A Mojos and Pizza Kind of Day Up North at Grumpy Joe

Driving well over 60 plus kilometers one way up north for a pizza isn't quite exactly a road trip to remember. Then again, it's a pizza kind of day leading you all the way to San Fernando, Pampanga's Grumpy Joe...

Pampanga is widely known for its rich culinary traditions and a road trip to sample local delicacies becomes an integral part of any itinerary. A trip to Pampanga for pizza may not be at the top of your list, but maybe Grumpy Joe can change your mind. 

A local regional brand with a strong presence in the north specifically in Baguio, Dagupan, La Union and now in Pampanga's San Fernando, Grumpy Joe brings its own inventive take on classic All-American staples for another hearty dining option. Local fans swear by Grumpy Joe with their pizza, fried chicken and ribs as their bestsellers. The multi-colored tapestry of Pampanga's culinary landscape is made even richer by homegrown brands like Grumpy Joe, adding to the northern destination's wide selection of tasty offerings. 

Once settled, time to find your mojo. Tease your palate with tasty bites of Grumpy Joe's Mojo Fries (P 270) with a side of Sriracha Truffle Dip or Gravy. Just as you'd expect from any American concept, the servings are hefty and generous and perfect for sharing. Thick cut with a lightly crisp batter, these mojos offer contrasting textures with each bite completed by a flavorful dip in your choice of side. And once you start, well you know the rest...

Deep-fried for that delicate crispness, these Mojo Fries pair well with many of Grumpy Joe's savory offerings. And this is just the first of many surprises at Grumpy Joe. Grumpy Joe also offers other tempting All-American sides like French Fries (P 230), Onion Rings (P 260), Bacon & Cheese Fries (P 310), Chili Fries (P 300), Dip & Nachos (P 265) and many more. 

Now that you've got your mojo back, it's time for Grumpy Joe's specialty pizza...

Grumpy Joe offers twenty savory pizza creations on their menu in 9", 12" and 16" options from the classic Garlic & Cheese (P 320/P 580/P 710) and Pepperoni (P 335/P 600/P 755) to hearty renditions like the Fisherman's (P 410/P 710/P 970), Cheeseburger (P 380/P 660/P 890) and Chicken Barbecue (P 355/P 630/P 860). 

A good way to immerse yourself in Grumpy Joe's tasty spin on popular All-American fare is with their bestseller, the aptly named Grumpy Joe pizza (P 380/P 655/P 890) with ham, ground beef, bacon, bell pepper, onions and pineapple bits slathered with tomato sauce on a thick and chewy crust. Then, there's the Pulled Pork (P 360/P 635/P 820) loaded with fork-tender hand-pulled strips of homemade pork barbecue and caramelized onions draped in tangy, smoky and mildly sweet BBQ sauce. Better yet, ask the staff to serve you a pizza combo with both variants in one order. 

Grumpy Joe pizza on one side and Pulled Pork on the other, this is definitely a pizza kind of day up north in Pampanga. The Grumpy Joe brings comfortingly familiar notes to the palate highlighted by the savory notes from the loaded medley of assorted meats sweetened by the pineapple while the Pulled Pork offers the bold and deep flavors of BBQ pork pairing well with the thick and chewy mildly crisp crust. The crust absorbs all the flavorful richness from both the BBQ sauce and the generous mound of pulled pork, delivering a burst of flavors with each bite. The Pulled Pork just may be the right motivation to embark on a road trip to Pampanga. Add the Grumpy Joe pizza and the Mojo Fries too. 

Steeped in tradition and history, Pampanga remains as the country's storied culinary capital. But it's the infusion of innovative local concepts with their own creative spin of comforting American staples that weaves a richer tapestry to the province's evolving culinary landscape. And I'm all for that. Is your day shaping up to be a pizza kind of day? Head on over to Grumpy Joe...

Grumpy Joe is located at 140 MacArthur Highway, San Fernando, Pampanga. You can also visit their FB Page and IG Feed at https://www.facebook.com/p/Grumpy-Joe-Pampanga and https://www.instagram.com/grumpyjoe.ph/ for more information and updates or call 0966 403 8106 for inquiries. 

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