Fil-Am Cuisine

Fil-Am Cuisine @ 66 School St, Daly City, CA 94014 A small eatery offering takeout only — no dine-in, but the food is worth it! They’re known for their tasty pork and chicken barbecue, which are both flavorful and satisfying. We also tried the Bam-i (their mixed noodles); it’s more on the pancit bihon side than pancit canton (its not 50% on both but about 25/75 more favor on pancit bihon), but the serving was generous and filling. Parking is along the side street and can take a bit of time, but overall, it’s a nice spot for a quick Filipino food fix.

I’ll be coming back but only to bring food home. BBQ chicken was delicious, sinigang was also delicious but way too oily. Their sinigang is spicy and extra sour. There isn’t that much rice for a plate. Huge portions. No vinegar :( No seating inside does kinda suck especially if you get soup, you can’t easily eat it in the car. This is probably best for people who will be bringing food back to a place to eat. They take cash and Zelle only. The staff are nice.

An amazing hidden gem in Daly City. The prices are cheap for amazing quality of the food. We ordered a chicken and a pork skewer and lumpia. The lumpia was small and ok and the vinaigrette was a bit weak. But the chicken and pork skewers were just outstanding with great flavors AND tender!!! Each skewer was under $4 and big. There’s definitely a wait but the line does move fast. We waited about 20 minutes as everything is cooked to order. They have a system though the counter lady was a bit confused but it was worth the wait!! We’ll be back!! This is take out only with no tables and cash only!!!

Park up by the Jack in the Box across the street if you can't find any street parking nearby. This place tends to have a line out the door but it's well worth it. The food is so delicious and it's very affordable, especially for the portions you're given. I've only ever really tried the bbq skewers, pancit, and lumpia but all the other food they have available looks scrumptious and tempting. Be prepared and bring your cash as it's cash only.

I bought bbq they were nice to warm it up for me, but the lady on the counter was rushing me and haven’t check my order! I know from the fact the the stall was dirty atleast be nice to customer ensure everything is according to our order! They asked me if I will return and get what I bought, you guys never demanded debit pay to cash only! I don’t know why this food store still pass for FDA and state survey!

I love this place because everything tastes exactly how it should and they continue to provide affordable meals for people! I always get the soup they have for the day (sinigang, nilaga, tinola) in my 2-item plate. Food my kids like here: lumpia, soups, corned beef, adobo, longanisa, white rice, pansit.

We drove to Daly City for this from San Jose…. Hole in a wall place… Wow their BBQ meat is so tender, juicy with a great char flavor. Will be back soon for the bbq chicken.

I love the Turon. Do you know it's a good place when the three tables they have are filled with catering order pickup and the line is 10 people deep at 11:00 a.m. on a Tuesday. Every year for our holiday party we pick up food here and for other parties too but every year like clockwork they make our holidays amazing

Cash only! We can always depend on Fil-Am for a last minute gathering. Good people and still the best prices for any Filipino food in the Bay Area. My family came from Pensacola, Florida & never has Filipino food. We got the grilled chicken on a stick, beef stew and the lumpia. They loved the beef stew here. The service is busy as always. Ambiance is as expected.

My oldest son requested Filipino Food for Thanksgiving instead of turkey - so I ordered from FilAm for the first time for platter pick up on Thanksgiving. Their 1/2 platters were huge and piled high ! you really get your money's worth! We ordered 1/2 platters of Pancit Bihon, BBQ chicken skewers, chicken adobo, ube and lumpia . There were 10 of us and a ton of leftovers! Heads up though if you ever plan to order on a holiday, be prepared to stand in a long line for pickup - and also CASH ONLY. I stood in line for 45 minutes only to find out that they don't accept debit/credit/Apple Pay, so I had to find a bank to get the cash and come back and push through the long line to get back in to pick up my food. I was alone so I had to carry this heavy pile of food to my car (no parking either). good thing I work out :D It ended up being a great day, just I was an hour late and everyone was starving haha, which is why there are no photos because as soon as I put the trays down everyone swooped. LOL

Fil-Am always hits the spot. I don't normally go for the BBQ, but it is tasty. I LOVE the sinigang and karekare here. There actually has not been anything I haven't liked that I've gotten here. And for $13 for a 2-item combo?! With generous portions?! It's a deal! You can also ask for half rice/half pancit with your combo, so it really makes it like a 3-item combo. Like others have written, parking is difficult. But the food is worth it!

