It’s been a decade or more since I spent more than a layover in Northern California, so when I got the chance to visit over a weekend in October, one of the first things on my to do list was make reservations for Prubechu, a CHamoru restaurant in the Mission District owned by “the Shawns” — Naputi and Camacho, that is.
Open for more than a decade, Prubechu is not only a mainstay for Bay Area Guamanians, it’s also a foodie darling that’s gotten national press in Saveur, Resy and The Infatuation. More recently, the restaurant has appeared in “Best of” listicles on local media sites such as San Francisco Chronicle and Eater.
Prubechu’s Chamorro Style Corn Soup (not on the current menu) in October was a creamy version that was so much more infused with corn flavor than other corn soups I’ve had.
(all photography by Therese Padua Howe)
Now, I’m typically a cynic of hyped-up versions of island food because when I’m mahalang, I want an authentic taste of home — and it should be better than what I make at home, even allowing for preferences of the palate. I’m not against fusion cuisine or culinary takes on comfort food, but if I’m paying double or triple than the typical price point, that dish should explode in my mouth and make me dance in my seat.
All of which to say, if you’re wondering if Prubechu is worth it, the answer is HUNGGAN.
Bottom to top: Prubechu’s Thrice Cooked Brisket Skewer, Kimchi and Gruyere Focaccia (not on the menu), and Chamorro Sweet Rolls & Tuba Butter.
It’s as if your Auntie Loling went to culinary and magicked their way through the kitchen to come up with a revelatory “Chamorro Style Corn Chowder” that’s nothing like any corn soup you’ve eaten at a rosary.
My dining companion, Manny Crisostomo, is lucky enough to live in the Bay Area and guided me through the rest of our dishes. I was surprised with the first dish to come out, an amuse bouche of Kimchi and Gruyere Focaccia. I’m later told that the crispy toast topped with melted cheese and kimchi is a “Manny special” that’s a nod to Chef Shawn Naputi’s extensive Italian training.
Prubechu’s Chicken Kelaguen & Coconut Titiyas, wrapped taco style.
Manny gave me a free hand in selecting the mains — Chicken Kelaguen & Coconut Titiyas and Thrice Cooked Brisket Skewer, both elevated versions of what you’d find back home — but insisted we also get Chamorro Sweet Rolls & Tuba Butter. Despite being stuffed to the gills, I couldn’t resist having more than one of those super soft rolls.
It’s a good thing I don’t live in Northern California anymore, otherwise I’d be making Prubechu my second home, as many San Francisco area CHamorus do. If you’re looking for a venue for your holiday gathering, their spacious outdoor patio would be perfect. If you’re hosting the Christmas nobena and holiday party at home, they can customize a catering menu for you — just visit their website to submit a request.
You’ll see this gate from Mission Street - the entrance is the glass door to the left.
This Prubechu tent is located in the outdoor patio.
Where Else to Get CHamoru Food Catered During the Holidays
The following businesses have indicated online that they are catering — if you know of any we’re missing, let us know by completing the form below!
ARIZONA
Hungry Kepuha (Tucson): This food truck offers fiesta plates with the classic Guam hits (red rice, cucumbers, barbecued chicken and pork, and fina’denne), and will offer catering during the holidays. Visit their Facebook page for contact information including email and phone number.
CALIFORNIA
Tai’ma’añao Manunu (Sacramento): Year-round catering menu is extensive, from red rice to barbecue trays to chicken kelaguen to latiya. For information on how to order, visit their website.
Island Smoke N Grill (Los Angeles): Christmas catering menu features smoked glazed ham, red rice, potato salad, fina’denne’, apple pie. For ordering info, visit their Instagram.
Mannge Town Cafe (Temecula): This restaurant’s year-round Guam classics include a traditional CHamoru fiesta plate, shrimp patties, empanadas and more. Specials in November and December include chicken chalakiles (Thursdays), chicken corn soup (Fridays), and kadun katne (Saturdays). For catering orders, go to their website.
Guahan Grill (Oceanside): Their restaurant recently moved to a new location, but continues to serve a CHamoru-centric menu featuring empanadas, chicken kelaguen, fiesta plates with barbecued meats, “CHamorro Fried Chicken,” kimchi pickled daigo/cucumber, and more. You can view their catering menu, which includes half and full trays, on their website.
