Food Review: Charlie’s Grind and Grill

Whenever I get a sudden appetite for a good old-fashioned delicious burger, I always make it a point to visit the Charlie’s Grind and Grill (Greenhills) branch at Ronac Art Center (along Ortigas Ave – near the intersection of Santolan), usually with nearby friends in tow.

Sometime last week, I was invited by Zomato to attend a Foodie Meet-Up – my third, at the Charlie’s Grind and Grill branch in Kapitolyo. Having never been to Kapitolyo, it was an adventure for me to actually make it there, as well as to use Zomato’s in-app link to Uber to hail a car from my home to the restaurant. This was mostly because a quick search on Google Maps, and Street View, showed that the area didn’t have a lot of parking space.

Flash forward to the restaurant, I was initially surprised to find that one – it was located right beside a car wash. And two – the design of the branch is quite different from that of the Greenhills branch. My questions and curiosities were later answered by the branch manager once our get-together began. Among them are the following:

• Charlie’s Grind and Grill is aptly named so because the owners wanted to give homage to the man who is supposedly said to have invented the hamburger – Charlie Nagreen.
• The Kapitolyo branch is the restaurant’s original location. It is also one of the restaurants that has stood the test of time among Kapitolyo’s growing food and restaurant fanbase.
• The humble beginnings of Charlie’s Grind and Grill was based on a joke among friends, one of which owned the adjacent car wash. It began as a place where people having their car washed could enjoy food while waiting.
• Each branch has its own unique design and personality, which can be seen in the restaurant’s atmosphere and decor. As of now, there are currently three branches – the Kapitolyo branch, the Greenhills branch, and a Makati branch situated in Legaspi Village.

As I mentioned earlier, Charlie’s Grind and Grill is known for its burgers. Aside from its burger varieties which are at the forefront of the restaurant’s menu, Charlie’s is also host to other delectable dishes which the restaurant is proud to say is made fresh – which is to say that majority of the ingredients are made by the restaurant themselves (such as their specialty sauces).

Among their specialties, and the dishes they wanted us to try, the following are a couple of orders that we were able to taste that evening.

Black Truffle Fries

Despite the fact that I am not a big fan of mushrooms, or fungi, I very much liked the Black Truffle Fries. This dish was able to highlight its two main ingredients – the fries and the truffle. For the fries, it was able to showcase how well-cooked, crisp, and rightly seasoned  it was made. The truffles were also aromatic, with the right amount of softness to contrast the fries.

Dirty Fries

I have to say, the Dirty Fries was my favorite among the two sidedishes served. The moment it arrived, I immediately thought of poutine, or at least something quite similar to it. Layered with blue cheese, bacon bits, and yes liver, among others, it was the perfect combination of a variety of ingredients. Even with all those toppings, the crispness and flavor of the fries shone through.

Meatballs Marinara

The meatballs marinara was visually appetizing, especially when you see that serving of pasta topped off with delectable-looking meatballs. The meatballs are made with italian sausage mixed with grated parmagiano regiano. Overall the pasta was okay, nothing fancy, but not flavor-wise not as striking as it looks.

Reversed Buffalo Wings

The Reversed Buffalo Wings are an interesting take by the chef on the traditional buffalo wings. Instead of dipping the buffalo wings in sauce and then topped off with a spicy layer, Charlie’s Reversed Buffalo Wings coat each wing in a layer of spicy flavoring, allowing that spicy zest to sink into the very core of the chicken. After that, it is topped off in their blue cheese sauce and served.

Black Angus Cheeseburger

The Black Angus Cheeseburger is one of Charlie’s staple and favorite dishes – a simple dish without so much fuss and fancy. Yet it’s this simplicity that brings out the flavor and intensity of the black angus patty, along with the melty goodness of the cheese. And if I may say so myself, it highlights the quality and flavor of the burger’s bun, one of the features of a burger that many people seem to overlook.

Five-Cheese Burger (New Addition to Menu)

One of three new burger additions to Charlie’s menu, the Five-Cheese Burger is a level up on the usual take on four cheese dishes. In its description, is a mozzarella-filled 1/3 pound angus (or wagyu) burger patty, topped with gouda and cheddar slices, blue cheese bits, and then drizzled with cheese sauce. All that packed onto a brioche bun.

Foie Gras Burger (New Addition to Menu)

Sadly, I missed taking a photo of this delicious dish, but I have to say that it’s among my favorites for that evening’s service. The Foie Gras burger is made up of a 1/3 pound angus (or wagyu) patty, dotted with foie gras on truffle mayo and topped with gouda cheese, caramelized onion, arugula, and tomatoes. Also packed into a brioche bun. I absolutely loved the taste of the foie gras and the truffle mayo, and the way the caramelized onion seeped out of each bite was just heavenly!

Sloppy Burger (New Addition to Menu)

The Sloppy Burger is another new addition to Charlie’s menu. With it is a choice of angus or wagyu patty, with a cheddar sliced topped with fried egg, a generous serving of chili con carne dotted with jalapeno and onions, and drizzled with sour cream.

 

Before ending the food-filled evening, we got to try one more dish that fit so well with earlier’s servings of fries and burgers. Milkshakes. Again, I forgot to take a photo as I was lost in all the food-tasting and discussion that ensued after the dishes were served. I was able to try their Chocolate Milkshakes, and I have to say, it is one of the best chocolate-flavored milkshakes that I have tried. The chocolate taste was blended so well in the drink.

Overall in terms of food, I have to say that I am now an even bigger fan of Charlie’s Grind and Grill, and now I am more familiar and knowledgeable about what dishes I want to order the next time I come around.

 

Charlie’s Grind and Grill

Kapitolyo branch

Greenhills branch

Legaspi Village branch

 

Social Media accounts:

Twitter: @Charlies_grill

Instagram: @charliesgrindandgrill

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charliesgrindandgrill/