FRANGOS is a popular Portuguese-style Piri Piri Chicken stand in the Legaspi Sunday Market, by Pia and Jonathan Renato. “Frango” means “chicken” in Portuguese, and sounds similar to the popular Piri Piri Chicken fast food chain, Nandos.
Jonathan was known in the bar and restaurant scene for Verve Room, Kemistry, Manila DJ Club, and the 32nd Street Bar and Resto, while Pia was known for Golden Triangle during the Malate Days.
They recently opened a standalone restaurant for all the Frangos fanatics in the market and extended their offerings to include other Portuguese favorites.
Here’s what we think about Frangos…
The facade is a bit bare and does not really give people a hint on what the place offers.
The ambiance is a street-style, casual chicken joint that is air-conditioned.
FRANGOS MENU: Frangos Chicken, Sides, Appetizer | Specials, Drinks, Wines, Dessert
The menu is centered on the Piri Piri Chicken, with a strong supporting cast of Portuguese favorites.
Chouriço Sausage and Roast Garlic Crostinis (P300)
You can start with these Portuguese-style chorizo a la tapas. The sausage was good, but the crostini was a bit hard. Not good value for money.
Chouriço Sausage Queijo Quesadillas (P215)
You’re better off starting with these quesadillas with the chouriço sausage and cheese.
Roasted Pumpkin Hummus (P95)
I love hummus, and this chickpea with roasted pumpkin combination works well. Served with soft bread sticks.
✮ Beef Trinchado (P250)
This is US Beef Rib Finger–similar to the ones in Tambai–but cooked salpicao-style. Highly recommended!
Portuguese Seafood Rice (P450)
This brings back memories of Banza’s Arroz de Marisco in Boracay, but it still needs some work to match the island’s most craved Portuguese dish.
Frangos patented an efficient way to charcoal-grill a butterfly-cut chicken, which ensures that it retains its juiciness and that the piri piri flavors are infused into the meat.
Make sure to order one whole chicken and ask them to serve it first for picture taking before chopping it.
✮ Frangos Chicken (1 Whole – P480)
The Piri Piri flavor is hot but not spicy, and the meat is juicy with that charred flavor throughout.
✮ Chili Garlic Sauce, Tomato Piri Piri (dairy farm butter), and Green Harissa (with juansoy and parsely)
The chicken goes really well with the Mango Salsa plus their signature sauces that explode with flavor when you mix them together.
They also have bottled sauces available so that you can enjoy them at home.
The chicken is best eaten together with the Yellow Rice cooked in the chicken broth, turmeric, and The Dairy Farm butter.
Tropic Haze Craft Wheat Beer (P165)
The Frangos chicken also pairs well with the light, fruity craft beer of Tropic Haze, just brewed next door!
The Frangos Team: Jonathan and Pia Renato and Chef Jerome of Tambai
You can also enjoy San Miguel Beer Pale, which they only sell in Grande (P200), for sharing with the group.
Merry Moo Ice Cream (P110). Sea Salt Caramel, Dark Chocolate, and Strawberry Shortcake.
Order the three flavors of our favorite Merry Moo ice cream to clean your palate after a delicious Frangos meal.
We loved Frangos Piri Piri Chicken with the Yellow Rice, Mango Salsa, and signature sauces–Chili Garlic, Tomato Piri Piri Sauce, and the Green Harissa. There are similarities to how Hainanese Chicken Rice is served, except that this is charcoal-grilled and with Piri Piri flavors.
Order the Beef Trinchado salpicao-style for your appetizer (some foodies rave about the Frangos Wings) and make sure to pair the chicken with Tropic Haze Craft Wheat Beer. Then finish with some Merry Moo ice cream for dessert! 🙂
The Portuguese Seafood Rice has potential and can still be developed to be better than Banza’s. Budget about P500/head.
FRANGOS
9595 Buma Building, Kamagong Street, San Antonio, Makati City
Telephone: +63 917 800-7777
Opening Hours: 11.30am to 10.30pm
Facebook: Frangos – Portuguese Style Chicken
Instagram: @Frangos_PH
(It’s located between the Sacred Heart and Buendia portion of Kamagong.)
Live an Awesome Life,
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Disclosure: Our meal was courtesy of our friend Spanky. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights. Read Our Awesome Planet Complete Disclosure Policy here.
Trivia: These are also the people behind the Salted Raw Butter from Bukidnon from The Dairy Farm in the last UTT event in Rockwell.
Upon seeing the first photo, parang si Spanky yung nakatayo na nakatalikod hahaha!
Sayang, walking distance lang from the apartment we once rented in that area.
MANYAMAN QUENI!!!
Everything looks delicious 🙂
I loved this post and pictures! Thank you to share.
Hey! I have read a lot about Portuguese style Piri Piri chicken before too. This post attracted me the most because of this. Frangos kitchen provided me amazing views. Thanks for sharing.
Your images are the best! And so clear. Is the ice cream made at Frango’s as well?? I was wondering if it was freshly made regularly there? What is their milk base? Is it cow milk or goat milk?
I thought Frango’s in the UK already expanded here 😉
http://www.frangos.co.uk/
For a while I thought Frangos Charcoal Chicken in Petersham, NSW, Au opened shop here. Have to give this a try.