In 2018, Karenderya was named one of Esquire's "Best New…read moreRestaurants in America" and a James Beard Awards Semifinalist for Chef Paolo Garcia Mendoza. I recently stopped by Karenderya in Nyack looking for some good Asian comfort food, and it definitely hit the spot. Known for delicious, made-from-scratch dishes, they were flavorful, fresh, and clearly cooked with care. The menu offers a wonderful introduction to Filipino cuisine, with hearty, satisfying dishes that feel comforting, taste scrumptious, and speaking for myself - as I rarely go to Filipino eateries due to my location, unique. The cashier/waitress was attentive, friendly, and helpful throughout my visit. While the atmosphere is fairly simple and not really the reason to come here, the focus is clearly on the food, and that's where Karenderya shines. This is an excellent option for takeout, and many of the dishes would be perfect to bring to a potluck or family gathering. Despite Nyack's often challenging parking situation, I found parking easy enough nearby, which was a pleasant surprise. Service can be slow when crowded, be forwarned. If you're looking for authentic, delicious Filipino-inspired food and don't need a fancy dining room, Karenderya is absolutely worth a visit.

There's definitely some tasty stuff here, but to me, this is a place you go for apps and that's…read moreabout it. I came here after a hike on Saturday to meet up with the Millennial Chum for a late lunch/early dinner. It had been a while since my last trip to Nyack (honestly it might have been their Halloween pet costume contest a few years ago, when a Mandalorian-inspired outfit won instead of the much-deserved Marty McFly from Back to the Future, but it is what it is), and wasn't looking forward to the parking situation on a nice weekend afternoon. That turned out not to be an issue because Karenderya is in the "rougher" part of town, such as it is, a few blocks from the main downtown area closer to 287. Not bad, but a little more blue collar. And more parking spots! I liked the vibe inside. Kind of quiet and understated, with a spiffy little bar to the side and a lot of old school wooden chairs/tables. We were probably a very strange sight - I was trying not to look like too much of a mess after being on the trails all day, and my chum was the exact opposite, classy perfection after a bridal or baby shower. To their credit, no one here batted an eye and they let us sit at a table of our choosing. We opted for a window seat and kept an eye out for the pooches. I knew going in that the one item I had to order was the lumpia from the apps section, which is pretty much the only Filipino food I'm familiar with. I used to work with a Filipino who'd make these for an annual event, and they were delicious, basically an edgy spring roll that has pork and seasoning in them. Super tasty, and these were exactly like I remembered them - a real highlight. It came with a sweet chili sauce that perfectly complemented the savory rolls. I decided to also get the crispy potatoes with calamansi bagoong aioli; another banger. Again, the apps rock. Even if you're not that comfortable with edgier, ethnic food, these are the perfect balance of unique but also safe and mainstream in a lot of ways. The entree was a tougher call for me but I went with the Fried Crispy Chicken, the rice bowl version. Eh. I think my biggest issue was that it's pretty dry - there's a soy sauce accompaniment but it's not one of my favorites (that's arguably on me, right?). As a result, even though the chicken itself was packed with some flavor, overall this could have used something else. This also comes up with katsu chicken for me - I really only like it if it's got the curry too. Lesson learned. I did bring a lot of it home and enjoyed it significantly more when I was able to rescue it with some of my BBQ sauce. We weren't in a rush so I wasn't paying particularly close attention to it, but the service seemed fine. Maybe it took a little longer to order but that might just be my perception because I was pretty famished post-hike. Everyone we interacted with was very nice; again, I think you give bonus points given that I probably looked like a wild animal and yet was treated like a human. This may not be at the very top of my list in the area, but there was enough here to justify a return trip for sure. And it was nice to avoid the chaos of the downtown area and quickly get in and out of this tourist trap.

