Imagine yourself indulging in your favorite Reyes Barbecue Boneless Chicken with Java rice but then you started craving for Kare-kare and tofu sisig. You fervently wished to the food fairy for these Pinoy dishes to appear in the menu and voila... Calle Reyes Manila Barbecue was conceptualized.
Calle Reyes Manila Barbecue opened its first branch in SM City Marikina last January 2020. A fresh new concept form the famous barbecue chain Reyes Barbecue whose family culinary heritage dates back for more than 140 years.
Calle Reyes Manila Barbecue is founded by Francisco "Frank" Reyes, the same man behind the delicious Reyes Barbecue. This casual dining heritage street-themed restaurant pays tribute to the Filipino culinary and dining legacy of the acclaimed Reyes Clan of Manila and their matriarch, Engracia "Aling Asiang" Cruz-Reyes, who founded the well-loved The Aristocrat Restaurant along Roxas Boulevard in Manila. She was recognized as the "Mother of Filipino Cooking" in 1992.
One of the Reyes family heritage dishes is the Lola Asianghai. It is a delectable crispy rolls packed with savory ground meat. You can enjoy this as an appetizer or pair with a cup of plain rice.
"Luisang Kare" is a nickname given to Luisa Garcia Cruz, Frank's great-grandmother. Luisa was born in Navotas in the 1870s who owned a carinderia serving the talk of the town kare-kare. Her kare-kare recipe became a favorite of whoever dined in her eatery.
Calle Reyes serves two variants of kare-kare. The Calle Kare has tender beef and tripe with freshly made rich peanut sauce while the Kare Kawali uses crispy lechon kawali.
An interesting twist was added to the Filipino favorite sinigang. The Ube Yammy Pork Sinigang uses ube instead of the usual gabi.
The Funcit Luglog is an instant favorite of mine. Pancit Luglog originated from Pampanga. Luglog is the method of cooking the thick noodles. Calle Reyes Manila Barbecue's version has generous toppings and flavorful orange sauce but doesn't have the "umay" effect. Just perfect.
Always leave some space for dessert because the Sweet Buko Pandan Crepe is worth the extra calories. The pandan crepe is filled with buko pandan so it's like enjoying two kinds of dessert in one serving.
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Calle Reyes Manila Barbecue is located at the Ground Level of SM City Marikina.