Gringo - Home of Mexican Chicken and Ribs
Gringo is one of the latest addition to the interesting food scene at the Legaspi Village of Makati City. It's nestled along the street of Carlos Palanca which is a popular nest for pubs and bars. From my work place, it only takes less than 5 minutes to get there, and since this is the case, we grabbed the opportunity to give the place a try, and experience something "new" and "different".
Posh yet homey interior
Gringo allows you to feel at home with its highly comforting interior. Seats are mostly cushioned and the lighting makes everything look so optimistic and bright. It basically feels like having a family dinner, but a very open and casual one where you can loosen up and enjoy.
Lean and specialized menu
Just what the tagline says, Gringo puts focus on "Chicken, ribs and friends"; hence, the menu is centered towards the chicken (which comes in two flavors) and the ribs. Of course, you'll still see other traditional Mexican dishes such as burrito, quesadilla, taquitos and more. Let's check out what we had for the night.
Chili Con Carne Fries || P165
This starter was definitely a great starter as it was generous as to its cheese and meat! It also had a balance mix of flavors and just a subtle "chili". Curious as to where the "chili con carne" is? Well, it's hidden under the pile of fries and the gooey cheese.
Houseblend Iced Tea (1 pitcher) || P165
The houseblend iced tea here in Gringo is surely refreshing with its unique blend. It got this subtle "thai milk tea" touch that tickles the palate. Also, it was rightly sweet and very much refreshing!
Houseblend Lemonade (1 pitcher) || P165
The lemonade was also interesting with its citrus goodness, but my friends didn't like it much as the taste mimicks that of a calamansi puree. On the other hand, I was able to appreciate its refreshing taste!
Chicken Onion Melt Quesadilla || P155
This quesadilla is perfect for chicken lovers as this has generous serving of meat. It also has a blend of cheese making it an authentic Mexican delight!
Spinach Mushroom Melt Taquitos || P250
Gringo has the skill of making each dish very much pleasing to the eyes, and this one is an example of making a simple dish look dashing! For cheese and veggie lovers, you need to try this out!
Truffle Queso Quesadilla || P145
Truffle-lovers, rejoice! You now have an affordable access to a truffle cheese dish with Gringo's quesadilla. You'll love it because of its distinct yet not overwhelming truffle essence!
Buffalo Chicken Taquitos || P265
This buffalo chicken taquitos had an interesting blend of flavors. It got cheese that blended well with the lightly spicy buffalo chicken.
Gringo Original Chicken || P535 - whole || P648 - whole w/ 3 sides
The original chicken had a set of playful spices that created one uniform blend of interesting flavor. The meat itself was also tender allowing the flavors to seep in. Considering the price, this dish really provides high value for your money.
Gringo Southern Spice Chicken || P548 - whole || P655 - whole w/ 3 sides
The Southern Spice chicken, compared to the original, had a sweeter and smokier taste (similar to that of a barbecue). It also got sufficient juiciness allowing you to basically enjoy it!
Slow-Cooked Beef Burrito || P245
This slow cooked buritto contains all the classic Mexican spices, but what made it somehow remarkable for the palate was the sweetness of the beef.
Alright, you've reached almost the end of this blog post, and I hope it was helpful in providing insight. Anyway, feel free to read the summary below for an easier read.
Gringo - Overall Ratings and Summary
Note: Unshaded stars are equivalents of half-stars. The ratings apply solely to this dining experience.
Place ★★★★
Taste ★★★★
Service ★★★★
Value for Money ★★★★
Budget: at least P300 each for a moderate dining experience for a group of at least 4
Gringo is suitable for those who want a slight jolt to their buds, especially if you are growing tired of the food scene around Makati. It may not be the best Mexican restaurant there is in town, but the dishes breaches the satisfactory level and most are very much pleasing to the eyes. Ambiance has this balance mix of posh and casual feels making it a good venue to hangout and chill (if not only for the flies who drops by occasionally). Staff were generally friendly but could be more attentive of the needs. On top of all, dishes ranges from affordable to "just right" prices.
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Gringo
Location: Corner Dela Rosa St. and Carlos Palanca St., Legaspi Village, Makati City
Operating Hours: 11:00 AM to 3:00 AM daily
Service Charge: 10% before VAT