Delicious food! Grab and go kinda spot. You get a TON of rice. Meat is very flavorful. The lumpia was sitting out, but still crispy. The ube halaya was not needed, but everything else was great.

Come for the BBQ skewers, skip the abysmal lumpia. The BBQ skewer combos are so good and they pile on the rice/pancit so the value is excellent for the amount of food you receive. The lumpia however is another story. They were barely filled with anything and were way too overpriced compared to the entrees. Like others mentioned, cash only and street parking isn't the easiest depending on what time you go.

Wanted BBQ and Fil-Am makes that so accessible. Came in the morning on a Friday so parking was easy. The shop is takeout and the skewers were wonderfully grilled. Got a mix of Chicken and Pork Skewers and only needed to trim a small amount of fat off of the Pork. Service was friendly, and I felt well take care of. I will with Joy come back. Paid via Cash.

I saved this spot to my bookmarks a long time ago but didn't try it until just recently. After reading the other reviews, I was prepared to show up at 8 AM on the dot to avoid having to wait and in order to ensure that everything I wanted was in stock. I spent the days prior to my visit looking up every dish on the menu to make sure I knew what everything was so I could order accordingly. I told my boyfriend to prepare for battle as all parking would be metered, it would be a busy street, and there would very likely be a wait in line. Lo and behold, when we pull up there is no line. I jump out and run inside to find just one guy ahead of me ordering, so immediately I felt much relief and was instantly in a better mood. I get the two items with rice with two additional skewers on the side. My boyfriend wanted lumpia but unfortunately they didn't have any, possibly because it was first thing in the morning. The guy who took my order dipped the skewers that I wanted in the sauce and put them on the grill as soon as I finished talking, wrapped everything up nicely, I paid at the register and was out the door in probably under five minutes. The smell of garlic rice was wafting out of the bag on our drive home so we were super excited. After getting home, I was satisfied to see that the skewers were so big that they were sticking out of the side of the takeout box, just like the other reviewers described. I got two chicken and two pork, my boyfriend was a fan of the chicken and I preferred the pork so it worked out well. The pork definitely has some fatty pieces and reminds me a lot of the Chinese style honey bbq pork, especially with the color too. The two items with rice alone is more than enough for two people, but both the rice and meat keep in the fridge and reheat in the microwave well so there's no harm in getting extra and saving it for later. Really glad to have discovered this gem!

Casual, low-key storefront with great value for the amount of BBQ you get. Everything is well-seasoned and marinated, tender, and juicy. Ideal for parties or potlucks.

Finally, finally, finally! I was able to try these Filipino skewers. I've heard friends talk about it, have seen foodies post about it, and everything in between. There was about 7-10 people in line ahead of us, and if that doesn't show how popular they are, you can see the abundant amount of catering trays waiting for pickup in the room. The shop is fairly small, and you wait in line to order what you want. I ended up getting chicken skewers, pork skewers, and pancit. I couldn't order everything I wanted, unfortunately, so I'll definitely have to come back. The food is super cheap at less than $4 per skewer. And it's not a small skewer either! It's so packed with meat that it's hard to pull off the skewer at times. The meat was tender (and still warm even after a 40+ minute drive home!) and full of flavor. I was definitely scared that it might be dry but that wasn't the case. One of the pork skewers was a bit charred but it wasn't too bad. I think the chicken was my favorite but I would order either again! The pancit was pretty typical - nothing outrageous but it hit the spot. And there was a lot of it too! The line does move fairly quick but if there's a lot of people you may have to wait. It's a cash-only establishment but the food is cheap and portion sizes are quick big. Overall, super happy that I was able to try this place out. There are lines for a reason!

What better place to stop for Filipino food than Daly City? I used to frequent this area and always had this place bookmarked. I was pleasantly surprised to find Fil Am lives up to its reputation! The chicken and pork skewers are tasty and generously sized while remaining affordable at $3.99 each. They have a variety of hot bar entrees as well. I also like their turon and other desserts. Today the turon came out crispy and fresh and the cassava cake was also yummy. I'll make it a point to visit whenever I'm back in the area!

