Manila Cafe — Restaurant in Springfield

Love the barbecue skewers (so good and tasty), karekare (beef with vegetables in peanut sauce), pancit (noodles), sinigang (sour soup usually with pork or chicken and veggies), Turon (fried bananas), halo halo (iced dessert with mixed beans, coconut jelly, other sweet stuff) and Lumpia (Filipino egg rolls).

In the grocery store, I love their flan, empanada, pandesal (Filipino bread), some fresh veggies, .....I also pick up some polvoron (powdered candy), bibinka(bread lined with banana leaves). In the frozen section I like the Magnolia brand of mango ice cream (OMG!), I’d pick up some breakfast/lunch meat like chicken longanisa (sausage), chicken or pork tocino (marinated meat on the sweet side) , tapa (marinated beef on the salty side), chicken siopao (stuffed steamed buns I love the brand Oriental chicken or Magnolia ... microwave covered with wet paper towel), smoked fish bangus (the head is still on on this one. I cook it in the oven). These are the ones I’ve tried and usually get.

My Lola made all kinds of salads growing up with fresh mangos, papayas, basil, lettuce, and other veggies. She would grill eggplant etc. I wish they had some and her tinola/sinigang are sometimes vegan when eaten as a side dish. My kids are not big on rice. Laing is good but other choices will be nice. Maybe when this store gets bigger.

I will be back and I will...

OMG! They have the best lumpia in town and their Halo-halo is the delicious and is the perfect size, and most importantly, the prices are reasonable! They serve authentic Filipino dishes and fresh fried fish. They are also conveniently located by the mini Filipino market who sells fresh produce like ampalaya (bitter gourd), Japanese eggplant, and so much more! ...

Manila Cafe (Springfield, VA) has some of the Best, classic Filipino food in the area. Food is served cafeteria style and they offer a decent variety. The staff is polite and attentive. The grocery area has limited number of basic items you might need in a pinch. I always check expiry dates and they keep up to date on their items, from...