Isla Grand Restaurant

I’ve been hearing good things about this place and finally I made my first visit. First when looking for directions to get here you have to type in Isla Grand not restaurant because Isla restaurant is a different place. Isla is pretty big. There’s lots of seating and there’s different sections in the restaurant. There is a separate spot where entertainment happens with live bands and karaoke. Food: It is good but it does not quite hit the aaaaamazing level. For our first visit we ordered the following: Sisig pork and bangus, Litchun Kawali, Lumpia Shanghai, Calamari (free item), Kare Kare Seafood, and Sinigang Baka (beef). We also received a free Halo-Halo because it was someone’s birthday in our group. The Kare Kare seafood was actually not too bad. I was skeptical but the seafood actually went well with the peanut sauce. We weren’t really a fan of their version of Sinigang. Also, the calamari looked pale, was chewy, and not crispy. Everything else was on point especially the Sisigs which was the best thing we ordered that night. I am not sure if the halo-halo we got is the way they usually make it, but it was really plain. (See picture). Food presentation needs improvement. Service: was ok. The Kuya’s that helped us were nice enough but they rarely came back to our table to check on us. We had to call on them a couple of times. But I did like that they mentioned we earned a free item since we ordered a certain amount of food. And something free for the birthday celebrant. Hoping next visit will be better.

We truly enjoyed our visit to Isla Restaurant. From the start, parking was convenient with lots of available space, and we were warmly welcomed by the accommodating staff. The menu has an impressive variety of dishes, making it an excellent choice for group dining, and every dish we tried was flavorful and satisfying. The interior is well-maintained, clean, and spacious, creating a comfortable setting for celebrations or casual gatherings. Overall, Isla Restaurant is a place I would gladly recommend to friends and family, and we look forward to coming back.

It was very nice. I went with my lady and my mom she's Filipina. She goes there all the time with my dad who has nice past. I went with them. I enjoyed it but the only thing I didn't like was the part that turns into a dance bar club lounge was fully reserved already so we weren't able to sit in that area. So maybe next time. Other than that, food was good. And yeah, overall terrific experiences over above and beyond with the customer service

The food is amazing here, if you are looking for authentic Filipino food , this is your spot to check out. Everything was amazing and reasonably priced. Great place to take your family and share their wonderful dishes. This place does not disappoint. The halo halo was so yummy.

Isla Grand Restaurant delivered a big experience with tasty food and a wide variety of options. The space is large, clean, and has a full bar, TVs, and well-kept bathrooms. We got seated quickly, but to be honest, it was a little overwhelming at first with how big and busy it was. The food overall was really good, and the unlimited rice is a nice touch—but it was a little overpriced for the portion sizes. We had to wait about 20 minutes before anyone checked on us, and our entrees started arriving before the rice, which came almost 15 minutes later. Our lumpia came at the end and was burnt. It was also a Father’s Day weekend, so we understand it was a busy time, but the pacing and delays affected the experience. That said, the staff was super friendly when they got to us, and the entrees were excellent—just not as timely as we would’ve liked. Some of our food got cold while waiting on the rice. Service missed the mark this time, likely due to the holiday rush, but because the flavor and quality of the main dishes stood out, we’ll definitely be back. Five of us. $$$ Follow me for more real reviews that break down the full experience—from the good to what could be better.

Very underwhelming and expensive. Visiting my friend in Pleasant Hill so we checked this place out. This was a weekend afternoon, place was a bit empty but the music was loud, atmosphere was nice, and we were really excited because the menu was large but we decided to eat Garlic Rice Audit Kate Kare All were a bust. That’s being nice. I can tell that their kare kare stock has been simmering for a while but vegetables were HARD. The eggplant was extremely hard and undercooked. The sisig wasn’t fresh. I spend half the year in the Philippines and there’s no way other Filipinos really type this food up..

Came here for Sunday brunch. Parking is a little difficult. So bring your patience. The restaurant is big with plenty of tables. There were 8 people in our party and we were seated right away. Out of all the dishes we ordered, the sisig kapangpangan was the best. But everything else was a close 2nd. Everything was delicious and wish we had this in San Diego

This is a Filipino (Kapampangan to be exact) restaurant with popular filipino dishes. Most food were served in a creative traditional manner like the container of the rice brings back old memories of the Philippines, the sizzling sisig is really sizzling hot in the plate just like the ones I used to eat at sizzling places long time ago. Food tastes good, most portion is right for the price, live band is also available on the other side of the place. It is easy to see staff as they are wearing the same uniform and everybody is polite and helpful.It is our first time to celebrate my mom's birthday. We went on a busy friday dinner. We had pansit bihon, sizzling pork sisig, lechon kawali and kare kare. My mom's order was originally Crispy kari karing pata, however we got one bowl kare kare vegetable and one plate crispy pata (2 different dish istead of 1). I may be wrong but that is how we perceive it. Waiting for the order also takes a while, like the person who just got there after us got their order right away (also sizzling). Pork sisig- sizzling! the pork tastes different i can't describe, small portion Pansit bihon- mom loved it, good portion, not salty not bland Kare kare vegetable- small portion in a bowl, but sauce is delicious you can eat the rice just with the sauce itself Crispy pata- truly crispy and good portion, however extra payment to get a vinegar. Do people eat this without vinegar? Spent $80 for two people with a lot of to-go boxes. Before you go out they have a bell you can ring if you are satisfied with your visit. This place is good for groups, family and friends, or even a date. Plenty of tables and chairs, parking is full and limited, not sure if all the time or only on busy times and days. We will come back again as this place offers authentic filipino kapampamgan cuisine!

