Where there’s smoke, there’s barbeque!

Driving around during the early afternoons, I keep an eye peeled for sidewalk grills. There’s bound to be an enterprising soul out there who’s trying to augment their income by selling barbeque right outside their homes. For those intense cravings, I have particular places to visit. My belief is that there’s a really great barbeque place in all the major areas of Metro Manila – I’m trying to compile a list. That way, there’ll always be one whenever the urge hits you. =)

The classic barbeque, the standard by which all others are measured has to be Aling Nene’s along the border of Makati and Manila. Their big and meaty sticks have been a long time favorite and staple during Christmas overnights (we always make sure that we have enough for dinner and breakfast the next day). It comes in two variants – regular and special. I’ve always gone for the regular one which is cheaper by a few pesos. The meat is cooked just right and best eaten while it’s hot – sometimes soaked in spicy vinegar. When I feel like overloading, I have a couple of sticks with their barbeque rice (white rice sautéed with their barbeque sauce, scrambled eggs and pieces of meat thrown in). Aling Nene's is located along South Superhighway (SLEX) bounded on one side by Vito Cruz extension, barbeques are available all day.

When I’m in Quezon City and need a quick fix, I head over to Van Mick’s. Snack-size sticks are very reasonably priced and quick to go. Ordering ahead of time is common so don't be surprised if all the barbeque is spoken for when you get there-- I learned this the hard way. Do you know how frustrating it is to watch and smell the meat being grilled and unable to have any of them? The anguish! Van Mick’s is in the middle of Teacher’s Village beside Claret.

One great place for grilled food is Inihaw Circle in Mandaluyong. I read about a review in one of the local papers and had to check it out for myself. The food is amazing! One order of pork barbeque is two sticks. The meat is cooked fresh and can be eaten with or without condiments (I like my barbeque with vinegar but some people prefer it with toyo & calamansi). The chunks of meat just slide off the stick and goes well on its own, with rice or a bottle of beer. It’s right around the Mandaluyong Circle.

A recent find is at the market / tiangge at the Lung Center in Quezon City. I was there last weekend to check out the vegetables and fresh meat available every weekend. You can’t miss the barbeque stand; it spans about three stalls and there’s a mob of people buying their food. I snuck in close to the side and asked for a stick from one of the girls. She flashed me a shy smile and a knowing look (I couldn’t hope to compete with the folks who were buying them in tens/twenties), took my money and handed me one with the end thoughtfully wrapped in tissue paper. Mission accomplished, I went on my merry little way. The first bite totally floored me. Definitely one of the best-tasting barbeques I’ve ever had! It was so good that I went back a few hours later with Eric, my partner in crime. He started raving about it too – the two extra sticks that we meant to take home didn’t even make it to the car. Lung Center is along Quezon Avenue(turn right on Quezon Ave from EDSA. The bazaar is every Sunday morning, the vendors say they’re there as early as 5:30am and they start packing up a little after noon. Update: I have since discovered that the name of their stand is Ineng's. You can find them at Market, Market at The Fort and the Saturday morning bazaar at the park in Salcedo Village.