Yen Yen is Yum Yum!

When we hear the words 'street food', we usually think of food carts that wander around the streets. We associate these street foods to foods like fish balls, squid balls, kikiams, tokneneng, balot, one day old, and the like. We call them street foods because obviously, we find them being sold at streets almost everywhere in the Metro. However, these street foods have also been associated to numerous diseases such as diarrhea, food poisoning, and hepatitis. This is because of the 'dirty' stuff street vendors use. Sometimes, they use cooking oil which has been used a lot of times, or not-so-safe ingredients such as double dead meat or 'magic sugar', rendering the food unsafe for the stomach. If this is so, then why do people still flock these food carts to buy these unsafe foods? The answer is pure and simple, street foods are very delicious that resisting them is a hard task to accomplish. However, not all street foods are unsafe to eat. In fact, we found one food place that sells delicious and clean dishes that you will surely love.

 We found a delicious food place at Quezon City. It is located at Granada street at Gilmore. You can reach the place by riding the the LRT Line 2 and going down at the Gilmore station. But, you will still have to walk a long way to reach the place. It is much better to go there from EDSA, as it is just around 10 minutes from Greenhills Shopping Center. The name of the place is Yen Yen Taiwan Street Food. It doesn't look like a street food place at all. Plus, the food they serve does not resemble street food. But, they're absolutely delicious.

The place is just small. There are around 4-5 tables that can accommodate around 20 persons. The people there are very friendly and are attentive to our orders. They are very courteous and they make suggestions as to what would please your appetite. Most of the dishes there are delicious, though. So, you really won't have a hard time choosing what you will eat. Not only are the dishes delicious, they are also very affordable. Most, if not all of the dishes are less than 200 pesos. So, you'll really have your money's worth at Yen Yen.

Excited to know what we tried? Well, here goes (Each meal comes with a free bowl of soup):

Green Iced Tea, 28 php

Glutton Guy and Glutton Girl: Nothing beats a cool and refreshing iced tea. We have always ordered this as our drink whenever we eat out. To make it different this time, we got a green iced tea for a drink. Green tea, based on what we know, is actually healthier than regular iced tea. The color just changed, but the taste is still the same. It is very cool and very refreshing. It's perfect with a delicious meal at Yen Yen. : )

Fried Wontons (8 pcs.), 88 php


Glutton Guy: I ordered fried wontons for appetizer. According to the menu, it's one of their best-sellers. I didn't hesitate to try it because I'm a fan of wontons. I usually order this with noodles. The fried ones are very different. It tasted like lumpiang shanghai. The fried wrapper was very crunchy while the filling inside was hot and delicious. However, it didn't really stick to me. It was just an okay dish. It might be a best-seller, but I really didn't fall in love with this dish. : )


Glutton Girl: The fried wontons were very delicious. It's very different from the wontons that I usually taste at other restaurants. They have a very crunchy outside which I liked a lot. I didn't like the sauce, though. It tasted more like ketchup with water. I didn't really like the taste, so I ate the wontons without any sauce. However, without the sauce, it still tasted delicious. I liked it very much.

Pork Chop Rice, 88 php (Topping), 128 php (Meal)


Glutton Girl: I ordered Yen Yen's pork chop meal because it's one of their best-sellers. It is also one of the dishes that is being advertised in their posters. No wonder it's a best-seller. The pork chop was very very delicious. The breading they used was very flavorful. It was very crunchy, which means that the pork was cooked perfectly. The inside was tender and very soft. It wasn't difficult to chew at all. What I liked about the pork chop was that it was mostly meat and less of the fat and the bones. The rice was also a lot. The sauce was the same as the wontons, so I didn't dare try it with the pork chop. It was a well-seasoned pork. I liked it very much. It's absolutely a must-try at Yen Yen.

