STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Phil-Am Kusina will close its doors on Nov. 30, ending a flavorful 10-year chapter as Staten Island’s only sit-down Filipino restaurant. For the borough’s Filipino community and adventurous eaters, it’s the end of an era filled with adobo, pancit, and freshly fried lumpia. Or, as they’d say in Tagalog, salamat for the memories — and for teaching us that comfort food can come with a side of calamansi, a lime-like fruit particular to the Philippines.
Phil-Am Kusina opened about a decade ago across from long-standing Phil-Am Foods. Between the restaurant and grocer, the two businesses were meant to complement each other. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
“After a wonderful decade serving you, we have decided to close our restaurant doors on November 30th,” the restaurant shared on its social media. “Thank you for the incredible support through every season. Thank you to our community and team — what a rewarding journey it has been.”
The Imperial family had opened the restaurant to complement their existing business, Phil-Am Foods, a grocery store located diagonally across the street at 527 Tompkins Avenue. That market is over 40 years old, a grocer that sells fresh seafood, butchered whole roasted pigs and other sundries particular to the Filipino and South East Asian person’s pantry.
The restaurant quickly found its stride. This week, manager Gretchen Vergara shared her excitement over the warm reception from Staten Islanders — especially those discovering Filipino flavors for the first time.
“I’ve been telling our long-time customers we can still make their favorite classics,” Vergara said softly. “Maybe someday we’ll offer online orders, but right now we’re focused on the holidays. We’ll keep sharing updates on social media for everyone who’s supported us.”
She paused, then added, “It’s been a beautiful run— but it’s exhausting. Ten years feels like a lifetime. What really breaks my heart is seeing faces from the early days coming back now. It reminds me how much this place has meant to people.”
Noodles like this Miki Bihon come with assorted proteins such as shrimp, pork and a squid ball. Staff-Shot
The restaurant became known for its signature Kamayan Nights, a family-style feast served on banana leaves that diners traditionally eat with their hands. A handwash sink was placed prominently in the dining room to accommodate the experience. The Kamayan arrangement, offered by reservation on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for parties of six or more, ranged from $25 to $50 per guest and featured lumpia, longganisa sausages, crispy fried pork, garlic rice, and char-grilled meats.
Phil-Am Kusina’s menu still celebrates Filipino tradition with dishes like fresh lumpia wrapped in pillowy crepes and drizzled with peanut sauce, smoky chicken inasal with crisp char-grilled skin, and tortang talong, a delicate eggplant omelet. All-day brunch brings adobo-glazed chicken wings and sautéed corned beef with fried eggs, while desserts tempt with golden fried banana spring rolls and the iconic halo-halo—a colorful mix of Jell-O, ice cream, beans, and purple yam.
Some of the items made in the kitchen for sale at Phil-Am Food Mart at 527 Tompkins Ave. include pork and pandit dishes. Pancit bihon is a classic Filipino noodle dish made with sautéed rice noodles. Beloved for its simplicity and flavor, it’s a party staple that’s easy enough to enjoy any night of the week.Staten Island Advance
The Imperial family will keep Filipino flavors alive through Phil-Am Foods, their modest grocery at 527 Tompkins Ave. Beyond South East Asian pantry staples, shoppers can find ready-to-enjoy meals featuring classic proteins and vinegar-based recipes that echo the Philippines’ coastal and agricultural roots. Favorites include pancit bihon — a stir-fried rice noodle dish that can be a party staple or a one-pot dish— and Tokwa’t Baboy, a comforting mix of crispy tofu and tender pork tossed in a tangy vinegar-soy sauce.
Phil-Am Kusina, the restaurant, is located at 556 Tompkins Ave., Rosebank. They can be reached at 718-727-3663 or via philamkusina.com. The restaurant is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, and open the rest of the week from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
As of now, Staten Island has two Filipino dining spots: Phil-Am Kusina and Maynila. Unlike Phil-Am’s sit-down format, Maynila offers a market-style experience with hot meals from a steam table, designed for takeout. Located at 3555 Victory Blvd. in Travis, Maynila is open daily from about 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Mondays.
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