Kuya Lord

Omg the food was very good!! Just a warning, portions are on the lighter side for a meal! The meat dishes are all done wonderfully and the sides are light and refreshing (cucumber tomato salad and pickled vegetable). Also seating is limited and chairs themselves aren’t big, so it may be difficult for plus-sized individuals to dine in.

Tremendous Filipino food. It’s more elevated than home cooking; like refined versions of the dishes you’d have at Filipino gatherings. The eggplant puree in the insalata was unusual but delicious. The crab sauce on the prawns was insanely rich; you could have the sauce and yellow rice by itself. And the pork belly was delicately crispy. The ambiance was not amazing though. Uncomfortable stool seats and a smoky odor (from the firewood) made for a functional but slightly unpleasant seating.

5 star Filipino Food!!! Hard to give Filipino food a five star since I think my grandmother and mom are the best Filipino cook lol. Got lucky to get a table for lunch when we arrived at 1130 on Sunday. Menu is limited but can’t go wrong on trying a selection. We got the Lucerna LeChon plate, special dish- eggplant and tomatoes, and hiramasa collar. All dish were cooked perfectly- the LeChon was juicy and had crispy skin with accompanying achara (pickled vegetable, garlic fried rice, chami noodles. The grilled eggplant with burrata, and tomatoes dish was excellent- the flavor combination is amazing. Love the Almond wood-grilled Hiramasa collars with pickled veggies, dipping sauces: toyemans and chile garlic oil. Didn’t make to desert but the calamansi pie looks great. They do have a house made homey calamansi hibiscus juice- very refreshing. The place is smallish having 5 tables but seems have access for outdoor seating infront and outside. Parking is street meter parking. They do have a restroom on the back. Definitely worth trying. And congrats to the James Beard Award.

Sirinate S

The crispy pork rice bowl is the standout super flavorful, perfectly crispy, and so satisfying. The grilled chicken is good as well, just slightly on the dry side. Service is quick, smooth, and the staff is genuinely friendly. Highly recommend!

JB Jose

Tremendous Filipino food. It’s more elevated than home cooking; like refined versions of the dishes you’d have at Filipino gatherings. The eggplant puree in the insalata was unusual but delicious. The crab sauce on the prawns was insanely rich; you could have the sauce and yellow rice by itself. And the pork belly was delicately crispy. The ambiance was not amazing though. Uncomfortable stool seats and a smoky odor (from the firewood) made for a functional but slightly unpleasant seating.

Donna L

Omg the food was very good!! Just a warning, portions are on the lighter side for a meal! The meat dishes are all done wonderfully and the sides are light and refreshing (cucumber tomato salad and pickled vegetable). Also seating is limited and chairs themselves aren’t big, so it may be difficult for plus-sized individuals to dine in.

Raoul Tamayo

5 star Filipino Food!!! Hard to give Filipino food a five star since I think my grandmother and mom are the best Filipino cook lol. Got lucky to get a table for lunch when we arrived at 1130 on Sunday. Menu is limited but can’t go wrong on trying a selection. We got the Lucerna LeChon plate, special dish- eggplant and tomatoes, and hiramasa collar. All dish were cooked perfectly- the LeChon was juicy and had crispy skin with accompanying achara (pickled vegetable, garlic fried rice, chami noodles. The grilled eggplant with burrata, and tomatoes dish was excellent- the flavor combination is amazing. Love the Almond wood-grilled Hiramasa collars with pickled veggies, dipping sauces: toyemans and chile garlic oil. Didn’t make to desert but the calamansi pie looks great. They do have a house made homey calamansi hibiscus juice- very refreshing. The place is smallish having 5 tables but seems have access for outdoor seating infront and outside. Parking is street meter parking. They do have a restroom on the back. Definitely worth trying. And congrats to the James Beard Award.

Alex Xander

This place is simply outstanding. I stopped by for dinner on Friday evening and my food was ready before I could even sit down! The cashier was super friendly and helped with questions and describing menu items. I went with the a la cart 8oz lucenachon, java garlic rice, and the honey calamansi juice. The rice is one of the best rice I've ever had. It's soft yet firm, moist, without being mushy or overcooked, and has so much amazing garlic flavor without being overpowering. The pork was amazing. The meat was juicy and tender while the skin was thin and so crispy crunchy without being greasy. I am a bit torn on the drink. It's more bitter than I expected but I think the bitterness comes from the honey? I don't know how tart a calamansi is but this wasn't like a lemonade drink. It's nice to have the contrast from the salty and savory foods though! Overall, a fantastic meal and I will gladly return