Decided to eat here with the family today and had the most amazing service experience by Alex. He was kind helpful and so funny, answering questions and helping us with food choices. Thank you so much Alex hope we get to see you again next time!

Came with my family as I'm visiting from out of town. Food and service was amazing!! Alex, our server, was awesome!! He helped us with the menu and gave recommendations. We basically ate everything and the dessert was delicious as well, the flan was my favorite.

We're so happy that Isla opened in the east bay! Food is good! The usual favorites: 1. Sisig 2. Kare-kare 3. Beef binagoongan with eggplant 4. Unli rice 5. Tocino Masarap! The place is spacious and they also have live bands on the weekends. Staff if friendly. Parking is ample, women's bathroom stalls are too narrow and small though. I knocked out one star because we given free calamari with our previous visit and whenever we come back to claim it, they never brought it. Other than that, if you are craving for some good Filipino Food with decor that makes you feel like at home, this is where you should be. P.S. Make sure you check their birthday month special!

We were in the area, looking for something to eat for dinner. Being Filipino, and craving some Filipino food, we found Isla Grand, solely by accident. We rolled up on this hidden gem! My beautiful wife and I were surprised how spacious it was and very, very ADA friendly! The service was great and gosh damn the Sisig Silog, was amazing! My wife and I shared some of her Sinigang, and it was also delicious! Great service and great food! I'll definitely be back to try more, Filipino cuisine, from my Filipino folks!

Okay Isla, as a pinay you do quench that Filipino food craving! Isla has it all - tasty authentic food that hits, super spacious dining and entertainment rooms, friendly attentive service and an authentic fam vibe from a ton of Filipinos dining there. Also they give unlimited rice! Some faves: - crispy pata - chicken inasal - beef nilaga - bangus sisig - kare kare - pinakbet Docked a star due to some of the items being a tad too salty like the pancits. Hope they can work on that!

Came on Halloween night to celebrate a few birthday celebrants in the family. First off, it was my first time there and I personally did not enjoy eating there. All of the food that was being served was extremely salty. I was soo excited for the egg drop soup since it was cold outside and needed something to warm me up, but even THAT was too salty! I added water from my drinking cup to try to water it down, and it was still so salty.. Then, the place was covered with disco lights which made me dizzy while trying to eat. If you have light sensitivity, I probably wouldn't recommend dining here at night. To top it off, the music was way too loud. You know it's too loud when you can't even hear the person sitting NEXT to you. I felt like it would've been more enjoyable for everyone if they turned it down to a level where we can still talk to people around us and enjoy the music at the same time. Service was okay, nothing good or bad to say. Other than that, I enjoyed the pineapple drink, and KRMA the band, entertained us with good music, thank you!

I've been hearing good things about this place and finally I made my first visit. First when looking for directions to get here you have to type in Isla Grand not restaurant because Isla restaurant is a different place. Isla is pretty big. There's lots of seating and there's different sections in the restaurant. There is a separate spot where entertainment happens with live bands and karaoke. Food: It is good but it does not quite hit the aaaaamazing level. For our first visit we ordered the following: Sisig pork and bangus, Litchun Kawali, Lumpia Shanghai, Calamari (free item), Kare Kare Seafood, and Sinigang Baka (beef). We also received a free Halo-Halo because it was someone's birthday in our group. The Kare Kare seafood was actually not too bad. I was skeptical but the seafood actually went well with the peanut sauce. We weren't really a fan of their version of Sinigang. Also, the calamari looked pale, was chewy, and not crispy. Everything else was on point especially the Sisigs which was the best thing we ordered that night. I am not sure if the halo-halo we got is the way they usually make it, but it was really plain. (See picture). Service: was ok. The Kuya's that helped us were nice enough but they rarely came back to our table to check on us. We had to call on them a couple of times. But I did like that they mentioned we earned a free item since we ordered a certain amount of food. And something free for the birthday celebrant. Hoping next visit will be better.

I've been to their sister locations, and I can see why this one is a little more special than the others--there's a warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel right at home from the moment you walk in. We happened to be in the area and decided to stop in on what's considered a slow night for dining out. The staff greeted us with genuine smiles and were attentive throughout our visit, making the experience even more enjoyable. Traditional Filipino food on a Tuesday night was a treat. Being it was a school night, we didn't want to overindulge--which is a common occurrence when eating Filipino food--but every dish was so delicious that it was hard to resist. I highly recommend this restaurant, particularly for groups, as the spacious layout and communal tables are clearly designed for sharing a multitude of great dishes . Next time, I would love to come here again with a larger group, I'm looking forward to our next visit. BB

This place gets very busy especially weekends, so I would highly recommend calling ahead to make reservations if you have a large party. I had a party of 20 & we had no issues getting 2 tables reserved ahead of time. Our server was Jane & she was amazing! I told her that we were celebrating a retirement & she did her best to ensure we were taken care of. She made suggestions on what to order knowing we had a lot of people to feed & had so much patience dealing with everyone. At no point did we ever feel rushed out & the food came out quickly. For having a large party, the whole experience was a breeze! 10/10 - Chicharon Bulaklak & Lechon Kawali: crispy, delicious classic dishes. 10/10 - Black Gulaman & Banana Con Hielo: chef's kiss on textures & flavors. 9/10 - The Original Sulit Bilao #4: lots of variety of choices plus it came with some soda & desserts; there wasn't enough sauces provided so we did have to keep asking for more. Fan favs: Crispy Pata, Misua, Grilled Jumbo Squid 8/10 - Sulit Ala Carte #2: portions were a bit small for the price; potatoes & carrots in the Kalderetang Liempo were hard not fully cooked; the fish in the Bistik Bangus was dry; Palabuk was yummy. 7/10 - Sisig: the grilled char on most of the pieces gave it a bitter & burnt flavor which was too overpowering.

