Little Quiapo

Our visit to Little Quiapo on Sunday, 5 Janurary 2025, is unfrotunately disappointing. I do my best to leave positive reviews but I feel this has to be said for those who are looking to go here - especially travelers like us who are deciding between restaurants. The food was ok but what resonated with my family was their customer service. The guy named Joe was quite rude. He forgot to write down a dish that we ordered, was delivering a plate to our table that wasn't ours (insisting we ordered it). He then proceeded to try and leave it at the other 5 tables (they have 6) and when it came to paying - he raised his voice because we said we wanted to see our bill before they ran it to see if they're billing us for the one dish. 2 of their staff whispered their apologies. I don't think everyone there was like him. We weren't the only table that had difficulties that morning. The palabok was a much better than Red Ribbon's but everything else was unremarkable. We ordered big breakfast of beef tapa, sisig, palabok and sago gulaman. They gave the gulaman for free for the inconvenience. On a Sunday morning, sago gulaman was the only dessert item they had of the 3-4 that were listed. Not going back here. Sorry.

Great spot for some serious authentic homey Filipino food! Prices are great and owners & staff are wonderful. The place tends to get busy as it’s a smaller space but that’s always a great sign. Just fyi, they are cash only.

The food here in general is not oily and because of that, it is healthier, which is why we like coming here, not to mention because they are also delicious. Food is close to how nanay cooked it. Almost anyway. So that is another reason why we come here. You pay at the end of your meal and the service is really good. There is alot of meat selection, however I would add to please make more vegetable variety as there is usually only one veggie dish present. Place is not that big and its adequate for what they do, however during busy times tables can be hard to get so get there early on weekends My advise for those getting the to go order, to never get the entree separate order, always get the combo with the rice because its cheaper than getting two entree to go without the rice. The difference is $4 more. It doesn't make any sense but that's how they do it

The best Filipino food in the east coast is here! Homey, nostalgic, and heartwarming! I’ve tried so many Filipino restaurants in New York, but little Quiapo in New Jersey is the best! Highly recommended 🇵🇭

Always good food especiallly when the female owner / cook is there. She preps the food with care and a little healthier than the usual Filipino style.

Always delicious food. A small mom and pop filipino restuarant located in the back of a parking lot. The food is usually good. Portions are ok. Combo starts at 6.95 but goes up depending on what you select. Beware..the parking lot is atrocious!!

Portions are perfect for sharing. I had dinuguan, lumpia shanghai, and pork sisig. The sisig was the best I've ever had and can't wait to get more 🙌 Update: I ended going again today with some other friends. The bistek was the most tender I've ever had.

Excellent food! I love the variety. Staff is great, I highly recommend this place. One of my favorite Filipino restaurant in Jersey!

We came and got a combo plate of pork soup, kare kare and rice, lumpia Shanghai, and pancit. While we didn't eat most of the pork skin, the actual meaty bits were tasty and flavorful! Wish we tried the halo halo but guess we will just have to come back for it. If you're looking for it from the Main Street, it's in a tiny strip of shops next to a parking lot!

One of the most authentic Filipino spots in Jersey City - and needed to make sure those in Yelp knew about it! I've been coming here since I was a kid and the food never disappoints. This day we got a two entree combo of Kare Kare, beef steak, and white rice. Not featured in the pics is my favorite breakfast - longsilog- longganisa, two eggs, and sinangag (garlic rice). So many options to choose from, at such an affordable price!

This is a cash only place. They serve food cafeteria style. It is located inside a little shopping area. The parking is horrible. The place has about 4 tables. They have limited variety of food options. Don't come here without cash it's hard to find a legit ATM in the area.

Little Quiapo has been serving me some fantastic dishes from my last couple visits. Everything is served freshly made same day by the owners themselves. Customer service presented with typical filipino mannerisms. I can see the passion in her face when she describes what is being served. And everything she has recommended to me was spot on, just like my Mom. The palobok is their specialty and they prepare, customize, decorate and garnish each order separately, unlike most places that dig out a serving from a big pan of premixed ingredients. The Little Quiapo Palobok is a must try. Their pork Adobo tasted delicious but a little too fatty for me. But before you take that as a negative, what was too fatty for me was perfectly balanced fatty for my Mom and Aunts. I recently had their Kare Kare for the first time. I had to ask what it was because it was darker than I am use to. To my surprise, it was different and so tasteful. The sauce was thick and creamy with a hint of peanut butter. The veggies were perfectly cooked and the pork was oh so tender and yummy. I thoroughly enjoyed every bite i took. I also ordered a specialty that I have never seen. Mini meatballs and quail eggs in a mushroom sauce. So glad I gave it a try because it was definitely a treat. It would have been much better if they gave equal amounts of meatballs and quail eggs. They only gave me 2 eggs which was just a tease. I will definitely return for some take out when I have a hankering for some Mom styled filipino home cooking. Salamat Po.

