TAMBAYAN FILIPINO FOOD – Phoenix, Arizona
When my Kim required physical therapy after a brief hospitalization, extraordinary physical therapist Lana Ramos was dispatched to our home where she worked with my Kim for several weeks. Lana was wonderful–a superb and patient coach for my injured bride and a knowledgeable and patient source of knowledge for me. Having been around many Air Force colleagues married to Filipino women, I developed a fondness for both the culture and cuisine of the Philippines. Lana reignited that fondness by answering my questions and clarifying a few misconceptions I had. When my Kim successfully completed her physical therapy, Lana prepared lumpia for us. It had been a long time since we’d had lumpia. Lana told us that she and several compatriots journey to the Phoenix area periodically to get their fix of Filipino cuisine which–until September, 2024 could not be found at an Albuquerque eatery. Then came Cindy Recile, an effusive and radiant personality who named her take-out establishment “Barkada’s ABQ” for the Filipino word for “friends” or “group of friends.” Barkada’s is not a sit-down restaurant in which you can linger to enjoy fabulous flavors. Instead, you’ve got to use social media to order food which you can pick up…