Cafe Retro252: Ending Our Bike Ride with a Cup of Coffee

One thing I enjoy when going out riding my bicycle is not only the health benefits it gives, but as well as it brings me to places like stopping over for a cup of coffee (because coffee is life my friends 😄).

The last time I went out for a ride was last February when we went to Bale Batu, Arayat, Pampanga. I stopped going out riding my bicycle and trying different coffee places when there was a slight sudden surge in the number of Covid-19 cases here in Angeles City.

After less than 3 months of just being at home, I noticed the numbers were somehow decreasing. But of course, that does not mean we should be complacent. We still have to be responsible, following the safety precautions that is expected from us.

Anyway, I finally gave in when someone asked me to join her and go for a ride at Clark, Pampanga that same day. Honestly, this person kept on inviting me since she learned I started riding a bicycle.

Clark (main gate) is very near where we live. Aside from that, one of the reasons why my friends and I usually go there for a ride, it’s because it feels safer since there are designated bike lanes inside. I also find Clark clean and peaceful.

From our meeting place at SM Clark, we went to Clark Global City to watch the sunset and had a little kwentuhan. I also tried this mini obstacle course for the first time (I look like a kid from afar though). It was fun, but at the same time I was a little scared because I might trip and fall (di ko na actually kinaya sa huli 😅).

Cafe Retro252

From Clark Global City, we decided to take an exit at Clark Friendship Gate to visit and try Cafe Retro252.

Cafe Retro252 is a vintage & industrial style café, which is located along Friendship Highway, Angeles City. I am guessing that the number 252 on the name of this café came from its address. I hope my guess is right.

Among all of the coffee places I visited, even though I was a bit overwhelmed with the #RETRO and #RETRO252 words I found here, this café is really different in terms of its style. When most are achieving a minimalist look, here, every corner has its own look, yet still complementing with the overall style it wants to achieve.

Aside from the overwhelming words, another thing I noticed are the hollow blocks that were used as a support to make some furniture. This café is spacious and can accommodate several groups of families and friends.

Cafe Retro252 offers waffles, pizza, pasta, sandwiches, and desserts aside from caffeinated and non-caffeinated drinks. We ordered iced caramel macchiato, chocolate “frappe” minus the caffeine, and garlic butter shrimp pizza. I won’t emphasize much of the drinks we ordered because for me these are “you can never go wrong” coffee and drinks.

As for the garlic butter shrimp pizza, it’s really a good thin-crust pizza especially with Tabasco pepper sauce. Nakakabitin siya actually since it’s only an 8 or 10-inch pizza (6 slices). You may find Cafe Retro252’s menu with prices on their Facebook Page.

Perhaps, I would come and visit this place again next time and try their other food because I felt like they serve good food. Not to mention that their staff are also very kind and accommodating.

By the way, to my biker friends out there, there are no bike racks available in this coffee place. We were thankful enough that one of their staff (and us from time to time) has been looking out for our bicycles. Car parking spaces are available but limited.

CAFE RETRO252

• 1F EJ BLDG, 252 Fil-Am Friendship Highway, Angeles City 2009
• MON-SUN 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RETRO252/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caferetro252/