Missing Philippines, a little small but definitely cozy and welcoming place and staff... it's great that there's a Pinoy grocery next door

Cute establishment in its own hidden strip mall. My kinda scooper spot. Supremely affordable w plated 2-3 choices w rice. Had mini lumpia for the first time.

Friendly Filipino eatery with simple, tasty meals. Their most popular dish is tapsilog, which is Filipino cured beef. Costs around $8, and most of their other dishes are a very reasonable $5-6. There's a parking lot out front. And at the time of this posting, there's a couple outdoor tables for dining. Cash only. Overall 5/5 perfect spot to satisfy your quick Filipino cravings in Jersey City.

We love this place but they refused entry for my service dog. I told the guy behind the counter that it was a service dog but he kept insisting that they do not allow pets and that the owner doesn't like dogs inside. I didn't want to argue bc it was not even 9 in the morning.

Great service and food, for someone who grew up with Filipino culture it is wonderful hidden gem in Jersey City.

Great place for comforting Filipino breakfast. A typical breakfast consists of a meat, a fried egg, and garlic fried rice. With the big breakfast you get a choice of two meats, two eggs and two servings of rice. The taste is pretty solid, maybe the best in jersey city. I personally like the Tapsilog. We also ordered the palabok, a noodle dish that has a strong fish flavor to it. It's not as good as I remember it back when I was a child but it's still good. They also have a deal where if you order 3 orders of palabok you get a fourth one for free. I still come back here constantly with my wife whenever we want a heavy breakfast.

It's almost the ritual that my husband and I go to a Philippino restaurant on the car-maintenance day. We almost missed this tiny 4-table place, which is located in a parking lot next to Philippine Bread House in Jersey City. I ordered the pork chop dinner, which seemed the most popular item on the menu. The Filipino version of pork chops was actually deep fried seasoned pork belly. The dish also came with 1 cup of garlic rice, two fried eggs, and a side of atchara. Atchara is a pickle made from grated unripe papaya. The dish was about $8 and was definitely a must have. My husband had the big breakfast ($9), which came with two meat items, 2 fried eggs, 2 cups of garlic rice and a side of atchara. He picked adobo chicken and beef stew as the two meat items, which both tasted great. We felt stuffed after. Many Filipino dined here so I guessed that was pretty authenticated.

Authentic Filipino food . My sister & I tried their Big Breakfast 2 meats, 2 fried eggs, & 2 cups of garlic rice with a side atsara. I had the beef & longanisa (sausage) breakfast meats. My sister ordered the sweet pork & longanisa (sausage) combo. We got mango nectar drinks and sagot galaman after our food. The location has a parking lot & there is metered off street parking. This place accepts CASH ONLY!! There's an atm across street in the pizzeria which charges $2.25 to take cash out. Restaurant is only open until 4pm. They have outdoor seating tables to eat or take-out.

I'm no connoisseur of Filipino food, but I've been exposed to a lot of their foods from my friends and my longtime boyfriend. I ate at Little Quiapo to satisfy my craving for longsilog. It's not terrible here, but I've definitely had better and I know I won't eat here again. I honestly enjoy home cooked longanisa from the supermarket better, and I enjoy the garlic rice from Jollibee better. The decor of the place was cute. It made me feel like I was on vacation. And the plating was pretty unique. But beyond that, I was not impressed.

Always my summer Sunday go-to with my parents. Lunch time is always the best. From their famous palabok, to their tasty tapsilog, all to end up with a cool dessert like halo-halo (pic attached). We always end up enjoying the company of the owners. If you're not in the mood for classics, they also have traditional entrees, from dinaguan, to the classical beef steak. Their garlic rice is definitely a great side to have with these entrees.

You've already heard the one about the great ethnic restaurant in an obscure location, but it's hard to think of a more perfect example of the archetype than Little Quiapo. The $5.95 two-item is an excellent deal. I enjoyed the pinkabet, featuring squash and bitter melon, and the pork in coconut milk is outstanding.

