Tanchanco knows whereof she speaks – after all she has been "serving" the best cinemas in Metro Manila for the last seven years.
"After seven years, we have decided to open a place where people (the young and not so young) can come and have a complete meal, whether or not they are planning to watch a movie," she adds. "This is exactly what Stadia is – a gimmick place that we have decided to locate at two of the best cinemas in town: the Greenbelt Theater in Makati and at the Robinsons Movieworld at Robinsons Galleria."
"Although when we first started out in the cinema, we began by serving very American snacks, snacks that you could get at a baseball game," she shares.
However, she is quick to point out that Stadia is not a sports themed resto, rather she says that it uses baseball as a "trade theme."
Now, anyone who has been to the bigger cinemas in Metro Manila knows Taters. It’s that kiosk located near the entrance to the cinema which sells popcorn (flavored, buttered or just plain salted), softdrinks and even sandwiches. And because the food at Taters is associated with the sport of baseball, Tanchanco has made sure that the food, although not necessarily considered "health food," is prepared in a healthy manner as possible.
"Our popcorn is popped in canola oil. Our flavorings are all MSG-free and we don’t have any pork hotdogs here. All we have are chicken turkey hotdogs. Our bread is either whole wheat or multi-grain, no white bread here," she states.
"People have become more conscious about what they eat and I want to make sure that I give them the option for healthy eating," she adds.
But isn’t American food bland, we ask?
"We have made sure that the food that we serve in Stadia – although they are American classics – conform to the Filipino taste," she assures.
"Our food is not only healthy and nutritious, it is also affordably priced," says Tanchanco.
A trip to Stadia at Greenbelt one afternoon was all it took to convince us that indeed there is something in the menu for everyone in the family. It has salads and pasta dishes. In particular I noticed their Manager’s Salad, which is a no-meat salad – lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber and hard-boiled eggs, topped with shredded crabstick, soya bean bits and Parmesan cheese. It is served with whole wheat bread sticks. Half an order, which is good for a regular diner, costs P80, and a full portion, for those who prefer to make it their main meal, for P150.
Uncle Charlie’s Mac’Cheese is one creamy wheat pasta dish with a cheezy sauce topped with mushrooms and sprinkled with soya bacon bits. But there’s more than just salad on the menus, it also has Brewer’s Chili, Marlin’s Fish ’n Chips and Corned Turkey Hash, to name a few of their main meals. The snack fans of Taters need not fear because the goodies, like popcorn, onion rings and fries, are all available at Stadia.
Sandwiches are a mouthful as well. There are Turkey Hotdogs, All-American Steak ’n Egg and even a Peanut Butter ’n Jelly Decker.
Stadia’s list of drinks is another gulp-full. Aside from the usual softdrinks and juice, it has lemonade, milkshakes, soda floats and even beer and wine.
"We have been around for seven years and on this special occasion, I decided to celebrate it with the opening of Stadia and an E-Trip," says Tanchanco, "E meaning an eating, entertaining and evolution event."
Stadia’s E-Trip started last Monday and ends on Aug. 31.
"That’s seven days of celebration for seven years of success," shares Tanchanco.
If you are looking for a place to hang out this weekend, check out Stadia at Robinsons Galleria or Greenbelt Mall. Today, Aug. 29 is "Go Fishin’ Trip" where fish will be the day’s special. Aug. 30 is "Gobble-a-Turkey Trip" and Aug. 31 is "Say Cheers Trip." Walk-in customers will be treated to special discount offers.
From the way things are going, there is no striking out for Taters and Stadia. It seems that the team has come up with a plan that’s sure to keep the fans coming back for more.
"I don’t plan," says Tanchanco when asked about what she has in store for the next seven years. "Plans don’t excite me. I follow what’s new in the market and I watch how things unfold."