This is one of the saddest reviews I've had to write. As an homage to her father, Maribeth and her brother Mario managed to make Papa's Kitchen into one of the best Filipino restaurants in the city. To deem their start as humble beginnings is no exaggeration, as they went from what was essentially a living room in a house / apartment in Woodside into its most recent run as a brick and mortar location in the heart of Jackson Heights. That run ended recently and the restaurant is now closed. There have been juggernauts in the Lil Manila scene, but Papa's Kitchen more than held its own for a long time. They thrived being one of the few restaurants that offered not just excellent food in the form of tasty classics, kamayan feasts, and ube pancakes for brunch, but also in person entertainment such as karaoke during dining sessions. They certainly were never afraid to try anything, which is admirable for any spot. Their lumpia shanghai was easily my favorite in the borough. It was always delightfully crispy, airy with every bite, and just simply looked better than most places attempting the same. Their savory pork kaldereta, creamy laing, and hearty lechon kawali will always haunt my taste buds. The kare kare, bicol express, and adobo anything was never devoid of flavor. All of the above made this place an ideal dining spot for hungry friends. Most of all, I'll miss the hospitality. Maribel, Mario, and the staff was always warm and welcoming. They made the experiences practically familial and the constant pressure to sing on the karaoke mic in front of other patrons, whom by the end were singing along. This was a magical place during its heyday and I think they should hold their heads up high, knowing they fed locals some outstanding fare, all while making their father proud the whole way. If there is a chance we can be spoiled once again by a reincarnation somewhere else, I will be the first customer in line.
transformation 1975
We're from Texas so glad we found this place last year. Food was really delicious at a good price. So happy that our New York's fam really enjoyed the food. Great customer service, can't forget Maria singing Spanish song while we were eating dedicated to my Tio, tia and mi Amor. Highly recommended. We'll be back soon.
Parker ASH
This is an excellent Filipino restaurant. You will feel like you are back in Manila when you come here, because the food is on point, and they have redhorse and kareoke with all the Pinoy classic songs. I highly recommend the beef sinigang, because the broth is sour and a little spicy, and the meat is nice and tender. the lumpiang Shanghai were great, and the adobo was was very tasty as well, especially when you put the sauce on the rice. Even if you have never tried Filipino food, you will enjoy the food here. Everything we tried was delicious.The vibe was true Philippines as well.
Victoria L.
3 stars for the lumpia. That was really tasty and good value! The rest, meh. Most bland kare kare I've ever had. Very thin as well. They do give you a lot of the shrimp paste, if you want the dish to taste only like that... The lechon was good but not for the money. I ordered to go and the rice containers weren't even full? Rice is cheap and this just looks tacky. They said 15min on the phone. I waited an additional 10min in the restaurant.. (that's 25 min, not a happy surprise)
Cristina C.
I'm from Hawaii and came here for lunch and loved the food. Everyone was very friendly and accommodating .Beth made ube pancake that is bar none the best pancake I've ever tasted.. Well worth the drive in my opinion . Mahalo for the wonderful and hospitality
Vidal Nikko Luchana
Cute place with friendly restaurant owners. Felt like I was eating at someone's home.
Maria C
Awesome Filipino restaurant with Karaoke, everyone can sing . Enjoy belly sisig and dynamite Shanghai. Bilao can be ordered ahead of time for parties ?
Julian Usman
I'm obssesed with this place. The food was delicious and the staff is super friendly. Feels like you're walking into a small community. This place has a lot going for it. Stay tuned.
Willem Holzer
This is incredible Filipino comfort food. Maria was a delight! Do not sleep on the ube halo halo. Also, the post meal Karaoke was so fun
Saveur Spot
Almost missed the place. They could use a better signage on the side walk. The palabok was good and tasty. Kare kare had a nice spicy kick to it. However, the beef pares could use more cooking time.
It took me a little time to find this place. All I gotta say about this beef is whoa. The beef was insanely tender. There was a perfect amount of fat. I didn't expect the spice and sweetness to blend so well.I highly recommend this dish.
Ming L.
Papa's Kitchen made me feel like I stepped into a Filipino family's home and was eating a home cooked meal! It's a humble medium-sized restaurant space compared to others in the area. Great sound system as well. We had warm and friendly service by our waiter, Bolo, who was attentive and made you feel comfortable. There seemed to be some interesting alcoholic cocktails that the next table ordered, which were may try next time. We ordered the lumpia, chicken adobo, pares braised beef, and upgraded our white rice to garlic rice for an extra dollar. The lumpia were beautifully wrapped and tasted great. The meats were tender, especially the braised beef, and it was a delight to pour the sauces on top of the rice as extra flavor. We were told the ube pancakes were available today since the owner was in, being the only one that knows the secret recipe :) 10/10 slightly crispy exterior, buttery and soft consistency with some shredded coconut in the center, with a nice ube sweetness that isn't overpowering. It was perfect with the scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. The prices are reasonable and you get home cooked food with casual and friendly service. We'll be back with friends to try more of their menu, and hopefully order the ube pancakes again!
Anna T.
Lovely, no-frills, local Filipino spot. Great food and friendly service. Hearty, rustic, homemade cuisine. The entrance is tucked away, make sure you don't miss it!
Jacqueline Payne
I just like their dishes. I always get good customer service here. The place is always clean and the workers are always super nice. Will visit here again.
Ashok J.
We traveled more than 30 miles to make it for lunch. Fortunately we were the only customers there and we had a great experience talking to the staff and chef. This was a vegetarian day for us. The options were limited. We ordered a dish that was made of glass noodles and a halo halo. The noodles was so delicious that we just devoured it so fast. Wish the portions were more. Halo halo was great too. It was icy, fruity and ubey. I am an ube fan and I loved it. Definitely a great place to try Filipino food.
