JT's Manukan Grille Katipunan (G.Park) — Restaurant in Quezon City

I don’t normally rate food chains in here, but let this be my exception, as well as a time to blab around.

I didn’t understand the hype around JT’s until I first tried it in this branch. I ate alone, haven’t been home in weeks, and was really really hungry. When I took my first bite of the pecho, it was like that scene from Ratatouille where the food critic was transported to his childhood all because of the good Ratatouille Remy made.

I really really really loved Chicken Inasal even when I was a kid, and nothing compared to when my tita (who’s from Negros Occidental) would make hers. Simot siya palagi, I fear. I’ve been on the hunt for a chicken inasal that replicates this: not Mang Inasal, nor Bacolod staples like Chicken House could ever. But when I tried JT’s, I immediately texted my family telling them I missed them, especially their cooking.

The nostalgia trip overshadowed the volatile service of this branch, though. I get the charm of the old house converted into a JT’s, but it becomes a hindrance to both the service, and even the vibe of the place (noise bouncing off the walls can become overstimulating). Service for this branch just needs to get it together, so that people can enjoy the food without thinking of anything else.

Anyways, in short, you will see me at JT’s more than usual because I am more than willing to pay the price (or withstand average service) for some really really really good...

Looking at G Park from outside, one can see a whole lot of space, perfect for coffee and grilled food. Trees invite guests to come in.

And so we did.

But were disappointed. The food is ok (I have never met chicken inasal I did not like). Inasal was crispy where it needed to be. But tended to be too oily ~ which was hard to understand given that it was grilled, not fried.

The batchoy (with egg) was below par, the noodles leaving me lost for words.

The air conditioned room is not for the claustrophobic. It has no windows! Only 3 tables had guests when we were there, and we could overhear one another even if we did not want to🫣. I can only imagine peak times when the place would be full.

G Park where JTM is located is nice though. Lots of parking and the large tree in the middle makes a...

This has never been my go to chicken inasal place. Always their chicken is dry, a little bland compared to mang inasal and more expensive. They dont offer unlimited rice. We ordered sides salted egg salad and kangkong. Both were bland salted egg lacks saltiness but the texture is perfect, the kangong tastes like it was only blanched in water without salt or vinegar.

The place is nice tho. The ambience is good, ample parking lot. Theres a cafe on the ground floor. Toilets are big and neat but the male toilet has a bit of a mold on the walls.

All in, its not bad but i didnt enjoy our order. Maybe next time i should order pork menus since a lot of tables has crispy pata on them.

If i were to choose between JTs and mang inasal, i would definitely choose...