Hyeonghun Kim

I’ve wanting to visit here. Their food didn’t disappoint us. We got a tray with their Lucenachon and everything was very well harmonized. Their pork was so juicy and tender, went really well with their house sauce. We were surprised with their noodles that come in the tray! Something new flavor for sure in a good way. It felt a bit pricey until we finished eating and how much food was left. The tray will be good for three people, so the price is actually quite reasonable for how good the foods are

Myron Caracut

Came here for lunch today. Space is small w/ limited seating, a couple tables available outside. The wooden decor inside is a nice touch. Order-at-counter, open seating, service your own water/napkins/etc. type of sit down eatery. They offer a clean, playful take on traditional cuisines but still retains the deliciousness of Filipino fave pork dishes. The lechon kawali texture was perfect although I wish there was a “Mang Thomas-style” condiment offered, purely out of nostalgia. The sweet longganisa was perfect! We also had the Pancit Chami, and although not our favorite - I did appreciate its sweetness and flavor. Quantity of food to cost ratio I would say to be on the lesser end so expect to order 3-4 a la carte dishes minimum (if sharing) along with rice to be satisfied b/w a party of 2. Overall our cravings for Filipino food were satisfied and we plan to try the silog entrees and the other pancit dish when we’re in the area next - thank you!

G. P.

Kuya, Lord is a true Los Angeles gem! This spot was recommended to us by a good friend who's both a food writer and cookbook author. Although she had never been to the restaurant, she heard about Kuya Lord and chef Maynard and encouraged us to check the restaurant out. I'm so glad we did! My wife and I visit the restaurant AT MINIMUM twice a month! I would go once a week if I could! The whole grilled chicken" is our go-to anchor dish and we typically partner it with the java garlic rice, the tocino/sweet prime beef short rib and the Sweet gem salad! This last us two days (dinner then lunch the following day.) EVERY time I go here the staff is pleasant and focused on delivering a memorable experience (Hey Liz!). The spot is intimate, with a large rear outdoor space, perfect for dates or small groups. The dishes we order also travel well and we do takeout more often than dining in (blame our busy lifestyle.)This picture was taken on my first visit. Liz said "...hey the chef is right there...want to take a picture!" I took them up on the offer and the rest is history. Kuya Lord will forever be a pat of our LA story! I highly recommend you make it a part of yours!! Oh don't forget to get an extra bottle of the chili oil!!!

eliza

Probably the best Filipino food I have tried in LA. Authentic Filipino food with amazing flavor. Tasilog Kuya tray + Lucenachon was perfectly made. The place is small and works like a cafeteria with counter service. The seating space is minimal but worth the wait to eat the food fresh.

Matt P

Great Filipino cuisine. The lechon skin is crisp on the outside and the meat is juicy and tender. The rice is so fluffy and delicious.

Sylvia Schmidt

I recently visited Kuya Lord Filipino Restaurant in Los Angeles, and it was an exceptional experience. Kuya Lord focuses on Southern Tagalog Region cuisine, using classic cooking techniques that Chef Maynard has perfected throughout his culinary journey. The food is prepared using only the best and freshest seasonal ingredients, and it truly shows. The restaurant is an elevated fast-casual concept with communal tables in a cozy dining area. It's first come, first served, and table reservations aren't available. I ordered the beef tapsilog rice bowl and the calamansi pie (Filipino key lime pie), and everything was so delicious. Chef Maynard just won a James Beard Award for in California, and the word has gotten out. I waited in line for an hour to order my food at the counter, and then maybe 15 minutes for it to be served out. During my wait, I made friends in line—everyone was so friendly and happy to be there. The service was also very friendly and efficient. Watching Chef Maynard himself in the open kitchen preparing my dish was a highlight. It was worth the wait, and I plan to be back very soon to try more items on the menu. Highly recommend!

Lisette Ocampo

Ordered for delivery at 8pm and this place did not disappoint. This place definitely lived its title. Food tasted great. The meat from the tapsilog is tender and juicy. The side dish pairing really complemented the meat and rice. Service was fast and food was freshly served even for delivery. Food was packed properly. On my next trip to LA will definitely dine again.

Melissa Yap

We ordered lucenachon tray with chami noodles, plus the Laing. The flavors were on point. The pork belly Lechon /porchetta very tender yet flavorful, The Chami noodles had a tangy - ness which I found refreshing. We also had Laing with bonito flakes topping which was also good. Definitely worth its James Beard recognition. Kudos!

Jeremy Loyola

Heard about this place on IG. It’s a Filipino Eatery with a James Beard chef offering lucenachon and java garlic rice. The place looks great with the wooden bar tables with steel stools. Limited seating, so they don’t really take reservations. The staff was friendly and welcoming as this was my first time. I ordered the Lucena Chon Kuya Trays, it’s their roasted pork belly that has really good crispy skin. It also includes Java rice which was tasty and chami noodles and achara of which I loved all of it.

