Barkada Bowl Poké and Filipino Food — Restaurant in Cape Canaveral

WOW! Best poke bowl I’ve ever tasted. It’s so flavorful.

Environment: “Barkada” is Tagalog/Filipino slang meaning group of friends. So, it is fitting that the small restaurant gives off that casual warm, welcoming vibe. There is limited seating due to the small space. There are 4 bar seats at the front, and three tables with two chairs each. We arrived around 4PM after our beach day, and when we sat down, all the seats were full. So be aware of seating if you’re trying to come during prime lunch time. There’s parking out front and it’s near a Cuban restaurant and a barber shop.

Food: When you walk in, there are pens and sheets of paper for you to create your own Barkada bowl. I got the steamed shrimp with everything on it. The barkada sauce and citrus sauce combined was sooo GOOD!! The most popular sauce combo is barkada sauce and the spicy mayo. You’ll see the daily Filipino menu up front, too. I ordered their pork lechon with rice and halo halo dessert, which is shaved ice, fillings, and ube purple yam ice cream. I highly recommend everything!

Recommendations: You guys got over 10 orders of halo halo in 40 minutes. Yes, it’s time consuming making the dessert one at a time, especially if there are only two employees preparing all the food. That family that ordered 5 kinda waited a while, so these are just suggestions to help make the process faster: Perhaps, keep a log of average daily halo halo orders and then each morning prepare multiple cups of the fillings ahead of time and keep them in the fridge, so all you have to do is place shaved ice, condensed milk, and ube ice cream on top. Maybe it’s time to upgrade to a bigger ice shaver machine - one that has a 34 liter ice storage box like the Vevor brand? That way, there’s enough shaved ice for multiple orders. Also, maybe add tables at the front? I see some restaurants who claim a couple parking spots in front of their storefront and set up outdoor seating with tents, and even decorate the patio area with fake plants and artwork. Idk maybe decorate it tiki style, and have a big sign on the front tent? Because we drove pass the restaurant trying to find it. A big sign is always great advertisement and will bring people in.

Again, thanks...

Barkada Bowl is my FAVORITE place to eat. I've had poke bowls at other restaurants in the area, and nothing compares. Barkada Bowl lets you be versatile and creative when you order, and the prices are the bomb for what you're getting. Though they are a kind-of hole-in-the-wall joint, the inside is beautiful, the place is always clean, and the people are amazing nice. I've met the owner a few times, and it's always great to see the face of a business out front and helping customers. Another great thing about Barkada Bowl is also that parts of the menu change up daily, so there are specials and dessert that you can try out on different days. The Bao buns are particularly good. So, if you're in the area, check them out. You will NOT be disappointed! Also, a side note: The chopsticks here are the absolute best, they are so high quality. That may sound silly, but you'll see...

If you need a sign to try this place consider this it!! This little gem is a diamond in the touristy rough for anyone who wants something a bit different and incredibly tasty. The Pork Adobo was literally the best I’ve ever had. The combo of ingredients and the stand alone flavor of the pork had me melting at the table. The Shanghai Lumpia (little fried rolls w/a Thai Chili style sauce to dunk) was sooo good, came out super hot and oh so flavorful. Even the Thai Chili was more complex than your typical. The Steamed Bao bun 3 pack were a 10/10 in every way. The sweet/spicy/savory flavor the ingredients create was really something special. Lastly, the owner was working today. He prepared everything with a great attitude and an expertise in the creation of these dishes. The reviews don’t lie, he really knows what he’s doing people! I wish this spot...