Bring cash! Love this place, you get big portions perfect for sharing-- that way you can order a bunch of things. I have seen customers picking up large orders in foil pans, they would be a great place to order food for a party. Parking can be tricky so be prepared to possibly park on another street and walk over.

Went for Breakfast Food - 5/5. Pork was tender with good amount of char to give it a hint of that smoky flavor. Sauce was sweet and tangy, which helped balance out the richness of the pork. Garlic rice had good aroma, nice amount of pepper, and just the right amount of oil to add a firm bite. While everything was delicious, it was rather lukewarm; which was fine, but it would've been even better if it was hot. Service - 4/5. Quick and friendly service. Value - 5/5. Two BBQ sticks with rice was a reasonable $10. They offer white or garlic rice for the same price. Portions are huge, being very generous for the price. Fantastic takeout spot for Filipino food! Cash only. Parking - Street (Metered)

Don't forget the cash! There is always a line of people standing outside, but you don't have to wait too long (10-20 min). The grilled pork and chicken skewers are constantly grilled fresh and they take pride in making sure you get good quality, non-burnt meat. I don't mind the charred pieces, and the past two times I went, they threw a pork skewer in for free because they thought it was a little too burnt! However, the pork was nicely crispy, and a bit sweet with the caramelized sauce. Fantastic amount of food for the price, especially the pancit which already comes with chicken pieces and satisfies at least three meals for less than $20. The lumpia was also very crispy and addicting to snack on.

Incredible meal. Truly the best filipino food. my second time at Fil - Am and i finally got to try the pork bbq skewer. Came in around 11 ish and there was only a small line. previously when i came later, they had run out of lots of dishes including the bbq skewers. They had plenty to choose from and i ordered a skewer, tocino, garlic rice and lumpia. a whole meal the skewer changed my life. the savory sweet pork and the sauce drippings combined w the garlic rice is such a homey and comforting meal. the tocino was sweet and fatty and the lumpia is a staple of course. cash only so bring cash and come early to shorten the line. Love it so much 5/5 meal

Hidden gem for sure. You wouldn't expect how great this place is looking from the outside. But the prices and meat are amazing. A must for beach days, or even a weekly meal prep. I like to eat a ton of food for dinner, and even just one skewer from Fil-Am is enough to start to get my full, but two is almost too much. So I like to stock up on 4-6 skewers at the beginning of the week. And that usually will get me through the entire week without having to cook too much.

TLDR: skewers + rice were delicious but the dessert was moldy. I was really conflicted to post this, but I was really disappointed when the dessert I bought (I believe it was called Biko) was moldy. It seems like they serve day+ old items which definitely doesn't cut when it's a moist item sitting out all day. However, the skewers (tried both chicken and pork) were juicy, flavorful and delicious. The marinade had the right balance between sweet and savory. While the chicken was a bit dryer than the pork, I still enjoyed eating both and thought that it was definitely a bang for your buck at ~$10.

2025 update. Huge Fil-Am Cuisine fan here. BBQ skewers are $3.75. Chicken or pork. The ten piece shanghai lumpia is $4.10. There was a short 15 minute wait at 4:30pm on a Saturday. During peak hours, wait times can be around an hour. Early in the morning, they are busy with the party trays. My family and I love their skewers. They are so flavorful. Sometimes when I'm across the street at Jack in the Box, I can smell the BBQ and if the line is not long, I'll grab a few skewers. That was the case today.

You can never go wrong with fil-am bbq! A true Daly City staple, you can smell the bbq grilling from miles away. Portions are huge, taste is consistent. They're always busy but service is great and feels so homey. Love the pork bbq but come early because they run out sometimes, especially if people have previously ordered in batches for parties.

This place is cheap, filling, and delish. We come all the time. 5 stars for their bbq chicken Our go-to meal 2 bbq chicken skewers w/ white rice. The bbq chicken is always slightly better than the pork. Although they are cooked with the same marinade, the chicken retains more moisture than the pork. For the most part, the chicken is usually juicy and tender and cooked well and the pork is dry and tougher. I've tried several of their other entrees too and while they're flavorful, they're too heavy handed with the salt. Wish they had more veggie options. Lumpia is average. I love that they pack so much food into the containers that it overflows so they have to use seran wrap because a lid can't fit over it CASH ONLY. Takeout only. no seating inside. They close early at 7pm:(

This is a neighborhood Filipino place that's family owned and operated. It has been here ever since I could remember. A few things have changed after Covid. The place no longer has tables to dine in. You must take out only but the food is good still and it's a lot cheaper and better than eating at any fast food. Soon as I walked in the restaurant, I was greeted and asked what I wanted to order. I quickly placed my order and I would definitely recommend this place.