Great food! I Was able to try most of them and it didn’t disappoint. The lucenachon and lechon was flavorful and crunchy. Mouth watering. We also had the Laing, prawns, Chicharon bulaklak ( the vinegar was bomb). The desserts specially the bibingka was super good too. Must try if you’re in the area!

Had been longing to give this restaurant a try, specially since I learned of Chef Maynard winning a James Beard Award. The food was delicious but the place is small and those small counter tables with metal stools are so uncomfortable. I wish I could give it five stars all around as I want FilAm businesses to succeed, however there’s no parking, even street parking is difficult to come by, there’s no service, you have to order from the counter, get the food and utensils and water from the counter. It’s a hole in the wall restaurant but with high end prices. Thankfully the food was delicious but I could’ve enjoyed the experience more if it was proper restaurant seating and I don’t have to constantly feed the parking meter. I’m not even sure if it has a toilet for patrons. I sure hope Chef Maynard considers getting a better spot to justify the prices.

We had a wonderful lunch at Kuya today, and it truly lived up to its reputation. This Filipino restaurant, led by one of the Top 10 Best Chefs of 2024, offers a delightful culinary experience. There were three of us, and we decided to try the pork belly tray. The pork belly was perfectly cooked—crispy yet tender, bursting with flavor. The rice, while tasty, had a slightly different taste, possibly from the water they used, but it didn’t detract much from the overall enjoyment of the meal. One standout moment was when we asked about the papaya relish (achara). Since I can’t eat onions, we were curious if it contained any. The staff was so kind, taking the time to check, and they assured us that it didn’t. That attention to detail and willingness to accommodate was greatly appreciated. The burrata salad with tomato was another hit. You could tell the ingredients were fresh and of high quality. Each dish had a distinct flavor, which isn’t always the case in other spots like BBQ joints, where everything can taste a bit similar. Here, the flavors were well-balanced with a mild, approachable spice that I think anyone could enjoy. The only slight downside was the parking situation. It can be a bit tricky to find a spot nearby, but if you don’t mind walking a block or two, it’s totally worth it. Overall, the service was fast and attentive, and we’ll definitely be coming back with friends for another delicious meal.

4.3/5 for the tocilog tray. Java rice was okay but I really liked the longanisa and the beef. The noodles were also decent. The pork lechon was also really good. A bit overpriced for what it’s worth but it’s definitely worth a try.

Small Restaurant with amazing flavor. Great tasting Filipino food definitely some of the best I've ever had in my life. Chef Maynard is a master of his craft. It's also very amazing seeing a chef who has achieved so much and still working his own line. The only problems I had there is absolutely no where to park so that will pose a problem unless you're using a car service.. and it took a while to get our food and all I ordered was two rice bowls. Like I said it's a small restaurant and everything is cooked to order. & a little bit pricey but if you're a real foodie and you will appreciate it... I will definitely go back 😀

Eidmone Tagaca

4.3/5 for the tocilog tray. Java rice was okay but I really liked the longanisa and the beef. The noodles were also decent. The pork lechon was also really good. A bit overpriced for what it’s worth but it’s definitely worth a try.

Albert J The Untamed Chef

Small Restaurant with amazing flavor. Great tasting Filipino food definitely some of the best I've ever had in my life. Chef Maynard is a master of his craft. It's also very amazing seeing a chef who has achieved so much and still working his own line. The only problems I had there is absolutely no where to park so that will pose a problem unless you're using a car service.. and it took a while to get our food and all I ordered was two rice bowls. Like I said it's a small restaurant and everything is cooked to order. & a little bit pricey but if you're a real foodie and you will appreciate it... I will definitely go back 😀

Gina Ibarrola

Had been longing to give this restaurant a try, specially since I learned of Chef Maynard winning a James Beard Award. The food was delicious but the place is small and those small counter tables with metal stools are so uncomfortable. I wish I could give it five stars all around as I want FilAm businesses to succeed, however there’s no parking, even street parking is difficult to come by, there’s no service, you have to order from the counter, get the food and utensils and water from the counter. It’s a hole in the wall restaurant but with high end prices. Thankfully the food was delicious but I could’ve enjoyed the experience more if it was proper restaurant seating and I don’t have to constantly feed the parking meter. I’m not even sure if it has a toilet for patrons. I sure hope Chef Maynard considers getting a better spot to justify the prices.

