Dawson City's Filipino eatery open again after long hiatus

It's comfort food at its best and it's coming at the right time — The Taste of Pinoy, an eatery that serves up authentic Filipino delicacies is open again in Dawson City, Yukon. 

The small takeout venue first opened in 2021 but was forced to close down several times while the owners dealt with various issues. The last time it was open was in 2022.

Owner Ana Evalarosa said running the eatery has been a rewarding experience but has also come with its share of challenges.

For one thing, Evalarosa has another full-time job and that limits the time she can put into The Taste of Pinoy. The eatery is now open three afternoons per week, Monday to Wednesday. 

"I open when I'm off, and then close when I need to work," she said.

Then there are the logistics of operating a business that Evalarosa said she's been learning as she goes, such as adhering to building, health and safety codes, and municipal bylaws.

Evalarosa said she's now done everything she's been told to do, and is ready to have her "open" sign in the window once again.

Evalarosa said Filipino dishes aren't that different from what you would get at a Chinese, or Mexican, restaurant, but they do have their own style and flavour.

"We have the noodles," she said. "The Philippines was mixed by different cultures so we adapted, but the Filipino has to have a different way to make it more delicious."

She said her signature dish is a beef curry called Kaldereta in Tagalog, the most commonly-spoken language in the Philippines. She said her Kalderata is not only a favourite meal among local Filipinos, but has also become so among the wider Dawson community.

A family venture

The business and logistical hurdles Evalarosa has had to overcome while still working another full-time job would probably discourage many, but Evalarosa said it's her family that keeps her motivated.

"My mom is here and she's always like, 'I want to go home, I want to go home to the Philippines,'" she explained. "Especially in the wintertime. So I said, 'OK, let's do something for you.' So we think, my mom loves to cook, so I talked to my husband and family [and said] let's do some Filipino food."

Evalarosa has three generations of family working together in her kitchen.

Her 18-year-old son Leian also helps his mom prepare orders and clean dishes. She said he is going to college in Calgary next year so this is a way to spend quality time with him, while also making sure he knows how to feed himself while he's away at school.

"Working with her is kind of stressful sometimes but it's OK because she's my mom," Leian said.  

Leian admitted that working with his mom is also fun too. He said watching her and his grandmother dedicate so much time to something that contributes to the community is inspiring.

"They take the whole night to wrap the dumplings and the spring rolls... they're in here the entire night and then they just go back to the house to sleep," he said.

"Sometimes I feel bad, that's why I try to help them. When she's working, I'm here by myself so I can keep the business going."

Evalarosa said the business wouldn't work without her family, or the support from the community.

She said the Filipino community in Dawson City is a growing and vibrant one. She's grateful to be able to share this part of her culture with people who are learning about it for the first time, or with those who are looking for a little taste of home.