Shakey’s Pizza is a popular pizza chain that started in the United States and later expanded to other countries like the Philippines. However, one thing people may notice is that Shakey’s in the Philippines does not serve Mojos – the popular seasoned potato wedges that are served in Shakey’s branches in the US.
The History of Shakey’s
Shakey’s Pizza was founded in 1954 by Sherwood “Shakey” Johnson and Ed Plummer in Sacramento, California. The first Shakey’s Pizza Parlor opened on April 30, 1954. The founders got the name “Shakey’s” from Johnson’s nickname “Shakey”, which he got because he had Parkinson’s disease which caused him to constantly tremble.
The pizza parlor became known for its thin crust pizza and live piano music. Shakey’s started to expand across the United States through franchising. By the late 1960s, there were over 250 Shakey’s locations in the US.
In 1975, Shakey’s expanded internationally by opening a location in Canada. This was followed by the opening of the first Shakey’s Pizza Parlor in the Philippines in 1975. The Philippines quickly became Shakey’s largest market outside the US.
As of 2022, there are over 600 Shakey’s branches worldwide. Around 240 locations are in the United States, while over 400 are located in the Philippines.
The Introduction of Mojos
Mojos were first introduced to the Shakey’s menu in the United States in 1969. Shakey’s founder Ed Plummer came up with the idea to serve freshly made potato wedges seasoned with Shakey’s signature spices as an alternative to french fries.
The freshly cut potato wedges were seasoned with a blend of spices like garlic, onion, paprika, salt, and pepper then deep fried to a golden brown color. The spicy and salty Mojos became an instant hit with Shakey’s customers in America.
By the 1970s, Mojos became a signature menu item of Shakey’s Pizza Parlors all over the United States. They were served as the default side option along with Shakey’s famous thin crust pizzas.
Why Mojos are Not Available in Philippine Shakey’s
When Shakey’s started opening branches in the Philippines beginning in 1975, the menu initially closely followed that of the US branches. However, over time Shakey’s Philippines started tweaking the menu to cater more to local tastes.
Some theories on why Mojos are not available in Philippine Shakey’s branches:
- Filipinos were not as receptive to Mojos as Americans were. The spicy and salty flavor of Mojos was considered too strong for most Filipino customers. They preferred tamer side options like fries or mashed potatoes.
- The cost of repeatedly frying Mojos was too high and led to low profit margins. Labor costs are much cheaper in the US compared to the Philippines.
- The process of prepping and cooking fresh Mojos slowed down service. Most customers preferred quick meals so the made-to-order Mojos slowed things down.
- Shakey’s Philippines preferred to promote more rice-based meals like chicken and rice meals. Rice is a staple food in the Filipino diet.
Instead of Mojos, Shakey’s Philippines has developed their own signature side dishes like honey buttered fried chicken, coleslaw salad, and java rice over the decades. These lighter options have become more popular as side dishes to pizzas.
Attempts to Bring Mojos Back to the Philippines
There have been some attempts over the years to bring back Mojos to Shakey’s Philippines due to customer demand, but these have not resulted in Mojos being permanently reintroduced. Here are some examples:
- In 2010, select Shakey’s branches briefly tested selling Mojos again in Manila. However, it was discontinued after a few months due to low sales.
- For Shakey’s 40th anniversary in the Philippines in 2015, Mojos were brought back for a limited time from March to May. Some branches ran out of supply of Mojos due to strong demand by nostalgic customers.
- In 2018, a new initiative called Shakey’s US Classic sought to offer “US style” Shakey’s pizza and sides at a new branch in Manila. This included serving original Mojos. However, the US Classic branch closed down in less than a year due to high operating costs and low return on investment.
An executive from Shakey’s Philippines explained that bringing back Mojos permanently would require reformulating the recipe to cater more towards Filipino tastes. However, the company does not see enough demand to justify altering such an iconic Shakey’s US product. For now, Mojos remain unavailable in the Philippines.
How Mojos are Different from Local Side Options
Here is a quick comparison of Mojos versus popular local side dishes served in Philippine Shakey’s branches:
| Side Dish | Mojos | Java Rice | Coleslaw |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Ingredients | Potatoes | Rice with garlic | Cabbage, carrots, dressing |
| Cooking Method | Deep fried | Steamed | Chopped and tossed |
| Flavor Profile | Salty and spicy | Garlic butter | Creamy and tangy |
As seen above, Mojos have a very different texture and flavor compared to local signature sides. The potato composition and spicy seasoning of Mojos gives it a distinct crunchy, savory taste not found in the rice and salad dominated menu in the Philippines.
Possibility of Mojos Returning in the Future
There is still hope among loyal fans that Mojos could return someday to Philippine Shakey’s. Here are some scenarios where Mojos could make a permanent comeback:
- A new Mojos recipe is created specifically for the Philippine palate. Using less spices, different potato cuts, or new seasonings could result in better reception.
- Changing consumer tastes make Filipinos more receptive to boldly flavored and fried foods. As the Philippines becomes more exposed to international cuisine, unique flavors like Mojos become more mainstream.
- Lower potato prices and improved kitchen processes makes cooking fresh Mojos affordable and fast. This solves the previous problems of high costs and slow service.
- Shakey’s caters more to millennial and Gen Z customers who value nostalgia and retro products. Younger fans who heard stories about Mojos create demand to bring it back.
For now, Mojos remain an iconic Shakey’s product that can only be enjoyed in the United States. But the enduring love of generations of Filipino customers for this tasty side dish means the possibility of its return can never be ruled out completely.
Conclusion
Shakey’s Mojos have an interesting history as a popular menu item in American branches that was never fully introduced in the Philippines. Several factors like taste preferences, operational costs, and fast service worked against Mojos becoming available to Filipino customers. But the unique, spicy flavor of Mojos and fond memories among older fans has kept interest alive for its potential comeback. While Mojos joining the menu permanently may still be unlikely in the short term, it remains a nostalgic symbol of the shared Shakey’s heritage between the US and the Philippines.