Crispy Fish Fillet Rice, 158 php


Glutton Guy: I ordered their fish fillet. I was surprised when they served it to me. It was a big slab of fish fillet with a lot of rice as well. The fish fillet was very crunchy outside while the fish inside was very hot, fluffy, and soft. I also didn't like the sauce because it gave the fish a very unappealing taste. It's still perfect without the sauce. It might be 158 pesos, but the serving is really big. The stir fried noodles on the side was also delicious. The vegetables had that crunch as well which I liked a lot. You should also try this dish at Yen Yen. You will definitely have your stomachs full with their crispy fish fillet meal. : )




Yen Yen may not be street food material, but they have one thing in common. They both offer affordable and delicious foods that are sure to be tried again and again and again. We only tasted a few of their dishes. But, we're pretty sure that most of the dishes are worth trying even though we haven't tried them yet. It might be a difficult place to find, but finding it is worth it when you try their delectable dishes. If Taiwan had street foods like this, I'm on the first flight there. One ticket to Taiwan, please!

Rating: Buddhalicious!
(Yen Yen Taiwan Street Food is located at 96 Granada street, Gilmore, Quezon City. It's just beside an auto shop. Like we have said in our blog, it's easier to get there from EDSA. Just go straight along Ortigas Avenue, pass Greenhills, and straight when you reach the intersection of Ortigas Avenue and Santolan Road. If you follow these directions, you can find it on your left side.)

Delicious Danny-Licious

What makes a delicious barbecue? There are a lot of barbecue stalls and food places around the Metro. Some being sold just outside their households. While some are sold at food stalls. But, how do we know if they're delicious? They all look the same. But somehow, there are a few that are more favored by people. Some even keep coming back to these places because of the barbecue. But when you simply look at the food, it's really hard to tell the difference. We visited one of these places that became popular because of their barbecue.

Located at Project 4, Quezon City is a little food place known as Danny-Licious. It may not look like a popular place, because it just looks like a shabby old carinderia from the outside. Likewise, when you come inside the place, there is no indication that the place is super famous. It's just the normal and usual carinderia setting. However, you will be surprised to know that there are a lot of people who are having raves about their barbecue. We even found out (yes, based on internet research hahaha) that some showbiz personalities dine here. This only proves one thing - that their food is noteworthy of a taste. Thus, one lunch time, we tried to visit Danny-Licious in search of delicious and mouth-watering barbecue.

The place was a bit difficult to find despite its popularity. Internet sites aren't a big help, since each site gives a different street address. We tried to ask people there for directions, but they also have no idea where the place is (funny, huh?). By some divine intervention, however, we managed to spot the place. We just found it weird that even people in the area are not familiar with the place.

 

The food is very carinderia-like. What you will find in a carinderia or in an eatery, that's what you will find at Danny-Licious. Of course, what you have to order is the barbecue. They have pork, chicken, and we think they even have fish and squid. We were there early, though. So, only the pork barbecues were cooked. Upon entering the place you will see the big grilling station where they cook the barbecue. It's a bit smokey because of the smoke coming from the grill, so it's nice to bring a handkerchief or something to cover your nose.

Here's what we ate at Danny-Licious:

Pork Barbecue, 23 php per stick

Glutton Guy: Danny-Licious' pork barbecue is really a must-try. It's hot off the grill which makes it more delicious. The pork was cooked perfectly because it was soft and easy to chew. The marinade they used was delicious. I don't know what it is, though. But, it really made the barbecue more flavorful. It's more delicious if you dip it in soy sauce with calamansi and red chili. The chili adds spiciness and gives the barbecue an added kick. My mom usually places red peppers in her marinade when she makes pork barbecue. That explains why I'm always looking for that kick when I eat pork barbecue. Nevertheless, Danny-Licious' pork barbecue is still good. Thumbs up for this food. : )

Glutton Girl: I just knew that one stick wouldn't be enough. Just by looking at the barbecue I already knew that it would be delicious. So, I got myself three sticks of pork barbecue. True enough, the barbecue was very delicious. It would probably be on the top of my list of the most delicious barbecues that I have tasted so far. Unlike the other pork barbecues that I have tasted, this one had less black marks and burns from the grill. Yet it still was perfectly cooked and it was still tender. Somehow the people at Danny-Licious have mastered how to cook the perfect pork barbecue. There also was lesser fat, which means that you really get the value for your money, since it's more of the meat and less of the cholesterol.

