Taste of the Orient

I’m a Filipino and been coming back here since I knew this place. First we only come to this restaurant because of the Lapaz BATCHOY. To tell you what is not as good as the original Teds Lapaz batchoy but it’s close enough. The problem is you can’t really ask for extra soup like we used to in the Philippines. It’s a small place but it’s good enough if you’re craving for some authentic Filipino dishes. Also try the fried chicken, mmm yummy, it’s plain no batter or whatever. Sinigang (sour soup) is also fresh and tasty. The service here is great, the server has been pleasing customers for quite a while now. I’ll keep coming back…

First things first. This was listed as a Chinese restaurant. It’s NOT! It’s 100% Filipino! I would know. I’m (you guessed it!) Filipino.
Despite some negative reviews, I actually liked the buffet there much better than the one over at Little Qiapo in North Park. I don’t know if it was just the hunger or if I was just nostalgic for some authentic Filipino food, but I enjoyed it overall. The place was quite small, but had some cute décor. There was also a little Karaōke stage in the corner, so if you’re into that, they hold it every Saturday from 7−11pm.
Pros: The staff was super friendly. Everything I tasted was cooked just right. Their meat dishes were very tender, and not too tough or fatty like most of the ones I encounter at other Filipino restaurants. Their vegetable egg rolls were crispy and not fried to burnt-​ness. They also had leche flan! It’s as good as my mother makes it! My favorite was actually the marinated grilled pork with onions and tomatoes. Just thinking about it makes my taste buds happy :)
Cons: It was quite a limited selection. They didn’t have all my favorite Filipino dishes! No adobo, no turon (banana eggroll dessert), and no crispy pata! Having a crazy sweet tooth, I was also looking forward to dessert, but they only had a handful of recipes available. What the what?! That kinda needs to change. Also, the food kept running out, and guests had to keep reminding the cooks to bring more dishes out. This place definitely needs to hire more help.
Overall, this Filipino buffet for only $ 10 was pretty good. It definitely satisfied my craving for food from the homeland, and I would not mind coming back. I just hope they have more dishes to offer!

My wife is Filipino, and we always try to find new places to eat. We have eaten here twice, and don’t plan on going back. I really don’t have anything good to say about the place, other than if you want to eat Filipino food, go to the grocery store next door (Joffen) and get their fresh food from the deli area in the back. This restaurant is really bad. Food was mushy, tasteless, and not even close to making your own Mama Sita’s dishes at home. There is karaōke on the weekends if you’re into that, but I won’t be going back. A friend of mine told me that the chef here went down the street to cook at South Sea, which is right next to Tailgater’s on Boughton Rd. I have had their food, and it is good, but again, it is a grocery store, and not a sit-​down restaurant.

I don’t know why I didn’t feel like coming back here a 2^nd time in a span of 2 – 3 years but then I realized (on that 2^nd visit) that it was the horrible customer service.
I came in with my wife, in-​law and 3 kids (5 – 10 y.o.) and there was not a table available that was big enough for us so we ended up waiting I would say a good 15 – 20 mins until a group of 6 left and they started to clear that table. Since we were the only customer waiting, I assumed that table was going to be ours.
But another group came in and they seemed to know the owner/​manager. And you guessed it, they got the table. No waiting. I asked the manager why but did not explain. Just smiled. Of course we left.
From what I remember the food was exactly as described by Rachelle G. on 12÷26÷06 «is not prepared in what most consider to be authentic Filipino food». Not good. Just go next door to Jo-​Fen and get take home.

OK, I just assumed that a place with a name as this, would be a Chinese restaurant. But I was wrong, for it was mainly Filipino food. And since I never had Filipino food before, I stuck with the two things I knew what they were. I had hot and sour soup and an order of Mongolian Beef. The soup was huge, big enough for two people, and had a unique taste to it, not like the average I’d get at any other place. But I really, really, really loved the Mongolian Beef. It was in a spicy black bean and garlic sauce, with very tender pieces of beef with thinly sliced green and red peppers. It was very unique, a good change from the Chinese version I’m used too. The place itself was very tiny, maybe about five tables, a cash register and a small area in the corner where they have Karaōke on Saturday nights. (I’ll take a pass on that.) It’s obviously a family business, because, when we were leaving, we saw the little old grandma lady cooking in the kitchen. As soon as I do a little research on Filipino food, I will have to be back here to try some new dishes. (I hate going into an ethnic restaurant with absolutely no idea of what I should be in store for, or what not to do.) And not to mention the woman who was waiting on us was really nice, and even though we were just finishing up our meal fifteen minutes after the place’s closing time.

This restaurant serves mainly Filipino food but also a few generic Chinese dishes. I went with my family to celebrate birthdays and my mom thought she was in for a treat since it’s rare to find Filipino restaurants. Honestly, the food is horrible and is not prepared in what most consider to be authentic Filipino food. Both my mom and grandma were a bit shocked. Should you have the desire to try the restaurant, stay far away from the noodle dishes as they were the most shocking in preparation.
What the two stars are for: fairly attentive service and relatively clean dining area.
Why this review lacks more stars: horrible interpretations of classic dishes, a bit cheesy in terms of décor and dimly lit dining room.
Also, for those that dine on Saturdays and look forward to quiet meals, stay far away as they have karaōke.