Aida's at Manoakan County: Juicy Inasal Chicken

After a rough ferry ride from Iloilo to Bacolod and checking in at our hotel, my mom and sis weren't really in a hungry mood despite the late hour. But still I persisted. Correctly assuming that once my mom got a whif of freshly cooked inasal (grilled or barbecued chicken which was said to originate from Negros Occidental), her appetite would quickly return.

There are a lot of inasal restaurants in Bacolod. I've tried a couple from previous stays but for this trip and since it was my mom's first time in Bacolod, I chose Aida's at Manoakan County.

Can't miss the shop since there is one giant chicken at its doorway

Aida's was recommended by an officemate of mine who was from Bacolod. That was good enough for me.

decorated masks from previous festivals are put on the walls

ready and hungry

Since it was late (around 4pm) there wasn't too many customers around. Perfect :)

While waiting for our order, we spied a small table out front with big piles of uncooked talaba (oyster). Apparently, these were being sold by some young entrepreneurial boys. When asked, they said they can steam some for us and bring it to our table. They sell these at P50 a plate which is really cheap.

Each plate has about 12-14 pieces of talaba

Not really knowing if these were fresh or if we would have a stomach ache afterwards, we tentatively tried out a couple. Surprisingly, they were fresh and did not have a bad odor or taste. Mom thought that the talaba was a little bit undercooked (she doesn't like it raw) and so dipped hers in a bit of vinegar.

Ceviche anyone?

We liked it so much that we ordered one more plate with the request to have it cooked a bit more. The second batch was perfect.

simple menu

But of course, we were here for the main event - the inasal!

After about 5-10 minutes, our food arrived. Some pecho and paa inasal with garlic fried rice.

garlic kung garlic

Let me just say that Aida's manok is so juicy, tender, not too burnt but still cooked all the way inside. The meat was very flavorful and it doesn't even need any additional condiment. Yes, it was oily and we probably smelled like inihaw ourselves after we finished eating but man, that was some good chicken. My mom even said that it was the best inasal she ever tasted.

I've tried other inasal restaurants in Bacolod but most of them turn out having dry chicken. The flavor would still be good but I still crave for the juicy chicken of Aida's.

Indeed

  

Final Verdict 

Priced just right, place is not air-conditioned but plenty of electric fans available, no-frills ambiance, simple menu that is all about juicy inasal chicken. If KFC is sarap to the bones, this one is sarap until the last oily drop :D Expect to smell a bit like inasal when you leave.

Direction

Aida's is located in Manoakan county which is basically a strip of small restaurants selling inasal chicken. Aida's is at the center just beneath the Manoakan county sign while a big chicken statue stands guards outside. Very conveniently located at the side of SM Bacolod.

I believe they have once branch in Metro Manila which is at the Makati Cinema Square : L-11, LGF Makati Cinema Square, Pasong Tamo, San Lorenzo, Makati City. Not sure if they're still open at this branch.