Pork Nilaga, 60 php

Glutton Guy: Since I only got two sticks of barbecue, I ordered an additional pork nilaga. Besides, I really am not used to ordering just one dish. The nilaga was okay. It was a bit normal for me, just like the nilaga you would eat elsewhere. It also had a lot of pork bones. The soup was not that hot as well. It would have been better if it was hot. The taste, though, was delicious. You would know that real pork broth was used and not the usual pork cubes and other artificial flavorings. : )

Ensaladang Talong, 30 php

Glutton Girl: I love ensaladang talong. I always order one whenever I get the chance. I was surprised, though, that Danny-Licious' ensaladang talong was a bit different. Instead of using the usual shrimp paste or bagoong, Danny-Licious uses vinegar. I wasn't actually used to eating ensaladang talong with vinegar. But, this one was actually good. I wasn't jumping up and down for it. But, eating it with the barbecue is just delicious. It blends well with the flavor of the pork barbecue. For me, it's a perfect 'sawsawan' to your delicious barbecue.

The rice at Danny-Licious costs 10 pesos. It's a bit pricey, but you wouldn't mind that since the barbecue will blow you away. It's better to come here early since there aren't a lot of tables. During lunch time, there are customers from the nearby hospital who go here, especially the nurses who work there. In a matter of minutes, this place is already full. That is the usual problem when the food place offers delicious and affordable dishes. So, what makes a delicious barbecue? Well, there are a lot of factors that could contribute to the answer. But, one thing is for sure, it's an answer that the people at Danny-Licious know very well.

Rating: Buddhalicious!

(Danny-Licious is located at Kalantiaw street, Project 4, Quezon City. From Katipunan, turn right at Rajah Matanda, then turn right at Kalantiaw. Just look to the right since it's at the right side. It's a bit difficult to spot, so have a little bit of patience on this.)

The Great Mexican Food: Numero Dos

We have previously blogged about a delicious food place that serves authentic Mexican dishes. We were so satisfied with the Mexican cuisine that we have always craved for Mexican food since then. Previously, we would prefer Japanese, Chinese, or Italian inspired food. Well, we still do. But, we have added the Mexican cuisine to that list. And ever since then, we have always looked for food places that would serve us delicious Mexican dishes. Luckily, we found one at a place called UP Village.

We have mentioned UP Village (also known as Teacher's Village) a lot of times already in our previous blog posts. Because of the many food places here, food bloggers like us would most certainly have at least one or two blogs from this area. In fact, most, if not all of the food place here are worth blogging. Which now brings us to this Mexican food place along Maginhawa street.

Cocina Juan looks like a relaxing bungalow type of restaurant along Maginhawa street in UP Village. From the name itself, you would get a hint of some sort that this place serves Mexican food. The place is very comfortable-looking. The inside is air-conditioned and adorned with different artworks and other designs. the place is creatively designed, having guitars hanging on the walls and empty wine bottles lined up in one corner. Moreover, the people at Cocina Juan are very kind. They patiently wait for your order and they are always there when you need them. It's a good place with a good staff.

The food is very affordable. It's not as expensive as the other Mexican restaurants, which gives Cocina Juan and edge when it comes to pricing. The food may be affordable, but that doesn't mean they cut down on ingredients. The dishes at this restaurant are still heavy with flavors, and each bite will leave you craving for more.

If you're asking what you could eat here, here are some of our recommends. These are what we tried as well:

Iced Tea, 45 php

Glutton Guy: Nothing much from the iced tea. It's just the plain old and usual iced tea we order elsewhere. I'd always rather have a glass of iced tea than a glass of cold soda. The taste of the iced tea here is the same as the other iced teas we drink at other restaurants. There is no distinct taste as far as I could remember. : )

Cranberry Juice, 75 php

Glutton Girl: I always want to try something new for a drink. Good thing Cocina Juan has this cranberry juice. I ordered it to see what it would taste like. It was very good. It was a cold glass of juice that I liked. It had a fruity taste, yet it was not overwhelmingly sweet. It's a drink that's worth a try at Cocina Juan.

