COCONUTS HOT SPOT—I first tasted peri-peri chicken a few years ago when it was first introduced to the local market by a restaurant located in the then newly-built Greenbelt Promenade.
It wasn’t the yellowish grilled chicken that got me hooked, but the sauces that were mixed with sweet tropical fruits, onions, chilies, oils, spices and peppers, and varied in heat intensity.
In traditional Portuguese and African cuisine, it’s actually called “piri-piri,” a Swahili word that translates to “pepper pepper.” It is also refers to Africa’s bird eye chili.
THE LOOK
Located along Maginhawa Street in Quezon City’s now-famous Teachers Village, this place is easy to spot as its huge yellow and red signage pops out of a four-door building strip. Interiors are bright and colorful and can seat about 12. Additional seats are added outside at sundown.
THE GRUB
Naturally we ordered the house specialty, a ‘solo’ set containing a quarter-size chicken (PHP120), cup of rice, macaroni salad and a special peri-peri sauce they call Dragon’s Breath.
We got an average-size chicken leg which was smothered with the signature pepper sauce on top.
Underneath was a delicious and well-cooked chicken which may have been deep-fried because it had even golden brown and crisp texture all around.
It was cooked thoroughly and as a final touch, maybe it was grilled to add the smokiness.
The macaroni salad needed some love and spice, but the rice was better than ordinary. The pepper sauce was mild but was enough to give the dish its distinct taste.
While I have tasted better peri-peri, the crunchy grilled texture, good flavor and excellent bang for your buck at Tornado’s blew me away.
NOTES
Cost: PHP240 for two ‘solo’ sets.
Cleanliness: Open-air setting inevitably leads in some dust, but the place was clean overall.
Service: Good. Can use better training on customer- service and “shop talk.” The bright yellow colors of the store needs to be matched with a more enthusiastic and energetic crew.
Acoustics: They play a mix of current pop favorites, but sure can use a better sound system.
Lighting: Bright but still cozy, best to sit outdoors during late afternoons.
Tornado Peri Peri Chicken, 104 Maginhawa St, Bgy Teachers Village East, Quezon City; www.facebook.com/tornado-peri-peri-chicken. Daily 10:30am-1:30am.
This story first appeared on Coconuts Manila.
