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
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