Kiko’s Family Resto, South O’s latest culinary gem
South Osmena Street, known to some as the Heart of General Santos City, has been pulsating with life for the past fifteen or so years ever since a string of restos, bars and coffee shops made it their home. The latest, BluGre Cafe just had a star-studded opening.
Two weeks before that however, another new entrant in the food and beverage business opened its doors to the public ahead of Manny Pacquiao’s establishment. This time, it is a restaurant simply called as Kiko’s Family Restaurant located beside the building housing the DTI office
.
Kiko’s Family Restaurant is owned, managed and operated by Gary and Cherry Ocampo, a couple who loves cooking and showing off their recipes among friends, who regularly drop by to feast on their personalized take on various native dishes. Late last year, upon the prodding of their friends and families, they decided that the time has come to open up their very own dining establishment and let more people sample their kitchen creations.
I first visited Kiko’s in time for dinner one warm, stuffy night last week excited on what lies in store for me. I was a bit worried however because I knew beforehand that Kiko’s was not airconditioned and at that time, I was having a slight case of asthma. To my delight, upon entering the spacious venue, I found out that this new GenSan restaurant was properly ventilated by an open air garden on one side where an artificial drizzle cools the ground and its surroundings.
We were immediately served the Kiko’s Specialties by the Master Chef, owner Gary himself. This was his famous-among-friends’ Greaseless Fried Chicken, which I swear is comparable in taste and softness to Chickenjoy and wife Cherry‘s tender with every bite’s Beef Estofado.
Kiko’s Greaseless Fried Chicken and Cherry’s Beef Estofado
Master Chef and owner Gary hinted that he painstakingly deep-fries his chicken drumsticks for at least 20 minutes before serving it to his customers, making sure not to overcook them. The rest of the dishes from the menu which we had were a must for visitors to the Tuna Capital, and for those who are into healthy, seafood dishes – his crispy, crackling Fried Tuna Panga and his tender and savoury Grilled Tuna Belly, both served with side garnishes.
Kiko’s Fried Tuna Panga Kiko’s Grilled Tuna Belly
Then, for foodie meat lovers like me, Gary served the chicharon-like skinned Lechon Kawali, which were soooo yummy while dipped in vinegar with lots and lots of garlic was to “die” for. Then it was Gary’s very own version of the “Leche Flan” for dessert which had just the right amount of bittersweetness to it! Perfect! 
Kiko’s Sinful Lechon Kawali Kiko’s Leche Flan
We couldn’t take in all that Master Chef Gary was offering, so stuffed with what was laid before us and so we promised to come back the following day, in time for lunch.
And thus, the day after we were served more of Master Chef Gary’s masterpieces: Bulalo, Bicol’s Laing (Spicy Gabi Leaves with coco milk), Seafoods Chopsuey, Steamed Pompano and Ginataang Casile (Eel in coco milk).
Of all these, I particularly love the Laing which made me eat more rice than the usual and the Guinataang Casile which had me licking my fingers and sipping the fish bones. As the Ilonggos say it, “Kanamit gid!”
Then of course, also highly recommended are the previous night’s Beef Estofado and Gary’s Greaseless Fried Chicken, which I bet will be the talk of the town once word gets around. Just give Master Chef Gary 25 minutes to prepare it perfectly for you. 
Kiko’s Family Restaurant is open from 10am to 10pm. They can be found along South Osmena Street, beside the DTI office. For reservations and advanced orders, please call
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Bariles is a Filipino word for “Tuna”, the primary source of income of the people of General Santos City which hosts 6 of the Philippines’ 8 tuna canneries and more than 80% of its tuna processing plants.
dimple Says:
ako ang una?.. hihihi.. di na ako masyado napapagawi sa may south osmena.. peru with this new place.. i guess mapapadalas ako sa KIKO’s..
yum..yum.. again!
Posted on March 16th, 2009 at 10:10 PM
tanchi Says:
grabe ang food trip ni sir avel. dami ko na ring food resto na dapat puntahan para matry..anyway, uunahin ko muna ang mongolian bbq!
)
thanks sa information sir avel, the bigtime!
tanchis last blog post..School’s Almost Over
Posted on March 16th, 2009 at 11:47 PM
bariles Says:
@dimple, hindi ka magsisisi. Promise.
@tanchi, thanks. Lahat tikman mo na kso.