My colleague introduced me this spot and boy is it AMAZING! I had been wanting to try lumpia for a long time so I got the both the vegetable and pork options! Both were delicious and came with perfectly paired dipping sauces! You got to try this spot! I also found out it's family owned so you can support a small, local business and enjoy delicious food!! :)

Don't sleep on this restaurant. It's tucked away behind Philippines Bread House, but they serve some of the best Filipino food in Jersey City. The food is fresh, authentic, and always delicious. Parking can be a little hard at times, but they have both a private parking lot and street parking available. Make sure you don't leave there without ordering the Halo Halo!

One of my favorite places to get Filipino style breakfast aka fried rice, meet, and fried eggs. It's a small restaurant with limited eating and they only take cash - but amidst these facts is really great food and prices! My go to is usually tapsilog and tocilog which was $6.25 each. I enjoyed that the tocino wasn't too sweet in comparison to other restaurants, and their meal portion to rice portion is balance. We also really love the palabok here which is $5.95. Like many Filipino restaurants, they also have already made dishes and short order options such as Sisig, which I have yet to try but will definitely make another trip to do so.

Little Quiapo is a hidden gem. I'd tried to come here before, but kept going to Philippines Bread House instead. This place is tucked away behind the Bread House in a sort of shopping plaza. There are no frills, exactly, though when I first dined here some carollers came in and sang Christmas carols. It's small, cozy and comfortable. A perfect accompaniment to the food. I always get the two-item combo (about $6). There is a range of grilled meats, fishes, curries, and vegetarian items to choose from (though, truth be told, there is lots of pork - so hope you like that!). Everything is tasty and fresh - well seasoned and interesting. The staff is friendly and helpful and will take the time to explain each dish to you (which might be needed if, like me, you aren't as familiar with Filipino food. Don't sleep on this place!

Excellent. 1) I recommend the breakfast menu; they serve it throughout the day. 2) The best dish is the breakfast beef tapa with eggs and garlic rice. 3) The cost is very affordable: 6.25 USD.

First time in jersey from Los Angeles and I was amazed at all the different food choices! I've always wanted to try Filipino food and this is where I went after reading the yelp reviews. I was immediately welcomed and asked if I have ever had Filipino food before. I replied no and was told I was very brave :) I made a safe choice and order the beef with rice and the "egg rolls". I can tel it was made in a homemade way and with love. Absolutely delicious!! Thank you for a wonderful experience!!

I always come here with my family. Such a hidden Gem in JC. The service is always consistently good. The guy in the front is so personable and the food always hits the spot. The best breakfast is always my meal. The portions are big and the price is decent. They only con would be is that it is cash only.

The best palabok. And the tap silogs are pwedeng balikan. We try to come here at least once a month and we always suggest the place to everyone if they have not been here yet.

Absolutely great find! We walked into here not knowing what to expect. Tucked in the back of the parking lot, this undisclosed restaurant serves some homey and cheap Filipino food. A lunch combo came with 2 sides and rice for $5.50. We were so stuffed and had to take the rest to go in a little container. I don't know the names of the side meats but one was shrimp paste flavored pork (which was too salty) and the other was this very sweet sauce pork (which tasted very good!). My friends dish had heart and pork with gravy sauce, I think. You can order food from the menu or pick from the ones already out on display. They also have desserts. Overall, we enjoyed our lunch! We were also quite entertained by the Filipino talent show on their tv...

Amazing food and great service! Definite come again. Only flaw is to big of quantity. Delicious Halo Halo! This place proves Filipino cuisine is not only for Filipinos! ( ^^ )

Our second kitchen! We could eat there or take-out everyday if we were too lazy to cook! Their breakfast silogs are something to have at least every weekend! Hands down, Little Quiapo has the best Halo-halo we've had here in the US. Our other favorites: Kare-kare, pork steak, sinigang, pInakbet, lumpia shanghai, pancit, binagoongan (sorry, really can't spell or pronounce it, but could always finish everything on our plate!) and the list goes on! And now here we are, getting ready to go down to Jersey City to have our fill of our Little Quiapo favorites! Oh and another best part... LQ's people are so friendly and pleasant, they make you feel that you're home with family to eat your special meal!

First time here and had the owners nicely walk me through the menu. Ordered the lechon dinner plate. Great crisply texture in the meat.

Tucked away at the end of the parking lot at the PBH is the US version of a classic Manila establishment. Now, I'm not sure if it really is a franchise, but the food is decent, the Halo-Halo is pretty good and authentic. They have the standard turo-turo, only gripe with the place is it's lack of ventilation. Get the food take-out or be prepared for your clothes to smell of the restaurant.

