Although the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex has one of the fastest-growing Asian populations in the country, the Filipino community is still relatively small. That might explain why you may have to do some digging to find lechon, sisig, and lumpias. Luckily, the digging is done: This list of 10 restaurants is a solid guide to some of the best Filipino eats in Dallas proper and the suburbs.
Whether you’re craving an ice-cold treat like Halo Halo, a substantial Filipino breakfast with plenty of hot garlic rice, any number of sizzling pork belly dishes, or some fresh Filipino bread, the Metroplex has you covered.
Kainan Sa Laguna
This counter-service spot in Plano offers all of the traditional Filipino classics, alongside fusion dishes like sisig fries, a pile of crispy waffle fries smothered with melted cheese, diced tomatoes, and sisig (chopped pork). Pair those with an ice-cold calamansi juice, a refreshing Filipino lemonade. 909 Spring Creek Pkwy. #450, Plano
Taste of Philippines
This strip-mall gem in Garland serves an unforgettable sizzling sisig that comes out of the kitchen with that sizzle Dallasites will recognize from ordering fajitas at Tex-Mex joints. The dish offers a hefty portion of shredded pork that’s crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Jalapeño adds some heat, and the fried egg on top adds richness. Start with the lumpiang Shanghai, 10 little fried pork egg rolls with a sweet chili sauce for dipping. 565 W. Oates Rd. #110, Garland
Lai Lai’s Lumpia
This hot spot in a Rockwall food truck enclave enjoys a loyal following because regulars can’t get enough of those lumpias. A popular street food throughout Southeast Asia, these long, thin, crispy spring rolls come with all kinds of fillings, including chicken, beef, pork, and vegetables. Lai Lai’s even slings cheesecake lumpias for dessert that are just as tasty as they sound. Sprinkled with powdered sugar, cheesecake lumpias are best enjoyed with caramel dipping sauce. 4288 TX-276, Rockwall, lailaicuisine.com
Inihaw Avenue Filipino Kitchen
At this Filipino restaurant and grocery store in one, start with a refreshing Sago at Gulaman, a classic Filipino drink that’s reminiscent of boba: shaved ice, sweet jelly, and tapioca pearls. The menu offers a wide variety, but the BBQ Skewers are particularly memorable. Order pork, chicken, or a combination, and enjoy tender meat marinated in a sweet and tangy homemade sauce with pickled papaya slaw on the side. 4835 N O’Connor Rd., Irving, inihawavenue.com
Scoop n’ Buns
Owned by a Filipina and her Mexican husband, this fusion dessert spot in Garland offers halo halo, a customizable frozen treat that aptly translates to “mix mix.” Choose from classic, horchata, pandan, or mango flavors, and enjoy a hodgepodge of shaved ice, cream, and made-in-house sweet jellies. You can’t go wrong with the leche flan topping. 507 W. Walnut St., Garland, scoopnbuns.com
Mauro’s Grill & Café
This cozy little spot in Plano offers traditional dishes like crispy pata, deep fried pig’s feet with a tangy homemade dipping sauce; and pinapitan, a garlicky, spicy soup simmered with beef, beef heart, and tripe. Pop in in the morning and enjoy every breakfast item with two sunny side-up eggs and fragrant garlic fried rice. 2719 W. 15th St., Plano, maurosgrillandcafe.com
DelCiano Pinoy Cuisine
If you want to throw the coolest party in town, order a lechon from this popular restaurant in Arlington and invite the whole neighborhood over. A splurge at $650, the 35-pound suckling pig is worth every cent, slow-roasted over charcoal until the skin is crispy and the meat is moist and tender. Or, go to the restaurant for a refreshing buko, a cold Filipino smoothie made from young green coconut. 6320 U.S. 287 Frontage Rd. Ste. 108, Arlington, delciano.com
Kabayan Filipino Food Store & Café
Known for its pancit, a catch-all term for a variety of Filipino noodle dishes, this low-key restaurant and market has a karaoke stage and isn’t afraid to use it. Try the pancit guisado, a steaming plate of noodles sauteed with plenty of chopped cabbage and carrot, and mixed with shrimp, shredded pork, shredded chicken, or any combination thereof. 19009 Preston Rd., Unit 209, Dallas
Marie’s Kitchen
Prepare for a bit of a speakeasy feel, because to get to Marie’s Kitchen, you have to walk into an office building and down a long corridor. There, you’ll find this fast-casual family business that’s Dallas’s go-to spot for a quick, delicious, reasonably-priced Filipino breakfast. The lechon kawali ilog includes crispy deep-fried pork, rice, and two eggs. Like a number of menu items, it comes with a homemade sweet and savory “meat sauce” on the side for dipping or drizzling. 11910 Greenville Ave. #103, Dallas, marieskitchentx.com
Pinoy Bread and Better
Out in Waxahachie, an in-home Filipino bakery makes ube (purple yam) pastries and siopaos (steamed buns) to order. Pinoy offers three menus: Breads, Desserts, and Entrees. Taste treats you’d be hard-pressed to find in other bakeries in the Metroplex, like a dozen suman malagkit, sweet sticky rice wrapped up in banana leaves; or binignit, a sweet milk stew made of coconut and ube. 217 Stable Dr., Waxahachie, sites.google.com/view/pinoy-bread-and-better/home
