Island Pacific — Review by RainaisCrazy
Not specified, United States — Filipino
Reviewer explores authentic Filipino street food at Island Pacific, trying dishes they hadn't gotten to sample before due to items selling out. The highlight is the deep fried moji ball and various skewers featuring crispy pork, shrimp, and creative protein combinations. Overall very positive experience with most dishes receiving enthusiastic praise.
What was great: Chicken rice with curry flavor, loco nanada with shredded papaya, pork skewers with crispy pork skin and shrimp, deep fried moji balls, massive deep fried banana, caramelized sugar banana dessert
What could improve: The corn dish tasted like chickpeas rather than corn, Kyoka not the favorite dessert option
The Dishes
The reviewer started with a fascinating chicken rice dish that featured a heavy curry flavor, immediately catching their attention as something they'd never encountered before. The loco nanada followed, combining brown meat and shredded papaya in what the reviewer called a very good preparation. Pork skewers were a major highlight, featuring crispy pork skin with a piece of shrimp in the middle that delivered on the sweet and savory balance the reviewer loves about skewers. These were items that had sold out on the reviewer's previous visit, making this tasting particularly special. There was also a mysterious corn dish that the reviewer suspected might actually be chickpeas, noting the flavor didn't quite match what they'd expect from corn despite staff insisting it was corn.
For dessert, the deep fried moji ball emerged as a guilty pleasure, with the reviewer calling it exceptionally good. The massive deep fried banana was another standout, described with genuine enthusiasm. The reviewer also sampled what appeared to be a caramelized sugar banana dessert with a buttery quality that was definitely yummy. The Kyoka was tried but didn't make it to the favorite list, suggesting it was less impressive than the other options.
The Experience
The atmosphere seems relaxed and casual, fitting the Filipino street food theme. There's mention of a Sunny Sari store at the location, and at one point the reviewer engaged in a dance break, suggesting an upbeat, fun environment. The vibe is clearly laid-back and entertaining.
Value & Pricing
The reviewer left with $100 in cash as part of what appears to be a challenge or promotion, though specific individual dish pricing isn't detailed in the transcript.
Notable Moments
My favorite thing today is still this.
The reviewer expressed particular excitement about getting items they'd missed on a previous visit due to sellouts, adding a sense of discovery and satisfaction to the experience.
The Verdict
Island Pacific offers authentic Filipino street food with creative preparations and genuine flavor depth. This restaurant is best for anyone curious about Filipino cuisine or looking for unique takes on traditional dishes. The deep fried items and skewers are definite must-tries.