Food was definitely delicious. Worth the wait. They were a little busy on this sold out show. But they didn't take too long to deliver our food. The music is very loud so if you're trying to have a conversation, either talk loud or maybe stay in the restaurant side then go dance at the bar side if there's no tickets for purchase involved. There is 2 versions of this restaurant: the bar side feels like a night club & the restaurant side is a cultural Filipino with a family style welcome. The staff is definitely fun, friendly, & nice. So if you want to experience the Filipino culture, definitely come here. Explanation on the food: Pork sisig - pork chopped up into tiny pieces mashed up with sauce & seasoning. Came out sizzling Banana con helo - banana on ice with milk or cream & syrup Bagaong fried rice - Bagaong with fried rice and pieces of lechon (crunchy pork) & also with mango & tomato slices. This will taste salty.

Came here for a Sunday family brunch right when they opened at 10am. Great parking in the plaza and the restaurant is huge. They can easily accomodate large parties. Host sat us right away. We ended up ordering so much stuff to try and everything was amazing, rice was unlimited. Sad we didn't get to try any dessert becuase we were so full. I would definetely return.

I really enjoyed the food here. It was interesting to see all the different cultural Filipino foods. I came with a coworker who's Filipino so she was able to explain the menu to me and we were able to try different food that we normally wouldn't eat. The interior is very spacious and it's great to come with a big group. They have nice round tables where you can sit with a big party and another back area as well as a bar area so a good place to go with your family members. The food portions were stellar. We ordered a lot of food and we were shocked at the final bill because it was so low and tip was also included and we felt like we got so much food. We ordered the big banana leaf plate with different meats and vegetables. don't ask me what we ordered because my coworker who is Filipino did all the ordering, but I really enjoyed the different marinated meats and fish. I also really enjoyed the egg soup that came with it even though it was a bit salty. We also ordered a different soup that had tamarin flavors and shrimp. I'm Vietnamese so it reminded me a lot of a soup that we eat called cảnh chùa. Of course we also got the classic pancit, which was also very tasty 9/10. But my coworker does say that she could make it better of course homemade is always better. The service was not so stellar. It was hard to flag down our waitress, and when we needed to utensils and other things, it was harder to find her and we ended up flagging someone else down.

Isla Grand is must visit for Filipinos! We were here for a group dinner, with about 20 or so guest. Staff were great getting the food out and helping us with any issues. We had so many dishes that were wasn't enough room on our table! Food was pretty good. We got the Sulit Bilao which was huge! Some things were pretty salty but not too bad. Someone in our party had a seafood allergy. Some of the seafood items in the Sulit Bilao were touching other items, so it be mindful of that when eating. The restaurant itself is huge! There are 3 dining areas, several with huge tables. Definitely a place for big groups. They also have live music playing in the back area near the restrooms. It was very, very loud but fun to watch and listen. Surprisingly you couldn't hear the band from the other side of the restaurant. Only downside is the parking lot. It's big but it gets really busy.

Really good, authentic Filipino food. Ordered lechon, chicken adobo and their popular pork sisig with rice. Service was fast and it's a pretty casual restaurant. I would try to avoid the weekend crowds or at least get there early so you don't have to wait.

Weve been to couple of their branches multiple times in San Bruno and Newark but not here. So it's our first time dining here to celebrate my bro in law's birthday. There is actually no reservation at the time when I called but we were put on a waiting list. Didn't expect we will get seated as soon as we entered the place. There is an outdoor dining area before you enter the restaurant. Someone told me that it is a huge place and it is indeed! No wonder they called it Grand this time! The staff were super friendly when they got to us, and our orders came in quick too. The entrees we ordered were package #2 I think - With Palabok. Ginataang Sitaw. Chicken wings. Bangus Bistek style. Crispy pata karekare (still love the original oxtail). Pork kaldereta. And we got a free dish to order which is fried tofu(our choice) If you order more than $120 worth of food. Then since it's my bro in law's birthday month, we got free pancit. On the side we ordered chicharon bulaklak, sisig and chopsuey for veggies. For dessert we got the halo halo. Everything were excellent. The place delivered a big experience with tasty and comfort food, great service and a wide variety of menu. I must say it's clean, they have a full bar, TVs, and well-kept bathrooms. The other side of the area has a live band playing when we came at 7 pm on a Saturday night. A little loud when you seat inside the bar area but tolerable and just get seated with in the center or right corner of the building. If calling for reservations, You might want to request to get seated at the farthest right area of the room when you enter if you don't like too much noise. The unlimited rice is good but not good for the tummy lol -- JK. I am not a rice eater to be honest. That's why...I always watch how much rice I eat. No more than 1/2 cup. That's why I always want veggies on the side. Now, when it comes to parking lot, it is huge so there is no problem. Highly recommended.

