Original Nena’s Beth Chicken Barbecue
Table of Contents
Review of Original Nena’s Beth Chicken Barbecue at The Market Place, NGC Bacolod City
When you think of Bacolod City, chicken inasal is undoubtedly one of the first things that comes to mind. It’s a dish that defines the city’s culinary identity and is a must-try for any visitor. So, when my fellow Negrense bloggers and I had the chance to dine with Avel Manansala, a visiting blogger from General Santos City, we knew it was time to introduce him to this iconic dish.
We decided on Original Nena’s Beth Chicken Barbecue at The Market Place in NGC Bacolod City. My suggestion was based on a few practical reasons: it’s close to Avel’s hotel, the area isn’t as traffic-heavy as other popular chicken inasal spots in the city, and I remembered they had an air-conditioned dining area. However, our experience turned out to be a mix of highs and lows—here’s how it went.
Original Nena’s Beth Chicken Barbecue | First Impression
When I arrived at the restaurant, I found my friends seated outside in the alfresco area. I assumed they chose this spot intentionally, so I didn’t ask why they didn’t opt for the air-conditioned section. Perhaps it was for the open-air vibe?
While functional, the al fresco area looked like it hadn’t been updated in quite some time. Years ago, during my last visit here, the place was bustling with energy—walls adorned with colorful Masskara Festival posters and a lively crowd filling every seat. This time, however, the vibe felt quieter and more subdued. There were only a few diners around us, which made me wonder if the restaurant had lost some of its former charm.
The Service at Original Nena’s Beth Chicken Barbecue
One thing that stood out positively was the friendly service. The waiters were accommodating and even happily took videos and photos for us—a small gesture that added a personal touch to our dining experience. It’s always refreshing when staff go out of their way to make guests feel welcome.
Original Nena’s Beth Chicken Barbecue | The Food
The Inasal
Let’s get to what we came for—the chicken barbecue. By the time I arrived, my friends had already ordered chicken legs, breasts, and isol (chicken tail). I decided to add baticolon (gizzard) to round out our meal.
The portions were generous, especially the chicken legs and isol. The size of the isol was impressive and worth mentioning—it stood out as one of the highlights of our meal. However, my feelings were mixed when it came to texture and flavor.
The chicken barbecue had a unique crunchiness on the skin and the outer layer of the meat itself. At first bite, I thought it might have been fried instead of grilled! While some might enjoy this unexpected texture, it wasn’t what I look for in traditional chicken inasal or barbecue. For me, chicken barbecue should have that smoky flavor with tender meat slightly charred on the outside—not crunchy. This texture made me question whether it was cooked traditionally or if some other method was used during preparation.
Pricing
The pricing at Original Nena’s Beth Chicken Barbecue was reasonable—neither too expensive nor exceptionally cheap. It falls within the typical range you’d expect for chicken barbecue in Bacolod City. While it won’t break the bank, I felt that some improvements in quality could make it feel like better value for money.
Baticolon (Gizzard)
The baticolon (gizzard) was flavorful but smaller than what I expected. While it still delivered on taste, I couldn’t help but feel it didn’t quite meet the standard other local inasal spots set.
Final Thoughts
Dining at Original Nena’s Beth Chicken Barbecue was an enjoyable experience overall—but one that left me with mixed feelings. On the one hand, their friendly service and generous portions (especially their isol) are commendable. On the other hand, the unexpected crunchiness of their chicken barbecue wasn’t quite what I was hoping for as someone who prefers traditional textures and flavors.
For visitors like Avel, who are new to Bacolod’s chicken inasal scene, this place is still worth trying due to its accessibility and reasonable prices. However, as someone who has grown up surrounded by authentic chicken inasal options all over Bacolod City, I longed for a more traditional take on this iconic dish.
If you’re looking for a quieter spot away from heavy traffic and don’t mind a slightly modern twist on your chicken barbecue texture, Original Nena’s Beth Chicken Barbecue might be worth your visit! However, if you’re after that classic smoky flavor and tender meat synonymous with Bacolod-style chicken inasal, you may also want to explore other options.
While I enjoyed catching up with my fellow bloggers over good food and friendly service, my quest for the perfect traditional chicken barbecue continues!
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