Photo by Ralph Lim

Photo by Ralph Lim

Fat Clemenza

Being the only Italian stall in the JSEC, Fat Clemenza brings flair to the familiar through the balanced flavors of its pasta favorites—all within a student’s budget. 

Taste

Fat Clemenza’s Pesto is a subtle blend of creamy and crunchy. The dish features fusilli that catches just the right amount of light pesto sauce to highlight the herb-based flavor without it being too pungent. On top of this, the sprinkled bread crumbs and buttered garlic bits add a crisp, savory contrast to the otherwise smooth and earthy dish. 

Another option is the Alfredo, which has a thicker, garlicky sauce with chicken bites. The penne was a great pairing with the heavy sauce, as its firm texture prevented the meal from being too goopy. Fat Clemenza’s signature bread crumb topping was also a nice balance, texture-wise, to the dish’s overall flavor. 

For vegans and fans of oil-based pasta, the Aglio Olio is a must-try. In this meat-and dairy-free option, the al dente spaghetti is spicy without requiring a drink after every mouthful, but zesty enough to keep you interested. 

As a hearty add-on, Fat Clemenza’s fried chicken cutlet perfectly matches the delicious pasta. This offering marries perfectly crunchy breading and tender meat without being too oily. 

Concept

Apart from being the only stall selling pasta, Fat Clemenza stays unique by being true to its theme. Its aesthetic, as well as its logo and name, is an obvious nod to the film The Godfather (1972), which was the inspiration behind the stall. The superb pasta dishes hail from the recipes of Filipino Junior MasterChef Kyle Imao, who is one of the stall’s owners—so you’re guaranteed a winning meal seemingly from the Corleone family table itself. 

Value for money

Customers can expect great deals from Fat Clemenza. Despite its hefty serving and tasty meals, the stall has student-friendly prices of Php 90 for a solo meal, Php 30 for a side of chicken, and Php 10 for garlic bread. It’s clear that price, portion, and quality make a perfect trio here. 

Final verdict

Sure to give you your money’s worth, Fat Clemenza’s well-thought out menu, generous servings, and complex mastery of Italian favorites make it a force to be reckoned with in JSEC—much like its ruthless namesake. 

Rating: 5/5

Photos by Ralph Lim