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Kuya Lord

4.2 (577 reviews)
Closed 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Updated a few days ago

Kuya Lord Photos

Business Info

KUYA LORD ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Outdoor seating
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Kuya Lord

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Reviews With Photos

Tapsilog
Wally P.

Expectations were high for James Beard, but not up to Wally award standards. Had the Tocilog. Ordered eggs over easy and got sunny hard. Tocino was fair. Not red. Not sweet. No sinangag. Some gooey rice but not garlicky. Swimming in atchara and cucumber salad. Disappointing for $28. Honestly my Lola's is waaayyyy better. Lecunachon was just not good. Not crispy. No flavor profile. Not sure if maybe we just caught them on a bad day? Sorry Kuya.....my pinoy food at home can rival.

Prime Beef Short Ribs (à la carte, savory)
Jennifer S. M.

I've never had refined Filipino dishes quite like Kuya Lord's. This is an easy recommendation! We ordered the Beef Tapa (savory), two scoops of Java Rice, Sweet Longganisa, Tomato Cucmber Salad, and a Mexican coke. Individually, they could stand on their own. But, when combined, they harmoniously balanced the flavors of salt, acid, and sweetness. The beef tapa was savory indeed. You could also cut into it easily. I've never had anything like Java rice. That isn't normally what I eat at home so this was a pleasant surprise. The vibrant, yellow-orange, grain got its aroma from the garlic and turmeric. You cannot order a protein without ordering a side of Java rice. With that said, because it was savory, it also went well with the sweet Longganisa. The Longganisa was juicy and a little bit crispy on the outside. The acidity from the Tomato Cucumber Salad helped tie the entire dish together. It was a much needed balance between the proteins and rice, and enhanced their flavors even more. The Mexican coke was a great refreshment. I loved the old-school coke bottles. Drinking out of that while consuming refined dishes does elevate the experience overall. The staff were friendly and helped with explaining the menu. They also delivered the food to our table, that was kind of them. Thank you! When you're finished, you'll need to take your dishes up to their counter. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant is small and has limited seating, mostly high table. They also have two tables outside.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We went on a Saturday afternoon (around 2pm). Parking was difficult to find. We had to park two blocks away in a residential area. If you do decide to visit in the afternoon like we did, prepare to do some walking and bring a hat. Again, Kuya Lord is an EASY recommendation! I'm so happy that my husband and I finally got to try it out. I would love to come back to try more of their food. Well done!

Interior. Awards and accolades.
Kevin M.

WHOA! Kuya Lord was as advertised. I'd always wanted to come eat here for the last few years. We happened to be nearby and we decided it was time to visit. Located on the busy streets of Melrose. Parking is most definitely a challenge. We circled around twice and had no luck so we ended up parking closed to 2 blocks away in a residential area. We were committed to trying Kuya Lord's food. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Once we arrived the location was close to capacity. We came on a Saturday right around 2:30pm.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]They offer some tables outside and mostly high top table seating inside with one lower table that is wheel chair accessible.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We decided on a few ala carte dishes to share and a Mexican Coke because why not!? We ordered: Prime Beef Short Ribs (savory) Pork Longganisa (sweet) Java Garlic Rice (pint/2 scoops) Tomate Cucumber Salad The staff was kind enough to bring all the shareable plates and orders as it all came out. First impressions, great presentation and aromatics with each dish. Everything was freaking amazing! Chef is a James Beard award winner and I can see why. These are Filipino dishes that I loved eating as a kid and it's elevated on a number of levels. They reminded of me of vacation in the Philippines and eating in the comfort of home. That Java Garlic Rice though! It's SPECIAL! It's one of the most memorable things on the menu. It's one of a kind rice I've not had before. The mix of sweet and savory with the freshness of a salad created a great dining experience for us. We unintentionally created our own family menu. I'm all for supporting my culture and my heritage and I'm glad my wife and I were blessed to try this food. Honestly, I can say this was some of best homestyle dishes of Filipino food I've eaten. Kuya Lord has found a way to elevate our simples dishes and maximize all the right balance of flavors that highlights what our Filipino Cuisine represents to all types of people. I can co-sign that in my personal opinion, Kuya Lord's is worth the hype! I absolutely loved it! I would make this drive and take time to find parking because it was that good to me! Salamat, Kuya Lord! ( ^_^)b

Joseph Raymond V.

