If that’s not a selling point, I don’t know what is.
Move over Manang’s and Bon Chon Chicken, there’s a new (and old) “extra-crispy” in town! Jus and Jerry’s Food Co., a Chinese fast food restaurant in EGI Taft Tower, reopened to the public last week after renovating and recreating themselves, and they have come back with a bang! From a small, less-than-appealing looking restaurant that seems to get lost in the shouting contest of the DLSU food service war, Jus and Jerry’s has transformed into an eye-catching and trendy hot spot in De La Salle University.
Dishes Ordered
- 1-Piece Fried Chicken (with drink) – P95
- Milk Tea – P1
- Chicken Pao- P85
- Fish Ball Noodles Soup – P90
- 4-Piece Shark’s Fin Siomai – P35
The Restaurant
The restaurant is split into three main sections: an inner section, smoking area, and second floor. The inner section consists of twelve seats; these include two 4-tops and one bench. The smoking area outside seats up to sixteen with one 4-top and two 6-tops. The upstairs is the best of the three sections, seating up to fifty six with six 6-tops and five 4-tops. This sets a grand total of about 84 seats, the most I’ve ever counted in a restaurant here in Taft.
If I described the restaurant in a phrase, it would have to be “Level Up”. Although I had never been in the previous one, I am pretty sure that I never really wanted to either. This time around, however, Jus and Jerry’s has managed to recreate itself successfully, and has the look of a potential top-quality food chain.
If Tokyo Tokyo and McDonald’s had a baby on steroids, this would be it.
The first thing I noticed about the place was that it’s surprisingly spacious. During its renovation, J&J’s absorbed a few of its neighbors into their real estate, including the Archer’s Hole, and have maximized on this newly acquired land. Upon walking into the restaurant, you can feel the very sleek and modern design that they put into it. Similar to a McDonald’s, Jus and Jerry’s has a fast-food style ordering counter surrounded by comfortable chairs and spacious tables. The furniture follows the red and black of the logo, and is very pleasing to the eyes.
Jus and Jerry’s co-owner is happy owner.
Aside from the aesthetics, the restaurant is also spotless. Granted, I did visit on a Saturday, but it was still very well-kept. It will be interesting to see how well that’s maintained. Air conditioning is very good also, although some are built a little too close to the chairs, and start to drip after a while. Wi-Fi has yet to be set up, but should be there soon, according to the manager. I would usually poo-poo on that statement, but since they just reopened, I’ll let it pass.
Lastly, their lighting is very nice, as they are directed on the table like spotlights, making their food the star of the show.
The Food
This is the future of chicken in DLSU.
As a Chinese fast food restaurant, Jus and Jerry’s menu ranges from sweet and sour pork to buchi balls to milk tea. However, their main event meal is their signature Fried Chicken. This chicken runs in the same family as the Bon Chon or Manang’s style: extra crispy with a chinese-stye sauce. They have two options for the sauce: soy garlic and spicy ginger. You can’t go wrong with either. The soy garlic is very savory, and goes perfectly with rice. The spicy ginger seems like something that can stand alone better, and has a strong ginger taste that isn’t unpleasant the way many ginger dishes are. Compared to Bon Chon and Manang’s, the chicken at J&J’s has a superior price and, although I would need to try them side by side to make sure, a superior flavor.
The most incredible thing in the world.
Aside from selling their chicken per piece with rice, J&J’s also sandwichizes. The unique thing about their sandwich: the bread is siopao! The chicken pao sandwich is the best chicken sandwich I’ve had in Taft, and could possibly be the best chicken sandwich I’ve ever had. Jus and Jerry’s puts a healthy serving of their signature fried chicken into a large siopao bun with some lettuce and mayo as an accompaniment. The crisp and juicy chicken’s texture is accentuated with the soft bun, and the taste is phenomenal. In terms of size, it could span the palm of your hand easily. This is the meal that I will come back to Jus and Jerry’s for every single time.
If you could eat for two, this could be for you.
The last remaining menu entries, the fried shark’s fin and fish ball noodle soup, are nothing out of the ordinary. The shark’s fin is crispy and hot, and the noodle soup is the standard mami that you’ll find in most traditional restaurants. However, they are both quite big, which is a nice selling point for them. The noodles are particularly large, and could easily feed two people. If you’re looking for traditional Chinese fair at a good price, then these would fit your bill perfectly.
Milk Tea: P2. The feeling of buying Milk Tea for P2: Priceless.
In celebration of their reopening, J&J’s has a special deal on their Milk Tea. No, that wasn’t a typo when I put Milk Tea at P1. Whenever you purchase a meal with a drink, you simply add P1 to it and you can get a regular-size Milk Tea! Their options include Taro, Hong Kong style, and Traditional Boba. I got the Taro, my favorite flavor, and was happy with it. It comes with custard and isn’t too thin, a common fault in some lesser Taro teas. The other flavor I tried was the Traditional, which had a caramel taste mixed with coffee jelly. It’s a standard milk tea, made incredible at a P1 price tag 🙂
The Verdict
Restaurant: Metropolitan design. Spacious. Comfortable temperature. Impeccably clean. Smoking area. Wi-Fi. What else are you looking for in a restaurant? Rating for the restaurant: 9/10.
Now you can’t say you didn’t see it.
Food:Â With what could be the best chicken sandwich I’ve ever had, I could stop this review right here and give a terrific score. But that’s not all Jus and Jerry’s has in their repertoire, and I’m not complaining about that either. Their fried chicken rivals Bon Chon and Manang’s, the two top franchises in Taft, and could even be superior. Their other Chinese fare is standard, but is still able to impress my taste buds. If you’re looking for good eats at a good price, then this is the place for you. The only downside is a bit of a wait for your meal, between 10 to 20 minutes. For that Chicken Pao, though, I’d say that’s a small price to pay. Â Rating for the food: 9/10.
Staff: The staff at Jus and Jerry’s was very welcoming and provided service with a smile. One of the co-owners was in as well, and managed the place effortlessly. Although they did get a few orders wrong, I never felt like I was being rushed or mistreated. Very accommodating staff. Rating for the staff: 8/10.
Overall: 9/10.
NOMG
Instead of a little descriptive spiel that’s usually at the end of the review, I would like to suggest something instead.
TRY THIS PLACE NOW!
With the best chicken sandwich in Taft and P1 Milk Tea until July 4, 2012, this is the place to be! If you’re reading this today, July 2, you should be heading here for lunch or dinner. Bring your friends and order a lot. You will not regret it. Trust me 🙂
You can find out more about Jus and Jerry’s on their Facebook Page, where they post promotions, updates, and complete menus. While you’re there, check out Extra Rice too, on our Facebook and Twitter! Remember, every follow and share helps us bring you a better blog!
Heaven in a bun.
Extra Rice 