OUR HISTORY

Tom Sawyer’s Old Fashioned Krispy Chicken was established in the Philippines by Chef Eli Aurelio in the 80’s. The Chef brought the restaurant and its krispy, juicy & tasty goodness to our islands after the success of the brand in California. The recipe was part of Chef Aurelio’s thesis with two of his classmates at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, after travelling to neighboring southern states to research various recipes and techniques to create “The Perfect Fried Chicken.”

The first Tom Sawyer’s Old Fashioned Krispy Chicken opened in 1981, with co-founder Chef Eli Aurelio spearheading the franchise. Tom Sawyer’s grew up to 20 stores strong, with some known locations in Makati, Tagaytay, and Greenhills. After more than 2 decades, its last store in Greenhills Cross Road Arcade gave way to the development of Greenhills Promenade in 2003.

After 12 years, Chef Eli Aurelio’s son, continued the family legacy by reopening its doors in November 2014 to bring back its Crispy, Juicy and Tasty Fried Chicken for everyone to enjoy. Currently, Tom Sawyer’s Fried Chicken is operating in Tiendesitas, serving up everyone’s favorite country fried chicken, available for dine-in, take-out and catering.

SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN IS A DISH BEST SERVED CRISPY. IT’S TRADITION.

For three decades, we at Tom Sawyer’s have been serving original-style Southern chicken, using secret herbs and spices first used in the plantation fields of Antebellum Mississippi, U.S.A. as far back as the 19th Century. We deep fry chicken pieces individually, after soaking in our patented batter, before sprinkling it with breading until it’s sweet, rendered of extra fat, and juicy. The taste is meaner than a crippled snake, as they say in the South.

Plantation workers found chicken as a cheap but yummy source of protein because the animals were small, making it easier to keep and maintain, compared to bigger livestock like cows. Synergizing the best of West African and Scots Irish cooking tradition, the workers developed a technique, and a way of seasoning, inventing a beloved dish enjoyed by all cultures, and of all palettes.

Take it easy. Relax and linger. Say howdy to our friendly staff. Let your taste buds take over.

OUR MISSION

Commitment to a ‘GREAT! TOM SAWYER’S! EXPERIENCE’, is our MISSION, by understanding and practicing the ‘Tom Sawyer’s Key to Happiness’ through:

  1. Quality and Consistency of Product;
  2. Quality and Consistency of Service;
  3. Quality and Consistency of Cleanliness;
  4. Understanding the needs of our Internal and External Customers;
  5. Great Customer Service with a SMILE Our MISSION is anchored in preparing fried chicken that has enjoyed enduring popularity for four decades through a classic secret family recipe.

OUR VISION

It’s just not about the Fried Chicken In the years to come, Tom Sawyer’s Old Fashioned Krispy Chicken, as a representative of a renaissance family owned food service, will be a Fried Chicken Brand bridging generations by:

  1. Continuously practicing the MISSION;
  2. Respect and Value for every Employee;
  3. Creating opportunities for all our partners that is fair and just;
  4. Supporting and Giving back to Communities in need.
  5. Organic growth through gaining the TRUST and CONFIDENCE of our Customers through our MISSION.