Endless Rice + Fire Grilled Chicken Goodness at El Pollo Loco!

When they say Fire Grilled, they're not LOCO huh? This is El Pollo Loco!

See, I've always been thinking of this whole Fire Grilled Chicken since I last visited El Pollo Loco. For those who don't know, El Pollo Loco all started from a Mexican family recipe that was handed down to generations. Founder Pancho Ochoa sold it on the streets initially, and found himself catering to a line in no time. Then he opened his first shop in Southern California which bared the name El Pollo Loco.

In the Philippines, they are under the good people of The Bistro Group. If there's something good in El Pollo Loco like what I've tried in their Megamall branch for years now, it's the Fire Grilled Chicken. There's something about it that's quite mysterious, because it doesn't taste like the usual roasted chicken we have in the PH. It's got that little flair, something that has deep spice, something fruity, citrusy and a little savory. Plus it's expertly Fire Grilled, leaving a really soft, juicy, smoky chicken that you'll surely appreciate once you get a taste of it. Together with it is a side of salsa, freshly chopped and prepared every day, it was amazing!

It's pretty hard to explain in words, so here's a video of my food adventures that afternoon at their Venice Grand Canal Mall branch in Taguig:

 

"Endless Spanish Rice"

For Rice lovers, I bare good news about their current offer called "Endless Spanish Rice" which you can avail of when you order 2 piece chicken with salsa meal. That means, you can have as much Spanish Rice as you want when you dine in the restaurant. I had a few cups myself and I bet, you'll love how it would taste like since it's probably got a smoky paprika and annatto seed base, it's hearty and filling. Who knows, you could battle it out with office mates if you get to have meals at El Pollo Loco.

If you prefer other things on the menu, they've got a wide spread of Loco Sets, Sides, Tortilla, Tacos and those custom made for the Filipino palate. Here's a preview!

Barbecued Ribs, I don't have to convince you do I? It's quite tender, just dip it in the barbecue sauce that comes on the side.

If you've got room for dessert, there's this tortilla bread that they toast up with hazelnut spread inside plus honey and walnuts.

I didn't get to have this because I was already full, but friend says it's good! They had a variety, just ask!

To go with the Fire Grilled Chicken, you might want to have Salad first! They do it fresh!

And because the Venice Grand Canal had water, we might as well take photos under the sun! It was sun bathing! LOL!

There's just so many food items to discover with the El Pollo Loco menu. There are also other side dishes available, so I advise you to just go ahead and ask what's available when you get there. Aside form the Megamall and Venice Grand Canal branch of El Pollo Loco, I heard they're about to open new ones in Robinsons Magnolia, Eastwood City and Trinoma Mall in Quezon City. If you're all been asking yourselves where to eat, you might want to give El Pollo Loco a try this week. I like what I saw, I didn't have take out because I finished my plate, plus it's not that expensive. Meals could probably run around 3-500 pesos a head, depending on what you prefer to order. Go get acquainted with it before the new branches open, it's super good especially the Fire Grilled Chicken. I wouldn't recommend take out because you need to eat it while it's hot, fresh off the grill. Then again if you prefer that, I wouldn't stop you!

As they say, it ain't the same without the flame! Go follow their social channels via @ElPolloPH for more information about it!

Korean Grill Goodness at House of Gogi

Kris Bernal has been wearing different hats since I have known her. Aside from being an actress, singer, dancer, business woman, here she goes again delving into a restaurant in Dapitan Street, Manila called HOUSE OF GOGI. That sounds like a fashion house but do know this stems from the Bulgogi which is a Korean beef dish that she fancies, we tried it out for ourselves a few days ago to know what it was all about.

The concept is simple, if it's lunch time you pay 399, if it's dinner you pay 488. What do you get for that amount you say? You get A LOT!

The Banchan (customary side dishes) consists of Fish Cake, Corn and Cheese, Potatoes, Korean Pancake and dried anchovies. They also refill at will so if you are a buffet Olympian like me, skip breakfast and bring your appetite to lunch with your friends and family. 

