Everything But Cheese: One Good Cheesy Adventure (Review)

Whenever I’m at a mall, I always want to try something new, especially a restaurant or a dish. One day, rather than opting for my regular Chicken Karaage for lunch, I decided to wander around in search of a fresh experience.

That’s when a yellow-themed restaurant caught my eye. The color made sense when I realized their menu primarily featured cheese-centric dishes. It’s EBC or Everything But Cheese.

Cheese for lunch? I was intrigued to try. While I eat cheese during snacks or breakfast and would happily eat it any time, I was uncertain about having it for lunch, especially when I was craving rice.

After checking the menu, the Manager approached me, flashing a warm smile. She suggested their bestsellers like Cheese Fondue, Burgers, and more. But since I wanted rice, I settled for their Spicy Buffalo Cheesy Baked Rice, priced at P199, and opted for an Iced Coffee upgrade for an additional P60.

Once seated, I realized that my order might not be enough for me. So, I added a serving of Nachos for P179.

From my table

While waiting, I had the opportunity to search about Everything About Cheese online. I found it inspiring that the restaurant began as a modest food stall in 2015 in Sta. Ana, Manila, and was founded by a couple, Ben and Dianne Roco.

Now, EBC has numerous branches across various malls in the country. I was interested on how this duo managed such a massive expansion of their business in just a few years. Did they receive support from investors, or was it purely their endeavor? Unfortunately, my online search had no answers, so I redirected my focus to the menu. Haha!

Everything But Cheese Menu

EBC’s offerings span a wide array of cheesy delights. The Cheese Fondue, priced at ₱379, seems to be their best seller, as per the staff. Initially, I assumed their recommendation was due to its higher price point. This dish, available in variants like Classic 3-cheese, Pimiento Cheese, Cream Cheese, and Spicy Jalapeno Cheese, is ideal for sharing.

The Classic 3-cheese fondue consists of Onion rings, Nacho chips, French fries, and Teriyaki chicken poppers, with the fondue as the main dish. Other variants come with their unique flavors, including Pimiento, Cream, and Spicy Jalapeño.

Their menu showcases a lot more options like burgers, grilled cheese, Mac N’ Cheese, and other rice dishes. Sides and desserts include fries, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, cheese bars, and ice cream. For larger groups, they offer “Cheesekada Bundles” ranging from ₱999 to ₱1399 and Party Pans starting at ₱745.

Verdict About My Order

When the food was served, the Cheesy Rice Spicy Buffalo seemed like a modest portion on an expansive plate. While one might expect more from a P199 meal at a fast-food joint, EBC is clearly different. The dish was passable, with the baked rice giving off a home-reheated vibe. The Iced Coffee was also rather modest; I felt I could replicate it at home.

In retrospect, perhaps another dish would have better met my expectations. Rice and cheese didn’t quite hit the spot for me. Was it my personal taste or the dish’s quality? I’m not sure. However, my lukewarm feelings shifted slightly when the Nachos were served. The Rice Buffalo left me wanting, but the Nachos, paired with beef and cheese, uplifted my spirits.

In terms of value, the ₱179 Nachos felt too expensive but tasted good. The ₱199 rice dish seemed underpriced, resulting in a subpar experience. Perhaps they should reevaluate their focus and pricing strategy — enhancing the rice dish’s quality and quantity, even if it means raising the price, and possibly reducing the Nachos’ price.

In conclusion, “Everything But Cheese” is worth a visit, particularly for a snack or if you’re in the mood for light dishes like burgers, grilled cheese, or even Cheese Fondue. But if you’re craving for a hearty lunch, there are perhaps better alternatives. In hindsight, I think I should’ve stuck with my Chicken Karaage that day.

Everything But Cheese (EBC) FAQ

1. What is Everything But Cheese?
Everything But Cheese (EBC) is a unique cheese-concept restaurant located in the Philippines. Known as “the cheesiest place on earth,” it offers a wide range of cheese-based dishes, including craft sandwiches, pasta, cheeseburgers, and cheese fondues. It started as a small kiosk and has grown into a beloved destination for cheese lovers.

2. Where is Everything But Cheese located?
It has many branches in Metro Manila and also in the entire country. The first restaurant is located in Sta. Ana, Manila.

3. What kind of food does Everything But Cheese serve?
EBC serves a variety of cheese-based dishes. Their menu includes craft sandwiches, pasta, cheeseburgers, cheese fondues, and more. They are known for their cheesy burgers, cheese fries, and cheddar cheeseburgers​​.

4. Is Everything But Cheese open every day?
Yes, the restaurant is open daily.

5. What are some must-try dishes at Everything But Cheese?
Some of the bestsellers include cheese fries, cheese fondues, and the cheddar cheeseburger. The menu is diverse, so there are plenty of cheesy delights to explore depending on your taste​.

6. How did Everything But Cheese start?
The restaurant was founded by Mr. Benigno Roco, who dreamed of creating a unique dining experience centered around cheese. Starting as a small food kiosk, his passion and entrepreneurial spirit helped it grow into the beloved restaurant it is today​.

7. Is there a way to contact Everything But Cheese?
They have a presence on social media especially Facebook, where you can find more information and updates about the restaurant​.

8. What makes Everything But Cheese unique?
Apart from its extensive menu of cheese-based dishes, the restaurant’s decor, inspired by cheese graters and paintings, along with its own cheese product, contribute to its unique charm. It’s a place where the love for cheese is celebrated in every detail​​.

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• Quality and Flavor at Zark’s Burger: A Personal Review
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