Burrito Classico, 155 php (Medios), 175 php (Grandes),  195 php (Chimichangas)

Glutton Guy: Ever since my last Mexican food trip, I have always craved for burritos. It's not surprising that when I got the chance to eat at another Mexican restaurant, I would order a burrito. Cocina Juan's burrito is very delicious. You can actually choose your type of meat. You can choose between fajitas (beef skirt), carne asada (seasoned beef), carnitas (honeyed pork), pechuga de pollo (chicken adobo), or hungarian sausage. I chose the carnitas since I wanted a sweet touch on my burrito. The beef was very tender. The sauce blended well with the other ingredients. The vegetables, the rice, the beans, everything was perfectly cooked. The cheese made the burrito more flavorful and more delicious. The corn gave that crunch that I also liked. It's another excellent burrito I continue to crave for. : )

Poquito Meal - Plato Con Arroz, 110 php

Glutton Girl: I wanted rice, so I ordered a poquito meal, which is a mexican rice meal. You can also choose the type of beef that you want. I also got myself a carnitas poquito meal. It was delicious, too. It, however, just resembled the normal food that you eat at home. It was just like an adobo or an estofado with rice. The way it was cooked, though, was perfect. The beef was soft and it wasn't rubbery. It was served hot, which I liked. I wasn't feeling the presentation, though. It was like food in a lunch box.

Quesadilla 'Sincronizadas', 165 php

Glutton Guy: We also tried their quesadilla. Again, you can choose what type of meat you would want for your quesadilla. We ordered the fajitas for a change. I liked this dish. The tortilla was good. I liked that it was not too soft and its crunch was just right. The cheese really oozes from the inside. I like the balance it gives to the beef. The beef was also tender. It's very tasty and it's not difficult to chew. The salsa in the middle was also good. It was not too salty and there was that tangy flavor from the citrus that they used. It hypes the flavors of the quesadilla. It's another winner at Cocina Juan. : )

Glutton Girl: Cocina Juan's quesadilla is another must-try here. You would really get the mix of the flavors of every ingredient. The good thing is, even though there are different flavors, you won't get confused. You know that each flavor blends well with the others. I liked the flavor of the beef. It's very tasty and it's not hard to eat. The melted cheese is the tape that binds all the ingredients together. It really made the quesadilla perfect. Dipping it in the salsa is just wonderful. You get that added kick from the salsa and the yummy taste from the quesadilla. I liked the presentation of the dish as well. A bit simple, but you can get the Mexican feel.


Cocina Juan is one of those food places where you can really get your value for money. Not only is the food affordable, but you also taste the authentic Mexican food that will surely satisfy your hunger. It's a whole new Mexican experience. Where else can you find affordable Mexican food that doesn't cut on the flavor? Cocina Juan is one of those food places at Maginhawa street that's worth the money, worth the trip, and most especially, worth the blog.

Rating: Buddhalicious!
(Cocina Juan is located at 100 Maginhawa street, Teacher's Village, Quezon City. It's near Mini Stop and across Banco De Oro. It's just along Maginhawa street so you can't miss it.)

The Great Mexican Food

As compared to Japanese and Chinese cuisine, Mexican cuisine is not that popular in the country. However, they are being recognized now, as more and more Mexican food places keep popping up all around the Metro. One of these delicious Mexican restaurants we found at a place called Little Baguio. It is a place located at San Juan. You would recognize the place from all the crooked roads and the uphills that you will notice and pass. In this place you will find a delicious and mouth-watering restaurant named Ristras. The name of the place might not ring a bell, but we guarantee that you will enjoy their food as much as we did.

The food is a bit expensive. The average cost would be probably around 250 per person. But, the servings are a bit big. So, it's safe to say that the price is worth it because you would really get the value for your money. Besides, whatever food you try here, it is absolutely delicious. In case you still have troubles as to which you would like to try, the people at Ristras would be happy to give suggestions as to which food you should not miss.

The place is a bit cozy. There are designs that would really give you that Mexican feel. What we were most intrigued about were the giant dark peppers. They were like materials used for witchcraft. Nevertheless, they looked cool. And, what better way to give the place a Mexican vibe than to place peppers all over the place. For us, these designs worked.

Excited with what we tried? Well, here ya go:

(By the way, just so you won't get shocked, the drinks here are quite expensive. The sodas cost 40 php a can.)

