WHERE else best to carbo-load and to refuel one’s body after driving around the city than in a bar and grill created by cars, motorcycles, bicycles, karting and off-road enthusiasts themselves. The destination is known as Wheels Bar and Grill located in Capitol Site, Cebu City.
Formed by five partners, Maricar Rojo, Johnny Paras, JJ Paras, Jesselito Simporios and Vincent Yap, who have fallen in love with adventure, they conceptualized a perfect spot suited for anyone most especially vehicle enthusiasts to hang out in just like some of the owners themselves.
“It is a hole-in-the-wall, where off-road enthusiasts and families come together,” said JJ Paras, one of the partners owning the restaurant.
A few of the ideas emanated from Johnny Paras who has a collection of cars and Maricar Rojo’s children who have been joining kart racing competitions all over the country.
Photos of bikers and images of vintage cars decorate the walls of the restaurant. The tables have trophy centerpieces serving as table numbers. These trophies were among those which were won by the children of Maricar Rojo from go-karting competitions.
“My two kids are into go-karting. They had been competing in Manila and Cebu before. These table numbers were their prizes. We thought to give it another twist so we placed it with the tables. Those are not ordinary trophies,” said Maricar while referring to the trophies.
Although revolving around the concept of automobiles, embodying every mobile sport there is from karting, biking, motor-biking, car racing and off-roading, the place was most importantly created for family bondings and get-togethers with friends.
Wheels Bar and Grill holds Slogos Trivia Nights every Thursday, 9 p.m. where diners may form teams among themselves to answer trivias to win prizes often in the form of Gift Certificates for Wheels Bar and Grill.
“It’s random trivia, anything under the Sun. Whatever the Slogos Team creates. It could be about politics, music or anything and we have different questions every week,” said JJ.
To liven up the mood, Wheels Bar and Grill also features varying live bands every weekend nights to entertain diners while eating.
The food is a globalized Filipino creation by JJ Paras who is a cook himself. “I really wanted to do Filipino food with a twist. I worked in the States for a bit so I learned a little Middle Eastern style and some Indian style. So I wanted to incorporate it but keep it still Pinoy in a way and just make it different from everybody else. Because Filipino food is really hard to get into because everybody else does it and the always compare it to how it’s done in their houses so I needed to do something different,” said JJ.
The menu is also unpredictable in a way as Wheels Bar and Grill features different specials every week. It is open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. every day.