Jeepney Filipino Restaurant — Restaurant in Ōtara-Papatoetoe

Posting on behalf of my friend who had dinner in Jeepney Filipino Restaurant MANUKAU tonight 19 April 2025. She do not have .gmail account, instead of creating one, just for the purpose of Jeepney Filipino Restaurant MANUKAU, she asks my help to post this review instead. Below are her words for the review.

"We were happy to know we have this Filipino restaurant (Filipino Jeepney Restaurant Manukau) near our place as we love to eat out. We booked thru First Table as we usually do that to try first if food is good, ambience and staffs service. And if all good it will be our another to-go-eat place. We arrived and we are the 2nd set of customers in there. We ordered meals and a halo halo. After we ordered, slowly other customers arrived. We then got our orders but not the halo halo. I waited til the restaurant staffs were free before I followed up for the halo halo. I have finished my food but still no halo halo. I again kindly follow up, how much more time for it. Then within 2mins, they told me the ice for the halo halo is not yet ready. So I just cancelled the order. It is 50minutes already since we ordered. I then approached cashier and paid. Hoping it is only the halo halo incident I will not like. But the cashier is also not welcoming. She have anyway apologized for the halo halo, but the reason she gave, I don't know who would accept, as the Cashier said, THEY ARE ALREADY TIRED, thus they cannot serve me the halo halo. ohhhkayyy.... Then she asks me about Table number, so I went back to the Table and looked if there is a Table number. I went back to her as there is none. So I waited as when I was back, the Cashier is preparing something. And as I am waiting for the Cashier I have seen 2 halo halo were being served. Wow, so fast, the ice is now ready. It was only couple of minutes ago that I cancelled my order (which I have waited 50minutes) because of the ice not ready and now ice is all good. LIE # 1. You are the best liar 🙂. Anyway, coming back to the cashier as I am paying, the amount I was given is not same as I computed. So I kindly asked why. She said, it is because the condition as per FIRST TABLE is only on Mains. I took it as LIE # 2. However, First Table ad have included the SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF FILIPINO JEEPNEY RESTAURANT and there is none there of what she mentioned. I have screenshot of the SPECIAL CONDITIONS on First Table and none is listed there of what the Cashier have advised - see attached all info. Anyway, this is just to share the disappointment my Family had with the said restaurant. I hope no one will have the same disappointment we had. For us, I do not recommend this restaurant. Quite double standard. Specifically, the Cashier does not know how to handle customer queries and clarifications. She is rude. It reflects badly on the Business. It is not only food we check, we also look into the attitude of the persons who serves. This first visit of ours in FILIPINO JEEPNEY RESTAURANT MANUKAU...

For the record, I've previously rated this restaurant HIGH. We've ordered multiple takeaways and my family has dined in this restaurant countless times - we're more of a regular customer(s).

The only thing I didn't like about this restaurant is that when you're in - they always try to seat you at the back (even though you already have seated yourself). When we dine in this restaurant, my family and I always place ourselves on the same spot - table in the corner, close to the entrance. And every time we do so, they always try to convince us to seat in the back even though there are only a few people in the restaurant (or sometimes it's just us). We have respectfully declined this, and didn't really put much thinking into this.

Yesterday, we came into this restaurant early to dine in for mother's day... once again they have tried to convince us to seat in the back, we have already seated ourselves and respectfully declined this - there were only 3 other tables that were occupied at this time, the other tables were empty. We were already in the middle of choosing what to order, when their manager approached us again and told us to move at the back as they are expecting high number of people coming in and that we don't need a table of 5 for a family of 3... we have respectfully told the manager that we prefer this place as my son would be uncomfortable seating somewhere else but he was insistent on this. We decided not to dine in this restaurant and walked out. I can understand if the tables had signs that says "reserved" like most other restaurants, and then you don't occupy that space but this wasn't the case - the empty tables had no labels on it. I am truly disappointed with service here, just because we are Filipinos... they'd expect people would be compliant.

I have never dined in any restaurant in NZ, wherein the hosts have tried to tell you where to sit (even though it's empty as f*ck). Customers should be given preference on where they sit and if the seats are "reserved", they should be marked as such - not based on an assumption that "other people are coming in". Isn't it hospitality 101 to make guests comfortable so they'll order and appreciate the food. For me personally, I'd like to dine in a restaurant where I can visibly see people dining... and if I see a restaurant wherein you can't see people dining (because they were told to seat at the back), that doesn't really appeal to me. I am never going back in this restaurant again. I hope they read this feedback and change their ways on hospitality.

TLDR: -Good Filipino Food -Staff has really poor knowledge on Restaurant...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Jeepney Filipino Restaurant is an absolute gem in Manukau City! As someone who loves exploring authentic Filipino cuisine, this place exceeded my expectations. The ambiance is warm and welcoming, with a nostalgic vibe that reminds me of the traditional jeepneys in the Philippines. The staff are friendly and attentive, making the dining experience even more enjoyable.

Now, let’s talk about the food—because it’s the star of the show! Here’s what I ordered and my thoughts on each dish:

Fish Escabeche : The fish was cooked to perfection—crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The sweet and tangy sauce with bell peppers and onions complemented the dish beautifully. It’s a must-try for anyone who loves seafood!

Filipino Spaghetti : This was a delightful twist on the classic spaghetti. The sweet-style sauce with hotdog slices and grated cheese was rich and flavorful. It’s a comforting dish that both kids and adults will love.

Sizzling Sisig : This dish was a flavor explosion! The sizzling plate brought out the smoky aroma of the chopped pork, which was perfectly seasoned with lemon, chili, and onions. The crispy edges and creamy texture from the egg made it irresistible.

Jeepney Fried Chicken : Crispy, juicy, and packed with flavor! The chicken was marinated well and fried to golden perfection. It’s simple yet so satisfying, especially when paired with their garlic rice.

Sio Mai : These Filipino-style steamed pork and shrimp dumplings were a great starter. The filling was savory and well-seasoned, and the wrapper had the perfect texture. Dipped in soy sauce and lemon, they were a delicious bite-sized treat.

One of the highlights of the meal was the Halo-Halo, a traditional Filipino dessert. This refreshing treat combines shaved ice with a mix of sweetened fruits, jellies, and beans, topped with leche flan and ube ice cream. It’s a delightful way to end a meal, providing a symphony of textures and flavors that dance on the palate.

Overall, Jeepney Filipino Restaurant is a must-visit for anyone craving authentic Filipino flavors in Auckland. The food is hearty, flavorful, and made with love. I can’t wait to come back and try more dishes from their menu. Highly...