Date Places Philippines

The crowd in Tramway Timog

I first ate at Tramway when I was in 6th grade – it was at the first branch along Banawe, Quezon City. Being young, everything tasted good. But I distinctly remember my mom saying that it was cheap buffet, that’s why evrything didn’t taste so good. The buffet price was P125 then, and given that memory, I’ve found myself resisting going back to the place. I feared my ‘adult tastes’ would agree with my Mom.

My success in avoiding the place was fully defined when a recent baptism of a high school friend’s daughter brough us there (my goodness, they’re having daughters already!). Well, grub for free, right? Right. So I trudged t the Timog branch of Tramway, ready to give it a second chance.

Like most buffets, everything is laid out on one table in the middle. Just one table and 2 lanes which looked almost too small given the place was big and could easily fit a hundred. Maybe that’s why evryone looked like they were in a frenzy – going this way and that, trying to grab as much grub as possible before the food runs out. The refill takes a while to come.

The place is very much a family place, loud with chatter of hows-your-food and more. No need to dress up – get your loosest jeans and leave some room for Tramway Chinese food.

Menu

I didn’t ask if we could get one, I just looked at the food laid out at Tramway. Honestly I don’t know if they vary the menu from day to day, but that night it was pretty decent. They had steamed lapu lapu, dimsum, fried rice, scrambled eggs, some meat, chicken, century eggs, tofu, salad, and a dessert selection consisting of watermelon, mango, and halo-halo.

The buffet spread

Tofu at Tramway Timog

Sweet and Sour Fish

Salad at the buffet

Fried siomai and other dimsum are included

Before you raise your eyebrow, take note that the buffet costs around P200. That’s the price of an average Max’s meal for you, and here you can have your fill. Moreover, the food wasn’t half bad at all. In fact, the meat was tender and didn’t taste like MSG at all. In fact, I’d take this buffet any day over the Kamayan buffet (50 chewy meat dishes for P279 or so).

Next time my date and I are in the mood for some Chinese food stuffing, we’ll definitely head to Tramway Timog. I hope Tramway Banawe has the same fare.

So your total bill should come to around P250 (net of taxes), I don’t advise you to get a drink except water so you can have more room for food.

Parking can be a hassle, so come a 10 minutes before peak dinner time.

Tramway, Timog
No. 65 Timog Ave.
Quezon City, Metro Manila
(02) 415-2005

You don’t need to eat at a buffet for good dimsum, here is a recipe on how to make your own: