Barbeque is a cooking method you can find all over the world. It's called a different name, depending on your location. But I would go out on a limb to say it is universal. Grilling is one of the best ways to bring out the flavor of food. You may do it on a stove top, in an oven, in an outdoor grill, over wood or charcoal, it is always a hands-down favorite.

In the Philippines, we practically grill everything. Meat, seafood, vegetable, fruits.. Though we only recognize barbeque as either pork or chicken, we can say we are a barbeque country! When you say Pinoy streetfood, it would involve barbeque half the time.

Over time, my family has created this weekend afternoon ritual. Thanks or no thanks to my cousin Rachel and her husband Willy. Willy is a native of Marikina City. And they introduced us to this humble barbeque place around their neighborhood. Their barbeque station is right in the owners’ family home! 

As you read the store sign, they have been in the business of grilling for 33 years! As my cousin Rachel tells the tale, Aling Fely and hubby put all their kids through school. Their capital? Blood, sweat and tears in front of the grill.

Now with a story like that, wouldn’t you be so intrigued to drive all the way to Marikina?

Felizaro Grill's Outdoor Signage, Photo by Michelle Africa

We will let you in on a family secret -- we come here for the isaw. On luckier days, they also offer the best grilled squid in town! You can read about it in my previous post on:

Seafood, It's More Fun in the Philippines Part I

 Going back, isaw is a local street food. It is essentially pork or chicken intestines. As Wikipedia  explains:

The intestines are cleaned, turned inside out, and cleaned again, repeating the process several times; they are then either boiled, then grilled, or immediately grilled on sticks. They are usually dipped in vinegar or sukang pinakurat (vinegar with onions, peppers, and other spices). They are usually sold by vendors on street corners during the afternoons.

It may not appeal to the unfamiliar, and might be too bizarre to foreigners like balut. This is why we have no qualms about the isaw at Felizaro Grill. It is prepared clean, fresh, and given a lot of tender loving care. They stake their solid 33 year old reputation on that!

At this point, I may have gotten you curious. Now you ask, what's on the menu?

In this joint, they have a motto -- what you see is what you get.

The Menu, Photo by Michelle Africa

Take your pick, point at your choice, and it goes straight to the grill. As we call it in Tagalog, turo-turo.

Felizaro's Magic Grill, Photo by Michelle Africa

I'll let the food items speak for themselves.

Isaw Payat, or "thin intestines", PhP10 each, Photo by Michelle Africa

 

Isaw Bilog, or "round intestines", Php 10 each, Photo by Michelle Africa

 

Inihaw na Tenga, or Grilled Pig's Ears, PhP10 each, Photo by Michelle Africa

 

There. Are. No. Words.

Literally.

There was an eerie silence after everything was wiped out. Like everybody was guilty of ingesting too much cholesterol.

Pick up Sticks: The Aftermath of an Isaw Storm, Photo by Michelle Africa

Yes, I admit, it is unhealthy food. But it is sooo bad, it is sooo good!

But no excuses.. Everybody deserves a cheat day.

And during yours?

Consider this.

P.S. This article originally appears on my personal blog, Chowpowwows, where chow is always on the lowdown.

Felizaro Grill
8 Ephesians Street, Friendship Uno Village
Marikina City
https://www.facebook.com/Felizaro-Grill-1496547500564160/​

 

Published by Michelle Africa