By Brooklynn Wong
Manila Grille sits in a nondescript strip mall on Knott off the 91.
I pass it regularly and have been somewhat intrigued by it, and wondered if it was good. After having this thought at the back of my mind each time I passed it for a couple of years, I finally decided recently, there’s only one way to find out.
I didn’t expect it to be busy, but a preliminary Yelp search of it suggested that it does have a loyal following, of both Filipino expats and local foodies.
And on a Saturday, the inside of the restaurant was bustling.
Located at 7635 Knott Ave., Manila Grille does not exactly sit in a restaurant hub. It’s in a largely residential area. There’s now a taco shop a few doors down from it, but aside from that its neighbors are a smoke shop and a small salon and beauty supply store.
The parking lot is small and once the paved spots are taken up, there’s an overflow gravel lot free-for-all.
The restaurant has been there since 2003, and its website calls it a “mom and pop, hole-in-the-wall labor of love.” The inside is small and intimate, bereft of anything trendy or eye-catching, but that’s its niche.
The family-owned restaurant is comfortable and unassuming, like a grandma’s or an aunt’s house.
The menu is not static, and the day’s offerings are presented cafeteria-style, behind a glass counter for you to peruse and make your selections.
The combo is a safe bet, at a good price and with generous portions. It includes jasmine rice and two items of your choice. Admittedly knowing hardly anything about Filipino cuisine, I asked the server a little about the options, then took a wild leap and went with the two that looked best.
They were giniling (a ground pork dish with vegetables) with quail eggs, and chicken afritada (a stew of tomato, chicken, potatoes and peppers).
Both were very tasty, but a definite different flavor palette than most anything else I’ve tried. The heavy richness of the meat, oil and soft-boiled egg is both a tasty culinary adventure and the factor that makes it all a bit much towards the end.
But isn’t that just like eating at a relative’s house? If you don’t leave feeling overly-sated, you’re doing something wrong.
This fast filipino comfort food restaurant has a friendly and helpful staff, low prices, unique food and no frills.
They cater large events and sometimes deliver too.
They’re closed on Tuesdays, but otherwise open Monday through Saturday 10-7:30, and Sunday from 10-5.
See the full menu and learn more about Manila Grille at manilagrillebuenapark.com.