This food place is great for its authentic, flavorful comfort food. If ever you are opting to eat…read morehere I recommend the pork sisig, lumpia, and the massive halo-halo. The dining room offers cozy, home-style vibes, though seating is limited. The pork sisig, palabok, kare-kare, and vegetable lumpia are heavily favored for their well-balanced seasonings. Modest and casual, featuring oversized communal wooden tables that give it a warm, "mom's dining room" feel. Highly authentic, with a largely Filipino customer base, friendly service, and very reasonable prices. The storefront is small and tends to fill up quickly on weekends, which can lead to wait times.

We stopped by here after visiting a nearby local garden. It is a small eatery but has a homey…read morevibes. Food is pleasant but with a standard taste. I see people from different backgrounds enjoying their meal while visiting. Service is quick. A favorite stop over place in the area when craving for Filipino food. Their pick up service is busy as a bee.

Was not very busy on a Saturday afternoon. I tried the chicken bowl and was surprised with the…read morevariety of veg it came with as well as the perfectly fried egg on top. I had the hot sauce on the side which was perfect (sweet, spicy, and with a hint of vinegar). Decent price for mall food. Can't wait to return to try other menu items.

Located at the Palisades Center and serves filipino food. Wasn't planning on getting it but my…read morebrother ordered the tapsilog to taste - beef has garlicky, vinegary flavors and went well with the garlic fried rice and fried eggs. We liked it so got another one to go. What I thought I would like though and went there for are the halo halo and ube shake, but not satisfied. Both were not sweet enough (normally my complaints are the opposite). And not creamy enough. Halo halo had more beans than I would prefer.

Hapág Bistro is a wonderful spot that I've enjoyed both dining in and ordering takeout from, and…read moreit's been consistently great each time. The food is incredibly flavorful and satisfying. It really feels like a home cooked meal made with care. While the prices aren't the cheapest, the quality and taste absolutely justify it. You can tell there's a lot of attention put into each dish. My personal favorite is the lechon kawali paired with their garlic rice. It is crispy, rich, and packed with flavor. The dining space itself is cute, cozy, and very clean, making it a perfect little date night spot. The staff is always friendly and welcoming, which adds to the overall experience. It isn't the fastest service, so I wouldn't recommend coming here if you're on a time crunch. It's a great place to sit down and relax, and really enjoy the food. One thing to keep in mind is that their hours can be a bit unusual, so it's definitely worth checking ahead before you go. Location-wise, it's also a great stop. It is just a short walk from the local brewery and the rail trail, making it an ideal place to grab a meal after a walk or before heading out for a couple of beers. Overall, a fantastic spot if you're looking for comforting, high quality Filipino food in a cozy setting.

The only other time I'd been to a Filipino spot was years ago at Jeepney in NYC with Yelp friends…read morefor a UYE. I'm not claiming expert status on Filipino food because I'm nowhere close. But there are a few universal similarities with Latin food: rice, seafood (because I'm a pescatarian) and garlic- to name a few. Then there's their halo-halo dessert. So when Hapág Bistro popped up in my Yelp pages- in Highland, NY no less and conveniently close to work- I was in. Hapág is cozy the second you step in here. My eyes immediately went up to the ceiling where these folks have faux greenery+florals hanging across the space. It actually softens Hapág and adds a little "nature". I was here on a tight clock and didn't have time to sit down for a full meal. But while I looked at the menu at work, one thing immediately jumped at me: halo-halo. This thing is sweet. It's a sweet explosion of shaved ice, creamy ube goodness, jellies, fruit and leche flan tucked in like little treasures. Then comes the ice cream on top tying the whole shit together. Every spoonful is cold, creamy and sugary in the best way. Shoutout to my girl Danielle, who was super pleasant and had one of those smiles that totally makes the place feel even more welcoming. Next time I'll actually stay long enough to eat real food- but for a quick pop-in, Hapág came out on top with dessert alone.

Tropical Hut has be a long-awaited travel spot that was absolutely worth the two-year wait…read more Food: The chicken adobo was fantastic with an amazing, rich sauce, and the unique pork dish (not sure what it was called) was surprisingly delicious. The pancit and pandesal were both solid staples that rounded out the meal perfectly. Service: The super kind titas made the whole experience feel like being fed by your grandma: warm, generous, and full of heart. They served great portions and made me feel right at home. Aesthetic: Simple cafeteria-style setup with seating on the opposite side, giving it that authentic, home-cooked comfort vibe.