Great portions. Good food. Good comfort food in daly city,ca. Only thing is long lines at busy hours but other than that once you are in the store itself they serve quick and easy.

My family and I love coming to Fil - Am Cuisine! It is one of the BEST chicken skewers I've ever had! The chicken is incredibly moist, tender, and so flavorful. This spot has become a must-visit for me every time I'm in San Francisco. The consistency and quality of their food always impress me, and I look forward to enjoying it every chance I get. The restaurant is very small, so they don't offer indoor or outdoor seating. Depending on the time of day, there can be a bit of a wait but it's absolutely worth it. I'd highly recommend this place to anyone looking for amazing chicken skewers. They have some street metered parking spaces available.

The skewers were delicious! I got Both pork and chicken and they were equally delicious

Been here multiple times and the food is spot on. Authentic Filipino cuisine made by locals for the locals. The store is takeout only. You can either get the 1-2 item combos with rice or pancit or order a la carte per side dish which is charged by size of the container. I always see multiple large catering trays on the side for pick up. My company has ordered catering multiple times too. Not being Filipino, I'm unfamiliar with the side dishes so I just point and try something new each time. On my last visit, I didn't have enough cash and the cashier/owner was basically like it's ok, just come back next time. I'm a fan for life now!

Note: you will need to find street parking in the surrounding neighborhood. Note: they take only cash!!!! This location is very packed with a line snaking around the restaurant. The set up is similar to "chipotle" ordering / "cafeteria" ordering. The workers were kind while taking my order. We had the pork BBQ special (2pc) and rice. My girlfriend had the same as me but with half rice and pancit which you can request. We also got the lumpia special (10pc) for the price, you get a lot of food!!! Sadly, they were still cooking the chicken BBQ while we were there, so I will be coming back to try it!

The food was good - the chicken skewers are a really good bargain and the pancit is really tasty. The staff is really nice and friendly - the only thing is the wait and the fact that the food sells out really fast. Get there early for the pork skewers. The place is cash only, no sitting room, take out only.

To the question, " what does memory tastes like?" There is endless answers , as each person has different childhood memories, and different things could bring her back. For me this is what memory tastes like. This place hasn't changed for years. You can smell a mile away the delicious barbecue aroma, it is cash only so make sure you come prepared (or if you're me, just go to the ATM 2 shops down) the take away order was 20$, with this economy I really don't know how they make a profit. I encourage everyone who hasn't tried this restaurant to go!

* date visited: 11.06.2024 * ordered: one item chicken skewer, lumpia, and turon cash only, no frills service. although the shop is small, the ladies that run this establishment are organized and efficient and the line moves quite quickly. such a hidden gem and value meal -- two skewers and rice is $10, which is insane in sf. the skewers were sweet and salty with a beautiful char, and grilled perfectly. they're also huge, they are very generous with their portions. the chicken afritada was also very very very good. the lumpia was $3 for 10 which is a steal -- they were crispy and the filling wasn't too salty which i liked. similarly, the turon was delicious, the jackfruit had great texture and also wasn't too syrup-y sweet. will 10000% be back again.

NOTE--THEY ARE CASH ONLY A neighborhood staple. The small hole-in-the-wall restaurants that only take cash truly serve the best food. I've been coming here since I was a little girl; you walk in, and tell the people working behind the corner what you want. The food is on display for you and you follow down the line, chipotle style. There's always a line, and I will happily wait. I always get their rice with two barbecue chicken skewers and extra sauce. I also love their lumpia too. The chicken is so flavorful and something about that subtly sweet barbecue sauce compliments the meat very well. They offer party platters, which my family and I have often purchased for different events, and they're a hit every time. If someone has never been to the bay before, you have to take them here!

the barbecue pork and chicken used to be 5 Stars lately they put some ingredients and taste like a medicine the quality now is 1 Star. Hope they go back to original taste.