Burrito Steak (Carne Asada), 340 php

Glutton Guy: I absolutely loved this dish! It might be a bit expensive. But, boy oh boy, is it a lot. I think it would be good for 2-3 persons. It's like a whole rice meal with all the side dishes wrapped in one burrito wrap. Nothing in this dish is dislike-able. The rice is perfectly cooked. The meat is very soft and very tender. The vegetables were very crunchy. The sauce was very delicious as well. I was skeptical at first about the beans, since I'm not a big fan. But, I was surprised that the even the beans were soft and incredibly delicious. I would suggest that you try this. It left me craving for burritos ever since. : )

Glutton Girl: The burrito is very delicious. I liked it very much. On my own, I probably would not be able to finish all this (Good thing Glutton Guy was there to the rescue hahahaha). I liked the beef. It was very soft and easy to chew. The sauce from the beef (I actually was not sure if that was beef sauce or if that was the marinade) hyped up the flavors of the beef and made it very chewy and very delicious as well. The beans were also cooked well. They were very soft and weren't mushy at all. The vegetables were also excellent. The corn gave that added crunch to the burrito. Overall, it was a perfect (not to mention a huge) burrito.

Quesadilla Al Pastor, 330 php

Glutton Guy: Another perfect dish from Ristras. I liked the fact that it was served hot. The bread had that crunch because it was heated (like what they do at the shawarma) before it was served. What's inside the quesadilla is even better. The beef was cooked perfectly. The melted cheese just makes the quesadilla more delicious. I tell you, there is no ingredient that I didn't like in this dish. The guacamole on the side was also delicious. I've never tasted guacamole before. I only see it on TV. Ristras gave me a good impression on the guacamole. The sauce on the side was also very delicious. Another must-try at Ristras. : )

Glutton Girl: Ristras quesadilla is also very delicious. The beef was again perfectly cooked. I liked the melted cheese inside. This is one of the things I'm looking for when it comes to Mexican food (another being the spicy pepper flavor). The combination of melted cheese and the beef was just perfect. The guacamole was also awesome. I liked it very much. The sauce also complemented the dish well. It had that sour taste that blended very well with the flavors of the beef and the cheese. It's just absolutely delicious.

If you're up for a great Mexican experience, why not try Ristras Mexican Grill. You will not be disappointed with what they have to offer. Ristras not only gives you a perfect Mexican experience, it also serves you authentic Mexican food that will absolutely appease your palates. The food, the people, the experience - Ristras is absolutely the place to be.

Rating: Buddhalicious!

(Ristras Mexican Grill is located at J. Abad Santos street corner Lopez Jaena street, San Juan. You can reach it by turning left at Wilson street from Greenhills. Then turn right at Alex III. It's just in front of Serenitea.)

Delish-ious!

When you're looking for a place that's got a lot of good food places, there's definitely no doubt that Teacher's Village would be a great suggestion. The long and winding Maginhawa street alone offers lots of good choices, whether it be for a sumptuous meal or for a simple yet yummy snack. Whatever food place you crave for - Italian, Filipino, Persian, Mexican, even the yummiest carinderia - Maginhawa street has it all. It wouldn't be a surprise that our next food trip would again (yes, again hahahaha) be here.

We found a food place that we felt would appease our palates - Delish. It's along Maginhawa street, so it's very easy to find. Besides, there's a big signage of the food place, so difficulty in finding it is really not a good excuse. From the outside, actually, it doesn't look much of a restaurant. But if you're kinda used to Teacher's Village, then it's good to try this place out. The inside looks more of a bar. There are also paintings displayed on the walls, which are for sale. The good part is that you can't remove the fact that they serve scrumptious dishes at very affordable prices.

Here's what we got:

House Iced Tea, 45 php


Glutton Guy and Glutton Girl: A different take on iced tea. It had a fruity taste, which made it more refreshing. It wasn't too sweet, which is another good thing. Placing it in a beautiful glass makes it more inviting to taste. For 45 pesos, it's worth a try. : )

Mushrooms in Garlic ala Pobre Style, 165 php

Glutton Guy: I liked this dish. It had a spicy taste which really hyped up the flavors. You could really taste the garlic in the dish. The oil added more flavor, which I also liked. The mushrooms were perfectly cooked. It was also served beautifully. The servings were also a lot. For me, it's a must-try dish. : )


Glutton Girl: It's a yummy dish. I just felt that there was too much oil in it. I'm not much of a fan of oily foods. However, I liked the spiciness of the dish. The mushrooms were soft and delicious. I liked the garlic, too. However, I thought there was also too much garlic. I agree with Glutton Guy, though, that this is a must-try dish.

