Ellen’s Pinoy Grille

Best Sisig in the OC area! Hands Down! A MUST TRY.

Used to come here pretty often since living nearby. Pretty much always ordered the 2 item combo with dinuguan and the sisig. They gave big portions and for a reasonable price. The sisig was definitely the best I’ve had and it’s the reason I kept coming back.
Now fast forward 2+ years later, sisig portions were significantly less, and the prices were raised unfortunately. Even the dinuguan had less meat, and more soup. The flavor is still quite good, but not a good value for me anymore, and maybe not enough for me to keep returning… and this saddens me.
The interior hasn’t changed much, which never really bothered me because I always ordered carry-​out. I sure do hope they make some changes back to how I remembered it.

Sisig Portions are generous! They make the mistake of putting all portions on the same sized tray.
¼ order– $ 25 (half of a full sized tray). They should put ¼ orders in a smaller tray (filled to the top) because this confuses people.
½ order– $ 50 (full sized tray filled to the top)
full order– $ 94 (two trays filled to the top)
There it is, just gave some clarification to a confusing sisig problem that took us four orders to figure out. They are generous with the portions, and you get more than enough for what you pay for. The ½ order easily feeds 15 hungry adults with rice alone. We also order the lumpias (50 for $ 25), and the pancit bihon ($ 30 for the ½ order). Amazing food, and good people.

Found out about this place through word of mouth that it has the best sisig. Came in on a Sunday night an hour before they close because I was in the area and wanted to pick some up for dinner.
The restaurant’s pretty big, but you go up to the counter to order and pay and then can take your food to the seating area if you’re dining in. I got upsold to purchase the extra large portion of pork sisig and decided to get two scoops of rice to eat with it — the cost was around 11 dollars which I thought was a good deal.
The pork sisig was delicious — it was the perfect amount of citrus to cut the fattiness of the pork and enjoyed the bites I would get with the crunchy pork skins. The extra large was more than enough for dinner for 2 people. I reheated it the following day in the oven and it did not lose its crispiness!

Been here a couple times, the sigsig is good! Everything else is ok. I go to Manila grille for the pancit bihon and Manila sunset for the mabalon. But this place kills it with the sigsig when you get it in a Combo with rice and other items…
Very spacious inside, never seemed that busy, but I always got my food Togo so I don’t really know the atmosphere.
Great deal so I would always comeback here!

I have never ate here nor tried any of their other dishes, although everything looks delicious I’ve only ordered their sisig which is what they are known for. I’ve ordered their sisig numerous times for parties and special request by my family whenever I go visit the 951 area. Their sisig hands down is delicious and the best I’ve ever tasted made fresh to order and full of flavor. So why 3 stars? Because each time ive ordered they have gotten more stingy with the quantity the latest for ¼ tray $ 25 dollars they couldn’t even fill it up. I was able to slightly shake the tray and clearly they could’ve added more because the sisig was able to fill only ½ of the tray. but they’re getting stingy with their servings. So now I’m on the hunt for a new place to buy sisig.

Stingy! For $ 25 for a half tray, I expect the tray to be completely filled, not ¾ full!
When the tray was brought out, my mom even commented why there was so little sisig as you could clearly see the bottom corners of the tray. The man who helped us out even said, in rough translation, «oh, that’s a lot already». Now I know Filipinos like to be chummy and friendly with each other, but this is a business!
Bottom line: sisig is delicious, but you’re not getting what you pay for.

The sisig here was absolutely amazing. I have never had sisig that was so tender and crispy. It had the right amount of ingredients and sourness in it. We got a 2entree meal with half pancit and rice, menudo, sisig and a side of sinigang soup. Definitely will be stopping by here for more sisig.

I ordered ahead of time for a full tray and instead he gave me two very slightly full half trays. I didn’t have the heart to say something to the old man but if I’m going to pay $ 94, I guess I should order somewhere else so I don’t get skimped. I don’t know if you can tell from the picture but the edges are definitely low. I’ve been coming here for years and this is the first time I’m Sadly dissapointed.