The food is always amazing and delicious in Isla. It was my first time to dine in this location and went on a Saturday with my co workers. We ordered a lot of food and everything was delicious except for the pork Sisig, we didn't like it too much. Service was good, it was fast but because it was a Saturday, it was hard to get a hold of our server, he was very busy. Also, there was a live band and dancing, the place is huge. You have to reserve a table in the area where there's a band and dancing and you have to reserve early in the day cause they fill up very fast. It was a great dinner.

This visit was better than my last visit. It was Friday night at 6:30. Great service and the food was really good. Crispy Pata - moist meat and the skin was crispy and crunchy. Perfect perfect perfect! Sisig - we ordered it spicy this time. Canton - large serving of flavorful noodles. Love that there are a lot of veggies (and protein) Bistek na Bangus - delicious and bursting with tangy flavors. So good over piping hot rice. Halo Halo - lots of toppings. I wish the ice was shaved more. It was a little too chunky for me but it was good!

Isla in Newark is my absolute favorite Filipino restaurant. We went to the Pleasant Hill location to scout it out for my dad's birthday. I took along a friend who never really had Filipino food and went in with really high expectations. Maybe that was our problem and the reason we were so disappointed. We arrived around noon on a Saturday. We opted for a family meal which consisted of miswa, pork caldereta, chicken wings, ginataang kalabasa, palabok and bangus in bistek sauce. The miswa was served first and it was very similar to the way my mom made it. Shortly thereafter, all the entrées came out at the same time . Since we were really hungry, we dug in. I love caldereta so that's what I started with but it was really spicy. I've never had spicy caldereta before. We're not just talking a little bit of heat that builds. No, this was spice from the first bite. We asked our server if that was how it was supposed to be and he offered to replace it. We decided to dig into the palabok next, which was very salty. We doused it with a lot of lemon, hoping that that would decrease the saltiness, but it did not. The squash with pork shrimp, and green beans were our favorite dish by far but that's only because we really couldn't eat the other dishes. The chicken wings were OK. The bangus in bistek sauce was not good. The sauce was not a good match for the bangus and the fish pretty much disintegrated. The server eventually came back with our caldereta which was so watered down that it had no flavor. At that point, we decided to just give up. We were so disappointed that we drove over an hour from Sacramento to have a terrible meal. I was embarrassed because this was my friend's first time having Filipino food and it was definitely not the impression I wanted her to have. Suffice it to say we ended up having my dad's birthday at the Newark location because that is tried and true. Too bad because the location in Pleasant Hill was a lot larger and seemed to be able to accommodate bigger parties. They know their audience because Filipinos usually come in groups. They also had a reception hall which was pretty sizable. I may try them again if I'm in the area but I wouldn't go to Pleasant Hill just for the restaurant.

Came here for lunch with a big group this morning. I have never been or seen the place so I was worried about long wait times, but I called ahead and they were able to put us on a waitlist since they didn't take reservations. Luckily we were totally fine at 11:00 on a Sunday and we beat the lunch rush! Place was packed by the time we left a couple hours later. Service was great, always servers walking around so it was easy to flag someone down. They accommodated our two tables easily. And our food came out incredibly fast! We ordered so many things but I enjoyed the binagoongan, original sisig, and longanisa. The bangus bistec was also really good, something I've never seen before. They also give free noodles if your birthday is within 15 days so we got to try their pancit bihon. I'm not typically a big fan of pancit but I loved their version here. The noodles had flavor and weren't too dry. Also love that they do unlimited rice here but I personally preferred the adobo rice! Very happy with our experience here, may just be our new family meet up spot!

If I were driving through the Bay Area, 45 minutes out of the way on a cousin's tip, I'd expect something decent -- maybe even memorable. But this place? This was something else. The kind of joint that doesn't just serve food -- it tells a story. Loud, proud, and absolutely Filipino. The menu? A beautiful, chaotic onslaught -- like Manila traffic during fiesta season. Dishes rolling out one after another, each more unapologetically flavorful than the last. It's the kind of food that doesn't ask for your approval. It knows where it comes from -- Pampanga -- the culinary nerve center of the Philippines, and it brings all that tradition straight to your plate. Service? Fast, friendly, and -- here's a rare one -- accountable. They fixed a mistake before I could blink and did it with grace. That's not just good service. That's pride. Multiple locations, same experience -- and that's the magic. Consistency in a world that rarely offers it. If you're looking for a taste of the Philippines, the real stuff -- the soul food, the comfort food, the celebration -- this is it. You don't just eat here. You remember it.

We wanted to try something new and Filipino food sounded good. Walked in and the place was enormous. It's big enough to host events but the restaurant area was nice and welcoming with lots of colorful decorations and multiple TVs. Lots of choices on the large and varied menu. We opted for the lumpia, lechon kawali, pork bbq skewers, pork sisig, chicken adobo, and garlic rice. Our faves were the pork sisig and bbq skewers. BTW, the garlic rice was awesome. There were too many choices for the three of us. Everything is served family style. Food was very tasty. Cons were the service which was hit and miss. Portions were slightly on the smaller side for the price. But, once again, the food was good.

