Angeles City in Pampanga is a food mecca for foodies who are looking to enjoy delicious food. Its citizens and visitors are spoiled for choice whether it be Kapampangan, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, or American. Many culinary hidden gems have also emerged in Angeles in recent years. From cozy cafes to mom-and-pop shops, this thriving city within Pampanga has transformed from a day-tripping stop into a must-visit culinary destination. One restaurant that stands out for its simple yet impressive offerings is a charming eatery oddly named Italian Cowboy.
Cozy Classic, Cool
If you’re curious about the name of the restaurant then you better ask Chef Owner Zig Naguiat about its origins. One thing’s for certain though: his menu is a stellar lineup of his creations and family favorites after years of tinkering around the kitchen. The place offers a variety of familiar dishes, from pizza and pasta to delectable steaks and ribs. The restaurant itself is unpretentious and cozy, making it an ideal choice for a wholesome family dinner or a relaxed spot for a barkada to hang out.
In-House Recommendations
Every dish prepared here originates from cherished family recipes, giving it a sense of being right at home. When we visited one weekday afternoon, we didn’t know what to order from the menu, so the staff helped us choose which food to enjoy. They’re very proud of their pizza offerings since the pizza dough is handmade daily to ensure its freshness. We later learned that their pizza is renowned all over the neighborhood for its soft texture with a delightfully crispy crust. For our pizza choice, we settled with their signature Italian Cowboy Special Pizza which is topped with steak slices, bacon, mushroom, and mozzarella drizzled with salsa verde. True enough, the pizza didn’t disappoint and the combination of toppings was on point. The salsa verde was also a great addition since it added a refreshing kick to the rich flavors of the pizza. One dining companion even remarked it to be “the best pizza she ever had”.
Due to our heavy schedule and workload, we were in the mood to indulge in something hearty and meaty, so we ordered Pork BBQ Ribs and Steak. The USDA Rib eye was tender, flavorful, and could easily feed around 2-3 people. It was simple yet perfectly cooked, just the way we wanted it. On the other hand, the Pork BBQ Ribs were fall-off-the-bone goodness. Its complimenting BBQ sauce had the perfect balance of sweet and savory. I actually ordered an extra sauce so I can use it as a dipping sauce for my steak! I’d definitely recommend you order this duo and have it with beer or wine!
If you’re dining with kids we highly suggest ordering the Chicken Parmesan and Meatball Pasta both made with Italian Cowboy’s housemade tomato sauce. The chicken cutlet is cooked till very golden and crisp. It is then topped with their homemade tomato sauce and tons of mozzarella cheese making it an entree worth the calories. The Meatball Pasta is another straightforward dish flavored with in-house tomato sauce married with meatballs that are flavorful and juicy in every bite. These are classic-yet-made-amazingly-well dishes your kids and kids-at-heart would definitely enjoy.
Pampanga never fails to surprise me with something new and delicious. This time though, Kampampangan cuisine takes a back seat for America-Italian favorites. Italian Cowboy might not be so mainstream when it comes to recent food trends but it’s definitely a hole in the wall worth going back to again and again.
Italian Cowboy. Richtofen Street corner Arayat Boulevard, Angeles City, Pampanga.
Check out their Facebook to book your table.
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