Bar-B-King: The Ultimate Grilled Angus Beef Belly

Although I like dining at fancy restaurants, I love eating at fast food houses that can give me the most bang for my buck. And recently, I've discovered one in SM Megamall which goes by the name of Bar-B-King, a quick service dining hub offering charcoal-grilled barbecued pork, liempo, chicken, seafood and more.

I won't be taking credit from discovering this humble fast food barbecue house, 'cause clearly, I only found out about it through its first bloggers event held last Thursday. And despite having a facade and color scheme common to most local fast food chains -- striking reds and bright yellows, Bar-B-King deviates itself from the rest through offering a family-oriented barbecue house serving quality well-portioned food at unbelievably dirt-cheap prices.

Among Bar-B-King's decent selection of meals, noodles and side order items, we were served with the latest food offering from the barbecue house -- The Ultimate Grilled Angus Beef Belly (P150) which is a charcoal-grilled USDA-certified Angus beef belly served with unlimited Bar-B-Rice, Au Jus Gravy and a siding of corn and carrots.

Though I don't know how Bar-B-King managed to offer a large chunk of USDA-certified Angus beef belly for so cheap, I know for a fact that this piece of grilled beef is tender, savory and oh-so-succulent. It juices with every bite, and I can't help but fall in love with its charcoal-grilled smoky flavor. Paired with the smoky barbecue-flavored (and did I already say unlimited) Bar-B-Rice, this meal is definitely my kind of cheap eat.

If you think you've already had the most out of your P150, think again. The Ultimate Grilled Angus Beef Belly, as well as all the other Bar-B-Meals also come with unlimited Tinola Soup and your choice of 12oz soda. Of course, you can't expect much from free complimentary soup. But compared to other local fast food chains, Bar-B-King offers a well-seasoned, not-your-ordinary Knorr-based soup.

Bar-B-King is owned by the Food Asia Corporation who's behind the success of the biggest and leading bibingka chain in the country. And with a new item on Bar-B-King's menu board, Bibingkinitan also brings us something new this summer -- Iced Barako (P45).

Aside from the Mini-Bibingka Box of 6 (P120), Bibingkinitan is also known for its strong and hot barako coffee. But with summer this scorching, I say it's just timely that they offer a refreshing version of their best-selling drink. However, I have to note though that the Iced Barako is surprisingly sweet.

THE VERDICT

After a tasty and filling meal at Bar-B-King, followed by a sweet ending with Bibingkinitan's Iced Barako, I'd say that this trip to Food Asia's ventures had successfully converted me to a cheap eats finder. Though I feed on a budget when funds are low, I had never gone out scouting for restaurants that offer a good bang for dirt-cheap prices. I honestly equate price tags to taste and quality, but Bar-B-King had proven this formula wrong.

Taste - 3.5/5
Ambiance - 3/5
Service - 3/5
Price - 5/5
Overall Value - 4/5

Bar-B-King, SM Megamall
LG/F SM Megamall, Julia Vargas Ave.,
Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila
Philippines
Bar-B-King Facebook Page
Bibingkinitan Official Website
Bibingkinitan acebook Page