In case you haven’t heard, Deli by Chele has become one of the go-to brunch destinations of those seeking beguiling breakfast fare—particularly the pastramis and sandwiches—since its inception in December 2020.
So it wasn’t a surprise to see the Deli by Chele pop-ups and, eventually, the Rockwell and Podium stores abuzz with guests clamoring for the most important meal of the day.
It also isn’t a surprise that Gonzalez and Villaflor have taken it upon themselves to inculcate more of that breakfast and brunch culture into Filipinos through a new all-day dining breakfast menu.
The chefs serve up flavors of New York—with the signature New York-style brisket pastrami as the foundation—alongside Philippine influences that come in next-level breakfast bowls courtesy of Villaflor.
Not only is Deli by Chele’s new endeavor intended to bring good vibes and comfort any time of the day, having distinct Eastern and Western breakfasts is a delicious strategy to cater to various palates.
Clearly, Gonzalez and Villaflor leveraged on the market’s breakfast cravings and need for carbohydrates after a night of fasting. Yes, sleeping counts as fasting, hence the need to replenish our energy stores with hearty breakfasts. Plus, with their inventive approach to fine dining in their flagship restaurant, the plates and bowls are pretty enough to capitalize on the fact that we eat with our eyes, too.
But as much as perception matters, Deli by Chele’s all-day breakfast dining menu is delicious on all fronts—our eyes, nose, mouth, brain, and stomach all agree.
Here’s a rundown of some of the menu highlights:
Pastrami, egg, and cheese bagel P295
A blockbuster homage to their signature New York-style brisket pastrami with creamy scrambled eggs and cheese in between a homemade sourdough bagel.
Pastrami eggs Benedict
It’s not boundary-breaking but it gets the job done and is primarily what a good eggs Benedict needs to be—stacked ingredients topped off with runny eggs.
Salmon and avocado toast
An all-time brunch favorite with the smoked salmon reigning supreme on the open-faced sandwich.
Mixed berries French toast
The sweet sets of the menu, like this toasty classic, are too good to pass up on—which you can amplify with any of the coffee selections.
Deli corned beef on garlic rice
One of four signature rice bowls from Villaflor that upgrades a Filipino breakfast staple—using a hand-pulled pastrami.
Pastrami tapa on garlic rice P295
This fragrant tapa bowl “relives Villaflor’s college memories” where he spent mornings prepping the kitchen, afternoons in classes, evenings finishing coursework, and late nights hanging out with friends.
Crispy bacon on pastrami fried rice
A hedonistic bowl of crispy smoked bacon that seduces appetites without steering too far from Filipino breakfast comfort zones.