Customer service was not the best. My family makes some deliciously mean sisig but this gives it a good run for the money usually some fast food joints are dry but
My friend told me about this place two years and I’ve had it on my bookmark for the longest time. Alas, I finally get to try it.
Ambiance
Parking: Simple plaza parking, we got here on a Wednesday afternoon Plenty of cars but there were a few spaces to find.
Seating:
*Plenty of group seating for about 30 – 40 people. All inside and centered for you to watch tv or listen to live performances.
Feels:
* Walked in and had all the random odds and ends from an unused waiter stand, stage, and television. If you want to catch up on Filipino drama or catch with a friend in an extremely casual setting, this is a good place with to go.
Food:
Chicken Adobo (A-​Ok/​Recommend)
Oily yet quite saucy. The chicken was well marinated and moist. Doesn’t exactly stand out with other adobos but it was pretty good.
Sisig (Recommend)
This pretty has it all, the kick, freshness, spice, and the crunch of the pork. Can’t really complain as it tasted fresh and delicious.
Customer Service:
I wouldn’t exactly say the most welcoming environment but after conversing with them for a while, the vibes got better. Not great, just better.
Overall:
3.5 stars. The food was delicious and the price was reasonable. I feel like it’s missing something though. Perhaps more modern flash and customer service, it would be great. However if you’re looking for quick, affordable, and delicious Filipino cuisine. This is the place to be.
TL;DR Tips:
* Go during non-​busy hours, it’s empty like no other.

Man this place is good. Really interesting as well. They have an area of the restaurant dedicated to Elvis (no surprise there). Anyways, you get really good portions for the price. Worth checking out

UNACCEPTABLY RUDE.
We will never eat at this place because of the rude worker who answered the phone today. He was probably the same guy who rudely answered the phone last time, too. Note, I have never eaten here. I always call ahead since they often run out of things which explains why we’ve never eaten here or stepped foot inside for that matter.
Today, I called for the closing time and he answered what sounded like nine o’clock but I wanted to be sure so I reiterated what I thought he said and he snapped «Yes!». Geez, sorry if he was annoyed I even asked. They don’t even have their hours of operation up on Unilocal (not that it’s always reliable anyway). I prefer to call in and confirm the hours as well as find out if they even have what we want.
Any hoot, I immediately went on to ask if they had any sisig left and I had to repeat the question a couple more times as I received no response. It was obvious he was still on the line so I kept calling out «hello» like a trained talking macaw and the dude hung up.
I called back thinking maybe he didn’t hear me or something. Someone picked up and it sounded like the phone was *immediately* set on a hard surface and then the distinct sound of someone purposely hanging up again… not the sound of a line being disconnected or dropped.
I called back AGAIN just to be sure his hand might have «slipped» or… if he slipped himself and cracked open his head (I’ll forgive that). I wanted to give him the benefit of doubt. Anyway, someone (pretty sure it was the same guy since it was literally seconds right after the previous hang up), picked up the phone BUT that someone did not say anything and all of a sudden. the same distinct sound of a phone being hung up on my arse AGAIN.
At this point, I’m thinking «WTF?! Is this dude serious? It’s just a freakin simple question and all I need is a yes or a no to avoid having to drive all the way out there only to be told they’re out.» If this is their way of answering their «business» phone lines, then they will most likely go out of business very soon. Absolutely no professionalism whatsoever or just the simple decency of handling a call with a customer inquiring on time and availability.
For the sake of writing this review, I called back again after waiting a couple of minutes this time. And lo and behold, same guy (I recognized his distinct voice) answered and I told him I was the same person he spoke to awhile ago and I wasn’t sure if he heard me, accidentally hung up on me or what… in hopes that he would confirm that those were «accidental hang ups» so that I don’t have to write this negative review. Uh no, I just got an awkward silence instead. He eventually confirmed they still had sisig left but at this point I was over it.
There are a lot of other Filipino grubberies that we can get our sisig fix on. This place has lost our business for good. Too bad though, I really wanted to try their so called «best sisig in town» or whatever their claim is. I’d rather go somewhere else.

