MANILA -- “Chiliheads” is the term reserved for people who love spicy food and everything that contributes to that spice, whether it’s chili, hot sauce, or peppers. It is also the name of the new restobar of the Kanto group devoted to all things spicy and bike culture.

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Located right beside the Kapitolyo branch of Kanto, Chiliheads is Kanto’s younger biker brother. Repurposed from an old house, the entrance is a garage where you would occasionally find a pair of beautiful Royal Enfield touring motorcycles. There’s a shelf of motorcycle-related souvenirs at the entrance, and large neon motorcycle hog lights up the rear wall. Pictures of motorcyclists from different eras show the beauty of the hobby.

This unique theme is the idea of Kanto prime movers Vince Juanta and Eugene Claraval, who are avid motorcyclists.

“Why not combine our experience with restaurants and our biking to create a destination biker restobar for people like us to enjoy,” Claraval said.

The owners clearly want this to be a location for motorcycle and scooter groups to gather as weekly group ride schedules are regularly posted on the window.

DON HULYO HOT SAUCE

Chiliheads is also the flagship store of Don Hulyo Hot Sauce. Julius Mercado, the "Hulyo" of Don Hulyo, is foremost a hot sauce collector because of his love of hellishly spicy food. Unfortunately for him, he had to import the hot sauce to get the level of spiciness he wanted.

“The Philippines doesn’t have hot, as in HOT, sauce,” noted Mercado.

He recalled making a batch of chili sauce as a Christmas gift back in 2017. After sampling his recipe, a majority of the recipients encouraged to him turn this into a business.

Chiliheads has a complete series of Don Hulyo BBQ and chili sauce, ranging from mildly spicy to devilishly hot. Of note is the limited edition Infierno Black Reaper featuring Carolina Reapers, the hottest chilies in the world. Just one drop on your food is enough to get you gasping for a pitcher of cold water to extinguish the searing heat.

MEXIPINO FOOD

Chiliheads features what the owners call Mexipino cuisine. Mexican staples such as chimichangas, nachos, soft tacos, and flautas are in the menu but with Filipino twist. For example, the nachos may look the same but this version is topped with caldereta.

The menu’s centerpieces are undoubtedly Chilihead’s versions of the beer can chicken or pinaupong manok, and the fried pig face.

First, the chicken. The chicken sits on top of a can of Sprite or Red Horse then is placed on top of the stove. When the can heats up, the steam blows out of the can and into the chicken giving the inner meat the flavor of the cooking liquid, and at the same time making it moist and juicy.

The pork face, meanwhile, is cooked in several ways. While others may just deep-fry the pork face and lay it flat on a serving plate, Chiliheads wisely hangs the face from what looks like banana hooks for maximum visual impact. While it may look like a gimmick to make it visually appealing, Chiliheads places lettuce below for the drippings making for a nice side salad.

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Chiligeads offers this in four variants ranging from the Ronin, a deep-fried confit version, to the El Jefe, slathered with a mixture of hot sauce and honey.

For dessert, Chiliheads has a couple of sari-sari store alcohol-inspired cheesecakes on the menu. The Ginebra Pomelo and Ginebra Calamansi will give you memories of those simpler college days when getting buzzed on a budget was the highlight of a great weekend.

After 9 p.m., the lights are dimmed and Chiliheads turns into a bar. While there is beer and the usual bottles of alchohol, the signature chili-infused cocktails – the Rockstar, Spicy Cucumber Lemonade, and the Rocket Fuel -- are the must-tries which heat you up and cool you down in between sips.

With its gearhead theme and Mexipino food, Chiliheads is a nice addition to the colorful food scene of Kapitolyo and definitely worth a visit, specially on Taco Tuesdays, where they have a buy-one-take-one promotion on tacos and margaritas.

Chiliheads is located at 6B 1st Street, Barangay Kapitolyo, Pasig City. It is open from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.