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Popular Tampa Filipino spot Manila Eats will open new full-service location next week

The Riverview-based concept dishes out Pinoy favorites like chicken adobo and lechon kawali.

By Kyla Fields on Thu, Sep 14, 2023 at 4:00 pm

Popular Tampa Filipino spot Manila Eats will open new full-service location next week

Manila-Eats/Facebook

If you’ve ever dined at Manila Eats—a Filipino walk-up window and outdoor dining space in Riverview—then you know that the popular dishes sell out in a few hours. But a much larger space may change its first-come-first-serve basis into a full-service dining experience.

On Facebook, Manila Eats announced plans to relocate and celebrate the grand opening of its new Tampa eatery—located at 1601 S 22nd St, just south of Palmetto Beach— on Thursday, Sept. 28.

Owner Veronica Meneses—who was born and raised in the Pampanga province right outside of Manila—took to social media to inform her customers of the new Manila Eats outpost, stating that the soon-to-open restaurant can seat up to 48 patrons and will host karaoke and live bands on the weekend.

Until her Tampa restaurant debuts later this month, Meneses will continue to dish out her beloved pork and chicken adobo, a variety of fried pork and fish, lumpia and Filipino desserts like sapin-sapin, halo halo, cassava cake, flan and ube ice cream out of her flagship Riverview location at 10621 Tucker Jones Rd.

For the latest news on Manila Eats and its ever-changing menu, head to its Facebook at @Manila-Eats, where offerings are posted daily.

Before relocation on Sept. 28, the popular Filipino spot will remain open from noon-6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, noon-8 p.m. Thursday-Friday and noon-3:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Check out Creative Loafing Tampa Bay's list of 20 Tampa Bay Filipino restaurants you should try at least once, too.

Slideshow

20 Tampa Bay Filipino restaurants and eateries everyone should try at least once

Lucky Tigre 1101 S Howard Ave. Suite B, Tampa This sari sari-inspired walk-up concept has occupied its little SoHo parcel for about a year now, and it’s definitely South Tampa’s go-to spot for Filipino-American dumplings, bao buns, milk tea and lumpia. It’s also probably the only place in all of Tampa Bay where you’ll be able to find vegan and dairy-free halo halo, complete with homemade ube ice cream. Owner and Tampa native Julie Michelle Sainte Feliciano plans to open a larger, full-service version of Lucky Tigre in West Tampa. Photo via theluckytigre/Instagram

Masarap Bowls food truck Various locations throughout Tampa Online Tampa foodie groups have been gushing about this new food truck since it opened a few years ago. Masarap serves all of the classic Filipino entrees, from sisig (sizzling pork cheek) to BBQ skewers, in a build-your-own-bowl style that lets you choose your base, protein, and sauces inspired by different regions of the country. It posts daily about where its parked, specialty dishes of the day, or if the truck is sold-out of something—so keep an eye on Facebook for updates. Photo via masarapbowls/Facebook

Matas Philippine Cuisine 4350 W Waters Ave. No. 102, Tampa After decades of operating a stand at Tampas annual PhilFest, Delio and Ellen Mata decided to open their own brick-and-mortar in early 2020. After trying Matas pinakbetan indigenous Illocano dish from northern PhilippinesCreative Loafing Tampa Bay's s food reviewer, John Palmer Claridge, stated it exhibits layers of satisfying flavor; you really cant go wrong. Adorned with statues of baby Jesus, money trees, and the sound of a Filipino soap opera faintly playing in the background, Matas is the type of place where you leave feeling like family. Photo by Melissa Santell

Filipiniana Philippine Cafe 3848 W Waters Ave., Tampa Strip mall neighbors with fellow popular Southeast Asian eatery Saigon Deli, Filipiniana Philippine Cafe offers a balanced menu that highlights both the savory and sweet side of Filipino cuisine. Sweet treats include the beloved halo-halo, shaved ice desserts, ube cakes and freshly-baked pandesal, while traditional dishes like adobo, lumpia and BBQ skewers occupy the entree portion of the menu. The longsilog (sweet pork sausage, served with fried egg and garlic fried rice) is worth the wait, too. Photo by Ray Roa

Jollibee 4057 Park Blvd. N, No. 120, Pinellas Park Not your typical mom-and-pop shop, this global fast food chain occupies a special place in the hearts of Filipinosespecially those who love Jolly Spaghetti. Jollibees menu is also stacked with all sorts of fried chicken and burgers. And if sweet spaghetti sauce with hot dogs isn't your thing, try your hand at another noodle dish called palabok, which is smothered garlic sauce, sauteed pork, shrimp, and hard boiled eggs. Photo via Ogilvy

Tindahang Pinoy 9150 49th St. N, Pinellas Park If you want food thats going to remind you of something your tita cooks, then head to the very back of this tiny Filipino grocery store and take a seat at one of the two tables at Tindahang. Classics like lechon kawali, kare-kare, lumpia, dinuguan and various breakfast silog options are featured on the limited menu. And if you need to send a balikbayan box back home, this all-purpose store has got you covered. Photo via Google Maps

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About The Author

Kyla Fields

Email Kyla Fields

Kyla Fields is the Managing Editor of Creative Loafing Tampa Bay who started their journey at CL as summer 2019 intern. They are the proud owner of a charming, sausage-shaped, four-year-old rescue mutt named Piña.

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