Photo by Paolo Yaptinchay |
Photo by Paolo Yaptinchay |
Photo by Paolo Yaptinchay |
While rice meals are usually the go-to choices on campus, Wrap It Up’s tasty and filling wraps put up a surprisingly a good fight. They may be unconventional, but their interesting mix of ingredients will definitely change up your traditional JSEC lunches.
Taste
The Taco Wrap’s soft tortilla base is the perfect blank canvas for an explosion of flavors from the juicy ground beef and the cheesy garlic aioli sauce. The addition of crunchy tortilla chips creates a wonderfully contrasting texture with every bite as well. However, these elements taste a little too rich together, so the wrap would be best paired with a refreshing drink.
For vegetarians, the Falafel Wrap is a great option. Each order contains three medium-sized falafel patties completely made out of chickpeas. Unlike the Taco Wrap, the flavors here are subtler, but you can still make out distinctly Middle Eastern spices. The fresh cabbage and their calamansi-based yogurt sauce give the wrap a more balanced taste, although some parts are a little bland because of the light dressing.
Not to be missed is the bestselling Chicken Caesar Wrap, which is the stall’s unique take on the classic salad. Easily the best of the three, this option is healthy yet delicious at the same time. The tangy Caesar sauce, drizzled generously over the chicken and greens, gives this dish a delightful depth of flavor.
For those looking for a savory snack, try Wrap It Up’s crispy and well-seasoned fries. The flavored option includes a dusting of cheese, barbecue, or sour cream powder, while the loaded variant adds in ground beef, cheese, and creamy garlic aioli—perfect for when you’re craving something more sinful.
Concept
Wrap It Up captures attention with its illuminated signage, lush foliage decor, and colorful palettes. However, its offerings aren’t as striking, since it hasn’t been the only JSEC stall in recent years to sell wraps. That said, though its concept isn’t particularly new, its core idea—to create fresh, quality, and delicious food that students can bring anywhere—remains earnest in its simplicity.
Value for money
The Falafel Wrap and the Chicken Caesar Wrap are priced at Php 100, while the Taco Wrap costs Php 110. If you also want a drink and a side, the combo meal sells for Php 130. This may seem pricey for a to-go meal, but the generous servings of protein and vegetables in each wrap are meant to fill you up. If you have a large appetite, though, you may not be satisfied with just one order.
Final verdict
This stall presents fresh wraps that don’t skimp on flavor—boasting both quality and convenience. Though it struggles with striking the right balance between richness and lightness, Wrap It Up does succeed at creating something new out of classic, well-loved dishes. Ultimately, the real, simple ingredients—all wrapped up in a warm tortilla—make for a surprising bundle of flavors to remember.
Rating: 3.5/5
Editors’ Note: In the interest of fairness, Vantage writers only reviewed food that was offered by the stalls during their respective taste tests.
Photos by Paolo Yaptinchay