Meryendang Pinoy — Restaurant in Jersey City

I’ve been regular and loyal customer to Meryendang Pinoy. I’ve been supporting this business ever since they started years ago but apparently, they didn’t appreciate that and they just wanted my money. I was the first person who ordered a party tray for Christmas Eve. The quality was very poor and it’s all pork belly fats. I reached out to Jhona and didn’t even sincerely apologize and offered me ice scramble, tokneneng or putobumbong for my next purchase, as if I’m purchasing again after what happened. She admitted that she didn’t check my food. You can just tell that they don’t value their customers or the quality of their foods. Everyone at the party was disgusted of the food I ordered. Instead of giving me a compensation I deserve or even a sincere apology, she blocked me as of today in her instagram for no reason. Yes, that’s the kind of person she is. Foods are great but again, they’re not homemade, they are basically ready to eat kind of food. All they have to do is fry it and sell it at inflated price. If you want a real Filipino street food, go to Jayhan’s! The quality and price are better and they’ll give you only the best customer service experience unlike here, they’ll block you instead lol.

UPDATE AS OF 01/07/2025:

Their statement was completely false, intended to protect their reputation. Yes I understand, while criticizing someone's personality is wrong, revealing the truth is also important. She portrayed me as a bad person and a liar, but I had messaged her to address the issue. I felt her apology was insincere and she didn't make an effort to resolve the issue. If you read her messages, was it sincere after all? I felt like she was rushing or pushing me away. I wasn't seeking free things, but rather a sincere apology and a good resolution. Everyone was disappointed with the food, and some relatives warned me about leaving a bad review. However, I CHOSE NOT to because of our good relationship, and even sent her a warning message on December 25 (check out her screenshots) Do we have the right to be upset? Yes, because that’s a SERIOUS HEALTH RISK!

What PROMPTED me to leave a bad review was when she blocked me on December 29, after the warning. I have screenshots to prove it. She tried to make herself appear as the victim, DENYING the blocking, but it did happen. While she has the right to manage her social media, blocking me INSTEAD of resolving the issue was unnecessary.

Yes I totally agree that we should treat customer service with kindness and it’s equally important to TREAT our customer with respect EVEN WHEN THEY’RE NOT PRESENT.

I agree that NOT everything on the internet is BELIEVABLE. And this is going to be my LAST POST. Just wait until you experience it firsthand. ONLY HERSELF knows her true and real intention anyway. It’s also NOT THE FIRST TIME she blocked customers. I’m AWARE OF MULTIPLE INSTANCES and have heard stories from others.

TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS, ALWAYS DO THE...

Jersey City. A place where cultures collide, intertwine, and occasionally, if you’re lucky, serve up something truly special. Wandering down Newark Avenue, past the ubiquitous curry houses and bodegas, I stumbled upon Meryendang Pinoy—a modest establishment at 283 Newark Avenue, promising a taste of the Philippines in the heart of New Jersey. 

Inside, the air was thick with the intoxicating aroma of frying oil and sweet dough—a siren’s call to any weary traveler. The menu, scrawled in vibrant chalk, boasted an array of Filipino street foods: taho, fish balls, sweet cheese corn, ice scramble, and nilupak.  Each item a testament to a culture that finds joy in the simple, the fried, and the unabashedly flavorful.

I opted for the lomi—a hearty noodle soup thickened to a near gravy consistency, laden with meat, vegetables, and the occasional quail egg. The first spoonful was a revelation: a harmonious blend of savory and umami, with just a hint of sweetness. It was the kind of dish that wraps around you like a warm blanket on a cold day, comforting and familiar, yet intriguingly foreign.

The staff, a tight-knit crew, moved with the practiced efficiency of those who have shared both kitchen space and life’s hardships. Their banter, punctuated with laughter and the occasional Tagalog expletive, added a familial warmth to the place. It was clear that Meryendang Pinoy was more than just a business; it was a labor of love, a slice of home transplanted into urban soil.

In a city that’s constantly reinventing itself, it’s places like Meryendang Pinoy that anchor us to the rich tapestry of human experience. They remind us that sometimes, the most profound culinary journeys are found not in Michelin-starred temples of gastronomy, but in humble eateries where tradition and passion are served by the bowlful.

So, if you find yourself in Jersey City, craving authenticity without pretense, make your way to Meryendang Pinoy. Order the lomi, sit back, and let yourself be transported to the bustling streets of Manila, one comforting...

Meryendang Pinoy is soooooo good!! I love the concept of street food and comfort food. I would order everything on the menu if I could, but that’s okay bc I will be back! Today I came with my sister and our dog. We were worried about our dog not being able to come inside the restaurant but they welcomed him with no problem! They also have two cute outdoor seating tables if that feels more comfortable or enticing to you for those with dogs or that want to enjoy the weather.

As for food we got: fish ball, squid ball, tokneneng (similar to qwek qwek but with chicken egg), lomi batangas, magic water, taho, ice scramble, cheese ice cream, and banana cue! Oh my goodness we got so much because it all sounded sooooo good, and we were right! The food exceeded our expectations. My sister and I are Filipino-Americans so some of these items were familiar and some were not, we love to try new things especially when it comes to Filipino food because it really brings us back to our roots. All the food came out hot and cooked with care. Definitely give the drinks a try if you haven’t tried already! And the desserts… come on, it’s A MUST. There aren’t many places selling taho in NJ, let alone ice scramble, so that was what really brought us here besides the tusok-tusok.

As for my dog, he made a new friend. The owner’s kid was really adorable and loved to pet our dog. I love family-owned business like this because it just feels like such a warm welcoming environment. If you come here don’t forget to look out for “Jared’s Sari Sari” and definitely show some love and support by buying a pack of chips! The mini sari-sari in the store was so adorable!! I recommend buying some Filipino snacks to resell! Even tho he priced the Cheetos at $3 I still bought it because it was the cutest little stall I’ve ever seen. Plus, maybe a great lesson to never sell yourself short! I’ll pay $3 for a tiny bag of chips any day! He was very convincing and sweet, and threw in an extra bag of Doritos too. Hahaha. Will definitely be back soon! Thank...