The Philippines has a bunch of regional food spots that bring traditional flavors to the cities. JT's Manukan Grille started in Quezon City back in 2003 and has been serving Bacolod-style grilled chicken ever since. The restaurant was opened by actor Joel Torre and his wife Cristy. They wanted to share the taste of Ilonggo cuisine with people in Manila without making them travel to Negros.

Key highlights:

- The chicken inasal gets marinated the traditional Bacolod way before hitting the grill - Movie posters from Joel Torre films hang on the walls throughout the restaurant - The menu includes authentic dishes like cansi and batchoy alongside the grilled items

PROFILE

JT's Manukan Grille has over 35 branches now across the country and even some international locations. The business grew from a small stall on Ortigas Avenue Extension into a pretty successful chain restaurant. Joel Torre is a well-known Filipino actor from Bacolod. His connection to the restaurant gives it some celebrity appeal but the food stands on its own. The name JT comes from the owner's initials and Manukan refers to chicken in the Ilonggo language. The restaurant focuses on bringing Negrense cooking traditions to a wider audience.

AMBIENCE

The dining setup has an open-air feel that copies the style of Manukan Country in Bacolod City. Most locations keep things casual with simple tables and chairs arranged for group dining. Filipino movie posters decorate the walls as a nod to the owner's acting career. The atmosphere stays relaxed and you can tell it targets families and office workers looking for a quick meal. Some branches have al fresco seating areas where you can eat outside. The vibe is pretty straightforward without any fancy decorations or complicated themes. The restaurant keeps the focus on the food rather than trying to create an elaborate dining experience. You order at the counter in some locations while others have table service depending on the branch.

MUST-TRY

The pecho is the chicken breast and wing combo that people come back for regularly. The meat stays juicy even though white meat usually dries out when grilled. The marinade includes calamansi which gives the chicken a citrusy and slightly tangy flavor. Each order comes with sinamak (spicy vinegar) and chicken oil for dipping. Paa is the leg and thigh portion that has more fat and stays tender throughout. Both chicken options get served with garlic rice which is pretty much the standard pairing. The cansi soup is worth trying if you want something beyond grilled meat. Tbh the broth has a sour taste from batwan fruit which is unique to the Ilonggo region.

FOOD

The chicken gets cooked fresh when you order so expect some waiting time during busy hours. The grilling process creates a nice char on the outside while keeping the inside moist. Besides chicken the menu has liempo (pork belly) and pork barbecue skewers. The grilled bangus (milkfish) shows up as the main seafood option. Batchoy is a pork noodle soup that originally comes from Iloilo. Some reviews mention the broth could be richer but it still tastes pretty decent. The restaurant also serves sizzling plates like cansi steak and pork sisig. Vegetable dishes include laing and adobong kangkong for people who want greens with their meal.

SERVICE

The staff usually works fast during lunch and dinner rushes when the restaurant fills up. Most locations have responsive servers who can answer questions about the menu. Some customers note that the crew will modify dishes if you have allergies or dietary needs. The service style matches the casual atmosphere without being overly formal. During peak hours you might wait longer for your food since everything gets grilled to order. The staff generally stays polite and handles large groups without much trouble. A few reviews mention occasional issues with cold food being served but that seems inconsistent across different branches. Overall the service stays functional and gets the job done.

PRICING

The pecho costs 198 pesos while the paa goes for 185 pesos as of 2025. A complete meal with chicken, garlic rice, and a drink runs around 6 US dollars which is pretty affordable. Plain rice costs 38 pesos and garlic rice is 48 pesos if you want extra. The calo-calo garlic fried rice is 58 pesos and comes with more garlic chips on top. Soup dishes like cansi cost 395 pesos but the portion works for sharing between two or three people. Batchoy with egg is 215 pesos while the version without egg costs 195 pesos. The restaurant positions itself as budget-friendly compared to other grilled chicken chains. You can feed a family of four for under 1000 pesos if you order strategically.

SUMMARY

JT's Manukan Grille delivers on the promise of Bacolod-style chicken inasal without requiring a trip to Negros. The restaurant keeps things simple with a focus on traditional grilling techniques and regional recipes. The food quality stays consistent enough to build a loyal customer base over two decades. Ngl the chicken really does taste close to what you get in Manukan Country based on multiple reviews from people who know Bacolod food. The casual setup works well for quick lunches or family dinners where you want filling food at reasonable prices. The thing is the restaurant doesn't try to be fancy which actually helps it stay authentic to the original concept.

FAQs

What is the best dish to order at JT's Manukan Grille?

The pecho (chicken breast and wing) is the most popular choice among regular customers. The chicken gets marinated with calamansi and grilled fresh so it stays juicy with a nice char. People usually pair it with garlic rice and the chicken oil that comes on the side.

Does JT's Manukan Grille have branches outside Metro Manila?

The restaurant has expanded to over 35 locations across the Philippines including branches in Bulacan and other provinces. JT's also opened some international branches including one in Singapore at Lucky Plaza. The original location started in Quezon City back in 2003 before growing into a chain.

Is the food at JT's actually similar to Bacolod chicken inasal?

Multiple reviews from people familiar with Bacolod cooking confirm the chicken tastes pretty close to the original Manukan Country style. The owners are from Negros so they use traditional Ilonggo recipes and marinades. Some dishes like the cansi don't always match expectations but the grilled chicken consistently delivers authentic flavor.