Ordered the Kawali tray and really enjoyed it. The pork belly was tender, flavorful, and had a nice crispy skin. The noodles were well seasoned, and everything tasted fresh and well prepared. The only reason for 4 stars is the price. That said, the quality of the food and the flavors were excellent. If you're craving Filipino food and don't mind spending a little extra, it's worth trying. I'd order again.

Inside
Shirley C.

Only street parking Friendly staff Menu includes a variety You can just order the meat or make a meal out of it Lechon is their specialty Very tasty Portions are small A bit pricey

Langgonisa rice plate
Regina L.

When I saw Jokoy's hilarious look alike Instagram post about Kuya Lord, then asked my cousin if she has eaten in Kuya Lord, she said their food is delish and lechon kawali is a must, so I made sure to order a side of this with the pancit! The only reason I gave 4 stars is because the pancit was very salty. My friend noticed this also. On a positive note, I was impressed by the amount of pancit served on this plate and the abundance of vegetables When I tried the lechon kawali, OMG the skin and meat flavors, and crispy skin, made me text my cousin immediately to tell her she was right! My friend ordered a longganisa rice plate and it was perfectly sweet. The Java rice was an excellent pair with the longganisa. Service is excellent and our food came out fast. The staff who took our orders patiently answered my questions related to my dietary restrictions. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We sat outside since it was full inside. Such a sign of the Kuya Lord hype and delicious food fans![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

Patricia D.

Even after the well deserved recognition - the food still hits! We ordered for delivery last night and the food still travels well. We ordered a la carte instead of the trays this time around. Their Laing topped with bonito flakes paired with steamed white rice was my favorite! The Pancit Sotanghon had a good chew. The Hiramasa Collar was still fatty and enjoyed the pickled veggies it came with. My husband enjoyed the Lucenachon and Grilled Chicken. They were tender and well seasoned! The tart from their calamansi pie was a good note to finish our dinner with. I still highly recommend!

Tray (not in the menu board)
Mich M.

Visited Kuya Lord and had mixed feelings about the experience. Parking was a challenge, and I ended up paying $7 to park across the street near Bank of America. The food was decent, but I felt the prices were a bit on the higher side for what we ordered. I tried the Chami noodles, which were described as sweet and spicy. I was expecting something closer to pancit canton in style and flavor, but it wasn't what I anticipated. The lechon was the standout dish for me--crispy, flavorful, and definitely the highlight of the meal. The liempo was okay but didn't quite have the flavor I was hoping for. The fried rice was tasty, while the calamansi hibiscus drink wasn't really my preference. We spent around $80 for the dishes shown in the photo. Overall, I might come back for the lechon, but probably not for the other items.

Joni S.

Came here for a Filipino Employee Network dinner. Kuya Lord was nice enough to come out and take a photo with us! Ordered about half of the menu and everything was delicious! Been back twice since then to try out the traditional Lucban dishes. [[HIGHLIGHT]]When I sent photos of the decor to my gf, she immediately knew that the chef was from Lucban and was extremely thrilled![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Must tries: Lucban longganisa (savory) and the pancit habhab (noodles are specific to the region) as I tasted it, all I could think was "I've never had anything like this" confused but in a good way! Btw, Kuya Lord himself put habhab onto the Winter menu because I had specially requested it. You're welcome to anyone that had the opportunity to try it!

Outside

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Very small venue more geared for take out. Some seating against the walls.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Open kitchen which I always love.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The guy at the counter was very friendly and helpful. Once he knew that this was our first time, he offered to explain the menu. It really helped us with our choices. My bar for Filipino food however is the lechon kawali. This Hawai'i boy was ready for good Filipino food. Olympics kind of record performance. This place nailed the kawali. Everything was delicious. I didn't expect the collar. I love Japanese Hamachi Kama and this was right at that level. Please open a restaurant with a bunch tables.

I drooled over the coconut caramel frosting.
Christina T.

It's taken me 3 years to visit this fusion infused Filipino restaurant. And, it was worth the 1 hour drive. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I felt nostalgic when I walked in because it brought a little bit of my culture back to me.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambience was progressive.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The food was as handsome as the chef, a James beard award recipient. And, I can't wait to be back for more.

Louis C.