This is my 3rd time visiting Isla but the 1st time coming in the morning. The evening visits have been jam packed with diners, great energy but felt understaffed and food took over 45 minutes to arrive. This morning visit was a much better experience - for service and the food! We ordered the grilled pusit, pinakbet, lechon kiwali, fried bangus, and halo halo. We appreciated the bottomless bucket of rice. Grilled Pusit: good texture, almost a liquid smoke flavor, 7/10 Pinakbet: Small portion but flavor was delicious! The few slices of lechon kiwali was a good touch. 10/10 Lechon Kiwali: Well done! 10/10 Fried Bangus: Never had it prepared this way; with a crispy thin corn starch crust. small portion for the price but very memorable in a good way. The vinegar dip was a perfect compliment. Would def have this again. 10/10 Halo Halo: This was not a traditional halo halo - had a mais base, no red beans, langka, macapuno, or red beans. It was okay. 6/10 Overall, really good to see a Filipino restaurant do so well!

First, let's talk about the food. I'll be honest: I'm not a big fan of Filipino food in general. I grew up eating it, got bored of it, and usually don't crave it. But when I come here, that changes. They do not miss. The execution is so consistent and so good that I actually think about coming here the same way I think about some of my favorite restaurants. The only reason I'm not naturally obsessed with Filipino food is because I grew up on it -- nothing more. But this place? Different story. Crispy Pata w/ Kare Kare This dish is easy to mess up. Most places serve it with watery sauce, weak color, bland flavor, or overcooked vegetables. But Isla executes it on another level. The flavors are rich and robust without being overpowering. You can really taste the peanut-based sauce, the veggies are fresh, and the crispy pata itself is perfect -- crispy skin, tender meat, all of it. The sauce and crunch together hit beautifully. And personally? I take it to the next level and dip the crispy pata in their vinegar because it's fire. Yes, the dish is heavy and yes, it will make you sleepy -- but it's absolutely worth it for the flavor and the full experience. If you're looking for that kind of meal, you need to come here. Sisig Hands-down, one of my favorite Filipino dishes of all time. Same category as tacos for me -- always a hit, hard to mess up, and I'll eat it any time of day. But the problem is that different restaurants execute sisig very differently. Traditional sisig is a complex mix of different pork parts (including liver), and original sisig never had an egg on top. Let me tell you: Isla nails it. I've actually been to the original place in the Philippines where sisig was born -- thanks to Anthony Bourdain putting the world onto it -- and this is the closest I've ever tasted to that authentic version. I'm not even exaggerating. They hit the flavor and texture right on the spot. Other dishes We ordered a few more items, but honestly the main highlights were already covered. I've had their calamari before -- also really solid -- and a few other dishes I'll review another time. Service With how packed this place gets, the staff stays extremely attentive, kind, and sharp. My server was on point the entire visit -- perfect timing, great energy, and handled everything smoothly. I also want to highlight MJ, who I believe is a host. She showed exceptional patience and work ethic. She greeted me and my family with warmth, accommodated what we needed even before the server arrived, and maintained a positive, welcoming presence the entire time. Her customer service and personality elevate the whole experience. Final Thoughts The food was great, the service was great, and the space is clean and comfortable -- which matters to me when choosing a restaurant. I've been here before, and today's visit was another reminder of why I keep coming back. This is easily one of the best Filipino food spots out here, and I'll continue coming back regularly.

I have been a fan of Isla since the very beginning, when Mel and Angel opened their first branch in San Bruno in 2009. Many moons and 3 branches later, it remains at the top of my list of Favorite Filipino Restaurants. I am so proud that Isla has become the most successful Filipino restaurant in the US--and for good reason: their consistency. No matter which branch you visit, every dish from the kitchen is sure to delight your taste buds and satisfy your appetite. Isla is the prime example of Pinoy culinary excellence!

We have eaten here twice, and the service was vastly different. Both times, we had made reservations prior to our visit. The first time, the service was so slow. It took an hour for the waitress to get us our drink orders after we place them, and then the food came out sporadically where some people were still waiting for their dishes, while other people finished their meals. Our second time going, we ordered less food because we knew we were gonna eat somewhere afterwards, so the food came quicker and all at the same time. If you are trying to find something healthy on the menu, good luck because they serve typical Filipino food that has fried oil overly sugared elements in your meal. However, it's a large Filipino restaurant where you can host a lot of family members and it has free parking. For this reason, we're giving it this rating, but it is the closest Filipino restaurant to us, which is several cities away from us.

Been here for a good amount of times! I love eating my hometown food! Isla gives the food out hot and fresh, the bowls of where they put the rice is so cute it's in a "kawale" put in Tagalog ! I've always loved the people because I can speak Tagalog to them and be me without being scared to speak. The place always reminds me of home and they even have a karaoke bar!!! Typicallll ahahhaha anyways if your in for filo food this is tha spot!! I hope this encourages you guys to try something new if you haven't tried!

Huge place. There's a dedicated area that can host a large party, maybe a wedding with a Karaoke and live band to boot? Menu was expansive. My favorite was their sinigang soup. Yummy. Lots of choices for sure. Great place to dine in for Filipino cuisine. It's good for 2 or large groups. Service was nice, many decor that will take you back and make you feel like you're back on the Island. A must try. Mabuhay!! Cheers!

