Lays: Best sold before it explode (it even rhymes!)

We went to Duty Free Philippines last Sunday, and my, the place is in an awful state of disrepair. This is the place that's supposed to greet our millions of vacationing OFW (and hopefully get a share of their dollars) each year?! Except for the expensive merchandise and cute merchandisers, you'd think that you were in some seedy supermarket that's about to close. Someone must've thought that "duty free" meant they didn't have to do their duty anymore.

Anyhow I just wanted that off my chest. And it wasn't a total waste of time--I did mention that there were cute ladies manning the merchandise right? And they're still pretty well stocked. In fact I chanced upon a bag of Lays that's on sale...

This bag at 50% off baby!


Aren't they pretty? They're hot and raunchy crunchy too!

At a conversion rate of $1 : P43.30 and at 50% off, that's just a little over P50, not bad at all! Now why the double tag? (Chickenmafia.com investigates)

The catch? It expires by the end of the month--which matters little to me since a bag as small as that won't usually take me more than half an hour to finish anyway. But wait! It doesn't say "Expires on" or even "Consume before"...

Best sold by? What does that even mean?

Imagine this scenario:

Merchandiser: "Boss, I don't get this, Best sold by? Is that it's expiration date?"
Boss: "Nope. They lace it with enough preservatives to keep it fresh for a hundred years. That's why they call it Lays by the way. Anyway it's not likely to expire--at least not in our lifetime. "
M: "So why are we selling them at 50% off?"
B: "Oh, that's because it explodes after that date. Best sold before it explode."

It does make a bit of sense in a rather twisted way though. Might explain why they don't even bother dressing the place up. Sure the %50 off and the cuties help, but what happens if they miss one?

KABOOM!

NB: Yeah yeah... so that scenario isn't even funny. Do you have a better idea? (Who knows? They might even be lacing it with one of those Gun Powder Green Tea, hence all the green on the packaging.)

A cheaper look at Mr. Choi

Yesterday I went to Robinson's Midtown Mall with JC, Vlad and Cheng (Vlad's lady love) after our high school reunion. When we were looking for a place to eat dinner, JC suggested going to Mr. Choi's Kitchen. Now I've tried Mr. Choi's Kitchen a few times before, their food's good enough, but the price isn't... shall we say, budget friendly. So while the Manila Foodistas' review made my mouth water, it sure made my wallet feel inadequate. Being the straight forward guy that I am, I told him that Vlad was actually trying to scrimp on cash--no chance he'd go for it.

Of course JC felt for him, after all he's a cheapskate too... must be why we're all friends. He said that this is the precise reason why he chose this particular place. Huh?!!

This is his bright idea--the Fish fillet Baked Rice!

For only P175 you get a generously served rice meal good for 2 (or 3 if you're a light eater). That amounts to P90/head including a P5 tip! Not that we left just P5 mind you. Their price is VAT inclusive and they don't charge for the service anymore.

Here's a photo of my share.

Best of all the the fillet was generously proportioned, the fried rice went well with the sauce and the serving of the cheesy sauce was bountiful--enough to satiate my appetiete and that's no mean feat!

Sure you might find it unappetizing--like what one might feel looking at pig slop, but I bet as soon as the first spoonful touches your palate you'd stop minding because then you'd be to busy pigging out (even sloppily perhaps).