For less than $6, you get 2 sides and a side of their garlic rice. I chose the Bistec with onions and the Silverfish omelet. Rather ghetto that they scooped up my garlic rice and then popped it into the microwave for heating. Bistec was tender and juicy, but the taste was kind of awkward. People who really like the taste of vinegar would probably appreciate it more. For me, there wasn't anything special about the silverfish omelet - it's stuff I've made at home time and time again (I'm Chinese though, not Filipino) so there wasn't anything unique about it for me, but it's an extra + that they probably taste like homemade to others. It's a great deal - particularly for lunch if you're serving jury duty - and the sweet Filipino women running the small restaurant are very welcoming. The location is tucked away in a mini-plaza on the side of the Phillipine Bread House and is very small (I think about 4 or 5 small tables).

Little Quiapo, which is based on a cheap shopping district in Quiapo, Philippines, is a tiny family-owned restaurant tucked in the Philippine Bread House parking lot. Unassuming in its size and appearance, no one would've guessed that it was once subject to a rave review in The New York Times. My family and friends have been going here for years, and I figure it's about time to give them the yelp they deserve. PROS: * Very good Filipino dishes, from adobos to sinagang (beef/pork stew w/tamarind) and pretty much everything in between including lechon kawali (pan seared pork). My favorite is the breakfast consisting of sinangag (garlic fried rice), fried eggs and your choice of meats. Make sure you finish it off w/halo-halo (Filipino version of sundae). * Prices are very reasonable. * Service is quick and friendly. * The restaurant may be small but it definitely gives you the sense that you're eating at some small eatery in the Philippines. CONS: * To those who complain that the food is greasy, these are the same people who'll probably complain that Mexican food, or Chinese food is unhealthy. Like it or not, a little grease and fat (which is THE carrier of flavor) is part of Filipino food. In any event, the food here is nowhere greasy as some have claimed. * Under any circumstances, DO NOT park in the tiny parking lot! It's absolutely stupid to do so - you'll only get trapped by the incoming traffic. If, by some miracle, you do manage to get out, be prepared to get stuck in the Newark Ave. traffic. PLEASE, use street parking. There's also ample parking around the residential area. * If you go during lunch time on weekdays, be prepared to be packed in w/students from the area high school - some of whom can be total asshats.

Really a cute place friendly, food is 4 star good but not craving everyday good (reserved for 5 stars) but the service and true Filipino ambiance (everyone inside seems Filipino) is very interesting... Out of JC right to Manila ... Walk by mcdonalds and try something new all you jurors!

Friendly service and very affordable. Food were a bit on the oily side. Flavors was good, home cookin.

This place is as 'hole in the wall' as you can get. We had an overnight stay in New Jersey, so before going back to the airport we wanted to check out a Filipino restaurant in the area. To me, it feels like going to a carenderia in the Philippines, which is nostalgic & endearing. The food is fantastic! It's not just a willy-nilly neighbor-having-Filipino-party food... it's really good. We got the breakfast combo, palabok, & goto. I've never had goto before, but it was perfect on a cold, gloomy day. The price point can't be beat & it's right beside a Filipino Bakery!

Best pinoy eatery in NJ! Affordable and yet very delicious! You must try their palabok & sinaing na tulingan!

Sooo good. Diniguan. Shanghai lumpia. Afritada. Kare kare. Monggo. Halo halo. And more. Ugh, everythang was bomb. Thank you for existing in Jersey City on our drive up from Brooklyn to the NY State Capitol!

Great hole in the wall Filipino place. A little hard to find and the hours are irregular but the food is great. Highly recommend.

The best Filipino ma & pa restaurant I've ever been to in both New York & New Jersey. Please come. Except exception service and amazing mouth watering food.

Five stars for places near and dear to my heart!!! I have not been to Little Quiapo in a while, for a couple of reasons: the Pulaski has been shut down for repair and my bestie moved from the area. I used to come here after working a long night shift and wanting a Filipino breakfast. This place reminds me of a typical open kitchen in the Philippines where you can watch the food being cooked. The two ladies that work here are sweet, and they are always cleaning, prepping and organizing - just like most Filipino women I know. It's a "turo turo" but with a sit down feel, food is brought to you on real plates and silverware ( fork and spoon, of course ) It's family style you can go to the fridge and pour your own water, cups are located in front. Now, for the food .... Hands down best "turo turo" in the area, I will even go so far to say the best in Essex and Union counties!!! Not as greasy and salty, as other places, and they only have about 6-8 different ulam at any given time. I like that you can get a single ulam with rice "rice bowl" instead of a whole combo. If you don't like fatty pieces of pork, this is not the place for you, I think they only use the pork shoulder with the fat and skin attached, and still the food is not swimming in oil. This place is wonderful, it reminds me so much of my moms kitchen growing up!

