If you’re on the hunt for an authentic Pinoy culinary experience in the US, look no further than where Jollibee sets up shop.
The latest Price of Meat report has just unveiled the reigning champions of Filipino food in the US and these were the results: The iconic city by the bay, San Francisco topped the list, followed closely by Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, Las Vegas, San Diego, Honolulu, San Jose, and Houston.
In coming up with the rankings, the report looked at four different things: the presence of Jollibee fast food outlets, the number of other Filipino restaurants, food award nominations, and the local community’s fondness for Filipino food.
These top cities have it all, making them hotspots for Filipino culinary delights.
In gauging the presence of Jollibee locations, the Price of Meat team manually tallied branches of the iconic Filipino restaurant for each metro area. “This multiplier number highlights the general availability and options for Filipino food in a metro area,” it explained.
Why San Francisco?
San Francisco has become the top spot for Pinoy food lovers, thanks to its big Filipino-American community, many authentic eateries, and the growing interest in Filipino cuisine. The city also hosts lively festivals and events that celebrate Filipino culture while offering an array of dining establishments that specialize in Filipino dishes.
“Multiple Jollibee locations reflect the city’s appreciation for Filipino cuisine,” said the report.
It also cited the success of establishments like Abacá, a contemporary Filipino-Californian restaurant owned by Chef Francis Ang and wife, Dian Ang, which received a nomination for the prestigious James Beard Award.
The nomination, said the report, shines a spotlight on the “exceptional quality and creativity” of Filipino food in San Francisco.
As for the other cities in the Top 10, each has at least one and a max of five Jollibee stores that bring the Pinoy flavors and the joy of eating to customers. Chicago has at least two Jollibee branches; Los Angeles, 3; New York, 5; Las Vegas, 4; San Diego, 1; Honolulu, 2; San Jose 1, and Houston, 2.
“This report is not just about recognizing the best cities for Filipino food. It’s also about celebrating the cultural diversity that makes our nation’s food scene so vibrant and unique,” said Robert Greene, team leader of Price of Meat, an Atlanta-based group that helps consumers find high-quality meat.
