Purple Roots is back and they're better than ever!…read more They are currently in their soft opening phase and is offering a limited menu from 5:00 PM-11:00 PM. They removed the kiosks and transitioned to full-service dining. - They are under new ownership with exciting plans ahead. Their vision is to elevate the Filipino dining experience in Jacksonville while collaborating with the local Filipino community to showcase the richness of Filipino cuisine. One concept I'm especially excited about? They're planning to launch a Filipino-inspired Chef's Table experience, similar to an omakase, highlighting Filipino flavors in a whole new way. Jacksonville's Filipino food scene just keeps getting better, and I can't wait to see what's next for Purple Roots!

This is a self service restaurant with Philippine cuisine. You have to get the pancit and lumpia if…read moreyou get nothing else! The service was quick and food was great so what more could you ask for!

Update 6/22/2026:…read more Met up with a colleague for lunch and this place never fails me! The owner and staff are wonderful people working hard to bring the Hawaiian-Filipino taste to the Jax Community! Reminds me of when I visited Hawaii in the past and I just miss the islands! It was during early lunch so it was quiet at first but later saw folks coming through for lunch. My colleague never had Hawaiian food so the owner and I recommended a few dishes -- he chose the Loco Moco, Hawaiian-comfort food. I missed the garlic shrimp back then, and so luckily they had it in the menu -- Hawaiian Fried Garlic Shrimp!!! It was fantastic! The savory and super garlicky taste of those fried shrimps (yes, they had the shells still on, but that's the best part). The shells were crispy/fried enough and covered in the garlicky sauce that you can just eat it. Some folks may have other opinions, but I'm used to eating it this way in my culture as well. The fiesta rice was seasoned well and the Hawaiian Mac Salad was wonderfully semisweet and seasoned well too. Always great vibes by the decor and the owners!

My favorite was probably the pork skewers appetizer: two smallish skewers for $5.16. I'd put it…read moreslightly ahead of the short ribs. The latter was $19.65 for the Fiesta Plate. I didn't like the sides on the Fiesta Plate that much (macaroni salad, which my wife didn't like, rice, salad), though the salad was pretty good. It also had a piece of fried chicken; I thought it was nice, my wife not so much, but neither of us thought it was up to Jollibee (admittedly, a high standard). I had a taste of the pancit bihon, which was more strongly flavored than any I've had before, and not a favorite. Servings are smallish, so I don't think that Fiesta Plate is a good value. They close too early at night: 8 PM on a Friday. The setting is simple. Some of the seating looked uncomfortable, e.g. a bench or tables along the wall with wood at your back. We got a table with four plastic chairs, however, which was comfortable. Our server was very nice and friendly, though she had more work than she could handle without issues. They add 3.5% (reflected in the prices above), for using credit cards. With a soda ($3.36 for a can) and tip, the total for two shared courses came to $35.

Good Filipino restaurant to try out. They also cater too! They have frozen meals in their fridges…read moreoff to the side. Which makes it easy if you're traveling. They make cake and have deserts too. They make the food to order so there is a waiting period.they are closed certain day of the wee

I would absolutely return! I will first state that the entire menu is well priced for every budget…read more Under $5, $10, or $20, you will find something to eat that will leave you satisfied! The staff are incredibly kind and helpful. You truly will walk in and feel like you are eating at a family member's home in the cozy, peaceful atmosphere. The Sisig Empanada was a 9.7/10. It was flaky and smelled amazing. My first bite had a great amount of sisig and flavor. I would get this again and again. Taho was a 8.1/10. This was a dessert that was well balanced and not overly sweet. They also have deals of 50% off on Thursday!

The selection of food here is fantastic. The staff is always so respectful and friendly. Service is…read moreoutstanding and they offer a great selection of Filipino staples, fresh homemade foods, refrigerated and frozen foods, and authentic Filipino desserts. Some of my favorites are their Lechon (I buy it by the pound - can pre-order, too), Siopao (pork and chicken), cassava cake, Turon, Buchi, and so much more. The store is well organized and inviting. I love coming here and buying the ready-to-eat homemade foods that they offer daily. Just go!

All the Filipino food was amazing, I like Pompano Fist , milk fish and Barbecue chicken and pork…read moreskewers. Pansit is a must (Filipino noodles)

Reasonably priced beachside Filipino food. It's a stand with outdoor seating. Come in your…read morebeachwear or whatever you like. Tasty food. I want to try the platter the next time. In my order of preference vegetarian oriental noodles, chicken spring rolls, chicken empanadas, and chicken on a stick. Service was phenomenal. Questions were answered for understanding of dietary restrictions. Chill and relaxed area. Come as you are. You can eat outside. We took ours to go. Definitely will come back again now that we understand how to order and what to order.

Cash-only outside restaurant!!…read more Everything is delicious here. The garlic rice, lumpia and bar-b-q sticks are so flavorful. I ordered the Bar-B-Q combo #1, and it was pretty good but not filling, since they only give you 1 BBQ stick. We ended up ordering a platter of sticks to make up for it. This is the perfect lunch place to come during a beach day!

The Roasted Brussels Sprouts appetizer is a delightful surprise.... simple at first glance, but…read morebursting with character once you take that first bite. Each sprout is roasted to crisp perfection, with beautifully charred edges that give way to a tender, almost creamy center. The flavor is deep and nutty, with just the right touch of seasoning to highlight the natural sweetness that emerges from slow roasting. It's the kind of dish that feels both wholesome and indulgent, transformed by technique into something far more memorable than a typical vegetable starter. Light, crispy, and full of layered flavor, it's a testament to Filipino Abstrakt Essence's ability to elevate even the humblest ingredients into something truly exceptional.

Came here for dinner with my family - the food, service, and ambiance were great! We even got to…read morewatch the World Cup as we ate dinner (TY!) I ordered the BBQ Skewers and they were exactly as I wanted them - saucy, meaty, and with all the fix ins. We ate family style so I also tried the Adobo Wings, Lumpia, and Sinigang. All were good too!

Listen, if you're a Filipino food lover this is your spot! We all know how rare it is in the big…read morecity of Jax. I've had multiple disappear or limit service due to Covid. This right here hit the spot and it is good hidden in a haystack. The food was spot on, the service was quick and served with a smile. You wouldn't know it til you've been there but it's right on the corner of the plaza. It's a market and mini buffet. The flavor and the products in this market are quality! Pricing also a plus. Definitely added to my list for top faves.

Good place to go for fun and beer on a Sunday night after midnight it is a little over pricedread more

What a wonderful little Filipino restaurant! The dishes are served cafeteria style where you choose…read morea side (rice vs pancit) and 1 or 2 main dishes. I usually shy away from this especially since Covid due to sanitary concerns, but all my worries went out the door when I put the food in my mouth!!! Pancit - 8/10 - great flavors, the noodles were a little dry but that may be because it was sitting out too long. Shrimp obud - 10/10- absolutely delicious! it had bamboo shoots in it and the curry was so flavorful I could drink it. Dinuguan - 7/10- it was tasty but couldn't get over that it was pork blood.... Pork Adobo and Chicken curry-8/10- both had great flavors. Really friendly guy behind the counter that recommended the best dishes.

Everything. Go back to the original recipe. Do a as work order on the ice machine. Ever since…read morethey changed hands, all the food went down hill. The only reason I am giving them a one star rating is because I can't give them a zero.