The Manila Grille — Restaurant in South Carolina

Being half Filipino myself, I get excited when I’m traveling and find a local Filipino restaurant- especially one doing Filipino fusion food. My husband and I stopped by and tried the chicken adobo, sisig fries and three different types of lumpia- carnitas, bbq chicken and S’mores. The restaurant also offers Filipino beer which my husband enjoyed while we waited for our food. The adobo was good but not my favorite (I know everyone’s mama made it differently so it’s what you grew up on) BUT them Sisig fries were 🔥 I Loved them! The owner suggested them to us and they did not disappoint. Lots of spicy/tangy flavor. Paired well with the waffle fries. So good! The lumpia was just as delicious and you definitely must try the dessert lumpia because the S’mores was perfectly sweet. I loved the chill vibe of the restaurant. I need the Filipino time clock!! The decor was on point with the fusion theme and the movie mural wall was the best part- So fun and creative. Will definitely come back when I’m...

As a former Navy brat who grew up partly in the Philippines, I’ve been craving lumpia and pancit that capture the nostalgic flavors of my youth. Unfortunately, The Manilla Grill didn’t deliver. The lumpia were more like oversized eggrolls—thick, loosely wrapped, and missing that crisp, delicate bite I remember. The pancit came in a plastic takeout container and seemed like it had been store and reheated in it. Even the chicken adobo, which I had high hopes for, was dry—a far cry from the rich, tender dish it should be. For a dine-in meal, real dinnerware and a bit more care in preparation shouldn’t be too much to expect.

The location, tucked into a strip mall, does allow for plenty of parking, and the interior matches the setting—casual and approachable. As for service, it’s hard to judge fairly. As far as I could tell, there was only one person working, handling the cooking, serving, and checkout. That said, there weren’t any issues with ordering or paying, and everything...

If you're looking for authentic Filipino comfort food, this restaurant is literally the perfect spot! The chicken pork adobo was tender, flavorful, and perfectly balanced between savory and tangy. It tasted just like home. The lumpia was crisp and packed with delicious filling, and don’t even get me started on the fruit salad! It was sweet, creamy, and refreshing, the perfect end to the meal.

The atmosphere was cozy and welcoming, making it feel more like dining at a friend's house than a restaurant. What truly made the experience stand out was the owner, Michael was incredibly warm, friendly, and clearly passionate about the food and sharing Filipino culture, and his mom’s recipes!

You can tell a lot of heart goes into every dish. Don’t let the simple pictures fool you!

Highly recommended! I’ll...