All things grilled at DJ’s Grill

The island’s obsession for barbecue or anything grilled is what prompted Donnie Militante to set up DJ’s Grill last month along Beach Road in Chalan Kanoa.

Militante, who is the comptroller of the Commonwealth Development Authority, said they opened the location last Dec. 15 after some delays because of the late-arriving griller.

“I chose this line of business because aside from my passion in accounting, my other passion is hotel and restaurant operations. I decided to develop the concept of roasting and barbecue because I noticed the love of people here on island for roasting and barbecue. Every occasion or just a family gathering will not be complete without the barbecue as part of the menu. The other reason I chose this concept is to provide affordable quality food to working individuals or families that don’t have much time anymore to cook after work,” he told Saipan Tribune.

While DJ’s Grill specializes in roast chicken and grilled pork belly or liempo, Militante said they also sell barbecue and pork blood stew or dinuguan. The last two are available as early as 10am for those taking an early lunch.

Militante said he developed a passion for food—especially in the field of hotel and fine dining—while working in the Philippines. “I passed the CPA licensure exam, I worked at SGV [Sycip, Gorres & Velayo] as a staff auditor, but I did not stay that long as an auditor because I felt that it’s a very lonely job and not well compensated. Imagine, you get busy especially during the yearend and most of the time you will miss celebrating Christmas or New Year with your family. I experienced one time assisting the yearend inventory of McDonald’s on Dec. 31. Everyone was celebrating the New Year countdown and you’re inside the walk-in freezer counting burger patties,” he said.

After his stint with SGV, Militante moved to Bistro Holdings (franchise holder of TGI Fridays, Italiannis, and Outback Steakhouse) and part of his new job was to compute the monthly food and beverage cost analysis.

“It was during this time that my passion for fine dining started to develop.”

What followed were stints at various fine dining restaurant groups in Metro Manila. He then found himself working as an accountant at Mariana Resort & Spa and years later moved to CDA. Armed with his experience in accounting and F&B, Militante hopes DJ’s Grill will tickle enough palates in the community to give it staying power.

“So far we received a very good reception and feedback from our customers and this just give us more inspiration to raise the standard of our food and service,” he said.

Aside from whole roast chicken and liempo, DJ’s Grill also offers different set menus for $5.50. One set menu includes 1/4 roast chicken, pork barbecue, macaroni salad, atsara or coco, and rice, while another is made up of grilled pork belly, pork barbecue, macaroni salad, atsara or coco, and ice.

DJ’s Grill also accepts short orders for siomai, empanada (pork, chicken, and beef), lechon kawali, crispy pata, and dinuguan. “We also accept whole tray and half tray orders for birthday, business meetings, family gatherings, or for any type of occasions,” he said.

Among the whole tray and half tray orders DJ’s Grill can whip up include pancit (bihon, canton, or mixed), siomai, beef caldereta, dinuguan, beef broccoli, lumpia shanghai, among others.

DJ’s Grill will also soon come out with an ala carte menu that includes bulalo, beef nilaga, sisig, stuffed grilled squid, fried tilapia, and fish fillet, according to Militante.

DJ’s Grill is located across Town House Department Store or next to Diamond Auto Parts along Beach Road in Chalan Kanoa, a stone’s throw away from the Mt. Carmel Cathedral.

It is open from 8am to 9pm Monday-Friday and 2pm to 9pm on Saturday and Sunday. For orders, call 234-4745.