I've come here a few times when visiting family a few years back. When I moved to NY from the DC area, I still come here to get a taste of home. The food is just like my mom and dad would make it. Garlic fried rice with tocino, longanisa and sunny side eggs. The lumpia Shanghai is so good with the sweet chili sauce. And we had chicaron and fried oxtail. So much food but it was so good. They ran out of toron but I remember back when I first visited they had the best Toron in town! The ladies behind the counter were so kind and as usual reminds me of my Titas and Tito's cooking at their house. Love it here! Prefer this over the chain restaurants of Max's or Jollibee

Very quaint Filipino restaurant - quality of food and flavor is top notch. Tried several items from the menu and specials including milk fish, chicken and rice congee, pork adobo and halo halo and each and every food entree was awesome!

Hidden Phillipino treasure of delights! I love Little Q: the food is fresh, home made and very tasty. The people are very nice and the prices are great!

A MUST! First and foremost the staff is amazing. Great service and really sweet and genuine family owned business. I'm from Virginia Beach, so anyone that's lived or lives there knows there is a huge Filipino community. This place took me back to my hometown and it felt so good. From service to food to the unique space - this cute little restaurant is not pretentious and serves its purpose very well. No gimmicks just authentically cooked filipino cuisine at a great price and great quality. The adobo, dinaguan (sp?), bbq, and halo halo were top notch. I'll definitely be a regular every time i'm in Jersey. :)

My opinion of this small, small restaurant is a mix of Rachel A and Miranda b. YES the food is unhealthy and greasy, but they do serve veggie alternatives and not so unhealthy entrees. I do come for the grease and artery clogging meals so why not let loose on the weekend?! The food is prepared beforehand and are placed in trays where you just point and they stick it on a plate for you. I never order, because I prefer my mom do it since she speaks Filipino. Yes, I am embarrassed that I don't speak of word of Tagalog (or Bisaya). There is no fountain soda, they have a fridge with cans of soda and water. As for dessert, they have halo halo, which I'm not a fan of because I don't like the jellies but I loooove the ice and milk at the bottom. They might also have Ube ice cream, which is super super delicious. Afterwards, do some pinoy grocery shopping and definitely hit the breadhouse!

One of the best Filipino food. People are great.

This food was great! We loved the menudo, kare kare, isda, at halo halo!!!!!! Yummy!! The girls that worked here were so sweet. We will definitely be back:)

Been going here for over a decade but always seem to be more focused on the food than writing a review. I have rarely had anything here that wasn't a hit. The price is reasonable and the portions adequate (they used to be way too big!) The silog plates -eggs with garlic rice and your choice of meat - are a great change from your local diner. The various stews are always spectacular. You can even have dessert in the form of Halo Halo - shaved ice with various goodies (jellies, corn, beans, sweet syrup) with or without ice cream. If you've never experienced home style, Filipino cooking, come here with an open mind and leave with a full belly! P.S. There are no stupid questions and the staff will gladly walk you through things.

This was my first time visiting New Jersey, and my first time eating at a Filipino restaurant in New Jersey. All I can say is - check this place out. -Restaurant Owners- Good people, great service! -Food - Authentic, Fresh, prepared beautifully, flavorful- Felt as if I was back home with family, eating good food with good company. I strongly recommend the Halo-Halo. Little Quiapo's Halo-Halo is a fountain of Filipino Sundae Goodness- it makes Goldilocks and Jollibee's Halo-Halo look like a snow cone.

I'd give this restaurant a 1 star because of the fact that the waitress was nice. But regarding the food, i did not like anything at all. The palabok noodles was cold and very hard to chew, with the scallions that looked very old. The kare-kare's vegies also looked very old and it wasnt even hot. The goto and lomi wasnt even warm. I honestly think that the food was all microwaved and was just left overs from the day before. I havent encountered anything like it.

Lovely restaurant. The women working were so sweet and brought our food out to our table after cooking our orders. My mom kept on calling them "nanay"! Their sago is delicious and the maiz con yelo was on par with what we'd usually get in the Philippines. The lumpia and pork chops were well cooked and seasoned. They were gone before we even started the main meal, and if I could, I would've tried everything! No pay parking is limited and the restaurant is tucked inside the plaza, so don't pass it while driving by!