WOODY’S TEXAS BAR-B-Q is a new American Barbecue restaurant in Manila that aims to set the standard for what real Texas smoked meat barbecue should taste like. It’s the latest restaurant of Elian, who is originally from Texas, and his wife Ines of Chihuahua and Manila’s Best Kept Restaurant Secrets Awards fame.
Known as trendsetters for Manila’s Tex-Mex restaurants, Elian and Ines are now kicking off the Texas Barbecue craze in the metro.
You’ve got to check out Woody’s this holiday season, which you’ll find in the original location of the first Chihuahua.
WOODY’S TEXAS BAR-B-Q
7838 Makati Ave. (across from A-Venue Mall between Kalayaan and JP Rizal), Makati
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday 11:00 am – 2:00 am
Telephone: +632 890-3192
Website: http://www.woodystexasbbq.com
Facebook: Woody’s Texas BBQ
TEXAS BBQ in Manila Series:
- WOODY’S Texas Bar-B-Q: Kicking Off the Texas American BBQ Craze in Manila!
- THE SMOKING JOINT: Low & Slow Barbecue from the South (A Review)
- DA’s Ranch: BF’s Secret Smoked American Ribs! (A Review)
The Texas BBQ hipster trend usually follows the Craft Beer revolution in a city.
Louie Mueller’s, Franklin’s, and other Texas BBQ Superstars. How many can you identify? This is on top of my buck-eat list for 2016.
Woody’s Texas Bar-B-Q Menu: Sandwiches, Plates, Pounds, Extras, Sides, Desserts | Specials, Cocktails, Beers, Softdrinks
The menu is simple–really good smoked meats with side dishes and craft beers.
Executive Chef Chris Vecin a.k.a. the Pit Boss educated us on how they smoke their meats using a customized brick oven smoker.
We had to make it quick because as they say in Texas, “If you’re lookin’ you ain’t cookin’!”
A 10-kilo piece of brisket is cooked for 10 hours while the ribs are cooked 5-6 hours, usually with smoke from Hickory wood.
You are given an order sheet where you specify the serving size, the meats, and the side dishes.
(NOTE: Indicate WNY, which stands for “Whole Nine Yards” if you want to order all the appetizers.)
The Texas newspapers are integrated into the walls to give it an old-fashioned American BBQ joint feel, which is a great backdrop to the local craft beers on display.
Here’s a guide on which craft beer to order, whether you like it to have more of a hoppy or bitter taste, and a lighter or darker consistency.
The Pit Boss prepares the smoked meats. You can request for additional homemade jalapeños.
★ Three-Peat (3 Meats – 1 lb. – P625). Brisket, Pulled Pork, and Ribs.
We all loved the ribs and the pulled pork with a tender and smoky BBQ flavor. You have to order a big slice of brisket to truly enjoy it.
★ Slap Yo Mama Sauce
Make sure to grab a bottle of their special spicy barbecue sauce, which is great with the meats.
The Whole Nine Yards (5 Oz – P240). Cole Slaw, Potato Salad, Country Beans, Dirty Rice, and Mac ‘n’ Queso.
I liked the light mac ‘n’ queso, generous slices of cole slaw, and dirty rice–a perfect partner for the meats.
Jalapeño Corn Bread (P25)
The corn bread is good with the right crumbly texture, but you can barely taste the Jalapeño.
Combo Meat:★ Beef Brisket +★ Pulled Pork (1/3lb Plate – P285)
It’s really hard to get good smoked brisket here in Manila, but Woody’s brisket is a definite must-try–you can really taste the smoked flavor in the meat.
The pulled pork meat is very tender, with each strand tasty by itself. It should be good as a sandwich.
★ Boracay Blonde
Check out this latest craft beer: Boracay Blonde Ale from The Cebruery–Cebu’s first microbrewery.
The Clutch City Sandwich (P255)
It’s a sandwich with a combination of Brisket and Pulled Pork on a burger bun.
Combo Meat:★ Ribs + Texas Hot Links (1/3lb Plate – P285)
The ribs are very tasty and you can taste the flavor all through the meat. The beef & pork sausages are much improved from our last visit.
★ Kalinga Kolsch
I loved this latest hoppy craft beer from the Crazy Carabao Brewing Company in Sta. Rosa Laguna.
Owners and proud parents Elian and Ines Habayeb with their new daughter Paloma, who was born the same month the restaurant opened. Congratulations! 🙂
★ Apple Pie (P135)
I’m not a fan of apple pie, but this one is very good with Granny Smith apples. Must be the best apple pie in town. 🙂
★ Bourbon Banana Pie (P125)
The frozen banana flavor topped with the cream infused with bourbon is a unique dessert to end your BBQ feast.
We love the smoked meats at Woody’s. The Ribs and the Pulled Pork were already excellent the first time we were here, and after a second visit, add the Brisket to our list of favorites.
Order the mac ‘n’ queso, cole slaw, and dirty rice for your side dishes, and some Boracay Blonde or Kalinga Kolsch to pair with your BBQ. End with the Apple Pie a la mode or the Bourbon Banana Pie. Budget about P400/head.
I like the interiors of the place, which pay homage to the Texas BBQ culture.
The location along Makati Avenue is a bit tricky and prone to heavy traffic, so make sure to avoid going there during peak traffic hours. It’s a good thing you can buy the smoked meats for take-out to enjoy at home this holiday season.
Congrats to Elian and Ines for setting the standard for Texas BBQ in Manila! Let the Texas Barbecue Craze in Manila begin. 🙂
WOODY’S TEXAS BAR-B-Q
Woody’s is Manila’s only authentic Texas Bar-B-Q joint, featuring slow-smoked ribs, brisket, homemade sausage, and cheap beer.
7838 Makati Ave. (across from A-Venue Mall between Kalayaan and JP Rizal), Makati
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday 11:00 am – 2:00 am
Telephone: +632 890-3192
Website: http://www.woodystexasbbq.com
Facebook: Woody’s Texas BBQ
Note: Take Uber or park in the A-Venue parking lot inside the mall.
TEXAS BBQ in Manila Series:
- WOODY’S Texas Bar-B-Q: Kicking Off the Texas American BBQ Craze in Manila!
- THE SMOKING JOINT: Low & Slow Barbecue from the South (A Review)
- DA’s Ranch: BF’s Secret Smoked American Ribs! (A Review)
Live an Awesome Life,
ANTON
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Disclosure: We paid for our meal the first time we visited and our 2nd visit was courtesy of Elian and Inés Habayeb. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights. Read Our Awesome Planet Complete Disclosure Policy here.
P.S. Kurt Hoyer, the US Embassy Press Attache, was raving about how good the BBQ is at Woody’s during the Tasting Room Thanksgiving Dinner.