Chamorro Grill (San Diego): This restaurant in Allied Gardens offers quarter, half and full trays of CHamoru standards including red rice, fina’denne’, barbecued meats, empanadas, kadun pika, latiya and more. For more info including their full catering menu, go to their website.
JJ’s Island Grindz (Bonita): This southern San Diego restaurant offers an extensive catering menu that includes a “Chamorro Fiesta” option that includes entertainment by Guma’ Imahen Taotao Tano’. Visit their website for catering information including the menu.
COLORADO
Hafa Adai Fiesta Food (Colorado Springs): This central Colorado restaurant offers a catering menu that includes CHamoru dishes such as red rice, kelaguen, barbecued meats, apigigi, tamales gisu, hagun suni and more. See the catering page on their website for the full menu.
FLORIDA
Pika Grill (Pace): This restaurant located on the Florida Panhandle offers a wide variety of catering options, including full-service packages for the Pika Grill or Barbeque options. View all the catering options on the catering page of their website.
HAWAII
Chamorro Grindz (Oahu): Catering the classics including red rice, barbecue chicken, chicken kelaguen, shrimp patties, empanada, bunelos aga. Message them or find their number on their Instagram.
MARYLAND
The Duchess (Baltimore): This upscale East Coast pub serves CHamoru cuisine amid English tavern ambiance, and will customize your holiday catering. To give you an idea of what they serve, their dinner menu includes Crispy Shrimp & Corn Patties and Shrimp Kelaguen & Tatiyas. View all their menus (including their Hafa Adai Happy Hours) and submit a catering request on their website.
NEVADA
Red Rice (Las Vegas): One of the OG Guam brick-and-mortars on the mainland, their catering menu features half trays of their CHamoru favorites including red rice, coconut titiyas, shrimp patties,, tamales gisu, barbecue chicken and ribs, kelaguen (chicken, beef, octopus, shrimp), fina’denne’, hagun suni, latiya and more. Visit their website for more info, including the full catering menu.
OREGON
Miget’s Island Grill (Forest Grove): This restaurant 25 miles from Portland offers family-style catering of “Chamorro Chicken,” “Chamorro Short Ribs” and “Chamorro Beef.” Their social media features innovative lumpia including spam musubi and pumpkin cheesecake. Go to their website for more information about catering.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Legends Pacific Island Grill (Greer): Located between Greenville and Charlotte, this restaurant offers custom catering from their menu of CHamoru, Hawaiian and Filipino dishes including a traditional fiesta plate and chicken kelaguen plate. Visit their website to view the menu and submit a catering request.
TEXAS
EZ Pig Roast & Catering (Austin area): Based in Killeen, this popular Guam catering business specializes in roast pig but offers a wide varieties of trays including tinala katne, chicken kelaguen, red rice, titiya, shrimp patties, tamales gisu, latiya and more. They also sell jars of pickled papaya, daigo’, rakkyo and eggs. View their menu and order on their website.
Hafa Adai Express (Houston area): This food truck in Spring (north of Houston) offers patrons a taste of Guam via their fiesta plates and ala carte options including chicken kelaguen, empanada, latiya and more. You can find info, including links to their social media, on their website but they’re currently updating their holiday catering menu, so they ask that you call them for the most info: (346) 298-1898.
WASHINGTON
Pasifika Grill & Bar (Bellevue): Their menu is a blend of CHamoru and Hawaiian dishes; Guam favorites include empanadas, kelaguen (chicken, beef and octopus), tinaktak (beef and vegan), and corn soup. Contact them for catering on their website.
Más Pika (Renton): Pasifika’s sister restaurant includes a fiesta plate on their menu that includes red rice, housemade kimchi, tuna mac salad, titiyas and fina’denne’. Contact them for catering on their website.
Guam Grub (Everett): This restaurant in the Everett Mall offers fiesta plates with all the classics, and is offering the following for catering red rice, barbecued ribs and chicken, pancit, lumpia, pot roast, desserts and more. You can get an idea of their offerings on Facebook and Instagram For questions and to order catering info, contact them at Guamgrub(at)gmail.com or (425) 308-9997.