Dennis The Grill Boy

Spending an afternoon at SM Mall Of Asia, one sure thing that you can expect to experience is a growling stomach. Not just because of the enticing view of different restaurants that you can see, but because as you stroll that gigantic place, there isn't a snowball chance in the desert that you'll not get tired and hungry. If the weight of the latter statement rings true to you, like it did to me most of the time, worry not, because there are some restaurants there which offers good foods at affordable prices so that you can still squeeze in a little bit of extra purchases in your budget. One of them is Dennis The Grill Boy.

Formerly called Pupung & Friends, this restaurant serves Pinoy comfort food such as Liempo, Bangus Belly, Barbecue, Steak, and other all time Pinoy favorites. An order of a meal would cost from 75php to 125php which is really affordable considering they offer unlimited rice.

Their Pinaputok Na Bangus Belly is so far my favorite. A decent size of Bangus Belly with diced tomato and onions covered in Banana Leaf was grilled to perfection. I noticed that prior to grilling; the fish was already marinated that is why it is so tasty and not dry at all.

One of the best sellers in the menu is their Lechon Kawali. Now, I suggest that you do not be deceived by the "hard as a stone" look of it because once you took a bite, it is pure bliss. It definitely kicks a common Lechon Kawali up a notch. Crispy on the outside, but soft, tender, and juicy on the inside. My mother told me that it’s probably cooked in a pressure cooker before deep frying it. The Atchara which comes with the meal only heightens the already flavorful Lechon Kawali so, you would definitely ask for a second helping of rice.

Dennis' Grilled Liempo is yet another flavorful option on their menu. You will know that it has been marinated just right because every single strand of meat is bursting with flavor. Unlike any other Liempo which is normally paired with either a Liver Sauce or Vinegar, this one is served with an ingenious Dennis' white sauce which has a subtle taste of butter, cheese, and mustard. It may look as if it's an odd combination, but this sauce is one of the reasons why I would definitely go back at Dennis.

Their flavorful Boneless Chicken Inasal paired with Java Rice is Dennis' another way to score a satisfied tummies with its big serving.

Oriental Chicken Barbecue marinated in special sauce with Asian herbs and spices is just perfect. This succulent smoky chicken barbecue is definitely a must try.

Another dish that one must try upon visiting Dennis is their Crispy Pork and Mango Salad. Imagine your favorite Ensaladang Hilaw na Mangga and add to that a crispy bits and pieces of Pork, it is a surefire hit as you paired it with grilled food. Although it's just part of their side orders, believe me, it can be a viand in itself.

Located at the entertainment area of SM MOA, Dennis The Grill Boy's Interior resembles that of a well sanitized office pantry, only it is made catchy by the colorful ambiance and comic strips posted on the walls. The food may take some time before it is served but that is understandable because they are grilling it as you placed your order. The food servers are professional in dealing with their customers but I think they could use some perky attitude on the side that can go really well with the lively ambiance of the resto.

If you have a big appetite but would want to stay within the budget, then you can consider trying out this resto for their quality meals. On my next visit, I will definitely try their Tapa Steak because I recently learned that they are known for this particular dish.