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People often associate good quality grilled meats with an exorbitant price tag. But what if I told you that you could enjoy pretty good grilled meats prepared by a seasoned hotel chef for below S$20?
You better believe it, because Papa Jones Bar-B-Q And Grill in Serangoon is serving up affordable grilled meat dishes cooked by an ex-hotel chef.
The stall is helmed by Jackson Tan, a personable ex-hotel chef with an impressive 35 years of culinary experience. He used to work at hotels such as the distinguished Shangri-La and spent an extensive 15 years in China carving out his career.
All of his experience helped to lay the foundation for setting up Papa Jones Bar-B-Q and Grill.
Jackson prides himself on his homemade sauces. Painstaking and tedious as it is, he believes that is a necessary effort so that he can bring the best to diners. Some popular favourites are the Garlic Merlot Butter sauce and Black Pepper sauce.
I started my feast with the Rib Eye Steak (200g) With Garlic Merlot Butter (S$16.90). It comes with curly fries, grilled tomato and corn.
I loved how amazing the garlic merlot butter sauce tasted, with distinct aromas of parsley and garlic. The sauce contained both red and white wine, which explains how intense the flavours were.
The steak was grilled perfectly, and each succulent bite went well with the Garlic Merlot Butter sauce. The fries were crispy and well-seasoned too, providing a satisfying crunch.
My only gripe about this dish was the inconsistency in cooking. Despite requesting the steak to be medium-rare, there were certain parts of the meat ended up done medium-well.
However, this minor mistake did not spoil the dish extensively, and this is still a must-try dish.
The Braised Lamb Shank With Black Pepper Sauce (S$16.90) is one of the unique dishes available there. With how decadent it looks, this dish definitely deserves praise considering the affordable price point.
I enjoyed the tender lamb shank but found it a weird combination with the black pepper sauce. Though it was fragrant, the peppery kick of the sauce overpowered the flavour of the lamb.
I would recommend getting the less overpowering mushroom sauce instead.
If you prefer the lighter flavours of fish dishes, then the Blackened Cajun Fish (S$7.90) might suit you. This dish consists of a codfish laced with premium cajun seasoning, paired with the curly fries, grilled tomato and corn.
With a crispy crust and a firm bite, the fish was delightful. The mildly salty flavour from the cajun seasoning went well with the fish and enhanced its flavour.
However, an overdose of cajun made the dish too salty. If you prefer lighter flavours like me, remember to request for less cajun seasoning.
The food quality at Papa Jones was pretty decent. However, with food prices on par with restaurant chains like Hot Tomato, Papa Jones Bar-B-Q And Grill might be at a disadvantage in terms of ambience (especially the lack of air-conditioning).
Nevertheless, if you are in the vicinity and craving for some grilled meats, give Papa Jones Bar-B-Q And Grill a chance.
Expected Damage: S$7.90 – S$16.90 per pax