Huge place with full bar and band. Outside seating with night market and patio heaters. Olympia has about the size of a Vienna sausage but very good, a bucket of rice seems to come with every meal. Great service and cold beer No soy sauce on the table but that's my fault for expecting it The beef brisket synagogue is the best I've had since my grandmother in-laws recipe I haven't tasted sinigang like this in over 15 years and it was delicious This comes from an Americano, who makes white boys Sinigang that is definitely different I'll be drunk door dashing for sure

Finally had a chance to visit Isla Grand since their opening. Isla here in Pleasant Hill is huge! Its probably almost twice the size of the one in Newark. It looks like Isla Grand took over two locations, and merged it into one large dining area with stage and music on the other side. In similar fashion like their other locations, Isla Grand is adorned with lots of decor and photos form the culinary capital of the Philippines, Pamapanga. I could be hyper-critical and point out some stuff that is different form the traditional Filipino style. But the fact of the matter is we thoroughly enjoyed each dish and left us with a smile on our face. We ordered the following: -Miswa soup. It has been years, decades maybe since I had one. And the impression I had was very good. Sure, bola-bola and patola were absent but the savoriness of the soup just hit right. Great way to start our meal. -Pinakbet. Vegetables are cooked perfectly. Love the calabasa and those lechon kawali toppings is always a great touch. -Crispy Binagoongan. It definitely hit the spot. Although they could have diced the mangoes and tomatoes more finely, the overall tastes is really solid. They have little morsels of lechon kawali as protein. And I must say that Isla fries their lechon kawai on point. -Brisket Kare-kare. IMO, a kare-kare without oxtail and tripe is 'almost' a kare-kare. But the execution of their sauce was very good. It was creamy with peanut flavor present plus a hint of sweetness too. Don't forget their baggong which I think is made in-house and perfectly compliments the dish. -Sisig. Ah, of course the famous sisig. I dig that theirs' is traditional Kapangpangan, which means no eggs or mayonnaise or any sauce of some sort. Although I did not detect and maskara (pig face) in their sisig, it did have some tenga (pig ears) in it. Flavor is spot on, with the proper umami and a little kick of spice. That is one good sisig. As you can see, my description above has some sprinkle of criticism. And some of their items were a bit expensive. But all dishes were very flavorful with profiles akin to the traditional recipes of the Philippines. Because of this, Isla Grand get 5-stars. Tip: save yourself and skip the Bilao. Sure an exorbitant amount of food served in a bilo is really pleasing to the eyes. But maybe a quarter or more of the items there are like filler food? Jeprox? Prawn Crackers? Scrambles eggs? Diced tomatoes? Go straight to their a la carte menu and order what you truly like.

This is a Filipino (Kapampangan to be exact) restaurant with popular filipino dishes. Most food were served in a creative traditional manner like the container of the rice brings back old memories of the Philippines, the sizzling sisig is really sizzling hot in the plate just like the ones I used to eat at sizzling places long time ago. Food tastes good, most portion is right for the price, live band is also available on the other side of the place. It is easy to see staff as they are wearing the same uniform and everybody is polite and helpful.It is our first time to celebrate my mom's birthday. We went on a busy friday dinner. We had pansit bihon, sizzling pork sisig, lechon kawali and kare kare. My mom's order was originally Crispy kari karing pata, however we got one bowl kare kare vegetable and one plate crispy pata (2 different dish istead of 1). I may be wrong but that is how we perceive it. Waiting for the order also takes a while, like the person who just got there after us got their order right away (also sizzling). Pork sisig- sizzling! the pork tastes different i can't describe, small portion Pansit bihon- mom loved it, good portion, not salty not bland Kare kare vegetable- small portion in a bowl, but sauce is delicious you can eat the rice just with the sauce itself Crispy pata- truly crispy and good portion, however extra payment to get a vinegar. Do people eat this without vinegar? Spent $80 for two people with a lot of to-go boxes. Before you go out they have a bell you can ring if you are satisfied with your visit. This place is good for groups, family and friends, or even a date. Plenty of tables and chairs, parking is full and limited, not sure if all the time or only on busy times and days. We will come back again as this place offers authentic filipino kapampamgan cuisine!

I've eaten here twice at this PH location. Their location is pretty hidden and as of the last time I was there they didn't have an outdoor sign yet. The place is huge. One separate side w dining and the spot for the band then there's the main area and another smaller area next to it for maybe for private events?! My advice for anyone coming to eat here for the first time please check their menu on their website before you come here. Their menu is extensive so it's best to go through it and pick out your choices and write them down on your notes section of your phone so at least it saves you a lot of time when it's time to order. As far as service, they were excellent both times I ate here. I love the sisig, pork bbq and crispy pata...I highly recommend. Will definitely come back here and try out their other dishes for sure.

