6 restaurants serving Filipino Ice Cream
San Diego, CA
“EsKiNiTa has earned an exceptional 4.9-star rating revolutionizing Filipino street food in San Diego with its interactive self-grilling concept that transports diners to Manila's street food culture. The name 'eskinita' refers to narrow alleyways in the Philippines where authentic street food thrives, perfectly capturing the restaurant's mission. Located in San Diego's South Bay, EsKiNiTa operates from a plaza where owner Rich and his welcoming staff create a family-like environment. The restaurant's unique format allows customers to select raw meat skewers inside--including chicken intestines (isaw), chicken liver, chicken hearts, and chicken feet alongside pork and chicken BBQ--then grill them personally on mesquite charcoal grills outdoors. This hands-on experience creates the communal, festive atmosphere that defines Filipino street food culture. Beyond BBQ skewers, EsKiNiTa serves Filipino comfort food including tapsilog, sisig, beef pares, and goto, plus ube ice cream for dessert. The exceptional rating reflects not just outstanding food but Rich's legendary hospitality.”
New York, NY
“Kalye has become Manhattan's Lower East Side sensation since opening in 2021, earning New York State Restaurant Association's Rising Star recognition in 2023 and acclaim from Eater, Time Out, and Food Network. Founded by Harvard-educated lawyer Rob Mallari-D'Auria and his husband Henry, Kalye-Tagalog for 'street'-started as a beloved pop-up before establishing its brick-and-mortar location on Rivington Street (now Broome Street). This proudly Filipino, queer-owned restaurant infuses Rob's mother's cherished family recipes into every dish, creating modern interpretations while maintaining authentic Filipino flavors. The restaurant operates as both culinary destination and cultural hub, featuring live jazz bands, DJ nights, and drag shows alongside signature dishes. Kalye's menu showcases innovative creations like the cult-favorite Pork Ube Sliders with pinakurat vinegar aioli and onion bacon jam, ultra-crispy lechon kawali, perfectly prepared sisig, and traditional favorites like chicken adobo and sinigang. The restaurant doubles as an art gallery showcasing local and Filipino artists, with all proceeds benefiting the creatives. Featured on Chef Harold Villarosa's Food Network series, Kalye exemplifies the evolving spirit of Filipino food while staying true to heritage. The intimate 40-seat space features an open kitchen, brown brick walls, dimmed lighting, and eclectic Bossa Nova background music creating a distinctly Lower East Side vibe. With Michelin Guide recognition and devoted following, Kalye represents Filipino cuisine's rising prominence in New York's competitive dining scene.”
National City, CA
“Sari Sari Store brings the authentic Filipino neighborhood store experience to National City, offering the comprehensive selection and community atmosphere that the name promises. "Sari-sari" means "variety" in Tagalog, and this store delivers exactly that with aisles packed with Filipino groceries, snacks, household items, and specialty products from the Philippines. The friendly staff speaks Tagalog and various Filipino dialects, creating a welcoming environment where customers can shop in their native language while serving as both grocery store and community gathering place for San Diego's substantial Filipino population.”
“North Park Produce has served San Diego's diverse communities since 1969, evolving from a small produce stand into a beloved multicultural marketplace that celebrates the city's international flavors. This independent grocery store specializes in hard-to-find ingredients from around the world, with an exceptional selection of Filipino products that makes it essential for San Diego's Filipino community. The produce section features fresh Filipino vegetables including bitter melon, long beans, taro, and fresh herbs used in traditional cooking. Aisles dedicated to Filipino goods stock everything from bagoong and patis to Mang Tomas sauce and banana ketchup, alongside frozen items like lumpia wrappers and various Filipino ice cream flavors. The international selection extends to Latin American, Middle Eastern, Asian, and other ethnic ingredients, making North Park Produce a one-stop shop for adventurous home cooks. Fresh meat and seafood counters offer items specific to Filipino recipes, while the bakery section includes Filipino breads and pastries. Competitive pricing on specialty items makes authentic ingredients accessible, and knowledgeable staff can help locate specific products or suggest substitutions. The store's commitment to quality and variety has earned it a loyal following across San Diego's multicultural neighborhoods. Its North Park location provides easy access from throughout the city, with ample parking for shopping trips. For Filipino families seeking ingredients that remind them of home or adventurous cooks exploring Filipino cuisine, North Park Produce delivers the comprehensive selection that makes authentic cooking possible. The market represents San Diego's multicultural character through food, serving as a gathering place where cultures meet through shared appreciation of global flavors and traditional ingredients.”
“Ramar Foods International serves as the primary U.S. distributor of Magnolia Ice Cream, the beloved Filipino brand that holds special place in Filipino hearts and freezers. This San Diego facility operates as both distribution center and retail outlet where customers can purchase authentic Magnolia products directly. Magnolia ice cream's distinct Filipino flavors include ube (purple yam), macapuno (young coconut), mango, halo-halo, and cheese ice cream alongside more familiar varieties. The facility also handles distribution of other Filipino food products under the Ramar Foods portfolio, making them available to grocery stores and restaurants throughout the region. Their direct retail operation allows Filipino families to stock up on multiple tubs at distributor prices, perfect for parties and celebrations where Magnolia ice cream serves as nostalgic centerpiece. The company imports frozen products from the Philippines, maintaining cold chain integrity that ensures proper quality upon delivery. Beyond ice cream, Ramar Foods distributes specialty cakes and other frozen Filipino products that require proper refrigeration infrastructure. The San Diego location serves Southern California's substantial Filipino population with products that connect to childhood memories and family traditions. Commercial customers including restaurants and Filipino stores rely on Ramar Foods for consistent supply of Magnolia products their customers expect. For Filipino-Americans seeking authentic Magnolia ice cream that tastes like what they remember from the Philippines, Ramar Foods provides direct access to the real thing, not imitations. The facility represents essential infrastructure in the Filipino-American food ecosystem, ensuring beloved brands remain available far from the Philippines through professional importation and distribution networks.”
“Seafood City Supermarket anchors National City as Southern California's premier Filipino grocery destination, offering the most comprehensive selection of Filipino products available in San Diego County. This massive Filipino supermarket chain location provides one-stop shopping for everything needed in a Filipino household, from fresh produce and meats to packaged goods and specialty items. The expansive fresh seafood section showcases the store's namesake with fish and shellfish essential to Filipino cooking, including bangus, tilapia, and various imported seafood. Butcher counters offer Filipino-specific cuts including pork belly for lechon kawali and whole pigs for special occasions. The produce department stocks all Filipino vegetables and fruits - from bitter melon and long beans to fresh banana blossoms and jackfruit. Frozen food aisles contain extensive selections of lumpia varieties, Filipino-style hotdogs, and prepared items. The bakery produces fresh pandesal daily alongside ensaymada, buko pie, and other Filipino pastries. Food court vendors within the store serve hot Filipino meals, making Seafood City both grocery store and dining destination. Imported goods from the Philippines fill entire aisles with familiar brands of condiments, snacks, instant noodles, and specialty products. The store also carries Filipino kitchen equipment, serving ware, and other non-food items. Weekly specials and promotions keep prices competitive, while the sheer selection justifies trips from throughout Southern California. For National City's substantial Filipino community and the broader San Diego area, Seafood City serves as cultural anchor and essential resource that maintains connection to Filipino food traditions through unmatched product availability and authentic shopping experience.”
