Gerry's Grill — Restaurant in National City

I really wanted to like Gerry’s Grill in National City because I’ve heard great things about this chain in the Philippines but the food just wasn’t to my liking.

My uncle booked a reservation for about 20 of our family members on a weekend for my aunt’s birthday. We arrived at opening and were seated promptly. There were already a lot of guests so we picked a bunch of items from their menu to please everyone’s palate. Unfortunately, the server said they were out of the BBQ Pork Skewers so instead we went with another dish. No big deal. When the food arrived and to our surprise, they actually brought out the BBQ Pork Skewers. Awesome, right?! No! It looked incredibly delicious but the meat was sooo tough and very hard to chew. We couldn’t get it off the skewer with any of the utensils. Sliding it down the skewer, piercing the meat, and trying to cut it weren’t good enough - it was just tough. I’m not sure why they brought it out but I’m wondering if that was the reason why “they were out”.

Other items we ordered were: Calamares - This came out first and it was perfectly cooked. It was one of the best items we ordered. Lumpiang Shanghai - it was crispy but the meat inside the egg roll was super salty. Pinakbet - didn’t eat due to allergies. Chicken Inasal - The flavor was delicious Crispy Pata - Didn’t eat this but one of my aunts enjoyed it. Inihaw na Bangus (Grilled Milkfish) - This was my favorite and I especially liked the Ensaladang Itlog na Maalat (Salted Egg Salad) as I had never had any condiment like it before. Crispy Pork Belly on Pancit Bihon - It was alright. Pancit was dry and the pork belly seemed like an after thought. Sizzling Pork Sisig (without egg) - This wasn’t my favorite Sisig. It was greasy and I missed the flavors of other Sisig I’ve had. Crispy Bicol Express - Didn’t try this due to allergies. Calamansi Juice - Good. Bagoong Rice - Didn’t try this due to allergies. Crab Rice - Didn’t eat this due to allergies.

Gerry’s Grill is located at the Plaza Bonita mall and is visible from the parking lot. I liked the ambiance because it was brightly lit and very open. The colors were warm and inviting. There was a stage, which I believe could be used for karaoke, meetings, or other entertainment.

The service was just okay. The wait time from ordering to when the food arrived was longer than expected. And long breaks between serving each dish. I think the workers looked a bit overwhelmed with the weekend crowd too. So I may have come on a busy day/time. There was only one guy that caught my attention, though, as he was working very hard. He only assisted our main server and also was the busboy.

Overall, I know Gerry’s Grill is popular in the Philippines but we spent an unnecessary amount of time of 2.5 hours (time stamp from the first photo I took at the entrance to the last photo at the exit)! Again, no wait time upon entry as we were seated right away but the wait between the arrival of dishes took long. Secondly, the food was mediocre at best. I spent just under $400 for lunch, which is pretty good considering we were about 20 in the party (just under $20/person) but the quality and timing of food arrival...

I had fun, and I want more Kare kare lol. I'm a fan of Live Band Music. We need it sometimes!

Just be prepared to wait on peak nights like Friday. First time coming here.

1. The Wait is somewhat long (Friday night) but you can go to the bar area and have a cocktail, Steve was our server and served us pretty drinks like a mai tai and pina colada virgin.

2. Strict rules on Friday nights when there is a band, you cannot reserve a table unless you have 3 or 4 Physically present with you.

On Friday I believe it closes 11 p.m. instead of the regular 9. p.m.

If you have a group of 4 or more you would probably get a table right away or wait just a few minutes the people have to be present.

You cannot reserve if it's just 2 people, while we were awaiting our friends who came from traffic. So no saving tables on Friday nights.

We are a group of 5 but my friend and I arrived earlier but we were not able to get a table until the rest of our guest showed up. That was kind of a bummer because we arrived there 5:30 p.m. and waited for the rest of our party and we couldn't even get sitted till they arrived 6:30 almost. So We watch a bunch of people who we were ahead of go before us. Kahit maaga kami.

There was a mix up in the rules. One server was giving us one answer the other a different answer. It was really crowded but I guess it's a popular place on Friday nights with a live band!

Band was fine. The decor of the restaurant was beautiful, lot of space! Love the floorplan and layout of the tables.

We ordered Kare Kare I loved it. I usually just eat more of the sauce. Rice was great, the appetizers, calamari, good too it came in rings. It's great to have a place to go to with a live band and good food.

Although the wait was long I guess it's worth it and gives you a chance to chat up with your friends and socialize. My friend was craving the Crispy pata. She liked it.

We took several photos and the band members were nice. I thought that one of the waitress forgot my drink but finally she did come over with the admf drink hehe. I don't know how it is on other days but that Friday had a lot of people who look excited on getting a table.

It was certainly happening. I guess since we've been stuck sa pandemic that we needed to be out.

All the servers were wearing their mask. Parking is at the Plaza bonita parking. I would have given 5 stars but only because the answer of the servers were inconsistent as to reservations etc.

They did good job serving our food, asking if we needed more. There were time I needed to wave at the waitress but I figured they are so busy it's normal for her to take time. FOOD WAS TASTY.

(Kare kare) and the Calamari and Lumpia, as for the noodle I think they could have given more or done better.

I am glad that I finally get to listen to LIVE MUSIC!!!! That's worth it. Lot of fun.. I don't recommend ordering through doordash because the portions seem so small.

I do think it's nice for you to experience the...

Our family, extended family and friends have eaten here so many times, but I am finally giving them a review! So, WE LOVE THE FOOD!

Many times we have celebrated here, and last night 2/27/21 was no exception.

We enjoy the BBQ skewers both pork and chicken, Pancit Palabok (noodles with special sauce), Niligang Bulalo (beef with greens soup), Dinakdakan (wonderful dish with diced pork, jalepeno, onions, and special sauce likely with mayo) with garlic rice. Those are the staples of what we usually get. My father inlaw ordered a shrimp and veggie plate. My son opted for crispy Tilapia, and for the appetizer we ordered the Shanghai Lumpia.

So for starters, the food is very delicious, but it's really expensive because typically you'll order many dishes and share as a family. But some dishes are smaller in size. Like the skewers have 3 and the family would share, and might need two orders. If you order the Niligang Bulalo sopa, it won't feed many. The crispy Tilapia is small. I ate very light because with 3 males on our table i wanted to make sure they ate their fill, while it doesn't take much for me to get full. I like to enjoy flavor, and savor it.

Plan ahead because since the food is freshly prepared it takes a little time.This is why we reduced our visits to special times (or after a nice payday).

I recommend the Gerrys special iced tea, it's delicious. The Calamansi is 😋 yummy (a bit sweet for my taste), and the fresh coconut drink is amazing (yes u get a shaved coconut shell), too!

My mother in law loves the Halo Halo there. They used shaved ice. Of course it's delicious. They served us 2 complimentary desserts with Turon (fried banana) and Ube (sweet purple yam ice cream). So good. Happy birthday to my sis in law!!! She rolled out of there. I saved some leftovers for my daughter who didn't make it.

Also, they do temperature readings for each person. And pls be patient, most restaurants are low in staff so you have to get their attention.

Relax enjoy, be merry and...