Restaurant Favorite: Chili's

Chili's has been a classic go to place for burgers, chicken fingers and milkshakes. It is one of the places R and I first shared a meal together and we had really good memories there. And this is why hearing its name never fails to make me smile. But Chili's came up with something that made me grin even bigger and that has something to do with their new offerings that have more Asian flair to it. 

Hello, Chili's!

Our favorite chili came up with more delectable dishes this year with its Tender Bites and Texas Two Step dishes which are designed to be more Asian which is a new addition to its Southern American cuisine.

Just like any other visit, we started off with the classic and well-loved Bottomless Tostada Chips and Salsa (PHP395) with additional quezo dip (PHP180). 

It was so good that I think I ate half of the bowl! Good thing it was unlimited or else my companions will hate me.

We also had Loaded Boneless Wings (PHP450) while waiting for the others to arrive. 

Soon, the new limited offerings were served and we started off with Crunchy Pork Tenderloin Fingers (PHP395), Pork Belly Sliders (PHP450) and Sweet Orange & Chili Glazed Chicken Bites (PHP375).

The Crunchy Pork Tenderloin Fingers is a refreshing take to the usual chicken fingers. The Panko crusted cider-brined pork tenderloin strips are paired with sweet and spicy slaw and red chili-mango sauce giving it a lovely blend of flavors! The crunch was also very addicting! I just wish that the pork strips were a bit thicker. But I also get that making it thicker means that the panko crust might get overcooked. 

It was no surprise that Pork Belly Sliders was a crowd favorite. The tender slices of sweet roasted pork belly topped with sweet and spicy slaw and Jalapeno aioli and sandwiched by butter toasted buns was not hard to like. 

Each bite was bursting with sweet and savory flavors making it very easy for us to finish several slider in one sitting. And if you find the pork belly too sweet for your liking, take a break and enjoy the homestyle fries it comes with. 

My favorite though was the sweet and spicy chicken bites. Its flavor is similar to orange chicken with its orange-chili glaze but made easier to enjoy with its smaller chunks. 

I can't help think of home when I popped some of these bite-sized delights in my mouth. My mom used to cook sweet and spicy shrimps every week that I look forward to having it for lunch, dinner and lunch the next day. Though not the same, the familiar flavor triggered my taste buds and made me recall all those carefree days adding charm to the dish. 

If you are looking for a heftier meal, do try Chili's Texas Two Step. Available in three different combinations--Chili Rubbed Sirloin & Coriander Crusted Pork Tenderloin (PHP995), Coriander Crusted Pork Tenderloin & Crispy Shrimp (PHP975) and Chili Rubbed Sirloin & Crispy Shrimp (PHP1,450), a plate of this will surely keep you full and satisfied. 

Don't let the word "chili" in chili rubbed sirloin scare you as this succulent meat wasn't spicy at all. The chili just added flavor to the meat without making it hot. This meaty treat comes with smoked mushroom and caramelized onion saute. If you want a richer flavor, top it off with some BBQ sauce.

The coriander crusted pork tenderloin had a lighter flavor compared to sirloin. Each bite will give you a subtle hint of sweet and citrus taste. Topped with corn and red pepper succotash, make sure to have each mouthful with the sweet and spicy honey-chipotle sauce for extra taste. 

The crispy shrimp is pretty much straightforward but made special when enjoyed with sweet and spicy slaw and the scrumptious citrus sauce. This green sauce is absolutely divine! Okay, I might be a bit biased here as I love anything tangy. But it went beautifully well with the crunchy crustaceans. 

I can't wait to go back to Chili's and stuff myself with more of the delectable chicken bites and cripsy shrimps with citrus sauce! 

P.S. Drop by soon as this limited offerings are only available until April 22, 2018!

Chili's has multiple branches within Metro Manila. Check here for the complete list.