Maymar Filipino Restaurant — Restaurant in Chesapeake

--- Update as of 5/22/23 ---

Maymar, what happened?

Summary; Acceptable, but the food doesn't taste the same. Sorry for the average review, I hope you can change back. Should you support them? Absolutely! They are a wonderful family owned restaurant, however I will not be returning to the Chesapeake location.

Full review;

I used to frequent this place over 5 years ago, during the pandemic I didn't go, and today I was in the area which is rare and figured I'd return.

To be clear, my meal was acceptable, but far from what it used to be.

While the staff was still friendly and the atmosphere was pleasant, the food just tasted unauthentic to me. To be transparent, I'm not Filipino, but I have many family and friends who are. I know how the food should taste.

The Bicol express had little flavor, and was not pork belly as it's supposed to be. It used to be spicy and actually have a deep, rich flavor with small chilis in the sauce, and a very rich coconut flavor. What I ate today was lean pork chunks, very little sauce, a hint of coconut milk, no spice. I had to go home and put some cayenne pepper on it for heat.

I got my wife Chicken Adobo and even she asked if this was the same place....while she enjoyed it, it just didn't hit like the old Maymar did.

The pancit was good!

The beef lumpia are ok, but honestly are almost the quality of a Chinese restaurants now. I hate to say it.

-- Old review --

Awesome

Do not listen to the poor reviews, I love this place, they treat me like family and I am your average white guy.

Try it!

Love the bicol express and home...

Maymar Filipino Restaurant in Chesapeake is a solid spot for satisfying your Filipino food cravings, with some standout dishes and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

The pancit and sinangag (garlic fried rice) are spot-on—flavorful, comforting, and reminiscent of home-cooked meals from back in the Philippines. The pancit isn’t greasy, the noodles have great texture, and the seasoning is just right. The garlic rice is fragrant and toasty—an ideal companion to any ulam.

Their turon is also excellent—crispy, golden brown, and filled with sweet saba banana, just the way it should be. It’s a perfect way to end the meal or enjoy as a merienda.

The sisig, however, is where I dock one star. While it’s still good and clearly popular with the crowd, it’s been noticeably Westernized to cater more to White and Black diners who frequent the restaurant. Instead of using traditional Filipino vinegar (suka) to bring out the classic tang and heat, the dish is made with a sweet and sour sauce—giving it a much milder, almost sweet profile. It’s approachable for newcomers, but those looking for an authentic, sizzling, Pampanga-style sisig might be a bit disappointed like me who drove all the way from Williamsburg.

That said, the restaurant itself is clean, the staff are kind and attentive, and it’s great to see Filipino cuisine being embraced more in the area. Maymar is doing a lot of things right, and it’s definitely worth supporting—just be aware that some dishes have been adapted for a...

Wow this was an amazing meal! I had the pork bicol over rice - the spicy coconut milk juice was incredible and the pork just fell apart in my mouth it was so tender. I love their free toppings - the acid from the pickled cucumbers paired perfectly. I ate so much!!

My dining companion had the dinuguan, which they loved. The sauce we were told is thickened by blood, and it gives the dish a rich and deep texture. If you're looking for something different, definitely get this.

While we were there lots of people came in to pick up catering orders, especially for the lumpia. One gentleman even purchased several for us to try because we'd never had them! I found everyone who came in to be friendly and genial, and the one employee we saw was the same. She was helpful and patient when we were making decisions, giving us free samples to try different things. She offered suggestions freely but never felt pushy.

We sat and ate on one of the benches in the restaurant, which was covered in pillows. The walls and even napkin holders are hand decorated with drawings and words of encouragement. It feels like a neighborhood hang out and I really really wish I lived in this neighborhood! I will likely be stopping here again whenever I'm passing through the area. I highly recommend this place to anyone...