Acid Test

Face-offs and duels bring out the best and worst in people. The unstoppable drive to succeed fuel the hearts and minds of those who compete for riches, honor, glory, DESTINY.
This is how I characterize two new restaurants setting up shop near our place (actually quite far if you count in the traffic). One is Mang Inasal and another is Chic-Boy. Both located at Molito Compound (At Madrigal Park, Alabang).
LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!
First off, Mang Inasal:
Who doesn't know Mang Inasal? Who doesn't love Bacolod Inasal Chicken ? As a matter of fact, tasting Bacolod Inasal Chicken at Manokan is the ONLY REASON why we went to Bacolod. Just imagine...chicken marinated with soy sauce and spices...grilled to perfection...moist tender meat paired with spiced vinegar and hot rice…(cue for your mouth to water)...and finally devouring it with bare hands (cue for your hands to wipe away your saliva fountain)! For a moment, you'll think you're eating ambrosia!!! So it's not surprising Inasal chicken is a hit anywhere you go in the Metro. Just look at all the restaurants selling Inasal Chicken, it's fast becoming the next Jollibee! There were even rumors that Inasal Chicken gave Jollibee a scare and forced them to come up with Jollibee Chicken Barbeque. That's how BIG Inasal Chicken had become. But, like most good things uprooted and thrown into the grinder of commercialization, it transformed into something that's entirely different. Take Mang Inasal, I had several experiences from several branches wherein the chicken I got was barely edible at best. The chicken I got was either dry, burnt, or rubbery (I thought for a moment I was eating a table display). Worse, the meat felt and tasted like its cured rather than marinated (more like embalmed than marinated). I'm not kidding! Once you've tried the Inasal Chicken at Manokan, instantly you'll agree with me! Therefore, in my humble opinion, Mang Inasal failed to give justice to our beloved Inasal Chicken!
Next, the underdog Chic-Boy:
Chic-boy? Hearing it the first time evoked images of Ramon Revilla, Erap Estrada, Jorge Estregan (the list goes on and on!). But when you see their billboard you'll immediately get it (CHICken-baBOY! Gets?). Ok, so what's new with chicken and pork? Every Tom, Dick, and Mang Andok's does it and its consumed as our national take-out food. One quick stroll to the grilling area will reveal it's dark, delectable secret. LEMONGRASS! The same thing that makes Lechon Cebu so damn good! At this point, your taste buds starts tingling and wondering, is this as good as it looks? Sitting down and actually eating it is a different matter.
Just think…perfectly grilled pork belly...placing one piece on your mouth...you start to chew...ccrruunncch!!! Damn!!! Grilled pork belly with lemongrass and a crunchy skin, it makes you go...what's your name again? That’s only the pork belly, the chicken is another thing. Lets do the routine again...Just think…perfectly grilled chicken...placing one piece on your mouth...you start to chew...moist meat with crispy skin!!! Damn!!! It makes you go…grrrr...stay...away...if you want to live…
Need I say more?