Crispy Shrimp and Potato Fritters, 160 php


Glutton Guy: Delish's take on our crispy Okoy. I have to admit, though, their version is much, much better. It's just potato and shrimp, but wow, it does pack a punch! Dipping it in the vinegar makes it more delicious. I'd have more if I wasn't full. It really is delicious! I'd definitely order more of this on my next trip to Delish. : )


Glutton Girl: I love this dish! It's very crispy and very delicious. The potato fritters were fried to perfection. The shrimp also tasted good. And I just love the vinegar dip. It really gives the climax to the dish. The vinegar was mixed with red pepper slices that made it spicy. It really accentuated the dish. I just found it hard to eat at some point since there were strands of potatoes which were too long so you had to break them. Overall, I think it's a very yummy dish.

Baked Oysters with Garlic and Cream Cheese, 225 php


Glutton Guy: Talk about delicious seafood! This really is a wonderful treat. Like I've said in our previous blog entries, I'm a die hard fan of seafood. This one made my day (really...hahahaha). The oysters were baked perfectly well. The cream cheese was just delectable. You can taste the freshness of the oysters. Presentation wise, the dish was served beautifully. I don't care if I sound redundant, but this dish really is delicious. : )


Glutton Girl: Another dish that's worth trying. It's comparable to the expensive oyster dishes that you find at fine dining restaurants. The melted cheese was simply delicious. The oysters were baked well and they tasted great. I think it would be better if there would be a splash of citrus, like lemon, perhaps.

Golden Fillet of Fish Escabeche, 95 php


Glutton Guy: I ordered this dish because I preferred fish rather than pork or chicken during that time. The fish was soft on the inside. There was a bit of crunch on the outside from the crust. The sauce was sweet and lemony. It tasted like sweet and sour fish fillet that we usually eat at Chinese restaurants. For me, though, it lacked some taste. : )

Crispy Honey-Garlic Chicken, 89 php


Glutton Guy: For me this dish tastes like normal, home-cooked fried chicken. The difference was that there was a bit of sweetness from the honey. The chicken, though, was crispy. Plus, it was perfectly cooked, it was soft on the inside. It was an okay dish for me, overall. : )


Glutton Girl: I liked this dish because it was crispy. I just didn't like the part that was served to us. I'm not much of a fan of the wing part. The honey gave the dish a different yet delicious taste. I also liked the crispy garlic on top of the chicken. For me the blending of tastes worked perfectly well.

Crispy Binagoongan with Green Mango Salsa, 89 php


Glutton Girl: This dish was really good. The pork was really crispy. The bagoong on top added flavor to the pork, which really worked for me. The mango salsa complemented the dish very well. The mix of mangoes and tomatoes was really good. It's another dish that's worth-trying.

Apple Pie ala Mode, 125 php


Glutton Guy: I'm really not into apple pies. This one was delicious at some point. However, I probably wouldn't be able to finish the whole slice. For me it was too sweet. I liked the ice cream, though. Plus, the pie was hot when it was served, which is a good thing for me. : )


Glutton Girl: For me it also was too sweet. It would probably be best for sharing, since I would also not be able to finish the slice by myself. The pie and the ice cream were a good tandem. The hot pie and the cold ice cream was just perfect. I liked the presentation of the dish as well with the cherry on top.


Delish is a good place that offers good food. It's also a nice place to hangout with friends, since it's an 'inuman' place at night. They are also open for catering and exclusive functions. With the delicious food that they offer, who wouldn't anyway? Delish is a great food place worth trying at Teacher's Village. The place is accessible, offers great food at an affordable price, what more could you ask for? For us, there would only be one word to describe the food - Delish-ious!

Rating: Buddhalicious!
(Delish Restaurant and Catering is located at 103 Maginhawa street, Teacher's Village, Diliman, Quezon City. It's just beside BDO.)

 

What's Cookin' at Alan's Grill?

If you're looking for another food place option around the Cubao area, then we've got the exact place for you. It serves delicious Pinoy dishes that's perfect for inuman sessions or for simple dinner with family or with friends. We guarantee that your experience will be fulfilling, or should we say, FULL-filling.

