Sari Sari Store

Restaurants, Filipino Downtown Historic Core
Recommended
5 out of 5 stars
(1user review)
Sari Sari Store
Photograph: Courtesy Sari Sari Store

This fast-casual Filipino restaurant from chef-spouse-business partner duo Margarita and Walter Manzke—they of République fame—slings rice bowls, halo-halo and house-made sodas galore from a corner-store-inspired stall in Grand Central Market. House-made sauces such as hot garlic vinegar spice up already flavorful eggplant- and spam-topped garlic rice, while the pies and other desserts provide a sweet ending. Don't skip the calamansi soda.

Posted:

Venue name: Sari Sari Store
Contact:
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Address: 317 S Broadway
Los Angeles
90013
Opening hours: 8am-8pm, daily
Price: $4-$13
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Average User Rating

5 / 5

Rating Breakdown

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tastemaker

Sari Sari is one of the newest "new" offerings to launch at Grand Central Market, and I hope it sticks around for a long time to come (high hopes in this city, I know).  While there may be a bit of a line to order on a typical weekend afternoon (though nothing compares to Eggslut), it's worth it.  Whether you need a filling savory lunch or dinner or just a refreshing spot of dessert after a long day of wandering downtown, there's something for everyone.


If you're like me, maybe you came for lunch, and then watched as they prepared fresh halo halo in the background and realized you'd need to come back for more.  The rice bowl I tried (featuring chicken) was incredible--a rich blend of spices and ingredients.  My only complaint--they leave the chicken bone in, so I spent most of my time trying to just get the meat off the bones, instead of enjoying my food while it was still hot.

On a later trip, a friend and I tried the halo halo and buko pie.  The halo halo was as refreshing as it looked with the best vanilla ice cream I've ever tasted, fresh fruit slush with a combination of perfectly sweet strawberries and blueberries, and tapioca.  That said--the buko pie was what I would go back for.  The coconut pie is totally unlike a "typical" American coconut pie (see Gus' Fried Chicken).  It's light, airy, and sweet without being overwhelmingly so.  I'm not sure I'll ever leave GCM without a slice to-go from now on.