gringo

Roast Pork Belly Soft Taco

Weekends are precious. It is the only time the family is complete and gets to bond over anything ...usually food .

Last Sunday, we   found ourselves  in SM Megamall which was a rare occurrence. Handsome hubby does not like this particular mall due to parking issues.  At any rate, he was easily persuaded maybe because it was still early.

Our table of 7 was immediately seated . Our craving must have been in sync because everyone immediately acquiesced with nary  any debate nor violent reaction  to a Mexican-themed Sunday meal.

Handsome hubby and I started off with a Mango and Green Salad dish. I expected fresh mangoes but instead got something like a mango chutney. Greens were crisp. Vinaigrette though was a little too sour for me. Too heavy handed on the lemon, me thinks.

Also enjoyed three kinds of tacos for our appetizer. Handsome hubby a chili con carne taco and roast pork belly variant. While I had spicy tuna taco.

Spicy Tuna Taco

Among the three, my most favorite was the  chili con carne taco followed by the soft taco roast pork belly.  then spicy tuna taco. It was evident that only one type of sauce or vinaigrette was used for the salad and soft tacos. It was a pity because the spicy cubes of  tuna and the roast pork belly although scrumptious by themselves  were overwhelmed by the too acidic flavor.

Unica and 2nd son ordered the half rack ribs with two sides P365 each.  I watched as they enjoyed eating their ribs until only the bones were left. I guessed they  liked it haha

Bunso ordered the slow-cooked beef burrito P235. Im really not a burrito person plus trying to shy away from too much carbs so I forgot to take a bite of  bunso's order. At any rate, he declared it good but too heavy for him. He was only able to finish half of his order.

Note though that he ordered Chicken Onion Melt Quesadilla P155 for his appetizer. So I guess that filled him up rather quickly to begin with

Noting how unica and second son enjoyed  their ribs, handsome hubby and I ordered a half slab without any sidings for ourselves haha.

Fall of the bone and sweet, the ribs were really good. Half rack ribs with no sides are P325

First son chose the Half Chicken with 3 sides variant P365 . He selected fried mushrooms, corn and white rice for his sides. The chicken looked succulent and huge . I can not help but fork a chunk of it in my mouth. That was one juicy and scrumptious chicken  and at P365.... a bargain!

A modest eater, 82 year old Pa-in-law selected a quarter chicken with two sides. Normally hard to please and prone to complaints,  he quietly enjoyed and finished his whole plate. Wow!

Overall...

If only for our Papa's satisfactory experience, I would rate Gringo a 5.

The salad and soft tacos' strong sour flavor can not be denied however  although saved by the fall-off- the-bone ribs and juicy half chicken.

Another save came from the excellent service by Jonald who was all smiles and patience as we followed up order.

Given the above, I will give Gringo the benefit of the doubt.

Definitely returning to try the soft tacos and salad again.

Maybe their chef was just feeling off last Sunday hehe