Bradley Tries, Manila Lines Up

Filming food reviews from the driver's seat, ranking Metro Manila's best chicken inasal, and turning a love for good food into a name people trust!

"I'm just glad that more places besides the usual are getting more recognition and more business, because they really do deserve it." -Bradley Go

The best recommendations come from people who genuinely love what they share. Jason "Brad" Go, better known online as Bradley Tries, is a Filipino food content creator whose honest, no-frills reviews have turned his chicken inasal rankings into a go-to guide for diners across Metro Manila. Known to his followers as the "King Inasal," a title he proudly carries in his bio, Bradley has built a community of over 40,000 followers on Instagram and over 70,000 on TikTok by doing one thing consistently: telling people exactly what he thinks of the food in front of him.

A Passion for Good Food

Bradley's interest in food began long before the camera. Growing up, he took on the role of his family's designated restaurant picker, finding new spots so they could break the habit of returning to the same places. He also spent two to three years sharing his food finds with friends through a personal dump account, well before content creation became a full-time pursuit.

Inspired by The Hodgetwins, an American comedy duo known for filming themselves eating in their car, Bradley adopted the same simple, in-car format for his own reviews. His Instagram grew slowly at first, but a move to TikTok changed everything when one of his car reviews went viral. His chicken inasal rankings series in early 2025 marked the real turning point, and he has since left his career in construction to pursue content creation full time.

From Problem to Purpose

When asked whether it was passion or a problem that got him started, Bradley says it was "probably a mix of both." The problem, as it turns out, was a line.

As a self-described impatient guy, Bradley was never a fan of queuing for chicken inasal, especially at Chicken House Express (CHE) in Makati, the spot that sits at the top of his rankings. His solution was simple: feature more inasal places across the metro and help spread the crowd out.

The result was the exact opposite. Every place he featured began drawing crowds of its own, and CHE only got busier. "Mas dumami pa sa CHE," he admits.

Rather than seeing it as a setback, Bradley sees it as the best possible outcome. What matters most to him is that smaller, lesser-known spots are finally getting the recognition and business they deserve. One inasal spot he featured went on to land a live segment on GMA's morning show Unang Hirit, with the team setting up at 3 a.m. to go on air around 6. Afterward, they sent him a long, heartfelt thank-you message, as he shared with SPOT.ph.

Building a Name People Trust

Bradley's credibility comes from his process. Before publishing any ranking, he makes sure to try at least 30 spots, believing that a list built on only a handful of visits would not be credible. For chicken inasal, every contender must be affordable and deliver on three things: smoky, salty and juicy. With inasal on his plate at least three times a week, he has the experience to back it up.

Bradley is also upfront that he is not from Bacolod, the dish's hometown. His rankings are driven purely by passion, which is part of why they often surprise people. Lesser-known spots frequently take the top positions, while some of the biggest names land further down. On his January ranking of 15 spots, Mang Inasal came in last.

From the Car to the Kitchen

In August 2026, Bradley brought his love for inasal off the screen and onto a menu through his first-ever restaurant collaboration. Partnering with chef Jed Lim of Vara Dining in Makati, a friend since high school, he helped create a month-long menu of three Bacolod-inspired dishes: an Inasal Yakitori, an Inasal Patty and a Batchoy Tsukemen.

While Bradley left the recipes to the kitchen, his palate guided the process. Before development began, he brought Lim to some of his favorite inasal spots, including Mezmar's and Oks Manoks, to set a benchmark. Over nearly four months of tasting and refining, he pushed for batchoy in place of a shrimp cake to stay closer to the true Bacolod experience, and for garlic rice instead of plain. For Bradley, the best part was that the collaboration stayed true to who he is. As he told Delish, "Vara still let me be Bradleytries."

What's Next for Bradley Tries

While chicken inasal remains his signature, Bradley continues to expand his rankings. He has already taken on ramen, a comfort-food favorite of his, and told SPOT.ph that shawarma rice, kebabs and tapsilog were next on his list. "Ma-rice talaga ako," he admits.

Bradley's journey is a reminder that authenticity can be the strongest brand of all. By simply sharing what he loves and staying honest about it, he has built a platform that not only guides diners but also gives small businesses the spotlight they deserve.

To follow Bradley's latest rankings and food finds, check out Bradley Tries on Instagram and TikTok, where he serves up honest reviews one bite at a time!