ONCE cravings for Catfish or Hito dishes arise, everybody points to Santander Kainan ng Bayan and people flocked there for a number of reasons.
It has been serving Dabawenyos and tourists since 2002 beside the highway in Los Amigos village in Tugbok District, Davao City.
What started with only a P5,000 capital, this Hitoan destination in the south turned out to be a lucrative and thriving business, jam-packed with customers with about 90 to 100 percent occupancy rate on lunch and dinner, almost every day.
Home for the best deep-fried and ginataan Hito, the 500-seater restaurant is now considered as the home to the best Hito dishes, the reason being - natural and right procedure of cooking, excellent customer relations and cleanliness.
Hito, in Santander, is enjoyed by many in different way of cooking: sinugba, adobo, deep-fried, ginataan and more. Customers also have a selection of food as the restaurant does not only serve Hito dishes, it also offers Tinolang manok, Kinilaw, Tuna belly and Panga. Desserts like mango float and leche flan are also available.
All Hito dishes are sold at P220 per kilo and a half is sold at P110.
To sustain and meet the restaurant’s business, owners are sourcing 70 percent of catfishes within the village which is known as the Hito capital of Davao City while the rest is farmed at their own 2,500-square meter pond located at the back of the restaurant.
Santander Kainan Ng Bayan owner Deverlyn Santander said around 700 to 1,000 kilos were consumed weekly for the restaurant while harvest volume from their own pond can reach from 500 to 700 kilos. Harvest time is every after five to six months.
“We really make sure that what we serve to our customers is right, especially in terms of kilos. I want peace in doing business, serving my customers well gives me contentment and happiness,” she said.
She also underscored that she gives special attention in training their staff in establishing rapport with customers.
The owner suggested that to refrain from waiting and to immediately enjoy a feast of Hito, one should call prior to dining.
“Actually, 70 percent of our customers now had prior calls before coming to the restaurant,” she said.
Known by only few people, the restaurant, as claimed by the owner, is one of the favorite restaurants of some of the prominent officials of the country including police chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, labor secretary Silvestre Bello, Davao City Vice Mayor and Presidential son Paolo “Pulong” Duterte and cabinet secretary Leoncio Evasco. Celebrities like Marian Rivera and Richard Gutierrez also tried their food.
Santander also does catering services and its 250-capacity function hall can house all-life celebrations and events: birthdays, seminars, debut, reunions and even weddings. Aside from delicious food and friendly staff, a spacious parking lot is available in the restaurant’s back.
The restaurant, for years, has been a go-to food destination for Dabawenyos and tourists. Travellers going inside and outside the city also find this restaurant a real crave-feeder.
So when you crave for Hito dish in Davao, head to San Tander Kainan ng Bayan!