Whenever craving Flavorful Filipino Food Tropical Hut never disappoints. This place is an…read moreabsolutely amazing spot for all kinds of tasty authentic comfort food from the islands. Their lunchtime buffet is incredible and offers a TON of choices that are sure to satisfy all of your cravings. I know this because they sure do satisfy mine.    I've always been a huge fan of businesses that open up at the time their hours are posted. Here that's always the case, plus when they do open for the day they're all set up and Ready to Rock!! The staff here must be working all night long or something to be able to pull that amazing task off, super impressive. Gotta say too they're really cool people who are very friendly and that's the other reason I like stopping in. Alright I only get a half hour for Lunch so lemme Dig In you can figure out the rest by yourselves, lol Come And Get Your Munch On!!

Mama Fina's has been one of my favorite Filipino restaurants since their old Elmwood Park location,…read moreand the food is still delicious in Hackensack. The pork sisig is a must-have here. We also had the Bicol Express, which was spicy and simple. There is plenty of street parking plus extra parking in the back. I also like that they sell small grocery items inside the restaurant. The service is not as friendly as I remember from the Elmwood Park days, but the food still makes up for it. I'll always stay loyal to Mama Fina's. Small fact is I actually met Mama Josefina herself.

I've heard of Mama Finas from friends for their famous sisig. When you walk in, you go directly to…read morethe counter to order and they will bring your food to you. It is very casual. - Pork Sisig (5/5): some of the best Sisig I've had. The pork belly is SO crispy even after we were almost done eating! The sauce wasn't too overpowering and heavy. Loved the fresh zing of the red onions. The spicy one is the way to go. - Garlic Fried Rice (4.5/5): I could eat this on its own. So good. The rice was a bit mushy but otherwise great taste - Kare-kare (4/5): a soupier variation of the peanut based sauce I've tried. The oxtail chunks were tender, but all sliced really thin and very few pieces of each. Also lacking a bit in the green beans and okra- flavor was good though. I like the Sisig the best. Only a bit bummed by the high price and small portion sizes

I purchased 100 pieces of Lumpiang Shanghai for the holidays. The lady on the phone was extremely…read moreaccommodating for taking my order just the day before I needed it. Food was super tasty and crunchy! I'm getting hungry now just thinking about them! I will definitely order from here again!

Ordered pancit palabok and Bicol express to go. When I picked them up, the owner/chef so nice to…read morekeep it warmed up in a warming tray. It took me 45 minutes to get home and it was still nice and warm. Quickly took a bite as soon as I walked through the door and was so pleasantly surprised at how good both dishes were. I wish I was from the area so that I can come back and try the other dishes they have on their menu. Alas, I live across the river in another state. Thank you Kapangpangan's Best. Best talaga!!!!!

Bought a Taho for merienda, the 'sago' (tapioca) was not fully cooked. It was not jelly like when…read moreyou chew it. Overall service was good they have friendly staffs.

Love this store. They always make me feel at home. When I'm craving a Filipino snacks I know where…read moreto go! They also offer classic Filipino dishes and offer catering options for holidays and events. I go almost weekly and will be back soon!

La Mesa is so good…read more Located in a small parking lot with an unassuming storefront, La Mesa is exactly what you'd consider a hidden gem. When you walk in you're immediately greeted by a smell of delicious food and a beautiful and quirky interior. They have many drinks and snacks based on the Filipino and El Salvadorian roots of the restaurant! We've had many items off the menu but our favorites are the tocilog, longaniza, garlic rice, and tamal de elote. Portions are large and always fresh. Everyone who works here is also very nice and accommodating. They always substitute garlic rice when requested which I appreciate.

We enjoyed the food at La Mesa. Everything was fresh just prepared right in front of you.read more