Not all potluck dishes are created equal. Some are difficult to transport. Some are too expensive. Some are hard to eat in parties. So what should you bring to your next potluck get together if you want to be everyone’s favorite guest? Here are crowd-pleasing options that won’t break your budget. 

1. Ta Ke Ho Me’s box of Sushi

Bring it to: a casual house inuman with friends (who are ideally not food snobs)
Why we love it: It’s affordable, easy to eat and pretty neat-looking with a hip box. There’s surprisingly a wide variety of modern sushi rolls to choose from. Make sure to get the California maki and the spicy tuna rolls. Tip: It’s difficult to find a parking space near the sushi stand itself, but there’s a car wash right beside it. The easy way to get your food is to have your car cleaned up while you order.
Cost:  24pcs for PHP299 or 40pcs for 449
Where to get it: 54 Sergeant Esguerra Avenue, SOuth Triangle, Quezon City; +63 977 8578744, Facebook. Daily, 10am-10pm.

2. Lucky 21’s Lumpiang Ubod

Bring it to: a family get-together where you’ll see titos and titas, lolos and lolas
Why we love it: Lumpia is a Filipino favorite in family reunions. Lucky 21’s packaging is no mess and no fuss. These goodies are surprisingly convenient to eat. Plus it’s healthy too, so your older relatives need not worry about their blood pressure.
Cost: Mini fresh lumpiang ubod at PHP16/piece.
Where to get it: Lucky 21 Food Products, 21 K-3rd St., Kamuning, Quezon City; +63 2 9229605, +63 2 9260142. Daily, 6am-8pm. 

3. Purple Oven’s box of brownies

Bring it to: a party where you don’t know what to expect.
Why we love it: Dessert is always a safe choice. You can never go wrong with Purple Oven’s brownies. These saccharine delights look and taste more expensive than their actual price. Plus it’s more convenient than cake.
Cost: PHP260/16 pieces or PHP450/32 pieces.
Where to get it: 63 Saint Peter St., Oranbo, Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines; +63 2 6314221. Daily, 7am-9pm.

4. Conti’s Cheese Puffs

Bring it to: An office merienda session.
Why we love it: If it’s not there yet, Conti’s cheese puffs should be included in your list of happy food. It’s crisp and sweet with a generous amount of cheese. These cheese puffs won’t fail to cheer up a bunch of tired office workers.
Cost: PHP32/piece or PHP384 for a box of 12.
Where to get it: 224 Katipunan Avenue Extension, Brgy. Blue Ridge, Quezon City; +63 2 6463306. Daily, 7am-9pm. With more branches around the country.

5. Nipa Brew Beers

Bring it to: A small get-together with close friends.
Why we love it: What’s not to love about Nipa Brew beers? It’s flavorful, refreshing and Filipino-made. It’s a bit pricier than commercial beers, but if you’re gonna talk about heartbreaks and career crisis with close friends, then it’s definitely worth it. We recommend the Tropic Haze, a light wheat beer and the Midnight Blur, a full-bodied porter.
Cost: 150/bottle
Where to get it: You may shop online on their website.

BONUS: The Art of Pie’s Caviar Pie

Bring it to: A special gathering where you need to make a good impression.
Why we love it: Art of Pie’s Caviar Pie tastes as exquisite as it sounds. It’s posh, photogenic and delicious. It will steal the show at any party. However, it is a bit pricey, so you might want to reserve it for special occassions. 
Cost: 3,000 for a 6-inch salmon caviar pie.
Where to get it: 12 Butterfly St. Valle Verde 6, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines (Pick-up address); +63 917 5094855.