If you are an 80s or 90s child, you’d be (quite) familiar with board games – those “toys” that people used to play with prior to the ubiquity of tech.
But come to think of it, even if you’re not from those eras, you should still be familiar with board games, considering the retro approach of new(er) flicks and shows, e.g. The Big Bang Theory and Stranger Things.
Now… if this interests you, then this resto in Quezon City, aptly named Snacks & Ladders (a play at Snakes and Ladders), should interest you.
WHAT’S THERE
The place along Maginhawa Street has two floors – the lower floor has resto-like setting (i.e. tables and chairs), while the upper floor has shorter tables so that the guests have to sit on the floor. These settings are flanked by board games everywhere.
At the ground floor, there’s also a “bar”, where the order is placed/payment is made; though this is sorta unnecessary, since a waitress will approach you after you are seated.
There are over 500 different board games here; and there’s also a black board where guests can write other board games that aren’t there (a wishlist, basically).
WHY GO THERE
It helps, of course, that the place is: cool (literally, with the airconditioning properly working), and is frequented by young and young-at-heart. But if there’s a reason to come here, it’d be the board games.
As one of the very, very few places that has a lot of these board games, this is a must-visit for those looking to play any or all of these board games.
WHY AVOID THE PLACE
The food isn’t all that good (sorry, sorry…)… and are quite costly.
Taste-wise, there’s nothing to boast here – at least as far as I’m concerned.
For instance, the Hotdog Poppers (bacon-wrapped hotdog slices, basically) tastes like those freebies given by hotdog companies in grocery stores. Meanwhile, the Chicken Poppers (basically breaded small strips of chicken, which are then fried) is: a) too sweet, and b) too tiny so you’d have a hard time picking them with the provided toothpicks (meaning, be sure to ask for spoon and fork when this is ordered). And since these sell from P140, you’d question these…
Price-wise, this place is… costly.
For instance, a cup of rice sells for P30, too costly considering that good rice brands sell from P50+ per kilo. Shakes here sell from P120 – on a par with big café chains. Beers sell for P60 – on a par with regular bars.
BTW, you need to pay P50 per pax to be able to use a board game.
Also while there, expect to be surrounded by conyos. If your ears itch when you hear lazy Taglish talking, then this isn’t the place for you…
IN THE END…
The idea behind Snacks & Ladders I okay; I sure don’t mind hanging out there if only to hark back on my college days.
Kudos, of course, for the board games; and since some of them are hard to find, being able to play them in any place at all is always welcome.
But beyond this, this place’s appeal is… limited. So check if you want a café alternative; but share info on whether the place was able to keep to coming back or not…
Snacks & Ladders is located at 188 Maginhawa, Diliman, 1101 Quezon City. For more information, you may call (02) 710 3128.
