Inspired by the ever-so-popular Potato Corner and born out of seven students’ dessert cravings, Tato x Yelo sits in the middle of JSEC waiting for hungry Ateneans to come get their fill of potato-based snacks and Filipino desserts.
Taste
If you’re craving for a light snack that is easy to eat, the Mojos are your best bet. Though slightly soggy because of the thickness and size of the slices, these potato rounds are seasoned well enough to be eaten alone or with the dips they come with. The Roasted Garlic Chipotle dip is both sweet and tangy with an underlying and almost unnoticeable tone of spice. On the other hand, the Honey Mustard dip is well-balanced, allowing you to enjoy both the sweetness of the honey and the acidity of the mustard without each overpowering the other.
The Tornado, a potato twist on a stick, is light, crispy, and served with a generous amount of seasoning of your choosing. It comes in four different flavors: BBQ, White Cheddar, Sour Cream, and Salted. The fact that it isn’t oily adds to the overall experience, making each bite a flavorful and crispy affair that is quite difficult to get tired of.
Tato x Yelo also serves cold desserts that have been popular choices thanks to their huge serving sizes. Their selection undoubtedly appeals to the average Filipino’s taste buds, with items such as Halo-Halo and Mango Yelo. The Halo-Halo is enough to satisfy two people, with copious amounts of traditional ingredients such as ube, langka, and saging that pay respect to the beloved dessert. If you have a big sweet tooth, the Mango Yelo might be for you. This dessert is on the sweeter side because of its generous serving of mangoes, ice cream, and condensada, which can feel somewhat heavy on the tongue.
Concept
Tato x Yelo utilizes one-dimensional designs and colours to form a friendly and approachable branding, staying true to its vision to become the go-to JSEC stall for snacks and desserts. They took the familiarity of Filipino desserts and combined it with potatoes, a versatile product that everyone loves, to curate a menu that appealed to the general public’s taste. Since most stalls in JSEC serve full meals, Tato x Yelo aims to bring into Ateneo snacks appropriate for any kind of Filipino weather and for any cravings one might have.
Value for Money
The Mojos are the most expensive item on the menu at Php 70, but the quantity in each serving is quite big, considering that the rounds are larger than the ones served in most restaurants. Php 50 is a reasonable price for the Tornado, but if you’re planning on sharing with a friend, it might be best to order the combo for Php80, which comes with two sticks and a drink. The Mango Yelo and Halo-Halo are both priced at Php 65, a price relatively cheap given the size of each order—it’s up to you if you’re willing to share such goodness with someone else.
Final Verdict
Craving for a snack in between classes or for some relief on a hot afternoon? Tato x Yelo has you covered. Though the Mojos could be slightly thinner to reduce the starchiness and the Mango Yelo a bit lighter on the condensada, this stall has nearly perfected the art of familiar flavors and satisfying snacks.
Rating: 4.5/5
