Espetada The House of the Hanging Chicken

I heard about Espetada The House of the Hanging Chicken in Davao.

We went here for the first time when we were planning to go to Serenitea when they had a jumbo cup promo late February. Espetada was full and we had to wait since there was a group of customers waiting before us. We decided to come back next time. Then we spotted their stall at the Davao Sinugba Festival in DavCon during the Araw ng Davao weekend but didn’t eat there that time.

Finally today we found ourselves in Obrero coming from Abreeza and thought of passing by Espetada. There was no line. The place was full yet we just came right in time that a couple of customers were leaving and there were no other waiting customers at 8PM.

If Mesa Filipino Moderne restaurant has “pinatayong manok”, Espetada has what they call ‘The Hanging Chicken’. It is basically grilled chicken barbecue which you can choose to be spicy or not, served with a side dish of potatoes, and rice.

TADA!!!

Now you may be wondering, what is Espetada? It does sound like espada. Here is what it is from Espetada’s FB Page:

“Espetada is a Portuguese dish made usually of large chunks of beef rubbed in garlic and salt, skewered onto a bay leaf stick. To put it in simplier term, Espetada is meat on a stick – the Portuguese way.

Soaked for 24 hours in a special marinade and basted in authentic peri peri sauce, spicy food lovers will surely be challenged by our Espetada Chicken.”

For starters, I heard their Cheesy Cheesy is good so I wanted to try it.

The lady server told us it is made of three cheese: mozarella, cheddar and babel cheese. She was not quite sure about the last one and how it is spelled.

The bread they served was not like the one they had in their poster and photos nor like the ones I saw on social media photos. It was darker probably from being heated before. But it was not hot like it was day old bread.

Then they served next their Pork Sisig which hubby ordered instead of their Beef Kebab. It was served with egg.

Being used to sisig served hot in a sizzling plate, even if this one was not, wish this one was served hot. It would be more delicious. Hubby told me he liked it.

Then they served the hanging Chicken that is now laid to rest on the plate. *wink*

I chose French fries for the side dish because I wish to share it with my little kid.

I remember a restaurant owner told me recently that nothing beats delicious food that is served hot. And if I may add freshly cooked. I wish their food was also served hot. I really love food that is served hot when it should be hot, and you know when it is cooked fresh. Didn’t have any concern on waiting this time and the lady server who took our order was so nice and accommodating. I know for sure there will be better days for us with Espetada. We will be back next time to try their Shawarma, Hummus and Beef Kebab.

They happen to have a TV and my little kid wanted to watch Dream Dad. Speaking of TV, they were featured in Jessica Soho’s show already. Hooray for Espetada!

Here is their menu…
They offer free delivery for a minimum order of P300.

Espetada is located at Sobrecarey Street in Bo. Obrero, Davao City along those carinderias near the location where Blue Carabao Eatery used to be. It is just walking distance going to the back from McDonald’s Bajada or from Mamma Maria’s Pizza.

Their store hours…

Tuesday to Friday: 4PM-12MN
Saturday & Sunday: 12PM-12MN
Take note that they are closed on Mondays.

For this Holy Week 2015, they will be open this Maundy Thursday but closed on Good Friday.

Before I end this, while eating the first dish they served, I noticed this…

This is not an April 1 prank from us I am sure. The ant might just love their cheesy dish and managed to find its way into the cheese dip when they served it to us.

It immediately reminded me of that recent episode of Bogart the Explorer’s The Bogart Case Files which my kid and I saw wherein he ate at Balaw Balaw in Angono, Rizal an exotic dish of fried hantik. Will this come close to that experience? We didn’t eat that and I immediately took it out for we feel it does not belong there. Hope the chef and owner gets to read this somehow and make sure it never happens again.

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