Great family style restaurant to celebrate birthdays or any occasion. Accommodated over 20 people with two tables. Variety of very tasty dishes. Service was wonderful with a sufficiently staffed friendly crew. Bathrooms were very clean and are maintained. Pretty nice and clean restaurant. Overall, a favorable restaurant that I would recommend to family and friends. Few food photos taken by guests

First of all, this place is kinda hard to find. They don't have a big sign, but if you see Chef Choy and Painting with a Twist, you're in the right place. They're tucked in the middle corner of that building. All the parking around the front are marked green, not sure why or how strictly this is enforced. The inside is hella big, with a lot of seating. Great spot for big groups or parties. They play karaoke style music and I'm preeeeeetttyyyy sure they'd let you karaoke. I popped in on a weekday afternoon and the music was pretty loud at some points. I noticed they had fountain drink dispensers in the middle of the room, so not sure if it's self serve or what. The staff who helped me was nice. I wanted to place a take out order but she told me I could have a seat, and she could bring me some water. That wasn't necessary but I did appreciate it. Their menu is a booklet! They have some pictures though, so that's helpful. I took a picture of their daily specials, which aren't listed on their online menu. Online prices look like they match what's in store so I didn't bother to take pics of the other menu pages. I ordered the crispy pata kare kare and the pork liempo (pork belly) kaldareta. The pata and veggies were packed separately from the kare kare sauce, and they also included a side of bagoong (shrimp paste). Try the sauce first! Normally I always need some bagoong to enhance the flavor but this one was actually good without it. It already had that salty shrimpiness I like. Their bagoong is pretty strong, def not for the faint of heart. If you're new to this, add it in slowly. It might not be for everyone's palate, but it def gives you a punch of umami! While I really loved the kare kare with the crispy pata, I wish they gave more veggies :( I'll be back to try it with beef next time! The pork liempo kaldareta was way salty! I saw a lot of reviews saying the food was salty.. and I get it. But since it was take out, I threw it in my pan and remixed it a bit. I added some thai chilis for heat, some vinegar and water to balance the saltiness and voila! Oh, they also serve the pork belly in slabs which I don't like so I cut those things up. Just a preference thing. The sauce itself was rich though, as kaldareta should be. However, they barely had any veggies in this dish, just a couple pieces of sad, shrunken carrots and bell pepper. I wouldn't get this dish again if I was dining in, due to the saltiness, but I would get it to take home and recook lol Sometimes you want a home cooked meal, without the full home cooking experience. I do like the way they package their take out, because everything that can leak is saran wrapped. Portions are big and shareable, perfect for family meals! If you dine in, rice is unlimited, but I think you have to add it on as a side because no rice was included in the entrees I purchased. Each entree is about $20-30 with the beef dishes on the pricier end.

This place is huge! And definitely a hot spot for families and large groups. Party of 10: none of us were really acquainted with Filipino food, but the servers were super friendly providing great suggestions. Food comes out quickly and is super delicious! The sisig: we could eat 20 plates of it! We're coming back

Have been to another location and was excited to hear they opened a closer location to me! Tucked away in a tiny strip mall, it's clear to see that this place attracts a LOT of people. They've expanded to have a main dining area and a performance area for live music nights. They upload their performance schedule online, have TVs playing customer testimonials, and always have groups of people waiting to get in. There's also a bell you can ring if you were satisfied with the food. If you can get a table, I recommend trying the live band nights at least once. There's a stage, dance floor, lights, speakers, and overall a party vibe. Service is a bit slower on this side of the restaurant, and understandably so, as it's packed with tables and it's a bit harder to navigate around. Food wise, if you get a fountain drink it is free refills at a fountain drink station in the middle of the restaurant. Plenty of tables and workers around to indicate how busy the place is. Despite being busy, the food is always really good. Get the garlic rice and crispy pata kare kare! Plain rice is also unlimited refills. Plus, the bathrooms have bidets! In my opinion all bathrooms should have bidets - that is all.

Food was either bland or too salty. Lots of server but they are not attentive. The place gets crowded and noisy and they have poor ventilation because I smelled like I was the one cooking in the kitchen. I was disappointed because its was such a big restaurant and I was so excited to go there.

It's a popping spot, I'll admit that. There's a parking lot that gets packed during dinner time, but if you head towards the back then there's more spots so don't only focus on the front. The restaurant itself is huge - I had no idea it had two sides and one of the sides was the karaoke side. On first glance, I thought it was an arcade attached to the restaurant. The restaurant is very lovely - there was a group singing during most of the night when my family and I were here for dinner and while their voices rocked, it echoed throughout the restaurant side and made it hard for us to hear each other and the servers. We opted for family style and my father in law ordered most of the food so I can't tell you what is what, but the flavors for most of the dishes I tried was delicious. One area of improvement would be their service - our waiter started off strong with attention then gradually fell off it and we struggled to get his attention when we needed more utensils or to chase down a dish, even paying the check took longer than it should've. While the meal was good, the singing was good, the service was lackluster so be patient if you come here.

New Isla restaurant in the Bay Area and it's probably my favorite out of the three! This restaurant is very spacious, so even more perfect for larger families. Customer service was on par with its other locations. The food is of the same quality as its other locations too. I learned that the Kare Kare comes with lechon kawali, so will definitely order that as a combination again. Pork sisig was packed with flavor. Sinigang had the perfect tangy flavor. Overall very impressed with this new location and I highly recommend it!

Our favorite for Filipino food. We had our mom's birthday celebration here and the staff were very accommodating and friendly. We had the celebration in December. We ordered a variety of dishes including the ultimate boodle fight. Everything was delicious and we had food to take home. We had a party of 16. Definitely a place to enjoy some home cooked Filipino food.

