After watching Despicable Me 2 last Sunday, Louie and I had dinner in Kangaroo Jack Steak & Grill. Since 2006, this diner has been busy pleasing patrons who are mostly lovers of delectable tenderloin, T-bone steaks, sizzling meals and grills.
I’ve eaten in their SM North EDSA branch with my mom – four years ago. It was difficult to pass judgment immediately because I haven’t been to a lot of restaurants then and I’ve only “converted” myself into a “foodie” about two years back. π Here I present my honest and humble review of Kangaroo Jack:
Review of Kangaroo Jack Steak & Grill (Robinsons Place, Manila)
Ambiance: β β β ββ
I don’t know if the ambiance of a typical Australian restaurant is anything similar but clearly, the place was an epitome of a common grill house. The restaurant’s vibe was lively and the decors were all consistent to the theme.
Two things turned me off: (1) We saw a small cockroach on our table that we quickly shoo-ed away. (2) The upholstery of the sofa we were seated on was badly torn and obviously worn out but otherwise still comfortable.
Service: β β β β β
Efficient staff did their best to mitigate the βworth-itβ waits here. Wait staff were responsive and attentive, willing to assist customers anytime.
Food: β β β β β
Many diners subscribed to the promo buffet (offered from 2PM to 5PM). At the buffet table (most likely consisting of snacks), I saw the following dishes: soup, nachos, rice, adobo, meatballs, pastas, and banana fritters. The buffet came with unlimited iced tea, so one can be truly satisfied with the promotion for only PHp 169 pax.
We arrived at past 6PM and didn’t intend to catch on the buffet time anyway; we were too sure that portions of a la carte dishes would suffice. Kangaroo Jack is most famous for its steak, grills and sizzlers, but our minds tend to gravitate to order entrees for the “health conscious” instead because we’re that kind of couple. π So…
For the appetizer, we had the Nacho Jacko (PHp 145) which was crisp corn tortilla chips topped with Kangaroo Jack’s meat sauce, tomato salsa and grated quickmelt cheese served with marinara sauce. Packed with flavor and flair, the nachos were crispy and the toppings and sauces tasted remarkably. This is the kind of dish that feels like it’s been going steady since eons ago and shows no signs of ever changing. It’s a hit that I couldn’t stop going back to, though I’m not much of a nacho-person.
The main dish was the Bangus ala Kiev (PHp 160) which was stuffed banugs belly with cheese and carrots in bechamel sauce, served with java rice, veggies and corn on a cob. It was a fine selection I’m glad we tried. But the fish caused an allergy attack to Louie. Apparently, he’s allergic to some fish, making his tongue feel thicker and numb for a short time.
Because of that, I had to finish 2/3 of the entree and felt super full. π― This Bangus ala Kiev with name so chic was seriously great stuff! Each bite transported my taste buds with the cheesy fillings.
Price for Value: β β β β β
There’s no shortage of accolades about this restaurant and hey, prices of food here are surprisingly easy on the pocket! Kangaroo Jack caters to the general public as its prices are much lower than that of the big brands currently available in the local fast-causal dining segment.
Service was good and the enticing environment further makes Kangaroo Jack a βbargain for the qualityβ – translation: book for a reservation when you decide to eat in peak dining hours or wait in the queue.
Kangaroo Jack Steak and Grill
G/F Robinsons Place Manila, Padre Faura Wing, Adriatico Street, Ermita, Manila
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
I’ve been to Kangaroo Jack in their branch in a mall somewhere near UP Diliman. It was dinner time and I decided to explore outside of UP Diliman during my short stay there last February. I could not exactly remember which mall I went to. I just had a little adventure riding the jeepney until I reached that mall and I saw Kangaroo Jack, then decided to try their steak. I honestly did not find anything great about the steak but it was still a good experience to be in that restaurant. The waitstaff were really nice to me. =)
Mom tried their steak before and also didn’t find it anything spectacular. Anyway, what can you expect from a low-priced viand? Maybe the quality just matches the price and this joint happens to be one that serves for budget-conscious folks who wish to eat steak on a rainy day. π
Got fascinated with those glasses of drinks. Hmmm.. how much kaya per glass? Err.. glass ba tawag dun? Hehe.
Haha I’m not sure which one you are referring to. Maybe from the pictures above, you’ve seen the red and orange liquid containers? I’ve seen similar ones used to dispense beers but don’t know what they’re called as well. π
Another great reviews from you sis. I love the way you deliver your lines, every time I visit your site. “IDOL” na kita!
Thanks, Pal Raine! π Hope you keep reading other posts. I really appreciate it.
I’ve been to the SM Manila branch years ago (not sure if nandun pa)
Their serving sizes are really value for the money.
We had the grilled meat and steak and sure it was filling!
^__^
Hehe yeah right, SM Manila has one branch of Kangaroo Jack and I’ve only reminded of this now. That’s probably the nearest branch from our place so we might dine in there when Mom feels tired to cook and prepare dishes for our meals in the weekends. π
Tried dining at their SM Manila branch about a couple of months ago and I was quite disappointed. I was expecting a generous serving just like with their other branches (based on my nephew’s experiences) but the serving that they gave me was too small. And the veggies on the side were already starting to dry out already. It was actually my first time dining at Kangaroo Jack and now I’m not sure if I want to give them another chance… their other branch maybe.
Hmmm maybe you can give them a second try – in another branch. π
haven’t tried kangaroo jack but the place intrigues me.. the bangus ala kiev looks good nga.. at first parang crab cakes hehe π
They’re like comfort food with rice and some healthy veggies on the side. In short, it was a complete meal! π
i have tried kangaroo jack in gateway if i am not mistaken and their food is really great. not that expensive but worth it. π
Correct. So if youβre feeling stretched for cash but want to grab good food, donβt worry β dining in Kangaroo Jack isn’t necessarily a wallet-busting experience. π
Your reviews egg me to go visit the place. Ambiance 3-star never mind , I go after the service and yes those yummy grilled stuffs.
3-star for ambiance is pretty okay. Table service is good and the food is varied enough to keep diners coming back for more.
You have a good review about Kangaroo Jack Steak and Grill. I wanna try their food too!
Thanks, Riza. π You’d be surprised to find many interesting dishes in their menu.
woooh! this post made me hungry!!. The Bangus ala Kiev looks promising and delicious, I should try that dish when I visit Kangaroo jack steak and grill! π
Yeah try that! Maybe it’s not their best-seller but it’s not one to be missed as well. π
I tried their buffet. I say it’s really affordable. Lots of chicken, lots of pasta. All’s worth it π
That sounds compelling! π OK we’ll try it next time.
Hi there! I heard Kangaroo Jack in Robinson Ermita is already closed, do you know if they were transfer to a different location or level in that mall?
Hi Jay! Thanks for the heads up. I went to Robinsons Place yesterday with my boyfriend to confirm this and you’re right! It’s already closed in that branch. There was no one I could ask if they would just renovate, transfer to another or finally close down.