Jollibee (Cathy's visits)

mmm-yoso!!! , a food blog, is being written by Cathy while Kirk and His Missus are on the road. 

Jollibee, a chain originating in the Philippines, is the largest and fastest growing Asian restaurant company across the globe, with 1500 locations (70 in North America).  Three are in San Diego County.   Even though burgers are on the menu, Jollibee is primarily known for its "Chickenjoy"-marinated, hand breaded chicken which is never greasy and always crisp and juicy.   Each location has a Jolly Bee greeter at the door. 
 There are some specials near the ordering area as well as online if you pre-order.  

The restaurant is always clean, ordering is efficient.  As soon as you begin, there is another person or two listening and beginning to gather your choices.  By the time you pay, a tray or 'To-Go' bag is waiting.  You do have to fill your soda from the machine.
 A salty brown gravy is included with each chicken order.  That's a pineapple juice drink ($3.49) on the tray, which was filled from behind the counter.
  A three piece meal with one side -adobo rice- and beverage from the machine ($11.99).  Adobo rice is fried rice with pork.

Adobo is a method of cooking in the Philippines.  It is a braising of the 'protein' (although you can make adobo vegetables) in a marinade of five items: vinegar, garlic, bay leaf, soy sauce and peppercorns.
 The two piece combination with palabok ($11.99).  Palabok is rice noodles topped with a garlic-pork-shrimp sauce topped with sliced hard boiled egg; a really nice side dish.
 We also ordered the 'Limited Edition' fried pie ($2.99) which is coconut pineapple-large shreds of sweet coconut and chunky pieces of tangy pineapple in a flaky, buttery crust. The 'regular' pie (peach mango) is always satisfying.  
 On another visit, I picked up two Deluxe Chicken Sandwiches ($5.99) with a side of 'crispy fries', which remained crispy on the drive home.    "Deluxe" means the sandwich has mayonnaise, lettuce and tomato.  It is served on a brioche bun.  As you can see, there was also a peach mango pie. 
 The chicken can be regular or spicy and regular is great-meaty, juicy, crispy and very large.  Packets of Cholula are available and compliment the flavor if you change your mind and want spicy.  I'm not crazy about brioche buns, since they basically don't absorb sauces (or juice) but this was toasted and fresh and not overly bready.

Jollibee has consistently great service and serves consistently great, fresh food.  An excellent chain. 

Soo wrote about Jollibee in 2021. cc wrote a couple of  Jollibee posts more than ten years ago.

Jollibee 8436 Mira Mesa Blvd San Diego, CA 92126 (858) 800-3130  Open daily 9-10 Website

Comments

[kat]

always wondered about jolibee, will give it a try next time I’m in hawaii

[Loren]

One of my absolute favorite fast food places, I only wish it was closer to me in east county.

Now I have to admit some friends of mine and I have wanted to do a chicken challenge of trying the fried chicken from Jollibee's, Popeyes (few blocks from Joolibee's in MM) and Raising Cane's (few blocks as well). We just need to hoard enough Prilosec and Lipitor but I think we can make it work :)

[Soo]

I love their fried chicken! https://www.hungryones.com/2021/01/jollibee/

[Cathy]

Definitely try it Kat. If they have a breakfast menu (they did prior to Covid-19), you can get the egg/rice/gravy with two pieces of chicken to start your day.

Maybe someday they'll venture out to East County, Loren. Your Challenge sounds delicious as well as feasible, since you could compare fresh, hot fried chicken pieces.

I missed seeing that post, Soo! Yes, the fried chicken is properly fried and tasty at Jolibee!

[Loren]

Hey Cathy, think we can get a mmm-yoso rep to join us on our multi couple fried chicken taste test? Lol

[Soo]

Thanks for the link Cathy!

[Dereck]

I used to hit Jollibee once in a while when it was over by Manna BBQ (then Pizza Hut), and when it closed I thought it was gone for good. I had no idea that it just moved across Camino Ruiz! I will have to go grab some chickenjoy.

[Sandy]

The Jollibee by Manna BBQ closed a long time ago, so it didn't quite just move across Camino Ruiz! I still haven't been to this one, but I did have some Jollibee (first time in many years) in the Bay Area earlier this year, and enjoyed the chicken.

Also the chicken challenge could include nearby Chick-Fil-A Dave's Hot Chicken.

[Cathy]

Hi Loren, it might be possible, but until about July 4, one of us is kind of busy. I'd like to see how you organize it.

You're welcome, Soo.

The 'new' location seems a bit better, Dereck. I only found the Jollibee because I was meeting someone at Starbucks-at the "new" location.

This is true, Sandy. I really don't like 'hot' chicken (at least not for a first bite).