Chicken Deli SM Annex North Edsa Food Review: Feasting on Bacolod's Chicken Inasal

Foodies went crazy when Bacolod's signature dish--chicken inasal was brought to Manila by a lot of food establishments who were all claiming to be "the original". But those who have been to Bacolod and were able to try the ones being sold there would certainly distinguish 

and taste the difference. I'm no food expert, but the ones sold at Chicken Deli would be the closest thing to the 'real chicken Bacolod inasal'. The ones I've tried before were either too sweet (influences perhaps from the American version of chicken barbecue) nor too bland. It's not surprising because Chicken Deli truly originated from Bacolod. 

Chicken Deli humbly originated from a small, clean and open-air hut eatery in 14th Lacson Street, Bacolod City. The restaurant's name came from the word chicken delicious--thus, it became Chicken Deli. In 1983, Mamang Lourdes created the restaurant in order to raise her children because she was widowed at a very young age of 29. She used her kitchen skills and secret marination recipes for the restaurant which were patronized by both the locals and foreign visitors alike. Soon, it became a tourist destination. Chicken Deli became a hit that it has now a lot of branches and even made its way to Manila. 

Chicken Deli offered a palate-tingling sensation that ranges from the simple joys of eating marinated chicken char-grilled to perfection to other lip-smacking cornucopia of food mixes and textures. With affordable meals + eat-all-you-can-rice and free bowl of hot soup, Chicken Deli truly gives value for your money. 

Feasting on Chicken Deli's pechopak (chicken breast and wings) was indeed a joy to begin with. Their chicken inasal is what inasal's supposed to taste like. And it's perfectly grilled--unlike the other inasal restaurant I've tried before where there were red blood oozing out of the chicken. (Sorry for such gory details.) Chicken Deli's Bacolod inasal is best eaten with the three bottles on the table: soy sauce, Sinamak (a local vinegar with spices on them) and of course, the chicken annatto oil. Mix all these three together along with calamansi (Philippine lemon) and some chili and you're in for the best chicken inasal meal of your life! For the locals (which foreigners should also try), it's best to consume with your bare hands. 

Oops, just do not forget to wash your hands properly first with soap and water for safety.  Usually, grilled chicken has the tendency to be dry, but this is what the chicken annatto oil is made for, just a few drops of this magic orange oil and voila! Say buh-bye to chicken dryness. In fact, so good was the annatto oil that my nephew Kyle would even put them on generous drops on his rice. After dining for lunch at Chicken Deli, what else can I say but "Namit Gid!"

Chicken Deli are located at SM City Bacolod, Bacolod Main branch, Lopues East Center Bacolod and Chicken Deli SM Annex (QC). 

Disclaimer: I am not compensated for this post. Opinions expressed are my own.