The food place that we're talking about is located at the Cubao Expo (formerly called Marikina Shoe Expo). Cubao Expo is a nice place because not only does it have restaurants that will cater to your hunger, but also boutiques and dress shops that are open until late in the evening. One of the shops you'll find here is the food place known as Alan's Grill. At night, this food place is jam packed with customers, because it's also a perfect inuman place for people near the area. Their dishes are affordable and very Pinoy, some already good for 2-3 persons. Alan's Grill is most famous for their Kare-Kare and Crispy Pata. When it comes to these two dishes, Alan's Grill is a place to beat. When we were there, they had a Kare-Kare and Crispy Pata promo for a cheaper price. Nevertheless, when we were there, we tried other dishes. We wanted to know if Alan's Grill's rice meals are also as delicious as the famous Kare-Kare and Crispy Pata.

The place is filled with paintings. Even the tables have some kind of abstract art. We're not sure if they are for sale, or if they're just for design. Most of these paintings are good, though. There also is a function room upstairs, which is for rent for a very reasonable price. In general, Alan's Grill gives more of an 'inuman' type of vibe, since most of the people who eat here come in groups and usually order beer and 'pulutan'. Nevertheless, there are still some people (usually the office folks) who come here for a nice and satisfying meal. 

 
Anyways, here's what we tried:

Iced Tea, 50 php

Glutton Guy and Glutton Girl: Alan's Grill's iced tea has a different flavor as compared to the usual powdered tea. The color, too, seemed different. It tasted good, though. They probably had their own special concoction. It did taste a little bit sweeter than we expected. However, it's still a nice drink to try at Alan's Grill. : )

Chicken Barbecue with Java Rice, 147 php

Glutton Guy: This tasted like normal chicken barbecue. It's like the kind of chicken barbecue that you would taste at an ihaw-ihaw. The chicken, in my opinion, would have been better with barbecue sauce on the side, instead of achara (I'm really not a fan of it hahaha). The java rice, however, was very delicious. It made the meal a whole lot better. If the rice would have been plain, I wouldn't enjoy the dish. But with the java rice, I'd say it's a good addition to the meal. The servings was not enough for me, though. : )


Glutton Girl: Nothing out of the ordinary for me as well. The chicken lacked flavor, for me, probably because it was dry. Glutton Guy is right on the sauce issue. It probably would have been better with barbecue sauce. The rice was okay for me. I wasn't jumping up and down for it. Overall, I would say that it's an okay dish. It would be better to try other dishes on the menu, in my personal opinion.

Fish Fillet Rice, 147 php


Glutton Guy: Delicious dish! I love fish fillet and I love fried tofu. So, there's no better meal for me than this. The fish was cooked perfectly. The outside was crunchy, while the inside was hot and soft. The tofu made the dish more delicious. Its outside was also a bit crunchy, which is a good thing for me. The sauce was what gave the dish flavor. For me, though, the dish lacked sauce. However, I still enjoyed the dish. I removed the black beans since I don't eat those (especially when I see them in the dish hahahaha). Adding more sauce would definitely make the dish perfect. : )

Bangus Belly Rice, 147 php


Glutton Girl: I liked this dish. The fish was very crunchy, which is a good thing. It was Alan's Grill's version of 'Bistek Bangus'. The onions, the potatoes, the sauce, it all worked perfectly. It complemented the fish very well. The onions, which were caramelized, gave that added crunch. The potatoes were soft and weren't mushy. Like Glutton Guy's fish fillet dish, however, this dish also lacked in sauce. I would have preferred more sauce on my rice meal. But, it's a delicious dish that you guys should try.




Overall, our experience at Alan's Grill was a great one. It might not be the best, but it's one you wouldn't want to miss. Alan's Grill offers affordable and delicious Filipino meals that you'll definitely love, even if you see and taste these dishes most of the time. So, next time, when you visit the Cubao Expo to look around for some rare finds, be sure to check Alan's Grill as well. We assure you, you'll definitely want to know what's cookin' in this place.

Rating: Buddhalicious!
(Alan's Grill is located at the Cubao Expo Shopping Center, General Romulo Avenue, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City.)