Papaya Grill

Reviews

• Jamee S.

  star star star star star 14 June 2026

  When it comes to Filipino food, you give stars for how good the food is. Nothing else matter. This restaurant is small. The people are nice. They use real plates and silverware. It's not the fanciest place but the food is close to what my Dad and my Lola used to cook. Thus the 5 stars.
  
  They have -silog options, turo-turo style entrees, party trays and desserts. They also have merienda snacks available like Clover chips, hopia, and pandesal.
  
  I usually order the Sisig. Sizzling bits of pork belly with just the right amount of tartness. My kids also like crispy pata and lechon kawali. Basically anything fried pork. Haha.
  
  If you crave Filipino food and can't get to the Philippines or grandma's house, come to Papaya Grill. It's hits home.

• Cece E.

  star star star star star_border 3 June 2026

  Took my mom here for dinner today. She kind of liked the bansilog which was garlic fried rice with fried milk fish and fried eggs. She liked the purple ube ice cream in the halo halo but didn't care for the large proportion of shaved ice.
  
  She didn't care for the bangus sisig because the jalapenos made it too spicy for her. She didn't care for the pancit palabok, too many carbs for her.
  
  I was of the complete opposite opinion. I enjoyed the bangus sisig except for the raw onions. They could have used a few more minutes cooking. I also didn't think it was spicy enough. I enjoyed the pancit. Loved the chicharones crumb topping which gave a crunchy and salty counterpoint to the soft pasta.
  
  Today, they had 3 cooks in the kitchen and 1 dedicated front of the house person who cashiered and served and bussed tables. They usually only have 1 cook and 1 cashier. With enough staff working, they produced superb food today. Now if they keep their food quality consistently high, they will earn that 5th star. My only complaint, the cashier who handled money also assembled the halo halo dessert.

• Ruel A.

  star star star star star 25 May 2026

  This is my local Filipino restaurant. A place the family goes to eat delicious meals, but to remain connected to our ethnic culture through food. There aren't many places like this around town, so this is a gem. My personal favorites are the lechon kawali and pork sisig. This morning I had the lechon and pork sinigang. All the flavors I come to expect from these dishes and Papaya Grill doesn't let me down when it comes to taste. The kids enjoy the lumpia, fried chicken, Filipino style spaghetti, and bbq on a stick. For dessert, the halo halo and ube ice cream are favorites.

• Sonnia P.

  star star star star star_border 24 May 2026

  Wow!
  
  I made plans to meet my friend here for lunch and thought I'd better call to see what, besides the rice, I can eat that's vegan (I know - eating at a Filipino restaurant and expecting vegan is almost close to impossible but I tried anyway).
  
  So I call and "aunty" picks up. I ask if there are any vegan dishes today and she says, "you know, right now we don't because it's busy but around noon when it's not busy I can make something for you with just vegetables like chop suey with no meat - will that work?" (in my head: ".... will that work? Uh, yeah! That's perfect!") "Yes, thank you SO much!" I replied
  
  I mean, wow! Talk about making a girl feel special!
  It really felt like calling my aunty's house, telling her I was coming over, and she asking me what I wanted to eat! I was impressed.
  
  I get to Papaya a little after noon and it was packed! They do have tables and chairs but the establishment is small so it gets packed quickly.
  
  I get to the register and say "hi I called earlier and the lady told me she would be able to make something like chop suey with no meat?" To my disappointment the lady at the register said "oh we don't have chop suey today" womp womp womp
  
  What she did do though is offer pancit (noodles pronounced pun-sit) no meat. I took the offer. And boy did they deliver on flavor! I can't even describe it; it's just so good! I think it's the magic of garlic hehe
  
  I was stuffed by the time I was done but I didn't leave there without buying turon (banana lumpia) to-go! Got home and just devoured them! (Uh-huh, no shame!)
  
  All-in-all a good experience.
  
  Tip: if you're in a hurry when you get there order to-go at the register. They seem to get their food faster than if you say "for here".

• Marvin M.

  star star star star star_border 18 May 2026

  Some people want to see what they're getting before they order it. I, on the other hand, am not a fan of the steam table display of Filipino food.
  
  Food: 5 stars. I almost always order something from the grill rather than the steam table. This time, I got the Sizzling Pork Sisig. The sisig here comes on a hot iron platter (as it should!).  The diced pork is mixed with onions and peppers and has just the right amount of spiciness to it to make it flavorful and a joy to eat. I think it must be the best thing (so far) on the menu. I haven't tried everything yet, but I will definitely come back to try other things.
  
  Service: 4 stars. Always friendly, but sometimes unreliable store hours.
  
  Décor/Ambiance: There isn't any. It's a tiny hole in the wall with only a few tables, but at least they keep it clean. 3 stars.