the words “Urbiz” or “Urbiztondo,” the area in which they are located, and “tada” or tostada, a dish that typically uses tortillas as a base—usually in a bowl shape. It's a toasted tortilla topped with birria, grilled shrimp, pickled cucumber, and drizzled with cilantro garlic sour cream. This dish is a refreshing break from the other meat-heavy items on their menu and offers a taste of the ocean with its well-seasoned grilled shrimp.

Quesa Birria

The Onlypans Quesa Birria is worth trying, with its generous serving of beef and a side of tasty birria sauce. Priced at ₱650 for four tacos, it’s well worth the cost. This classic Quesa Birria is made with slow-cooked USDA-graded beef in authentic Mexican chilis and 16 spices, along with top-grade mozzarella cheese, consomme, pico de fallo, and lime.

Shrimp Quesadillas

Continuing with the surf and turf theme, the Onlypans Shrimp Quesadillas is an excellent choice—especially for pescatarians. The well-seasoned and cooked shrimp pairs perfectly with the cheese in each tortilla wrap. Plus, the sauces on the side serve not only add a savory flavor for the shrimp but also to balance the saltiness of the cheese.

Elotes

Your visit to Onlypans wouldn’t be complete without trying their elotes. Onlypans serves the classic Mexican corn dish mixed with mayonnaise and seasoned with chili powder and fresh lime juice, garnished with parmesan cheese and cilantro. It doesn’t take much to make elotes but Onlypans makes them well and is worth taking home.

La Union remains a great vacation destination for everyone, with its surf sports and other attractions. The food scene in the area is diverse enough to satisfy everyone's cravings. Just make sure to clean up after yourselves, especially at the beachfront cafés and restaurants.

If you’re planning to satisfy your cravings on your next “Elyu” trip, make sure to visit the Facebook pages of Kayu, Clean Beach, and Onlypans for more information.