This is an excerpt of an article written by Elizabeth Lolarga originally published by Inquirer.net.
A couple– who became known for cheesecakes in Makati weekend markets–is now behind one of the more popular restos up north serving American southern food
You can tell that guys, gays and gals in Baguio’s hospitality industry know each other.
When our team informed one of the owners of Ozark Diner on Bearing Drive, Bakakeng, that we may be running late because we would be coming from The Country Place run by Mrs. Baylon (aka Mrs. B), Albert Sotelo texted right away to say “Mrs. B is a friend and a regular here.”
As for criticism from social media reviews that Ozark is too far from downtown and one can get lost and end up with hunger unappeased, Albert said tell the cabbie to take us to Goshenland, a condominium development, which is “right next to us. We are directly behind St Louis University’s track field.”
He added: “People make it sound like Ozark Diner is way too far or difficult to find. Perhaps it’s because we are in unfamiliar territory for most Baguio City residents. They’ve written off Bakakeng as ‘provincial.’
“Where we are is what Baguio City should be—spacious surroundings, friendly neighbors and lots of trees. Frankly, part of our allure is just that. We are ‘provincial’ just like a true southern cuisine diner.”
Upon arrival, we asked the man working in the open kitchen where Albert was. He was the one frying a customer’s order. He quickly introduced us to a smiling Kevin Mize.
Asked if they are business partners, Albert replied, “No, we’re better than partners. We’re husbands!”
You could hear our (the photographer’s and my) jaws drop from Bakakeng to La Union. But the couple’s candor about their relationship and sexuality (they’re active in the city’s LGBT scene) set us at ease.