Kuya Lord
Filipino restaurant · Hollywood Studio District
5003 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Highlights
Filipino comfort food with crispy lechon kawali & flavorful rice bowls
Filipino comfort food with crispy lechon kawali & flavorful rice bowls
"Kuya Lord is a tiny cafe in Melrose Hill that's home to some of the most exciting Filipino food in LA. The order-at-the-counter space only has about four tables inside, but if you roll in with family or friends, there will somehow always be enough room. The menu consists mainly of rice bowls with garlicky java rice and your choice of protein (the prawns drenched in garlic sauce are a standout), but under no circumstances should you leave without the pancit chami. It’s a savory-sweet, decadent stir fry made with fish cakes, pork belly, oyster sauce, and plump, chewy wheat noodles. If you’re here with two to three people, share the longtapsilog tray, which comes with grilled sweet sausage and short ribs, pancit, garlic rice, salad, pickled papaya, and several dipping sauces for $42. Leftovers will be a given." - brant cox, cathy park
"With just a handful of seats in the tight dining room, the best way to enjoy Melrose Hill’s Filipino spot, Kuya Lord, is with takeout. If only ordering for one person, try one of the rice or noodle bowls topped with proteins like lechon kawali, longsilog, and tocino; for enough to feed a group, opt for the Kuya trays, which feed two to three. Each tray comes with a generous serving of a protein of choice, a pint of rice, pickles, dipping sauce, and more. This may be an ideal meal for a park picnic or evening Cinespia screening. Order pick-up directly through Kuya Lord, or delivery on Uber Eats." - Rebecca Roland
"Kuya Lord began as a pandemic-era pop-up, but is now a full brick-and-mortar in East Hollywood. The tiny, order-at-the-counter cafe only has about four tables inside, but if you roll in with family or friends, there will definitely be enough room. The menu consists mainly of rice bowls with garlicky java rice and your choice of protein (the prawns drenched in garlic sauce are a standout), but don't leave without the pancit chami. It’s a savory-sweet, decadent stir fry made with fish cakes, pork belly, and plump, chewy wheat noodles. If you’re here with two to three people, share the longtapsilog tray, which comes with grilled sweet sausage and short ribs, pancit, garlic rice, salad, pickled papaya, and several dipping sauces for $45. Leftovers will be a given." - garrett snyder, cathy park
"A Filipino barbecue spot celebrating its third birthday on June 8 with a party beginning at 1 p.m. on a Melrose Hills back patio; the event will feature Filipino barbecue, karaoke, cocktails, and more." - Rebecca Roland
"Movie Pairing:The Cabin In The Woods (Hulu) “I want to say that Cabin In The Woods is one of the most underrated horror movies of the last decade, but that wouldn’t be fair - it’s not really a horror movie. It’s a horror-comedy-sci-fi-camp-thriller-think-piece and a true roller coaster of emotions from start to finish. And the only way you’re going to get through it is with some comfort food - the kind you can only get at Kuya Lord. The Filipino pop-up is run by a former Bestia sous-chef out of his house in La Canada-Flintridge, with a rotating menu that includes everything from blue prawns to Filipino-style BBQ chicken to the best pancit we’ve ever eaten in LA. Trust us, you’ll need all three when the giant hand comes out of the ground at the end. Sh*t, did I give too much away?” - BC" - brant cox, kat hong, brett keating, james montgomery