this is one of those 'hole in the wall' restaurants in the Bay Area: on the outside, it may not be impressive on out the outside, but the food quality is indeed excellent. on yelp, it amazingly stands at above 4 stars, and its all about the filipino taste first of all, parking is difficult: there is no parking since there are small streets and its packed. i would recommend parking next door, at a mechanic's parking lot. it is ONLY CASH here, and only takeout i went with their rice plate, with 2 piece: chicken kebab, and what seemed to be oxtails: i just asked for the popular, and they served it. my food was hot and smelled amazing. white rice was nice and hot, the chicken kebab was juicy, thick and well seasoned. the oxtails were delicious, and full of flavor: im chocked you get this quality, this quantity and these delicious proteins as a great price. service was good, you order first on your right, then you pay as you make yourself down the line. don't forget for drink: i got a Sunkist babbyy ONLY CASH ONLY TAKEOUT

Tasty and great deal on Tasty Filipino BbQ skewers; Excellent for a Picnic or Party. Friendly Staff

Best chicken skewers-affordable, generous portions, and flavorful. Service is consistent and fast. There's usually a line out the door. You see people young, working, elderly there buying takeout and ordering from their catering menu all day long. Pro-tip- Bring cash. Parking can be a challenge; be patient and circle around a few times. You might have to park a block or so away.

OH MAN OH GOODNESS OH YES. Nearly speechless, it's so delicious - go get it now. It's a family business and they're quick, kind, and pile up the grub here. The place is small and meant for takeout. Line goes out the door sometimes but they work fast. Check it out and bring cash or prepare to pay w Zelle! You're in, out, and so excited to get to a place to chow. I ate this plate in my car because I could not wait. I'll be back soooon

The entire time I was driving around looking for parking I was thinking to myself "this better be worth it". There was a line outside but it went pretty fast, not fast enough because it was a little chilly out that day. The pork was delicious but they ran out of chicken when I got there so I was not able to try it. The Pancit was yummy, but I wish I had more time to pivot when I found out they ran out of chicken. I would like to return and try the other dishes BB

Amazing hidden gem. I've been coming here for years when I lived in the bay and recently stopped by after a flight into sfo. They have the best bbq chicken sticks and some great Filipino options! It's cash only so be prepared! It's also fairly small in there so only a few guests at a time. The staff is super welcoming and kind too. Love going here!

If you're craving legit Filipino comfort food, Fil-Am hits the spot. I grabbed the BBQ chicken skewer plate -- sweet, smoky, tender, and loaded with flavor. The rice soaked up the sauce perfectly, and as you can see it was so good I forgot to take a picture of what it looked like before I devoured it lol Had to snag some lumpia too -- golden, crispy, and totally addictive. The steam trays were packed with Filipino classics like adobo and kaldereta, all smelling amazing. It's fast, affordable, and straight-up tasty. Perfect for a quick grab-and-go when you're in the mood for something homemade. Pro tip: Double up on the skewers. Trust me.

I've been patronizing this great spot for a few years now, the prices are great just like the food. My only complaint was two days ago on a whim I decided to stop in, I ordered 2 pork and 2chicken skewers and a small pancit. I watched the young man put them on the grill for a bit, dip them in the sauce for a bit and back on the grill and they looked amazing that extra char was mouthwatering, and I couldn't wait to take a bite, But the guy in front of me picked up his order and walked away when it was my turn to pay and pick up my order the cashier opened the box to confirm my order, but it contained two skewers and some rice, they had given my barbecue skewers to the guy in front of me which means he got more than he paid for, so when they were replacing my order, they did not take the same time and process they did for the ones I didn't get because I'm sure they didn't want me to wait any longer. They apologized for the delay which I wholeheartedly accept because it never happened before so I will return and patronize them again but the ones I didn't get looked tastier than the ones I received, lol! Don't misunderstand they were still good as always.

Don't be fooled by the smell of this place. I went here a while back and was mistreated and rushed when I was simply trying to figure out what was what because nothing was labeled and they were missing a lot of things. I was informed last minute that it was cash only so I left. When I came back with cash, the worker laughed in my face for some reason. This food taste awful. Do not go here. Very dirty place and poor treatment.

