Anyone who loves tender beef brisket served straight from the grill shouldn’t miss this new food truck concept that specializes in wood-smoked meat: Apero Pitstop.Â
You might know Apero on Temple Drive in Quezon City as a neighborhood café with brunch offerings and reliable dishes done well. (Don’t sleep on their stellar bread which are made in-house, too!) The more casual sister restaurant to sophisticated Duck and Buvette in Shangrila Mall, Apero has gained a following in the community who puts a premium on freshly baked bread and leisurely meals without the mall crowd.
The same leisurely lounging and dining philosophy is echoed in Apero’s new al fresco dining concept named Apero Pitstop. Instead of breakfast or brunch fare, the menu highlights barbecued meats, sides, and cocktails served from an airstream trailer-turned-kitchen. Choose from any of their wood-fired smoked meats: chicken (P310), duck (P550), pork belly (P450), or brisket (P450)—all are brined in black tea and smoked for up to 16 hours using sampaloc (tamarind) wood. Apero’s Chef Jacq Tan experimented with different kinds of wood but the sampaloc wood won them over as it imparted just enough earthy flavor and aroma the kitchen staff was gunning for.
Here’s what you should try at Apero Pitstop:Â
Served with freshly baked roasted leek dinner rolls or garlic rice, the tender meaty dishes make for a satisfying meal meant to be enjoyed while waiting for the sun to set. The sides aren’t an afterthought either: there are the tasty burnt butter corn ribs (P180) (think of the internet famous hack that turns corn on the cob into “ribs”), spiced sweet squash fritters (P150), and crispy Parma ham and cheese puffs (P320) (glazed tater tots are a nice, delicious contrast to the salty cheese puffs). If you’re up for more surprising flavor combos, the refreshing jalapeno pineapple margarita (P420) offers a subtle kick with every sip without the heat.
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It may be difficult to decide on which meaty dish to order on a first visit, so we suggest rounding up your friends, order the smoked meats and several buvettes (sides), and don’t miss out on a cocktail or two.
Curious what other dishes and food to try? Here’s the full menu at Apero Pitstop:Â
Apéro Pitstop is located at Corinthian Hills Clubhouse, Temple Drive, Quezon City. Operating hours are 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays to Thursdays and Sundays; 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays or visit Apero on IG for more information.Â
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