The meats? It's what they are known for. GOGI goodness comes in Beef Samgyupsal, Beef Bulgogi and Kimchi Beef varieties. Pork also comes in Pork Samgyupsal, Pork Bulgogi and Spicy Pork viands. I went for the Beef Samgyupsal and had it with fresh greens which they serve with a table top one burner stove. Lay all the meats on the grill and wait for your cheese to melt (takes a few minutes) and all this comes with the price you paid for lunch. I asked how she was able to keep the prices of lunch and dinner so low, Kris shares because she gets them straight from the source. She tells us the supplier is the family of her non showbiz boyfriend which she has known for quite a while now. Remember MEAT KRIS? All the patties she used from that burger  business came from that same supplier. She closed down shop because she felt that was all a testing ground before she decided to open a full blown restaurant - hence House of Gogi.

The meat becomes doubly good with their sauces, the gochujang was exceptionally good, kudos whoever made that because it has a little sweetness and not just super spicy.

The kimchi wasn't too strong, a little on the less spicy side but you can fix that with the gochujang. Your grilled pork will have even more love if you get melted cheese with it, not the cheddar type but real Mozzarella. You can ask for refills if you need to. This is so good!

Things like Beef Bulgogi and this steamed egg dish makes this place even better. Oh and did I forget to mention that they serve unlimited BIBIMBAP instead of the usual rice? Now how can you not try this place no?

The place is also instagrammable if there is such a term, so make sure you bring your phone cameras so you can share the experience.

After a good meal, we asked Kris Bernal a few questions about her upcoming show and a few details of who's going to be in it. She will be opposite Thea Tolentino on another ground breaking drama which GMA is known for.

Additionally we also learned she's planning to put up her own brand of lipstick, which dumbfounded me because everyone thought she was just quiet and doing nothing apart from her show, but NO. She's doing businesses left and right, some real estate investments, several shows and movies in the  pipeline, even got a brand launched very soon. 

Kris Bernal wants you to also experience House of Gogi for yourselves so head on to #55 Dapitan Street in Manila or just search House of Gogi in WAZE or Google Maps. It's this food park that has a car wash shop in the center. Just go up the small flight of stairs in the center and enter House of Gogi. Kris and her partners usually are there to say hi while you dine.

Congratulations Kris! Can't wait to see your other branches and other restaurants soon!

KUMAGCOW
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The 70 Peso UNLI YANG CHOW at Super Bowl of China

Yes you read that right. It’s the 7th time they’re doing this and it’s all because of your patronage and unending support. If you haven’t eaten at a Super Bowl of China branch yet, then you better now (OMG DROP EVERYTHING) because the UNLI YANG CHOW promo is only until the 30th of this month and yes we are not joking.

Imagine eating bowls and bowls and bowls of YANG CHOW Fried Rice but only pay Php 70 for it. Yes ladies and gentlemen, believers of the legion of RICE IS LIFE, there exists UNLI YANG CHOW and I tried it on myself last week. But before that, I’d like to show you the other things you can enjoy while you’re in the same restaurant. Mom approves of everything, she loved the minute I chose these things on the menu. I couldn’t see why LOL!

House Kropek, dimsum hits Hakaw and Pork Siumai for starters. I love them all!

I got the Hot and Sour Soup, Mom had the Chicken and Corn I think. It was just something to prepare us with before the big feast!

Oh don’t mind this, it’s just the LECHON MACAU that is dipped in hoisin sauce. Did I forget to mention that it was crispy? Oh no.

Two things, the first one above is the Schezuan Fried Fish(crispy outside but soft and flaky inside), then the other one is Steamed Fish (lovely and not too fishy, a healthy alternative). Order both for family lunch or dinner!

Crispy Noodle, as the name says, so crunchy, and the veggies are all good to the bite. Mom loved it!

Braised Beef with Kailan (Kailan Mo Ba Mapapansin Ang Aking Joke!) which was so good and so tender. Even Mom on dentures had an easy time chewing it!

The star of the show, the UNLI YANG CHOW Fried Rice. Their version is a lot on the eggy side so you get that depth of flavor and real shrimp bits, chorizo and all the things good in life. Remember, RICE IS LIFE!

Here’s how I ate everything with my Mom that morning. Remember you can eat from 11AM to 2PM and 6PM to 8PM to get it at that price. Take advantage of it because as I mentioned, it will only be until March 30!

Now go gather your friends, your officemates and family. Pay for only 70 pesos for legitimate good YANG CHOW only from the best people who can do it. That’s SUPER BOWL OF CHINA!

Don’t take my word for it, go try it out yourselves like we did in the SM Megamall Atrium Branch.

*burp* excuse me!

KUMAGCOW

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