This is one of the saddest reviews I've had to write. As an homage to her father, Maribeth and her brother Mario managed to make Papa's Kitchen into one of the best Filipino restaurants in the city. To deem their start as humble beginnings is no exaggeration, as they went from what was essentially a living room in a house / apartment in Woodside into its most recent run as a brick and mortar location in the heart of Jackson Heights. That run ended recently and the restaurant is now closed. There have been juggernauts in the Lil Manila scene, but Papa's Kitchen more than held its own for a long time. They thrived being one of the few restaurants that offered not just excellent food in the form of tasty classics, kamayan feasts, and ube pancakes for brunch, but also in person entertainment such as karaoke during dining sessions. They certainly were never afraid to try anything, which is admirable for any spot. Their lumpia shanghai was easily my favorite in the borough. It was always delightfully crispy, airy with every bite, and just simply looked better than most places attempting the same. Their savory pork kaldereta, creamy laing, and hearty lechon kawali will always haunt my taste buds. The kare kare, bicol express, and adobo anything was never devoid of flavor. All of the above made this place an ideal dining spot for hungry friends. Most of all, I'll miss the hospitality. Maribel, Mario, and the staff was always warm and welcoming. They made the experiences practically familial and the constant pressure to sing on the karaoke mic in front of other patrons, whom by the end were singing along. This was a magical place during its heyday and I think they should hold their heads up high, knowing they fed locals some outstanding fare, all while making their father proud the whole way. If there is a chance we can be spoiled once again by a reincarnation somewhere else, I will be the first customer in line.
We're from Texas so glad we found this place last year. Food was really delicious at a good price. So happy that our New York's fam really enjoyed the food. Great customer service, can't forget Maria singing Spanish song while we were eating dedicated to my Tio, tia and mi Amor. Highly recommended. We'll be back soon.
This is an excellent Filipino restaurant. You will feel like you are back in Manila when you come here, because the food is on point, and they have redhorse and kareoke with all the Pinoy classic songs. I highly recommend the beef sinigang, because the broth is sour and a little spicy, and the meat is nice and tender. the lumpiang Shanghai were great, and the adobo was was very tasty as well, especially when you put the sauce on the rice. Even if you have never tried Filipino food, you will enjoy the food here. Everything we tried was delicious.The vibe was true Philippines as well.
3 stars for the lumpia. That was really tasty and good value! The rest, meh. Most bland kare kare I've ever had. Very thin as well. They do give you a lot of the shrimp paste, if you want the dish to taste only like that... The lechon was good but not for the money. I ordered to go and the rice containers weren't even full? Rice is cheap and this just looks tacky. They said 15min on the phone. I waited an additional 10min in the restaurant.. (that's 25 min, not a happy surprise)
I'm from Hawaii and came here for lunch and loved the food. Everyone was very friendly and accommodating .Beth made ube pancake that is bar none the best pancake I've ever tasted.. Well worth the drive in my opinion . Mahalo for the wonderful and hospitality
Cute place with friendly restaurant owners. Felt like I was eating at someone's home.
Awesome Filipino restaurant with Karaoke, everyone can sing . Enjoy belly sisig and dynamite Shanghai. Bilao can be ordered ahead of time for parties ?
I'm obssesed with this place. The food was delicious and the staff is super friendly. Feels like you're walking into a small community. This place has a lot going for it. Stay tuned.
This is incredible Filipino comfort food. Maria was a delight! Do not sleep on the ube halo halo. Also, the post meal Karaoke was so fun
Almost missed the place. They could use a better signage on the side walk. The palabok was good and tasty. Kare kare had a nice spicy kick to it. However, the beef pares could use more cooking time.
Restaurantji Recommends
It took me a little time to find this place. All I gotta say about this beef is whoa. The beef was insanely tender. There was a perfect amount of fat. I didn't expect the spice and sweetness to blend so well.I highly recommend this dish.
Papa's Kitchen made me feel like I stepped into a Filipino family's home and was eating a home cooked meal! It's a humble medium-sized restaurant space compared to others in the area. Great sound system as well. We had warm and friendly service by our waiter, Bolo, who was attentive and made you feel comfortable. There seemed to be some interesting alcoholic cocktails that the next table ordered, which were may try next time. We ordered the lumpia, chicken adobo, pares braised beef, and upgraded our white rice to garlic rice for an extra dollar. The lumpia were beautifully wrapped and tasted great. The meats were tender, especially the braised beef, and it was a delight to pour the sauces on top of the rice as extra flavor. We were told the ube pancakes were available today since the owner was in, being the only one that knows the secret recipe :) 10/10 slightly crispy exterior, buttery and soft consistency with some shredded coconut in the center, with a nice ube sweetness that isn't overpowering. It was perfect with the scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. The prices are reasonable and you get home cooked food with casual and friendly service. We'll be back with friends to try more of their menu, and hopefully order the ube pancakes again!
Lovely, no-frills, local Filipino spot. Great food and friendly service. Hearty, rustic, homemade cuisine. The entrance is tucked away, make sure you don't miss it!
I just like their dishes. I always get good customer service here. The place is always clean and the workers are always super nice. Will visit here again.
We traveled more than 30 miles to make it for lunch. Fortunately we were the only customers there and we had a great experience talking to the staff and chef. This was a vegetarian day for us. The options were limited. We ordered a dish that was made of glass noodles and a halo halo. The noodles was so delicious that we just devoured it so fast. Wish the portions were more. Halo halo was great too. It was icy, fruity and ubey. I am an ube fan and I loved it. Definitely a great place to try Filipino food.