Posted on March 16th, 2009 at 11:52 PM
Kritiko Says:
grrr.. nasa 3rd place..ok lng
Posted on March 17th, 2009 at 12:25 AM
anynomouse :) Says:
@manoy avel, ngano kahang mga lalaki ang mas lami magluto? sa grab-a-crab, gusteau, ug kiko’s mga lalaki ang chef (pronawns as “shef”).
mali ang tawag nga “chef cook” bikos a chef is a cook. mao ng ang “chef cook” = cook-cook (mura kag manok-sawnding). Same mistake with “pizza pie” kay ang “pizza” italian for “pie” derpor, “pizza pie” = pie-pie. ajejeje
Natun-an nako kini kay Ernie Baron kadtong buhi pa sya sa segment nya nga Knowledge Power. ajejeje
anynomouse
s last blog post..Noong ako’y bubuwit pa
Posted on March 17th, 2009 at 12:31 AM
Amie Says:
Yum! Yum! Yum!…the foods all look good. Talagang these are the
foods that I crave now, lalo na laing & grilled tuna belly. I know
na kumikindat pa yong tuna bago dinala sa kitchen nila, hehehe!
Amies last blog post..My Space
Posted on March 17th, 2009 at 6:19 AM
jinky Says:
wow, yummy!
Punta ako, now na!
jinkys last blog post..I Came, I Saw, I Conquered: The Davao Outland Adventure
Posted on March 17th, 2009 at 10:48 AM
beetaw Says:
@anynomouse
– i agri wid u… pero usually man gud dili “chef cook” ang gi-mean kundi “chief cook” meaning “head” o “master” cook,,,,
Posted on March 17th, 2009 at 11:18 AM
chic Says:
ma tempt jud ko sa imong mga pix sa foods sir avel..
mutry jud ko dha..
Posted on March 17th, 2009 at 11:27 AM
gensanite Says:
it’s good to know that local entrepreneurs are investing in the city… i’m sure this place is a “must-eat” with its “homey” viands… cheers!!!
Posted on March 17th, 2009 at 11:38 AM
bariles Says:
@kritiko, parang may contest ha? Hehehe!
Posted on March 17th, 2009 at 12:05 PM
Rhey Bacani Says:
try ko today
Posted on March 17th, 2009 at 4:25 PM
Gay Says:
Avel, busy social life mo ah… Let’s schedule something in my kitchen soon…
Gays last blog post..Pan-grilled seafoods two ways
Posted on March 17th, 2009 at 4:28 PM
boodit Says:
vel, since i’ve tried all the dishes at kiko’s—these piccies really says it all—yummy as you see it in the piccies…
Posted on March 17th, 2009 at 6:51 PM
Ruben Says:
abaw ah kanamit gid ah! next time try ko naman ang Kiko’s sinful lechon kawali hehehehehehehe dapat ang expectation…satisfied ako!
Posted on March 17th, 2009 at 8:13 PM
Ache Says:
Gensanite pigilin ang appetite! Kailangan pag nakita kita sexy ka na! Pabayaan mo na si acheng avel….
Posted on March 17th, 2009 at 8:34 PM
bing Says:
sarapppp nmn! tnx vel! any number for reservations please…
Posted on March 18th, 2009 at 7:02 AM
gensanite Says:
@Ache –
sige lang gud, BOSS…
hehehe… 
baka uwi ako by april or may… pero di pa sure…
pero kung matuloy, food trip galore tayo… hehehe…
cheers!!!
Posted on March 18th, 2009 at 12:24 PM
april Says:
helow!! try nu xa KIKO’S restaurant.. yummy tlga mga foods nla.. eheheh,,
blv me coz im one of the crew of kiko’s restaurant…
heheheh.
Posted on March 18th, 2009 at 2:11 PM
dimple Says:
manamit gid!
dimples last blog post..Earn while you Learn in the UK!
Posted on March 18th, 2009 at 9:51 PM
alane Says:
hmmm…Looks yummy….Feels like heavenly!!!
Try them, you’ll love the food..
Alane Crisostomo
ABS CBN Canada ULC( TFCko)
Posted on March 21st, 2009 at 1:06 AM
Hooked Says:
will visit whatever is recommended by Kuya Avel…
Posted on March 21st, 2009 at 3:08 AM
Lorena Says:
The grilled tuna belly looks good…Hmmmm…yummy. ‘Can’t wait to try it!!!
Posted on March 21st, 2009 at 9:53 AM
sehcsy Says:
the best greaseless fried chicken…an alternative if ur craving for Max’s fried chicken…yummy…
Posted on March 30th, 2009 at 4:45 PM
dexter g. Says:
Yummy yan ah… nakakamiss ang tuna ng gensan. huhuhuhuhu
kelan kaya ako makakapagbakasyon dyan????
ang panga, buntot og bely…
pirting lamia
astang garaa pa sa presentation…
tsalap tsalap tsalap…
Posted on April 13th, 2009 at 2:54 AM
An Unforgettable Weekend in GenSan | Thinking Out Loud Says:
[...] after arriving in GenSan, our hosts-cum-tour guides Avel and his partner Marz took us to Kiko’s Restaurant, a newly opened family restaurant located along South Osmeña Street in General Santos City. [...]
Posted on April 13th, 2009 at 3:16 AM