Finally, a solid Filipino spot in Concord! The food is legit flavorful, satisfying, and perfect for sharing. Just watch out for the unlimited rice... it's dangerously easy to overdo it! My go-to dishes? The sisig, lechon kawali, crispy pata, and chicharon bulaklak. Not for everyone, but if you know, you know. Crispy, savory, and packed with flavor Filipino comfort food at its finest. The vibe is great, with a bar, dance floor, live bands, karaoke, and plenty of TVs for sports. It gets packed on weekends, but the friendly staff works like a well-oiled lumpia machine to keep things moving. Prices are decent for family-style portions, so come hungry and ready to feast. If you're in the area and craving good Filipino food, this is the place to be!

The food was amazing! I came with my family, party of 9, on a Sunday. Upon arriving, they looked full so I thought we would have to wait a while. However, they seated us right away. The space is massive! They have a dining area & then a 2nd area with a lot more seating, a bar & a huge "stage" for performances/karaokes. The staff was very friendly & the food came out pretty quick. Everything we ordered was amazing! The flavors! We got a couple of a la carte's A2 & A3... and ended up leaving with lots of leftovers. I also ordered sisig & bistek to go (forgot to take pics)... but their bistek is probably the best I've had! The meat was tender & it was so flavor able. It is a little more on the pricier side, to me, but we will definitely be back.

I was very excited to try this new Filipino Restaurant and took my mom with me. Service was great when we dined in. However, shortly after we left within 30 minutes both my mom & I felt ill. We both had the Misua soup. My mom ended up with a stomach ache & I had to pull over from driving after dropping her off and severely vomitted for 5-10 minutes. I'm a healthy person & have not had food poisoning for years! I went back to the restaurant & asked to speak with the manager or owner to protect other customers from experiencing what we went through. Staff called a supervisor, Raff? He was very inconsiderate & not sensitive to customer's concerns/needs. I returned to the restaurant so that he can ensure that no one else gets sick from eating that food (most likely the soup). I was surprised that he asked if I had a medical certificate or documentation! He did not even offer any consolation for the discomfort and inconvenience my mom & I endured after spending good money and tip for the food and service. Tell me, do you obtain medical documentation after pulling over the street & vomiting after 9pm? Be careful and forewarned before dining here. Don't expect any empathy or consolation if you get sick from eating their food. The supervisor, RAF, informed me that he was going to inform the manager of the restaurant . I provided my contact information and never received a callback. I. doubt he even discussed this with the restaurant manager since it's been 3 days without contact from the restaurant.

(Tom Cruise voiceover disguised as luigi of Spotify's 'you ME & luigi') The vibe is fabulous place for a Filipino culinary adventure! M.J. and Raf helped us earlier! And the band! Yes, THE band was Fishcake! A Bay Area Filipino fave! Joy warmly greeted and served us! Service was soooo fast! Yes, my head spun! Talaga! Kare Kare! Peanutty goodiness! This is one metric to measure a kitchen! And YES this dish was ultra delish! Pinakbet! Veggies! A wonderful medley of flavor! Black Gulaman! The drink of champions! Hints of licorice. Crisy Pata! The definition of hearty! The sauces were authentic and sublime! Ang sarap, pare! Thanks, Joy! And of course it was a great surprise & pleasure to see Fishcake LIVE! Salamat! Would order everything again! And M.J. and Raf can attest, we came back! And will be coming back for more! Mabuhay! Woohoo!

So glad to finally have an authentic Filipino restaurant close to home. It feels like you walk into a restaurant in the setting of the Philippines from the time you enter to the time you walk out. The dishes are appetizing and service is good for the most part. We've had everything from their bbq platter "bilaos" which is great for sharing, to their kare kare krispy pata, bbq on a stick, pancit palabok, and more. Don't forget to ring the bell, if your Filipino food cravings were satisfied at the end of your meal.

Came here for Sunday brunch. Parking is a little difficult. So bring your patience. The restaurant is big with plenty of tables. There were 8 people in our party and we were seated right away. Out of all the dishes we ordered, the sisig kapangpangan was the best. But everything else was a close 2nd. Everything was delicious and wish we had this in San Diego.

Great vibes all around! My family unfortunately had to attend a funeral and my godmom has scheduled the reception for here. I loved how big this place was that you could reserve a whole section of the restaurant secluded from general diners. They served food buffet style including the following: - White Rice - Chicken Adobo - Liempo Asado (I think) - Sisig - Bukopandan - Kare-Kare - Chop Suey - Lumpia - Palabok - Sinigang Soup I might be missing some stuff, but my plate was too full to grab anything else. Everything was so darn good and the servers were really attentive to everyone. I'd love to come back here for a general me. It's so so good. I really missed some good Filipino food.

It's a great fast-casual Filipino spot, and I loved it! You can tell they're always busy. I ordered the Lechon Kawali, BBQ skewers, and garlic rice--everything was delicious. Definitely planning to come back!

Food is authentic and good. Great tasting BBQ pork, crispy pata, pinakbet, nilaga, pancit, and halo halo. Service is great just like the Philippines. Ambiance is nice and clean. Shout out to Ms. Jane one of the managers. She is so professional, friendly, caring and just has a nice demeanor. She is an asset to the restaurant. They are blessed to have her around. One of the best!

We wanted to try EVERYTHING on the menu! Love how the menu has photos for all of the food they offer. Everything we ordered was delicious, service is fast, and the restaurant is huge! They even have a bar area where they show games, hold events, etc. We already know we'll be coming back again soon! PS: unlimited rice - yay! (dine-in only) menu: https://www.islafilipinorestaurant.com