During the height of the pandemic, actor and entrepreneur David Licauco found himself personally packing trays of food, handing them off to delivery riders. For many businesses, it was a time of uncertainty. But for Licauco, it was the start of something special — Sobra Cafe.
“Sobra Cafe started during the pandemic,” Licauco, also known as the ‘Pambansang Ginoo’, said in an exclusive Simpol.ph interview. “We were completely online at first. I remember vividly — I was scrolling through Instagram when I saw a photo of beef tapa. I thought, ‘This could work.’ So, I relayed the idea to our chef, Mike Victorioso, and that’s where it all began.”
What started as a digital kitchen concept quickly evolved into a full-fledged restaurant. The first cafe branch opened in Molito, Alabang, followed by a second location soon after.
At its core, the cafe is about comfort food served in a welcoming atmosphere. “We designed the interiors to feel like home,” Licauco said. “Whether you’re stressed, dealing with problems, in a meeting, or on a date, the cafe should feel like a place where you can just relax.”
The menu features all-day dining favorites, with beef tapa reigning as the bestseller. “It’s my favorite,” Licauco admitted. “That, and our ribeye salpicao.”
But beyond serving good food, the cafe highlighted the dedication and persistence it took to build the cafe. “What you see now is just the tip of the iceberg. There’s so much work behind this — the research, the struggles, the problem-solving. Running a restaurant means constantly learning and adapting.”
With two branches up and running, Licauco has his sights set on nationwide expansion. But he knows that growth requires careful planning.
“You can’t just open a new location based on gut feel,” he said. “There has to be research and strategy behind it. That’s one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned over the past year.”
Still, Licauco is optimistic about the future. “By June, I’ll start looking for a new location for the cafee. Hopefully, it all goes well.”
Before wrapping up, he extended a warm invitation to his supporters. “Hey, guys! I’m David Licauco. Please visit Sobra Cafe — you won’t regret it!”
In addition to Molito, Alabang location, Licauco also encouraged people to check out Kuya Korea, which has branches in SM Manila, SM Clark, and Araneta Center. For Licauco, the cafe is a passion project that reflects his love for food and entrepreneurship.