Very disappointing… came here on sunday after the megafight which was very disappointing as well. N e ways came here for the sisig which they didnt have ready. If u claim something that you are the best of «sisig» i think you should have it ready at all times.
So we decided to eat here n e ways since we are already here. The food was just so so… i thought the food was lacking taste. The dinuguan was very disappointing because it was just full of fat and barely any meat. Although the price very good.
At the end we waited another 20 mins for the sisig because thats what we came here for. Got a large size bowl of sisig to take home. Hope that they are right about claiming they are the best sisig in town…

The times I’ve been to this restaurant has never been crowded nor was the wait ever long. I have read reviews and was even told by my dentist’s assistant that this place has THE best sisig around. I’m a little familiar with Filipino foods so I had to try it out.
The first time I came, we ordered their sisig along with their calderetta (sp?). Their sisig has great flavors and nothing is over powering. I especially love the crispiness of the pork belly. The diced raw onions sometimes gets a little too much for me but still a REALLY flavorful dish. Their calderetta is a little sweet for my liking. I have yet to try any other dishes but definitely will soon since it’s so close to my house!

THE BEST SISIG IN TOWN!
And you will get little argument here. While trying to get a consensus favorite can prove difficult because we all have varied tastes, perspectives and criteria, there seems to be little debating Pinoy Grille’s signature dish — their sizzling, crunchy pork sisig — is largely considered within the Filipino community as the best of its kind.
Pretty impressive when you realize that sisig is a regional dish prepared differently throughout the regions of the Phillipines. The variations are based on the use of ingredients and preparation. Ellen’s uses only top quality pork belly that is diced up and fried to a crunchy, golden crisp. A little mayonnaise, onions and cubed sweet bell peppers are added to give the dish a real zest and more balanced flavor and consistency.
In addition to sisig, Ellen’s prepares a number of delicious beef, pork, chicken, seafood, noodle and vegetable dishes. Dishes vary daily with nearly a hundred items on their very comprehensive menu. Ten random dishes are prepared each day and orders taken at the counter cafeteria style and served as part of a combo meal — with a choice of entrée, steamed rice or noodles — made popular by restaurant chains like Panda Express.
Having dined here a handful of times, I have had the opportunity to try a number of dishes and there is not a bad one to be found. Among my other favorites are as follows:
Daing Na Bangus
Lechon Kawale
Pork Adobo
Bopis
Pork Menudo
BBQ Pork
Dinuguan
Pork Giniling
Beef Pepper Steak
Kare Kare
Beek Steak w/​Onions
Chicken Adobo
Apritada
Barbecue Chicken
If you are unfamiliar with the Filipino dishes, ask for a little sample of any entrée before making a selection. Filipino food is delicious and they prepare some of the most tastiest comfort foods in all of Asia.
Moreover, the price of each entrée is ridiculously inexpensive, starting at $ 3.50. A combo meal starts at $ 3.95. Ellen’s catering service is probably even more popular than their dine-​in restaurant with menu items highlighted by their famous sisig, kare kare, lechon kawale, lumpia and pancit.
Ellen’s caters for all occasions. There is plenty of seating inside and, in fact, a popular spot to host a party, karaōke and those special celebrations.

I’m Filipino and nothing beats a delicious home cooked meal at a bargain price. Ellen’s has the BEST sisig I’ve ever had. I can cook Filipino food at home but this spot is totally worth the drive down from LA and so much better than the Filipino food trucks I’ve encountered.
Their restaurant has the mom and pop vibe because the 70+ year old married owners still run the joint (!). Their work ethic blows me away and it’s always a joy to see them when I swing by.
If you’re like me and moved away from your family and miss good ol’ home cooking, this is the spot to go to. Good family values, fantastic food, right price.