I am not a local but Fil-Am is totally worth a detour from Sunnyvale on my way home from the City. Depending on our hungry my eyes are, I typically get the a la carte items - bbq skewers, adobo, ribs (seems this is their popular items as I see party trays full of ribs set on the side for pick-up). I don't believe the cooks ever have a bad day & mess up the recipe because the food is consistently good every time I am there. There is often a line, the question is how long the lines are and how hungry are you.....

Party trays for sure are hits for your celebrations. I'm always celebrating something. So there are many occasions when you'll see friends bring the lumpias or bbq meat skewers. Who doesn't love lumpias?! Right?! Must walk in to place your catering orders, don't even call because I've learned the hard way it wont work. Phone calls don't get picked up. If it does then you got lucky. Real lucky Hard to find parking so bring a good friend for the ride

My go-to place for authentic Filipino food. It is reasonably priced for a decent portion. Also a great place to order food for catering. A few notes... Line is always long. Parking is terrible. And they are cash only.

This spot is our go-to for lumpia's! We order regularly for family/friends gatherings. 100 lumpia's for ~$39. There's also a location in South City on Grand but come here because the lumpia's are more crispy! It's recommended to pre-order or else you'll be waiting for a while. They always have a line out the door since they also sell a bunch of other items like skewers, pancit, etc that smell really good. For phone orders, there is no need to get in line. Just walk in and go to the register. It's also cash only so be prepared! Since they're so busy it can be difficult to get through the phone but just keep trying. I think you can also place an order by email. Just go on their website to get the info on how to place the order and they are actually responsive. The employees are always really nice! parking is really tough around this area so have someone with you so they can wait double parked or something around the corner. Recommend this place for potlucks or gatherings when you don't have time to make a dish.

Ordered ahead and bought lumpia for a luncheon. Excellent! Pick-up was as smooth as can be. Everyone raved about the lumpia. Will go back to try the BBQ.

Warning: CASH ONLY $10-$12 for a plate of food is unheard of in this economy. This is a Filipino take out place. Their chicken skewers are AMAZING. You get a huge chicken skewer, the flavor, the char, the smokiness is all there. Will definitely be going back.

Been going here a couple times now, great place for the best Filipino style bbq. 2 bbq sticks and rice for $12.99 is worth the price. Food is always fresh they will grill it in front of you. Perfect marinade of the sauce and tender and juicy. I haven't tried any of their other dishes but def will next time I go. Service is great fast and efficient. Workers are really nice. The store is a hidden gem. Parking can be tough sometimes. But it's worth the wait for their food and service. Small place. There is no indoor/outdoor seatings

CASH ONLY CASH ONLY CASH ONLY Great little gem for Filipino food! Incredibly popular as there is a very long line out the door; I had to wait almost 30 minutes even for pre-paid order pick up. Chicken and pork skewers are MASSIVE and absolutely delicious. It was a pretty chaotic when I went to pick up my food; they were handling multiple customers at once and the phone was ringing off the hook. Street parking only nearby. Would definitely come back to try other things on their menu.

Extremely dissatisfied with my catering order. We ordered 50 pieces bbq pork and chicken, spent $300, and the meat was still raw.. My guests could not eat it, we had to grill the meat again to ensure that no one would get food poisoning. We tried to call several times, and no one picked up the phone.

I just spent $17 on a delicious meal that could have easily fed two people. That's a hard find in the Bay Area and deserves major love/attention. I ordered Shanghai lumpia, garlic rice with BBQ chicken and pork skewers, and one turon to-go. The drive home to South Bay was torturous, as the delicious aroma of garlic and fire-grilled meat filled my car and had me drooling. The turon didn't make it home. Desert for an appetizer; the perks of being an adult. ;) When I opened the entree container, I realized there was A LOT of food. I enjoyed it for lunch and dinner. The rice was very fragrant and delicious. The BBQ pork used belly parts and had a lovely chunk of fat. Yummy. The chicken was very tender and tasty. There is nothing that could have made this meal better 5/5. The lumpia was delicious, as well. It was still crispy when I got home. It was so good it didn't even need the included sauce. 4/5 The people working there were very friendly. I'm sure they would have explained some of the other available dishes (there were no labels), but I didn't want to hold up the line. Well, I'm going to be on a diet for the next few days, but I will definitely be back and encourage you all to go to visit this gem.