If you happen to be in Bacolod and you want to go German-style, there’s a great place for you to dine in. Literally means “snack” in the German language, Imbiss offers mouthwatering gourmet sausages and delightful food.
[UPDATE 2023: This establishment has closed in this location.]
When a former colleague and friend visited my home city to attend a conference, I was excited to show her my city, even for a few hours. She told me that she has a friend who owns a restaurant but her friend was not in town at that time. “He owns Imbiss.” I was more excited than ever. I have read about this restaurant but never got around to visit the place, despite my sister’s campaign that we try the different dining places in our locale.
So we drove from her hotel, taking the main road, Lacson St. Then I turned left to the narrow 10th Street just across the old PNB Building. You would be surprised that just a few meters from the city’s main artery are a very quiet nook, you would even think you are dining far from the urban center. But that’s our city, Bacolod. The city has a vibe but it also has a serene and simple pace of life you would want to settle here for a more quality way of living.
A small bungalow with a lighted signage indicated that it was already Imbiss Sausages and Steaks Resto-Bar. Looks to me like a house that was converted into an eatery, which makes the restaurant exude a homey feel. The interior was filled with paintings and art objects. One inner room even had bikes on display. We sat on a table against the wall. As we went through the menu, I observed people coming in and disappearing to a small door. It seemed that there was a small beer garden behind the restaurant.
I got the Cervelat while my friend opted for the Hungarian Spicy and the Imbiss Salad with ham, cheese and olives. The food definitely tasted delicious and the portions were enough for a meal. Looking at the menu, I could say that prices in Imbiss were quite right. Our sausages cost P135 to P140 (USD 3 to 3.11) while appetizers, like the onion rings, English chips (fat fries), and potato salad cost P95 (USD 2.11) only.
The staff were also very accommodating and friendly. I noticed more people arriving at Imbiss and seems very at home as they enter as if the place is their favorite hang-out place. But despite the increasing visitors and guests, the restaurant was not noisy, even when space was limited.
Later on, the staff brought us avocado cakes and brewed coffee, courtesy of the owner who informed them that my friend was dining there. The cake was fantastic – not too sweet, which is appealing to my palate.
It was a great dinner as we took our own sweet time talking about common friends and common causes we support. And in laid-back Bacolod, time definitely ticks very slowly. I brought my friend to her hotel without any traffic jam on the main avenue. I drove home sated and excited to tell my sister about Imbiss, a new discovery which I hope to revisit very soon.
By the way, the owner told me they hold various art events here. For more details about the restaurant, you may contact them at (+63-34) 435-0945.