If you are looking for a cheap and probably the best restaurant in Dumaguete City, Jo’s Chicken Inato is the place to be. Popular among locals and tourists, this restaurant started serving their famous native chicken inato in early 80’s. Inato means “aton aton lang” or “exclusive for us”.
Jo’s Chicken Inato Dumaguete CityLocated along Hibbard Avenue corner Siliman Avenue, Jo’s Chicken Inato can easily be reached via tricycle at any point within Dumaguete city.
Jo’s Chicken Inato’s Filipiniana facade sets this restaurant apart from any other restaurants in Dumaguete City. It has this high-end ambiance especially during the evening. Lights complement to the varnished wooden chairs and tables. Being an open air restaurant, guests get to enjoy the unpolluted air of Dumaguete city.
Jo’s Chicken Inato Interior
Live chicken on the leftmost part of the photoInterestingly enough, there is a huge live chicken inside Jo’s Chicken Inato restaurant.
Jo’s Chicken Inato Dumaguete City Menu
The restaurant bestsellers are Inato Paa, Inato Petso, adobong kangkong, fish kinilaw, macao canton and buko halo-halo. They also serve various meats, seafood, grilled and sizzling dishes. They also serve alcoholic drinks. For the complete menu, please visit the links below:
I did not hesitate to try their signature dish – Inato Petso (99 Php). This meal consists of chicken breast, rice and atsara. I must say that the chicken inato is something that resembles Bacold’s chicken inasal. Both dishes are tasty and delicious! (related: Where to eat chicken inasal in Bacolod City)
Chicken Inato
Apart from the delicious chicken inato, we ordered 2 piece of pork barbeque (40 Php), Camaron rebosado (120 Php), buttered shrimps (150 Php). We paid less than 500 Php in total for a festive meal consisting seafoods, pork and chicken!
Being cheaply priced, I did not really expect something special on their menu. Surprisingly, their food exceeded my expectations! I have nothing negative to say about this restaurant. The location, ambiance and service are good. Food on their menu are delicious and affordable. Well, that explains why Jo’s Chicken Inato is a very popular food destination in Dumaguete City!
Bacolod City is the capital of Negros Occidental province. Pegged as the City of Smiles for being a friendly city, it is also the home of the famous annual Maskarra festival. Aside from its friendly people and its highly anticipated festival, Bacolod is also popular for its specialty dish – Chicken Inasal.
Chicken Inasal is a marinated chicken pieces in a mixture of vinegar, pepper, annato and other spices then grilled using coals until done. The unique blend of marinade and basting make this typical grilled chicken extra sprecial! Today, chicken inasal has become popular and various restaurant chains serve this yummy Bacolod dish all over the Philippines.
Where to eat Chicken Inasal in Bacolod City? Manokan Country
Namit ang manok sa Bacolod! Chicken in Balod is delicious!
Manokan Country is a popular food destination among locals and tourists. It is a food complex with wide array of open-air restaurants serving Chicken Inasal.
Located in Father Ferrero street, Manokan Country is just across SM City Bacolod’s north wing. If you are coming from any place in Bacolod, just hail a taxi and inform the driver to bring you to Manokan Country. If you are coming from Bacolod Ceres Bus terminal, cross the road and go to Silay terminal. From there, ride a jeepney bound to SM Bacolod. Just ask the driver to drop you to Manokan Country.
Manokan Country Map
After visiting The Ruins and several old houses in Silay City, I immediately headed to Manokan Country to try the authentic Bacolod’s Chicken Inasal. Manokan Country reminded me of Mahogany Market in Tagaytay. The only difference is that restaurants in Manokan Country offer Chicken Inasal instead of bulalo. (Related post: Where to eat cheap bulalo in Tagaytay?)
I observed that Aida’s Chicken restaurant was jam-packed with guests. Since there are many restaurants to choose from, I decided that Aida’s restaurant must be the place to eat Chicken Inasal in Manokan Country.
Aida’s Restaurant in Manokan Country Bacolod
Affordable Menu
Aida’s Chicken restaurant offers inasal dishes at an affordable price. The most expensive dish at Aida’s is chicken pecho which only costs 80 Php and garlic rice at only 30 Php. If you are a fan of chicken innards, they also serve atay, heart and tina-e (isaw).
Yummy Chicken Inasal at Aida’s Manokan Country
I was surprised by the generous serving size of Aida’s chicken inasal! I have eaten inasal countless times in Manila but Aida’s was really way far better! It was perfectly cooked, juicy and flavorful! I even had to order my second rice to finish the generous serving of their chicken pecho.
