*Updated: 9/6/18

My preferred form of escapism usually has something to do with food. Reading about it, cooking it, and of course, eating it. Food articles have been calling Filipino “the next big thing” for some time now. While it hasn’t exactly lived up to sushi dominance, I’m still glad to see Filipino chefs doing their thing and throwing down in the kitchen.

Here are some sit-down Filipino  (vs. the traditional turo turo/point point/cafeteria style or fast food types like Jollibee) restaurants with chefs helping shape the gastronomical geography around the States. I also threw in a few dessert spots because…well, they’re desserts. These are just brick and mortars because Filipino Americans have been so prolific in this game that we’ll have to save pop-ups and food trucks on a future list. Restaurants listed with chef or chef/owner indicate Filipino run spots serving non-Filipino specific food (’cause we got skills like that).

This is mostly for my own reference for when I travel, but if it inspires you to check them out too, all the better! I’ve also made comments, recommendations, and posted my own pictures of some the places I have been to myself. As Eddie Huang (I know, not Filipino, but still an influential Asian restauranteur) says, “Vote with your dollars.” Feel free to add your local favorites in the comments below!

Alaska

• Gold Digger Mine and Dine

Houston

• Aqui

Las Vegas

• • Cutting Board Filipino Gastropub
  • Fist of Fusion (Chef/owner)
  • Eggslut (Chef/owner)
  • Babystacks (owner)

Los Angeles

• Oinkster
  • Ube shake was on point. Can’t wait to go back and try the pork adobo on pan de sal.
• Eagle Rock Kitchen
• Republique (chef/owner)
  • Sari Sari Store (chef/owner)
    • Sari Sari’s halo halo is next level delicious.
• Kusina Filipina
  • My parents liked it so much they ordered more food to go while still eating our first round!
• Ma’am Sir
• Lasa
• Ricebar
• The Park’s Finest BBQ
  • That cornbread bibingka though…
• B Sweet Dessert Bar
  • Big Boi 
• Eggslut (chef/owner)
• Belly & Snout (set to reopen in late 2017)
  • Three words: Oxtail Tater Tots.
• Oi Asian Fusion
• Cafe 86
  • Ube lattes, ube cupcakes, ube cookies, ube shakes, ube smoothies, ube pop tarts, what’s not to love?
• Fist of Fusion (Chef/owner)
• Tatang 
• Eater LA has a slightly different list

Maui

• Star Noodle (chef/owner)
  • Tin Roof (chef/owner)
    • OMG, that mochiko chicken and bibingka birthday cake is SO good. It’s one of those dishes I will think about and crave until I can make it back to Maui. Don’t forget to order an extra “dime bag” of furikake.

Miami

• Talde Miami Beach

New Jersey

• Talde Jersey City

New York

• Talde Brooklyn
  • Massoni (owner)
  • The Heights (owner)
  • The Crown NYC  (owner)
• Flip Sigi
• Jeepney
• Marhalika
• Purple yam
• Pig and Khao
• Ilhawan
• Chef’s Club Counter
  • Technically chef Alvin Cailan’s food is featured here, but it’s not owned or operated by him. See Eggslut and watch for future brick and mortar ventures from Chef Alvin.

Orange County, CA

• Irenia 

San Diego CA

• JSix
• Snoice -desserts
• Arterra (chef)
• Nomad Donuts (chef/owner)

San Francisco Bay Area

• Patio Pilipino San Bruno
  • Traditional food, but done really well (notice the Filipinos waiting in line out the door. We don’t do that for just anyone). My standard orders here: crispy pata, bangus sisig (I felt like I had an epiphany the first time I had it here. It changed my life), and crispy binagoongan and for dessert the buko con seta. It’s all good though.
• Tribu Grill Union City
• Brenda’s French Soul Food Kitchen  SF (chef/owner)
  • Brenda’s Meat and Three SF (chef/owner)
  • Libby Jane Cafe SF (chef/owner)
• Craft and Spoon Oakland
• 1760 SF (chef)
• Tselogs Daly City
• Ongpin South San Francisco

  

• Tastebuds San Bruno
• Isla Restaurant Newark and San Bruno
• Kuya’s Asian Cuisine San Bruno
• Chibog Daly City
• Alido’s  South San Francisco
• Karilagan South San Francisco
• Boracay Garden Grill South San Francisco
• Buffalo Theory (Chef/owner)

Seattle

• Hood Famous Bakeshop
• Knee High Stocking Club
• Kraken Congee (Chef/owner)
  • Are they relocating?  or permanently closed?

Austin

• East Side King (chef/owner)
  • Otoko (owner)

Washington DC

• Bad Saint
• Matthew’s Grill
• Purple Patch