The Inspiring Story of Paolito’s: Cebu’s Home for Sutukil

Share this: 

This small but popular sutukil restaurant in Cebu has an interesting history behind it.

Sutukil is Cebu’s contribution to the culinary scene in the Philippines.

It is an abbreviation for the most popular cooking techniques on the island, namely Sugba (grill), Tuwa (stew), and Kilaw (cooked raw with vinegar). These techniques are commonly used in seafood, inspiring several restaurants to feed hungry Cebuanos with a variety of delicious meals.

Paolito’s STK Ta Bai! is among the select go-to restaurants for this type of Filipino cuisine.

You may have visited two of its branches in both SM Malls, but its original location is in a residential area in Orchid Street near the Cebu Provincial Capitol.

It may take a while to locate since it’s not situated along the main road, but this eatery has a history worth remembering.

HISTORY OF PAOLITO’S

Paolito's STK Ta Bai! specializes in Filipino cuisine and has been featured in many media outlets.

The restaurant was set up by the Alcovers, after their previous toiletry supply business went bankrupt. The family persisted, praying that they would be able to set up a carinderia (a street side restaurant serving homemade dishes), with dishes made by their patriarch Jerry Alcover, a Carcar City native.

Jerry’s eldest daughter and manager of the restaurant, Karen Alcover Cabahug, recalls the moment their prayers were answered. Her father gained a P200,000 commission (around $4,000 in today’s currency) from selling a lot of food with her aunt, and in a snap, their business was ready to set sail.

They set up their small restaurant in their garage on Orchid Street, with only five tables and serving a menu of only five dishes.

Originally, taxi drivers were their target market, but none ever came. Instead, lawyers and employees became their primary customers because of the restaurant’s proximity to the Capitol area.

Their carinderia grew bigger and bigger, eventually opening two SM Mall branches in 2015 and 2017, until they became the popular seafood restaurant that Cebuanos have come to know and love today.

This seafood restaurant still stands today, and even has branches in major malls in the city.

Paolito’s (which was named after one of Karen’s siblings) now serves a wider array of Cebuano food delicacies and Filipino food staples for different types of foodies.

The restaurant is filled with figurines, memorabilia, and paintings, making you feel like you’re in a museum. The wooden walls, chairs, and tables give off a very vintage aesthetic, like an ancestral house.

A display of decades-old memorabilia gives this sutukil restaurant a homey and vintage-like atmosphere.

The Alcover family is also known for being faithful and devout, which can be seen through the restaurant’s display of religious figures, one of which includes the patron saint of Cebu, the Santo Niño.

Aside from serving Cebuano food delicacies, the Alcovers also show their Catholic faith through their exhibit of the Santo Niño.

SUTUKIL OFFERINGS

Because it is a sutukil restaurant, their main offerings are seafood classics, but they also have other dishes made from different kinds of meat. Their specialty is definitely the Tuna Panga (grilled tuna jaw), which they cook outside the restaurant.

They offer many Filipino cuisine specials, but the Tuna Panga is their best-seller.

HOW TO GET THERE

The restaurant is located on Orchid Street, near the Cebu Provincial Capitol. The closest landmark is the BPI Bank along the highway across from the Capitol.

You can ride a jeepney to Jones and ask to be dropped off at the bank. Paolito’s can be found on the street behind Angus Dan, a restaurant that’s a few meters from BPI.

The parking lot is located behind the restaurant if you wish to bring a private vehicle.

Trying out the food in Paolito’s is among the many things to do in Cebu City that is a must. With hundreds of local restaurants to choose from, this one stands out for having great sutukil food options and an interesting story that will inspire future restaurateurs.

Paolito’s is one half restaurant, one half ancestral house – bringing a vintage atmosphere to visitors as they enjoy their delicious meals. Their food is renowned by many of its past customers, including several media personalities in the Philippines. It’s definitely a Cebuano food staple that is here to stay.

Share this: 

Other posts

Man carrying a backpack of travel essentials waiting to cross the street in Cebu City

10 Convenient Travel Essentials to Bring When Going to Cebu

Your travel essentials are there to ensure a safe and convenient trip. Everyone loves a quick getaway, but visiting another country can be daunting. But with the right preparation, the whole experience can be a breeze. Having the right travel essentials at your disposal can give you the peace of mind you need. Knowing what

Read More
Two men riding a habal-habal in Cebu

How Regulating Habal-Habal Drivers Can Help Cebuanos

The Cebu City government may finally regulate the habal-habal transportation service. In Cebu, you MUST know about the local motorcycle taxis called habal-habal. This informal form of public transportation in the Philippines is commonly used in rural towns and far-flung areas with few public transport options. This consists of riders carrying passengers on the back

Read More
Collage of famous Cebuano dishes

Irresistible Cebuano Dishes You Should Try at Least Once

Of all the scrumptious Filipino dishes in the Philippines, which ones scream Cebuano? The Queen City of the South is a haven for Filipino restaurants, but it may be difficult to distinguish which dish or delicacy is originally from Cebu. The island is one of the oldest settlements in the country and was the birthplace

Read More
Dancers and participants performing at the Bon Odori Festival

The Return of Bon Odori: Exploring Rich Japanese Culture

The Bon Odori Festival is a cultural exchange between Cebu and Japan. As we all know, Japan has a rich history and culture. This Asian powerhouse is filled with iconic dishes, world-renowned tourist spots, and art forms that have taken over pop culture. The Land of the Rising Sun also has one of the oldest

Read More
A spacious public parking lot

Why More Public Parking Spaces are Essential in Cebu City

Cebu City will soon have better venues for public parking. For many Cebuanos, it’s about time that more public parking spaces were made available in the different areas of Cebu City.  Cebu City officials have plans to set up public parking buildings in urbanized areas like downtown Cebu, as the city council amended its zoning

Read More
Wide shot of the MCIA, Asia's best airport

Routes 2023 Award: MCIA is Asia’s Best Airport

Mactan Cebu International Airport garnered another design award in 2023. CEBU, Philippines – The Mactan-Cebu International Airport was hailed Asia’s best under the “5 Million-Passenger Category” during the Routes Asia Award. MCIA and GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC) representatives received the award during the awarding ceremony held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on February 15, 2023. 

Read More

Best of Cebu Videos

Cebu Insights Logo

Seeking to learn more about Cebuano culture, or wanting to know what to do once you arrive, Cebu Insights is the travel guide for you in Cebu!

Contact Us

How to be Featured

Do you want to be featured on our blogs and social media platforms? Cebu Insights is open to writing insightful articles and videos about your business FOR FREE!

Visit the Cenix Web Development Office on the 3rd Floor of the 82 Vibo Center, North Escario Street, Cebu City, and tell us about your newly opened attraction!

You can also leave us an email at cebutravelinsights@gmail.com or message us on any of our social media platforms.

Salamat!

Scroll to Top
×
Weather Forecast
Exchange Currency
Cebu City
84°
Thunder
5:22 am6:04 pm PST
Feels like: 93°F
Wind: 9mph W
Humidity: 82%
Pressure: 29.83"Hg
UV index: 2

Exchange Rate USD: Wed, 7 Jun.