Garlic Rice (30 Php) & Chicken pecho (80 Php)
I’m a fan of soy sauce with calamansi but I barely consumed the sauce I prepared. The inasal itself is very delicious and is already good without sauce.
Overall, I super enjoyed the gastronomic experience in Manokan Country. It was nice to eat Bacolod Chicken Inasal right where it originated. I would definitely return to Manokan Country on my next visit to Bacolod City!
If you are travelling to Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, there are a number of hotels and accommodations in the province. For budget travelers, comfort and affordability are important in choosing a hotel or accommodation. In Dumaguete, there is no other hotel aside from Go Hotels Dumaguete that offers comfort and good service at an affordable price.
Go Hotels Dumaguete Location
Go Hotels Dumaguete is located in Calindagan corner South Road in Dumaguete Central Business District Dumaguete City. The hotel is across various BPO offices and is also few meters away from Robinson’s Dumaguete mall. If you are coming from Dumaguete airport, Go Hotels Dumaguete can be reached via tricycle or habal-habal. Travel time from the airport to the hotel is 20 minutes and fare is approximately 120 Php. If you are coming from Ceres Bus Terminal in Dumaguete City, tricycle fare costs 40 Php.
I stayed in Go Hotels Dumaguete after my short day trip in Bacolod. I traveled from Bacolod to Dumaguete via ordinary bus which took roughly 7 long hours. Since I was not able to anticipate the long travel, I arrived in Dumaguete city at 11 PM and immediately took a tricycle to Go Hotels Dumaguete.
Check-in was a breeze
It was my first time to check-in in a Go Hotels chain. I was very excited as I’ve been reading good reviews about their hotels. When I arrived, I was surprised by its spacious open air lobby and reception area. It was simple and clean.
Go Hotels Dumaguete Reception area
Go Hotels Dumaguete Lobby
The check-in process was a breeze. Since I booked online prior to my trip, I just presented my Travelbook booking confirmation to the receptionist. She quickly verified my booking and immediately handed me the key card for my room.
Go Hotels Dumaguete room rates
Unfortunately, Go Hotels do not have published room rates. Their rates are more expensive if you will book closer to your check-in date. The below rates were generated via Go Hotels site as of this writing.
Room rates if you book via Go Hotels site 3 days prior to check-in date:
twin bedroom – 1220 Php
queen size bedroom – 1220 Php
Tip: Alternatively, hotel online booking sites such as Agoda and Travelbook offer cheaper Go Hotels Dumaguete rates.
Travelbook had this last-minute booking promo for twin room for only 710.12 Php instead of 900 Php. It was even cheaper than a queen size room. Being a budget traveler, I immediately booked the 710.12 Php promo rate.
Go Hotels Dumaguete twin room
I was assigned to a twin bedroom on the second level, just right beside the stairs. I should say that I did not really expect anything as I only paid 710.12 Php. Surprisingly, the room is spacious for a budget hotel. It was very clean and well maintained. The bed and pillows did not disappoint. It was good for the rates Go Hotels Dumaguete offers.
Room amenities include air-conditioning unit, cable TV, WiFi, soap and shampoo, in-room safe and hot and cold shower. Being a hotel for travelers and backpackers, the room does not have any work area. Nonetheless, if you are bringing work in Go Hotels, the fast internet connection will compensate the lack of work area. As for the toilet and bath, it was very clean. Aside from the soap and shampoo, bath towels and mats are provided.
Twin room
The interior is simple and has this hip and cool vibe.
If you are a food lover or a smoker, eating inside your Go Hotels room is not allowed. There is this note in the room that eating areas are available at the hotel’s common areas. For smokers, there are designated smoking areas outside the ground lobby. If you dare to eat or smoke inside your room, prepare for a 1,000 Php cleaning charge. I do not have issues about these rules as these are for Go Hotels to maintain the quality of their rooms.
My Take on Go Hotels Dumaguete
Overall, I enjoyed my stay in Go Hotels Dumaguete. The receptionists were very accommodating and welcoming. I should say their approach and service are at par with receptionists of high-end hotels in Manila. For Go Hotels Dumaguete room rates, the room exceeded my expectations. It was spacious and clean. Dumaguete’s Go Hotels is indeed a budget friendly hotel in city!
Go Hotels Website: http://www.gohotels.ph
Cheap Go Hotels Dumaguete online booking: Agoda / Travelbook
Contact Numbers.: +63 (35) 5221100 | 5221102