Whoa this is some good Filipino food! Their sisig really was good.
The price is also good too and I have to come back here to try all the entrees!
The rice was more on the wetter side but that’s a personal preference. Jasmine rice is just better to me.

Every now or then we have a free weekend and get ourselves out of bed early enough the husband and I make the 2 mile trip for our filipino breakfast. If you snooze you loose and they run outta garlic fried rice. See true filipino fried rice is made from day old rice, and once its gone its gone. In fact garlic fried rice is the only rice I eat, unless Im really hungry. So I usually order the Bistek with a filipino fried egg. Whats a filipino fried egg? Its delicious. It must be fried in butter and has a crispy edge to it. Very hard to master. If Im lucky I can do one up myself along with garlic fried rice and the husbands happy.
For lunch Im kind of a picky girl. The pancit is sufficent for me with befstek. And I always get a bag of the biscotti buttery cookies. Once in a while they will have the egg rolls or an empanada. If Im really hungry Ill eat the plain rice but usually I pass it over to the husband who seems to need more than the 2 scoops they give you.
Service is good. We are semi regulars so they chit chat with us.
My only complaint is they stopped selling cheese curls. Those are good.
They have the banana kechup, fish oil, and a few other toppings for your feast.

The legend of Sisig is real, ladies and gentlemen!!!
Down the street from my house, I do not know how I managed to miss this place. Tucked in a little plaza on Valley View and La Palma, I finally womanned up and decided to get luck here!
Upon entering, a miss mash of tropical and eclectic décor lets you know that it is a mom and pop spot. Filipino TV is blasting and the smells emanating are truly something special.
I ordered the lunch combo #2 with choice of 2 items and white rice. The sisig was of course my first choice! Chopped crispy pork with onions, bell peppers and spices! How could you go wrong!!! I also got the crunchy Lechon Kawali. They took good care of not having much tooth breaking bone to bite into like other Pinoy restaurants.
This place really is as good as it gets (according to Unilocal) outside of your Lola’s home cooked meals from her kitchen! Service is great and they are fast. Never a disappointment.

One word: SISIG!
Sisig is a Filipino dish made from parts of a pig’s head and sometimes liver which is then cooked with calamansi, vinegar, and chili. Each household or region probably has their own version of this but EPG’s my friends, is undoubtedly one of a kind! It’s not the sticky/​wet type where mayonnaise or Mang Tomas is added. Theirs is a combination of nicely chopped meat which some have the consistency of a chicharon (very crispy!) plus some red/​green bell peppers and lots of onions. This is best eaten with their house vinegar for that added acidity and of course plain rice for a perfect balance of flavor and texture.
I’ve been ordering their party tray over the years and bringing them to gatherings. Half a tray costs about $ 50. Their sisig is always a hit that people often ask where I ordered it from. Yes, they already know I didn’t make it. Sad but true! Us, Filipinos have tons of excuse to celebrate and with that comes quite a spread of scrumptious Filipino cuisine. I hate to say this but it’s really only their sisig that stands out and pulls me back all the way to La Palma.
My recent visit was the first and only time I actually dined in. We were a huge group that came after church on a Sunday. This was around 2PM and we filled the place like it was our own private function. Man, did they make a business out of us. Not only did we dine here, but we also bought large sized boxes of sisig to-​go. A medium bowl was $ 5 and a large stryo costs $ 11. I suggest you go with the large as they fill this to the brim. Definitely well-​worth your money.
Meanwhile, the restaurant is a fast-​food type AKA «turo-​turo» for Filipinos and translated as point-​point where you point at the food you want. They offer a two or three item combo with rice. Quite frankly, none of the food on display really jumped out to me except for the Tinapang Bangus (smoked milk fish) so I ordered this with the pork sisig and rice. For $ 5.50, that’s a steal!
They serve one of the best sisigs in town and for that, I’m a fan of Ellen’s Pinoy Grille. Kain na!