Balamban’s Best Restaurant Nang Linda’s Reopens amid Pandemic

Balamban, Cebu - Stores and Restaurants. For a local food icon, it is time to open the first Filipino Family Restaurant in Northwestern Cebu.

In celebration of her 75th birthday, Erlinda “Nang Linda” Villanueva-Sangre chose to take a bolder move by opening a full-restaurant under her name, with the help of her children. 

Last July 28th, NANG LINDA’S opened to the public to cater the growing demand for well-loved comfort food homemade dishes such as: Hamonada, Humba, Balamban Liempo, Manok Bisaya Inasal, Sisig and a lot more.

Balamban Mayor Alex Binghay, together with Balamban Vice Mayor Alfie Binghay and property owner Concepcion Yu were the guests of honor of the “Liempo and Inasal Chopping”  opening ceremony.

“I am personally attending this because Kumare [Nang] Linda is close to my heart. I can still recall the first carinderia in front of the old Municipal Hall because it was my first term as a Mayor of this town.” ~Mayor Alex Binghay, Balamban Mayor

Formerly known as “Balamban Chikaan” when it opened in 1988, now re-branded NANG LINDA’S is now a full-blown restaurant brand that offers al-fresco dining experience to its diners. The restaurant also offers TAKE OUT and ONLINE DELIVERY via www.NangLindas.com and www.fb.com/NangLindas.

Nang Linda is a Balamban, Cebu native. At 12, she became the family breadwinner after their parents abandoned them to the care of their relatives. She worked as house help to an aunt to be able to continue her studies and at the same time support her other two sisters. It is also where Nang Linda first learned how to cook dishes for the whole family.

At 18, she fell in love with a young debutant Balambanon, Jacinto Sangre. With a fast growing family of 7 children, Jacinto’s poultry work can no longer suffice the growing needs of the family. Looking for alternatives, Nang Linda started a carenderia beside the old Municipal Hall of Balamban.

“I think the informal training I had in appreciating ingredients and actual experience with these ingredients had allowed me to understand each of its unique flavors and characters.” ~Erlinda “NANG LINDA” Villanueva Sangre, Nang Linda Founder

From every food she tasted and loved, Nang Linda slowly built her own repertoire of local Filipino dishes, mastered and perfected in Nang Linda’s.

Since then, Nang Linda has been the go-to lady for quality home cooked meals. Her “suki” will always order her Hamonada Espesyal, Balamban Liempo, Manok Bisaya Inasal, Sisig, Pinakupsan and a lot more.

One of its re-opening guests Concepcion Yu recalls, “Nang Linda has become a well-known name synonymous with good food here in Balamban.”

Her carinderia became a must-dine food stall  every Balambanon’s came to know about.

Today, standing proudly along the busy thoroughfare of the National Highway, Pondol, Balamban, Cebu, is a native bungalow alfresco restaurant of Nang Linda’s.

"We decided to open a native al-fresco restaurant in tribute to my mother's passion for good food. It is her legacy to us and the people of Balamban. Nang Linda’s has already touched so many and different types of people from Balamban. The legacy and passion needs to continue. We believe in the brand NANG LINDA’s stand for. More than food, it emphasizes close knit family values. Entrepreneurs and investors are contacting us for possible franchising and co-ownership opportunities. And we are already opening our doors to that." ~Iren Sangre-Licera, Nang Linda’s Chief Executive Officer

With Nang Linda’s youngest son Chef Jojo Sangre manning the kitchen, Nang Linda’s completes its full-circle of providing local diners sumptuous dining experience that is affordable on the family’s pocket.

CEO Iren Sagre-Licera confirms more openings and expansion plans are in order.

Interested in any Franchising or Co-Ownership Program, you may contact www.NangLindas.com/own-one.