Eat's A Date at Chuck's Deli (Eastwood City)

Tim and I had a chance to be invited to an Eat’s A Date event organized by Openrice. 

According to its website, OpenRice (Openrice.com) is “an online dining guide written by local people, with a comprehensive restaurant search engine and a platform for users to write reviews on restaurants they have visited.”  Originally from Hong Kong, now OpenRice also serves people from China, Philippines, Indonesia, and Singapore.

The food tasting event took place last Saturday, Nov. 26, at Chuck’s Deli in Eastwood.  Call time was 2 pm sharp, but husband and I arrived 30 minutes early, so we decided to walk around and take some pictures of ourselves.

Chuck’s Deli is relatively new.  It is owned and operated by Chef Katrina Kuhn-Alcantara (Le Cordon Bleu, Paris – trained) and her husband Marco Alcantara.  It started its operation last November 2010 (Serendra branch), while its Eastwood branch opened last May 6, 2011.

The menu consists of Slabwiches (Chuck’s signature super sandwiches), Subwiches (subs), Paninis (served on herbed focaccia), Ground & Pounders (burgers made with half-pounder patties), and the Dog Pound (footlong ‘dogs). These sandwiches are served with sides, a choice between home-made chips or onion rings.  One thing that sets Chuck's Deli's sandwiches from their competitors is that the make their own breads, patties, sausages, hotdogs, chips, sauces--- almost everything!  I personally love their breads --- light and airy, and so yummy! :)    

Here are some of Chuck's Deli's famous sandwiches that we were able to sample:

Chuck's Burger (Php 265)
US Angus beef patty, lettuce, tomato,
spicy garlic sauce, mayo mustard
(add cheese :  Php 45 ; add bacon : Php 45)

-- Their patty is super tasty and packed with flavor, the super thin and delicious homemade chips is a big plus here.

California Waki (Php 255 - 1/2 slab ; Php 445 - 1 slab)
Chuck's deconstructed version of  the famous California Maki
slabwich with kani, mango, egg, lettuce & wasabi mayo  

-- I love California Maki so it is no surpirse that I also love Chuck's Deli's California Waki.  I love the bread and the sauce, yum, yum!!! :)

Reuben ( Php 275 - 1/2 slab ; Php 495 - 1 slab)
Chuck's rendition of the classic-homemade Angus corned beef,
swiss cheese, sauerkraut, mustard with spicy garlic sauce or garlic sauce

-- Their homemade corned beef is a winner. Chef Katrina told us that it takes 3 weeks to cure and process the meat, kaya you can just imagine how tasty it is.  

Chorizo Burger (Php 225)
Chorizo patty, lettuce, tomato, spicy garlic sauce,
mayo mustard
(additional Php 20 for an egg)

-- Again, the mix and choice of spices in the patty are great. I tried it with the spicy garlic sauce, and it added a kick to it.  :)  

Faking Duck (Php 195 - 1/2 slab ; Php 345 - 1 slab)
A peking-style inspired slabwich with roast pork,
lettuce, hoisin sauce, leeks, & crispy noodles

-- This is definitely a FAKER (in a good way). If Chef Katrina didn't tell us what it really was, all of us bloggers would be pretty convinced that it is real duck because it actually tastes like one, blame it on the hoisin sauce!!! One of the stand out dishes. :) 

Footlong Chilidog (Php 395)
 Classic footlong, condiments, grated cheddar cheese,
no-bean chili (ground  beef cooked in tomato sauce w/ herbs & spices) + diced jalapenos
with a side of home-made chips 

-- This dish reminds me of our UP days, hehehe. My husband and I used to eat footlongs sold beside FC in UP. Chuck's Deli's version is way healthier and tastier though.   

The Buffy (Php 255 - 1/2 slab ; Php 445 - 1 slab)
Buffalo (a.k.a. Buffy) chicken and garlic sauce
with sides of onion rings and double-fried french fries

-- I love, love. love the bread.  The chicken is a bit spicy for me (or maybe I'm really not a fan of buffalo chicken), but it is cooked to perfection. :)  Coincidentally, the Chuck's Challenge is all about Slay(ing) The Buffy. The goal of the challenge is to finish the buffalo slabwich in 5 minutes or less.  Winners will get the  slabwich for free, a Buffy challenge-winner T-shirt, and their names on Chuck's Deli's wall of fame.

I CAN'T!!!
(the famous Buffy challenge-winner T-shirt)

Chuk's Deli's Wall of Fame

Here are some of their "Chasers & Quenchers" :

from L - R :
1. Fresh Lemonade (Php 85 ; add Php 10 for Honey Lemonade)
2. Strawberry Smoothie ( Php 125)
3. Arce Dairy Milkshake -- 3 scoops of Arce Dairy ice cream blended with fresh carabao's milk (Php 165 - Php 195)
4. Power Shake -- blended lettuce, apple and orange (Php145)

-- Their Arce Dairy Milkshake is rich, thick and creamy, made out of a blend of carabao's milk and Arce Dairy ice cream. 

-- The Power Shake turned out to be a surprise for everyone who tried it. It was a surprisingly refreshing drink. Healthy too. Sa sobrang sarap, I will try to do this at home. :) 

some of their imported drinks

Likes: 

-- I love their concept. They offer something new, which is a good sandwich place.  

-- Very "casual and laid-back ambiance"

-- They make things/ingredients from scratch = FRESHNESS GUARANTEED.

-- Free Wi-Fi

-- FOOD and DRINKS = innovative, yummy and healthy alternative

Dislikes:

-- Prices are a bit steep.

-- No washroom / restroom (only hand sanitizers)