Do you like to try exotic foods? I do. I have tried so many different dishes that are considered “exotic.” Sometimes they are really good, other times they are just OK. I don’t recall ever trying an exotic dish that I really disliked, at worst I just thought it was OK, but probably would not order it again.
What is exotic food? For those who are wondering what I mean, I am talking about things that are unusual, not normally eaten in most cultures, etc. Some examples of exotic foods that I have eaten? Snake (I have eaten rattle snake, water moccasin and anaconda snakes), frog legs, water buffalo, bison and other such food. My most recent walk down the “exotic trail” was when I recently visited Riverwalk Grill here in Davao City. Riverwalk specializes in exotic foods, particularly in Crocodile meat. This is convenient, because Riverwalk is right behind the Davao Crocodile farm, in Maa, Davao City.
I had been wanting to try crocodile for some time, and I knew that they served it at Riverwalk, I just had not made the effort to go and give it a try. On Father’s Day of this year, my sons and I were watching a TV show called “Swamp People” where they fish for alligators, and I decided to go to Riverwalk and have some crocodile! My kids weren’t too excited to give it a try, though. Nonetheless, my wife and I went to Riverwalk and checked the menu. We also had my sister in law, and daughter Nicole with us for the feast.
Upon inspecting the menu, we decided to try several dishes. We had the Crocodile Ribs, Crocodile fried rice, pork chorizo, BBQ pork and BBQ chicken. Yeah, many different things, but we really wanted to sample the things that Riverwalk had to offer!
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- Pork BBQ
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- Riverwalk Grill
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- The Croc is delicious
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- Chicken BBQ
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- Chorizo
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- Crocodile Fried Rice
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- Crocodile Ribs
How was the food?
Well, in a word, the food at Riverwalk was delicious! I really enjoyed it a lot. The prices were also very inexpensive, with the exception of the crocodile dishes, which were expensive. Expensive for the exotic food is to be expected, though, as it is rare, and supply is limited.
I particularly enjoyed the Crocodile ribs! They were really great, succulent and delicious. I had expected the crocodile to be dry, as I have heard that alligator is quite dry, but the crocodile was quite moist and not tough at all. I am not sure what kind of sauce was used on the ribs, but it was really great. I could go back again and again for more servings of crocodile ribs.
The crocodile fried rice was also quite good, as well. Our daughter ate 3 servings, so obviously she liked it. Our other kids didn’t come along for the meal, because they were not interested in eating crocodile, but we took some of the ribs and rice home for them to try, and it turned out that they loved it!
All of the other “non-croc” food was also excellent. I was not a big fan of the Pork BBQ, but the others in the party loved it, so I suppose that it was just not right for my taste buds, but that doesn’t mean you won’t like it. All in all, we will be back to Riverwalk Cafe, it really passed our taste test!
In addition to crocodile, Riverwalk also features other exotic foods like snake, ostrich and others.
Give crocodile a try, if you have a chance… I think you will like it!
I TRIED CROCODILE STEAK TOO, BOB! NOT BAD AT ALL.
Hi Lindo – Nice to hear from you! Where did you try it at? I’m pretty sure you were not in Davao!
Great article Bob I enjoyed it. I have ate Crocodile meat in the past, and enjoyed it. I just dicovered your other site auctiontopia I will be on it all day.
Ha ha.. enjoy Lance! I hope you are doing well. You can find a listing of all my sites here: http://mindanaobob.com/mindanao-bob-publishing/
Wow thanks I will visit it now. I’m doing great thanks for asking Bob hope all is well for your family too. Now that I quit a job I always hated I can focus on learning, and growing into a new person. I’m a little scared starting a whole new life on both shores but also I feel great.
Good luck on that, Lance! I’m sure everything will work out for the best!
Bob I hate to bother you with this but can you point me in the right direction? I need to learn about shipping items from Philippine’s to the Usa as I’m looking into selling on Ebay. Maybe one of your sites will have this information Thanks again.
I don’t really have information on that, Lance. When I was active on eBay, I did almost all shipping through PhilPost, and usually using the Express service.
Bob, that’s great you’re adventurous in food! LOL I wish I was half as adventurous.
Ha ha, Gerry, I am not so adventurous on some foods though!
Hi Bob – That sounds like a delicious adventure you had. I guess I’ll put that place on my things-to-do-list next time I’m in town.
Ha ha, Henry, you will enjoy the place, I am sure of that! I am making your to-do list longer and longer!
Carlo would try this one
..I’m not sure about me lol
Pagtilaw lang, Glad, ug ganahan ka! I promise!
Crocodile at Riverwalk certainly was not for me. BBQ chicken on the other hand was good.
Hi Ben – Glad you found a dish that you enjoyed. I tried the BBQ Chicken too, and did not like it. I found it way overcooked and very dry. But, we all have our own opinions!
My wife and I are heading back this October and if you could suggest a good baker (bread) I’d be stoked.
Hi Ben – I have three recommendations for you:
1. There is a small bakery inside Abreeza Mall, just near the Grocery Store (not the bakery in the grocery store). It is called Buon Gusto. The bread there is excellent. It is across from the grocery store, headed in the direction of Chow King.
2. Swiss Deli often has excellent breads. I particularly like their croissants and their ciabatta bread. Swiss Deli has two branches – one in Damosa and the other in Matina.
3. De Boerderij is a small restaurant in Matina (not far from NCCC Mall). They also sell bread there, and it is very good.
Next time try their ostrich steak. Ostrich steak in a Makati restaurant that I tasted about 3 years ago was delicious although quite expensive. Happy July 4th Bob, Feyma and the family.
Hi David – I have had Ostrich Steak many, many times, and I like it. We used to buy ostrich steaks and cook them at the house.
Thanks for stopping by!
Bob
I had rattlesnake and horse in Montana. I had either crocodile or alligator in one place but I don’t remember which it was now, lol. It was deep fried so I can’t really gauge the flavor if you know what I mean. I’ve never tried frogs legs though, the green skin puts me off! You sure are giving me lots of reasons to ‘come on down’ to Davao.
Hi Mark – Ha ha.. don’t worry about the green skin.. the skin the frog before cooking! Even though this is said often.. it tastes just like chicken!
BTW, why does everything taste like chicken? 
come on mate u must eat a good frog ok it is very lovely with rice or a little bit off dog with a nice cold beer go for it mate ok
hi bob
food is some think i love most off all and i have eat some funny thinks ok like roo and fogs and a lot off birds too from ducks to some that i will not tell u about lol or i may do time in jall now if it was find out lol but to late for that as thay are long dead and too a good pig mate and as a meat worker i love and and hate meat mate ok it is just one off them think i would see every day and then go home and eat lol but that life old mate ok and as i am also married too a filipina wife and love almost all filippina food part from one or two i will not eat and one off them is the blood ok at i will and wont ever eat but all the rest is ok……..peter martin tassie
Hi Peter – Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this… I also enjoy just about any kinds of food myself.
I have eaten frog many times, I love it.