Rémi Ferrante

We had a wonderful lunch at Kuya today, and it truly lived up to its reputation. This Filipino restaurant, led by one of the Top 10 Best Chefs of 2024, offers a delightful culinary experience. There were three of us, and we decided to try the pork belly tray. The pork belly was perfectly cooked—crispy yet tender, bursting with flavor. The rice, while tasty, had a slightly different taste, possibly from the water they used, but it didn’t detract much from the overall enjoyment of the meal. One standout moment was when we asked about the papaya relish (achara). Since I can’t eat onions, we were curious if it contained any. The staff was so kind, taking the time to check, and they assured us that it didn’t. That attention to detail and willingness to accommodate was greatly appreciated. The burrata salad with tomato was another hit. You could tell the ingredients were fresh and of high quality. Each dish had a distinct flavor, which isn’t always the case in other spots like BBQ joints, where everything can taste a bit similar. Here, the flavors were well-balanced with a mild, approachable spice that I think anyone could enjoy. The only slight downside was the parking situation. It can be a bit tricky to find a spot nearby, but if you don’t mind walking a block or two, it’s totally worth it. Overall, the service was fast and attentive, and we’ll definitely be coming back with friends for another delicious meal.

Kuya Lord has been on my list for quite some time, and this was actually my first experience with Filipino cuisine. The restaurant has a cozy, casual, and lively atmosphere that immediately makes you feel welcome. It’s an intimate space with a fun energy — the kind of place that feels neighborhood-driven and personal. The service was warm and attentive, though it’s worth noting that the setup leans toward a partial self-service style. Chef Maynard himself was incredibly friendly and engaging — clearly someone who loves what he does and takes pride in sharing his food with guests. That passion is evident and appreciated. We ordered the Long Tapsilog tray (good for two), which offers a generous sampling. While the flavors were bold and distinctive, I found the overall seasoning to be heavier than expected. The garlic rice, chain noodle, prime rib beef, and especially the sausage leaned noticeably salty. The sausage in particular had a very strong garlic presence — so much so that it overwhelmed the palate and introduced a slightly bitter finish. That said, I genuinely hope this was a one-time inconsistency. The dedication of the chef and staff is obvious, and there’s a real sense of care behind the concept. I would certainly be open to returning and exploring more of the menu, as the heart and authenticity of the place are clearly there.

G

Good customer service. Table at the middle when filled will take time to pass through to be able to order at the cashier. The fish collar was delicious and a bit pricey for the size. The rest was a bit salty. We parked at a small commercial complex at the other side of the street and walked 5-8 mins to the restaurant.

We were excited to try this restaurant, especially given its James Beard recognition, but unfortunately, our experience fell short of expectations. While I understand that there isn’t traditional table service, the staff’s demeanor was quite off-putting. We stood at the counter for about five minutes, during which the staff cleared dishes without any acknowledgment or greeting. A simple “We’ll be right with you” would have made a difference. Our party of three ordered the Lucenachon tray, and I inquired about substituting the Chami noodles with sotanghon. We received a firm “No,” which was disappointing, so we opted for a separate order of sotanghon with prawns. Sadly, the food was excessively salty, leaving a lingering tingling sensation on my tongue long after the meal. While the lechon skin was delightfully crunchy, that was about the only highlight. The sotanghon didn’t impress either, and we struggled to finish our meals due to the overwhelming saltiness. I also tried the honey calamansi hibiscus juice, which was so sweet that I had to dilute it with water, ultimately leading to its disposal after several unsuccessful attempts to adjust the flavor. There seems to be a pattern of heavy-handedness in the dishes, which may not align with Chef Lord’s vision. Clearly, there’s a need for better quality control. Overly salty food and even saltier staff attitude? No thanks. I’m not inclined to return. The warmth and hospitality typically associated with Filipino culture were absent here, and I can easily find friendlier service at many other Filipino establishments in LA.

Pauline Villarin

We were excited to try this restaurant, especially given its James Beard recognition, but unfortunately, our experience fell short of expectations. While I understand that there isn’t traditional table service, the staff’s demeanor was quite off-putting. We stood at the counter for about five minutes, during which the staff cleared dishes without any acknowledgment or greeting. A simple “We’ll be right with you” would have made a difference. Our party of three ordered the Lucenachon tray, and I inquired about substituting the Chami noodles with sotanghon. We received a firm “No,” which was disappointing, so we opted for a separate order of sotanghon with prawns. Sadly, the food was excessively salty, leaving a lingering tingling sensation on my tongue long after the meal. While the lechon skin was delightfully crunchy, that was about the only highlight. The sotanghon didn’t impress either, and we struggled to finish our meals due to the overwhelming saltiness. I also tried the honey calamansi hibiscus juice, which was so sweet that I had to dilute it with water, ultimately leading to its disposal after several unsuccessful attempts to adjust the flavor. There seems to be a pattern of heavy-handedness in the dishes, which may not align with Chef Lord’s vision. Clearly, there’s a need for better quality control. Overly salty food and even saltier staff attitude? No thanks. I’m not inclined to return. The warmth and hospitality typically associated with Filipino culture were absent here, and I can easily find friendlier service at many other Filipino establishments in LA.