Chingolo Deli Makati — Restaurant in Makati

We would love to give Chingolo a perfect 5 stars but the same fatal mistake we've seen other great restaurants with so much potential make, delicious perfectly prepared food and nice cozy ambiance BUT poor service. This was our first experience at Chingolo. We had been looking forward to dinner at Chingolo for a week. We made a reservation for Saturday at 5:00pm. We arrived a few minutes early and the server sat us at a table along the right wall (restaurant was empty), great view of the kitchen which enhanced the experience, everything is prepared fresh. Perfect seat and ambiance so we were off to a great start. We ordered Ceasar Salad, Beef Salpicao, Mashed Potatoes, Mushroom Gratin, Tenderloin and two glasses of wine. The salad came out first, then the mashed potato and gratin, followed by the salpicao and wine. Perfect and we were saying to each other, we were going to be regular customers. The food was delicious, great quality and perfectly prepared. About 5:20pm the server came over and whispered to my Fiancé, if we were not finished by 6:00pm we would have to move because the table where we were seated was reserved at 6:00pm. Interesting because there were other tables available which were the same size but the server said we would have to move if not finished by 6:00pm. Mind you, the tenderloin was not out yet. The tenderloin came out and it was amazing, the best steak we have ever had, super tender and great taste. While we are eating the server is staring at us and whispering with a what appeared to be the supervisor (male) and she is pointing at us and other tables. He's trying to be discreet but she was obviously talking about moving us. At 5:35pm the server came over again and told us we would have to move, we were eating as fast was we could - give us a break! While we were eating she continued to stand there staring at us and whispering with the supervisor as they were moving other tables around. I wanted cheesecake and coffee but knew there was probably only enough time to inhale a piece of cheesecake which I did. We paid and told her how unprofessional she was and if that table was reserved when we arrived, they should have sat us at another table, we had a reservation as well. Sadly enough she came over twice to tell us we would have to move but didn't once ask how our food was or if the steak was good, etc. and/ or not once did she ask if we needed anything else or even offer us another glass of wine when she saw we reverted to our service water. We were saying in the beginning we would be back regularly and I even thought to host a small company event at Chingolo but as a result of the poor service, never again. It doesn't matter how phenomenal the food is, it's all about good or great service. The owners have to understand but more importantly the supervisor has to be customer service oriented. Thanks for amazing food, great ambiance and poor service Chingolo! P.S. We were only a party of two and we were not shy to eat well, our receipt is attached. We actually would have ordered two more glasses of wine and a second dessert with coffee. Photos of the amazing food and perfectly prepared steak also attached. Finally, we were going to buy steaks and salpicao from the deli to bring home but because of the poor service, I decided not to. In total, we would have spent 7k or more and been...

From the outside, Chingolo looks like a nondescript deli, selling overpriced meats for you to cook at home. I wanted a dining experience and was ready to eat and was just about to walk out the door when one of the staff approached us and we said we wanted a table for two.

She led us to a discreet door which opened up to a very cozy and romantic dining area, with decent seating. We didn't have an appointment, but there was an available table and we were able to bunker down and choose our orders.

We got the Garlic Parmesano Fries and Soup of the Day (Pumpkin) for starters, Beef Salpicao, Chili Con Carne, and Beef Tacos for mains, and my friend and I each ordered a box of Beef Empañadas for takeaway.

All the dishes were served without having to wait for too long. The fries were cooked to perfection. The soup was too watery for my taste, but you can taste the pumpkin and it's not too creamy. The Salpicao was heaven, first bite and the juicy meat would burst in your mouth. The tacos were amazing but the chili was a little too salty and savory for just tortilla chips as the side.

Throughout our meal, the staff made sure to refill our water and clear our small table as we finished eating so that there was enough space.

We thoroughly enjoyed the taste and the ambience of Chingolo. It was really intimate and we had a...

If you're craving for empanadas, I would highly recommend Bolzico Beef Empanadas which could be ordered from Chingolo Deli.

Nico Bolzico's (hubby of Solenn Heussaff) family has been into the cattle and beef business in Argentina for a good while. He started Bolzico Beef in the Philippines in 2018. They source their beef from ethical farmers who let their cattle graze and feed in the grasslands without the introduction of artificial hormones or enhancers. Their cattle is how nature meant cattle to be.

If you Google, best empanadas in the world, Argentinean empanadas would figure prominently. In fact, this food group is cornered by Latin American countries like Bolivia and Chile other than Argentina. The most "exported" empanadas are those from Argentina. In my travels to Europe, I would frequently notice kiosks or stands selling Argentinean empanadas, specifically.

Being Argentinean, Nico's Beef Empanadas has that distinct Argentinean taste which could be traced to the use of cumin, paprika, oregano, cayenne and black pepper plus salt and some kind of stock. It helps tremendously that his source of beef is top notch. Drizzle the meat pies with the chimichurri sauce and you'll be singing praises all day.

We ordered for delivery a box each of their Beef and Creamy Beef and Mushroom. They certainly did...