I've heard lots of good things about Kuya Lord, including the numerous accolades it had received from the food critics. It's a self service diner where you are expected to bus your own table. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The diner is small so a table can be hard to come by during peak times.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Parking can also be a bit of a challenge. Our favorite dish was the Lucenachon, which is the Filipino version of porchetta. The 2x cook pork was similar but a bit on the dry side. The blue prawns were decent if a bit salty; pretty expensive for such a small dish. The Pancit Sotangon vermicelli was pretty bland. The prime beef short rib was not what I'd expected. It was thinly sliced and sweet; it reminded me of the Chinese pork jerky. The food was overall decent but quite pricey for a small self serve diner.

Pancit Sotanghon. Thin glass noodles & crisp vegetables give this dish a well-rounded finish.
Jenn R.

Kuya Lord brings a modern spin to Filipino comfort food without losing the warmth and soul that define the cuisine. Although the dining space is small (and you'll likely be sharing a communal table), it creates an intimate, bustling atmosphere where energy from the open kitchen and fellow diners becomes part of the experience. THE FOOD. - Rice Bowl with Beef Tocilog. The grilled prime beef short ribs were sweet, tender, and beautifully charred. The garlic rice was fragrant and cooked perfectly (slightly sticky). Of course, breakfast isn't breakfast without an over easy egg to break on top of the rice! And lastly, the tomato/cucumber salad & pickled green papaya helped to cut through the richness. Highly recommend. - Lucenachon Rice Bowl. The slow roasted pork belly was magnificently juicy; its crackling skin shattered with each bite, delivering that perfect salty crunch. If you like pork belly, highly recommend trying this out. - Pancit Sotanghon. The glass noodles lead the way; delicate, springy, and infused with patis (fish sauce) and aromatic seasoning. The medley of vegetables follows with crisp texture and earthy flavor, giving the dish a well-rounded finish. THE DRINK. - JuiceKoLord. Honey calamansi hibiscus juice; a sweet-tart combo that seemed more tart than sweet. I could only take a few sips at a time before feeling overwhelmed with the tartness. I still drank the whole thing though because I was taught not to waste food/drinks. lol. THE PARKING. Street parking is an option if you can snag it. We were not so lucky and ended up at a parking lot nearby, which we were probably not supposed to park in. #ohwell #tiredofcirclingaround THE VERDICT. Kuya Lord absolutely lives up to the hype. Bold flavors, thoughtful execution, and dishes that honor tradition while still feeling fresh and modern. A must-visit for Filipino food lovers!

Calamansi Cheesecake

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Review Insights

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2 months ago

Best Filipino food I've had in L.A.!! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Great service and atmosphere.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Noodles taste handmade to order!

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18 days ago

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14 days ago

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25 days ago

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1 month ago

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28 days ago

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Kuya L.

Thank you Kelsey!!

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2 months ago

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6 months ago

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3 months ago

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6 months ago

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Kuya Lord Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Kuya Lord

Do they serve alcohol for dinner?

Beer, wine

Public parking lot closeby?

Nope, however...park in the neighborhoods. The food is so good you'll probably want to walk a little bit off 😂 that's what we do, we live about 15min walking distance from there and it sure helps

Anyone have a price range since there are no prices listed on the menu?

Please check out our website and click on Order Online. All prices are listed with photos and description. Thank you

Is there a reservation?

No reservations. On a Sunday, I got in line 30 minutes before the restaurant opened and was the second group of six to enter. 30 minutes later, the line was out the door and tables full.

What is the parking situation for Kuya lord?

Street parking around the neighborhood only. You may have to park on the side streets and walk a block or three to get there. When we went, we were able to find a spot on Manhattan Place.

Do you have gluten/cross contamination, free food?

We do.

Are there vegan options?

Yes, mainly side dishes are vegan. Entrees are not; include pork, chicken or shrimp.

Do you do catering trays? Do you have gluten-free and dairy-free options?

Yes, we do have catering trays and we have GF/DF options.

Awesome I can order the Kuya Trays for Take out?

yes you can but it takes about 20 mins to get your food

Is there a high chair for kids?

Yes

View All 12 Questions

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My wife and I were just walking through LA Live and received word from a hostess that it was buy…read moreone get one happy hour. So of course we jumped on it. I ordered the Blood In, Blood Out and my wife ordered the Hispanic! At the Disco. Both drinks were amazing. We also ordered an appetizer of their Smoked Hatch Chili Queso which was delicious in every conceivable way. Additionally, the hostess we first talked to and our waiter were both outstanding. A++ service here. We're definitely going to come back next time we're in the area.

STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE!…read more When the employee lured us in, she said to go to the counter inside and wait for someone to seat us. There were several employees that saw us just standing there, but we still waited there for 5 mins before someone told the girl from outside to take us to our table. We were finally seated. Then guy who told the girl to seat us was just standing around d chit chatting with another employees for about 15 minutes before he even came to our table. He never even introduce himself. He just took our order. Another 20 mins came by before our food was served. OUR FOOD WAS ROOM TEMPERATURE. Short Rib was ok. The macaroni was stale and OLD! It was dry and not fresh! We asked for extra BBQ sauce and that didn't arrive for another 15 mins. We had to wave down another employee to try to get the sauce to us. I wouldn't recommend this place! Horrible service. Didn't even come around to see if we needed anything or if everything was good or not. We came here around 1:30pm on 3/16. The restroom was also out of paper towels and soap from the soda dispenser. Poor quality food! Glad I tried it, so I know to not come back again!

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4.1
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I'm a regular at GCM, and while I don't stop by every single day, Maple Block is always one of the…read morefirst spots I look forward to visiting. It's a staple in my rotation, and over time I've really gotten to know the people there--especially at the bar. One person who truly stands out is Becca. She's usually one of the first people I see when I go to GCM, She is an absolute delight. because she greets me with a such enthusiasm or a friendly wave and a genuinely beautiful smile. Honestly, it almost makes me feel guilty that I don't come by more often! Recently, I saw a review about an incident involving a customer and one of the people who work here, so I feel compelled to speak up. If you come across any negative review about anyone here at the bar, I can confidently say it does not reflect the people I--and many others--have experienced. In all my visits, I've never once seen her or the staff handle anything with anything less than professionalism and kindness. As a patron, one of the main reasons I keep coming back to Maple Block is because of the people. The staff creates such a welcoming, positive atmosphere, which really stands out--especially in an area where you can occasionally encounter challenging situations. Take any negative reviews with a grain of salt and urge you to go see for yourself!!!! Maple Block has consistently been a great experience for me, and I highly recommend stopping by. 10/10 will come again

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3.3
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6.7 mi
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It is so good! Amazing! The sauce and the slow cooked ribs. I got the lunch special for only $11read more

As someone who grew up in Los Angeles, this review honestly pains me to write…read more.. Woody's used to be a birthday tradition for me growing up. If you know, YOU KNOW. Back in the day, you had to get there early because the place STAYED PACKED, and their ribs were THEE reason to go. They were hands down some of the best ribs I ever had as a kid. They put me on. Fast forward 15-20 years later, and today was my first time coming back since my teenage years. I tried calling ahead to place an order, but couldn't get through. Honestly, that didn't surprise me because Woody's was always busy. I figured it was still the same old Woody's. Then I pulled into the parking lot around 6 PM on a Thursday. Immediately, there was parking available. That alone felt odd. No line. Plenty of parking. Not a single customer inside. That should have been my first sign. We ordered beef ribs, sliced brisket, mac and cheese, and dessert. They were out of the banana pudding, so we settled for peach cobbler. The total was around $50, which isn't bad for dinner for two. The excitement really started to hit when we got home and opened everything up. Unfortunately, that's when reality set in. The mac and cheese was terrible. Completely flavorless, watery, and mushy. The pasta was so overcooked it practically fell apart and blended together like baby food. It tasted old and had absolutely no seasoning or richness whatsoever. First and last time ordering that. Next was the brisket. The slices were gray, dry, and looked like they'd been sitting around for a while. I took one bite and immediately said, "Absolutely not." Another disappointment. But I wasn't too worried yet because I came for one thing: THE RIBS. The flavor was actually still there. The sauce and seasoning reminded me of the Woody's I remembered. BUT THE TEXTURE... A completely different story. The ribs weren't tender, weren't juicy, and definitely weren't falling off the bone. They were tough enough that I found myself working for every bite. At that point, the empty parking lot, empty dining room, and lack of lines made a lot more sense. By the end of the meal, I ended up rinsing the remaining ribs off so my dog could enjoy them as a chew toy. What hurts most isn't the bad meal--it's seeing what was once a legendary BBQ spot become a shadow of what it used to be. I almost wish I hadn't come back because it tarnished some really great childhood memories for me. I don't enjoy leaving negative reviews, but I also believe in being honest. Maybe I caught them on a bad day, but based on this experience, Woody's is not the Woody's I remember, and unfortunately, I won't be returning. If it's any consolation, the cobbler was okay. But not worth going out of my way for.

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Kuya Lord - bbq - Updated July 2026

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