Jollibee

Gate-side goodbyes at CEB T1 often start in the Jollibee line.

This Jollibee in Terminal 1 runs 24 hours daily, and it’s where a lot of OFWs and families grab a “last Chickenjoy” before flights to Dubai, Singapore, and beyond. It’s post-security in T1, so you’re safe to queue after immigration without risking exit formalities. Expect a basic fast-food setup: counter service, trays, and nearby shared seating that often spills into the general departures area.

Menu is the usual Jollibee mix: Chickenjoy fried chicken meals, Jolly Spaghetti, burger steak, burger meals, and rice combos. Google reviews point out that combo prices run higher than city branches in Cebu City or Mandaue, so think airport markup on your chicken-and-rice. A regular 1-pc Chickenjoy with rice and drink typically lands in the low ₱100s, while bucket meals climb higher but split better across a family.

Lines can be brutal during the morning and late-night OFW banks around flights to the Middle East, with multiple reviews calling them “insane” and service slow. A Reddit OFW flying back to Dubai said the queue still felt worth it for that last Chickenjoy, but you’ll want to budget at least 20–30 minutes at peak. Another Reddit note: they sometimes run out of items like the peach mango pie when the terminal is packed.

Seating around this T1 branch is limited, and Google Maps reviews mention people camping at nearby generic departure seats or carrying trays back to gates like 1–5. Regulars say they skip individual value meals and order bucket meals to share, which cuts both per-person cost and time spent in line. Locals also recommend heading straight here right after clearing security instead of wandering duty free first.

Practical tip: In Terminal 1, clear immigration, walk straight to Jollibee, join the line, and only then check your exact gate on the screens while you wait.