HOTBOX KITCHEN is a rustic Canadian comfort food restaurant by Canadian couple Chef Evan and Michelle Corby, located in the neighborhood of San Juan. They serve New American comfort food and of course, the quintessential Poutine.
Hotbox is a term used to refer to an enclosed space with trapped smoked, a reference to how they smoke their own bacon and sausages.
We tried Hotbox Kitchen with our long time friends, Francis and Ivan, and here’s what we think…
HOTBOX KITCHEN
450 C Wilson St. cor. P. Guevarra, San Juan
Facebook: @hotboxkitchenph
Telephone: +632 275-4577
Email: hotboxkitchen@yahoo.com
Operating Hours:
Tuesday to Sunday 4.00 pm to 11.00 pm (closed on Mondays)
Hotbox Kitchen is tucked away in Wilson St. near the congested P. Guevarra neighborhood.
Chef couple Evan (English) and Michelle (Filipina) Corby, formerly Calgary-based, decided to establish a family and a resto here in Manila last 2015.
Hotbox Menu: Snack Attack, Main Dishes | Soup, Sides, Sweet Stuff, Beverages
APPETIZERS
Smoke Sausage Skillet (P250). Smoked Kielbasa, Fried Egg, Parmesan Cheese, Toast.
You’ll love the double-smoked candied bacon with a sweet crispy texture and a chili finish.
The sausage, egg, and parmesan cheese are good pica-pica to start off your dinner.
Caesar Salad (P250). Romaine, Hard Boiled Egg, House Bacon, Parmesan Cheese Bread Crumbs.
The Caesar salad was good but made extra special because of the bacon.
Deep Fried Pickles (P125). Dill Pickle Spears Battered and Fried, Garlic Aioli.
I personally love pickles because the sourness somehow resets your palate, helps in digestion, and a good alternative to fries.
Mussels Provencale (P325). NZ Mussels, Smoked Sausage, Tomatoes, Garlic, White Wine, Parsley.
I like the clean taste of the mussels, which weren’t overpowered by the sauce. The sausage was a bit dry.
MAIN DISH
Fried Chicken & Waffles (P295). 3 Pieces Chicken, Green Onion Waffle, Canadian Maple-Butter Gravy.
We all loved this–perfectly fried chicken with a crispy skin and sweet butter gravy from Canadian Maple-butter.
The Smoked Meats were the highlight of our meal at Hotbox. Make sure to ask to serve the meats in a family style platter.
Steak Frites (P955). 10oz. Angus Rib-Eye, Parmesan Fries, Bacon Gravy. Upgrade your Fries to Poutine (P100). Hand Cut Fries, Mozzarella, Aged Cheddar, Bacon gravy
The steak is served with rock salt, bacon gravy, fries that can be upgraded to poutine and awesome steak knives to properly cut the meat.
The steak was quite good. Cooked medium and you can taste the flavor of the meat–no need for the bacon gravy.
Bourbon Glazed Pork Chop (P345). 8oz. French Cut Pork Chop, Green Beans, Rice.
The pork chop was a bit sweeter with the bourbon glaze. Served on a bed of green beans and white rice on the side.
The pork meat is white inside and does not seem to have any flavor. The bourbon glaze dominates your palate. It was OK.
Roasted Garlic Carbonara (P265). Roasted Garlic Cream Sauce, Bacon, Smoked Kielbasa, Green Peas, Parmesan Cheese.
We liked the roasted garlic creaminess of the carbonara contrasted with the smoked bacon.
The place is cozy. We love the rustic feel, especially when catching up with and meeting long-time friends.
DESSERTS
Freshly Squeezed Lemonade (P100)
We just love a really good lemonade for cleaning the palate and having a sweet-sour ending to a meaty meal.
Rocky Mountain (P100). Potato Chips, Marshmallow, Chocolate Drizzle.
This is my favorite–potato chips with sticky melted marshmallows and chocolate!
Calgary Stampede Style Fried Oreos (P100). 4 Oreos, Battered and Deep Fried.
Good but a bit too heavy for dessert.
I love the story of Chef Evan and Michelle. You can really taste their passion in the dishes that they serve. This place is best for small barkada gatherings or having good conversations with friends.
Make sure to order the double-smoked candied bacon, fried chicken & waffles, steak frites with poutine, and rocky mountain for dessert. Budget about P700/head if you are ordering the steak.
The food is perfect for breakfast but unfortunately, they are only open at night. Maybe they can do a Sunday brunch special once in a while.
Congrats to Chef Evan and Michelle Corby for your Hotbox Kitchen concept!
HOTBOX KITCHEN
450 C Wilson St. cor. P. Guevarra, San Juan
Facebook: @hotboxkitchenph
Telephone: +632 275-4577
Email: hotboxkitchen@yahoo.com
Operating Hours:
Tuesday to Sunday 4.00 pm to 11.00 pm (closed on Mondays)
Live an Awesome Life,
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Disclosure: Our meal was courtesy of Chef Evan and Michelle Corby! I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
P.S. The sausages were a bit dry when we ate there but please do give them a try because they smoke these themselves.