While most of us were complaining about the daily power interruptions, the heat and the hundred and one reasons to stay away from the sun, Calda Pizza opened without funfare just last week at their location at the corner of Champaca and Kadulasan Streets of Barangay Dadiangas East here in GenSan. You would not easily notice it at first.
The place which occupies three units of a new single-story commercial building, has a simple nondescript open setting, blending it well into its neighborhood of old residences, mom and pop stores, boarding houses and a car wash across the street. Farther ahead is Marasa Grill and Sonly Pension House.
Bariles has been passing the area usually from his office to make a detour to the National Highway but did not notice anything until a friend pointed out to him its existence. Excited at its discovery, and after finding some vacant time on his way home, he dropped by last Friday late afternoon.
The place was semi-full and some of the wooden tables and chairs which were spilling out into the sidewalk were already taken when he arrived. The customers were a mix-match of pizza lovers who did not seem to mind that it there was a brownout at that time since the area was quite cool and airy.
There were several couples, two families, and a group of friends obviously just out from work. Good thing a small table was still available by the side for Bariles.
Calda Pizza (literally meaning “HOT PIZZA” in Italian) is actually a franchise from Cebu City where it has several branches, brought here by the family of Randy and Claire Yap and their siblings.
Upon noticing that it clicked well in middle-income neighborhoods in the Queen City, the family thought of getting the franchise for GenSan where majority of the households are from the same bracket. Part of their plan is not to advertise it and just let word of mouth do the marketing since they believe that they have a good product.
The good news is, a week after they sofly opened, a steady stream of customers have been visiting their outlet.
Of course, Bariles wouldn’t want to take their word for it and has to try it himself. And so from the Menu, he ordered their bestseller, the CALDA Regular Pizza which promises toppings of Ground Beef, Ham, Salami, Mozarella Cheese, Onions, Green Bell Pepper and tomato sauce. When it was served to him after 15 minutes, its look and aroma did not disappoint!
Whoa! The original Calda Pizza was actually wider than its supposedly 10-inch diameter and the toppings were so hefty and overflowing that not a few kept falling off each time Bariles took a bite from each slice.
According to Randy Yap, his bakers do not measure the amount of toppings they put on each serving with weighing scales which limit their “creativity” but scoop and spread them by the handful. Customers then get more than the usual amount of meat, veggies, cheese and other toppings due to this method.
Bariles is partial to thin crusts but not the super crispy ones which taste like biscuits already. Calda Pizza’s crust was doughy and chewy enough to enjoy it mixing with the flavorful meaty, cheesy and veggie toppings inside his mouth. His choice of the original Calda pizza had also the right spicy bite to it, not too much, and which could be tolerated by any kid. He immediately consumed 4 slices while sharing the rest with Randy’s little nephew who was helping out as a bus boy. The whole thing costs P190.
The other group near them ordered the biggest pizza at 36 inches, called the SUPER EXTRA! It filled their whole table and dwarfed the little boy with them. The gigantic thing has a prize ranging from P850 to P950 depending on the flavor.
Calda Pizza has more varied fare with such names as Margherita, Funghi, Etna, Hawaiian, Capricciosa, the familiar Calzone (closed baked pizza), Milanese, Vegetariani, Succulenta, Bolognese, Filipiniana, Carousela, Roma, among others which come in different sizes. These are the Regular (10 inches), Family (15 inches), XL (20 inches), Super (30 inches), and Xtra Super (36 inches).
Bariles is mighty sure that you will proceed to Calda Pizza after reading this. Once there, just don’t forget to utter the immortal line, “BARILES SENT ME.”
Who knows? You might be rewarded by Calda Pizza’s baker with more generous amount of toppings on your order of their delicious, tasty and chewy thin crust pizza.
Bon appetit!
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saan po ba and adress ng inyong branch sa gensan?just post a replyin myfacebook juliejadefin@yahoo.com im searching po kasi na mga malalaking pizaahut
Hi kuya avel.. i always get hungry every time i visit your site..hehehehe..It makes me want to go to Gensan NOW NA so i could visit the restos you featured..:) hope to be back there soon…
i’ve tried their Calda pizza..yummy..as in yummy..puede ka pa mag request na damihan ang cheese…hehehe…and YES! i told them i heard about them from BARILES…una nilang ginawa ang pizza ko with lots of cheese!!!
Thanks, we have more choices….
EVERYONE!
this unassuming JOINT is indeed serving the bestest pizza in TOWN..
tried the SUPER CALDA last easter..
i hope i get a discount the next time I dine..hehehe
The place looks very ordinary. .but with your recommendation ill give this a try, maybe while waiting for my car bieng washed across the street and share it with Chuck and Tita Marlene Santos who manages the car wash.
Wow! I’d love to try the 36-incher!
Holy week store hours…Maundy Thursday open from 11am-8pm, Good Friday-closed. Regular store hours will be back to normal on Saturday.
Thanks Sir Avel…To All: You can visit Calda Pizza Mondays-Saturdays from 11am-10pm and on Sundays from 2pm-10pm.
DROOLS yummy…
hmm.. our driver mentioned theres a new pizza joint nga daw.. i was not curious until this POST…
be checking it out this easter..
wow!!! again a must try… hmmmmmm i’ll use the MAGIC WORD let’s see what i’ll get from it…. hahahahaha
Wow! Looks YUMMY! Kaso ang layo ng Gensan hhehehe.. pag nasaag na lang ko dinha, i’ll try that… 🙂
wow…sarap naman. kain kami maya ni job, hehe. addict sa pizza si job eh 🙂
a SUPER-SIZE ME PIZZA…! whooooooaaaaa!
it’s a CALORIE RUSH..! whew! just can’t imagine how many calories it has if taken..
@Fahdz, we’re lucky Calda is in town now! 🙂
@Sheng, when? Go! I’d like to try their unlisted TUNA SPECIAL. 🙂
@Jay, no problem. Next time, it’s your treat.:)
@Lyle, will be glad to take you there and Brendel. More choices for pizzaholics like us! 🙂
Wow, the pizza looks interesting and reading you raving about it makes it a “must-try.” I’ll be sure to check this out when I visit GenSan again. =)
Mr. Avel Thanks po sa request ko….
Uy, me wants to try this out! Sama tayo soon, pig out?
Wow! Really? Way back ito ang kinakainan namin sa CDO at OZAMIZ…. yes meron na rin sa GENSAN…. YAHOO! Thnx KUYA!