Kuya Lord is a former wandering pop up turned pandemic backyard grill turned brick and mortar restaurant. This current fast casual concept is a culmination of years of development from chef Lord Maynard Llera (Kuya Lord translates to ābig brother Lordā in Tagalog). Occupying a small storefront in a recently rebuilt block of what once was a purely drive-by strip of Melrose in that weird part of Hollywood between the Paramount lot and the 101 that developers like to call āMelrose Hillā not quite east enough to be East Hollywood or Thai Town, not quite south enough to be the edge of Koreatown, Kuya Lord is symbolic of a new era for the nondescript neighborhood that doesnāt quite have an identity yet.
The food derives from the chefās childhood in Lucena City in the Philippines, with a touch of nostalgia and a healthy dose of culinary creative freedom. The menu is like a choose-your-own adventure exploration of southern Tagalog cuisine, with many dishes for sharing, as well as rice bowls and noodles for an easy all in one meal. The food stays true to what it is, appealing both to Filipino palates and to those less familiar with the cuisine. The shop is small but welcoming, with an open kitchen and friendly staff. There are a few tables for dining in, but the counter service system makes it quick for takeout orders as well. In the crowded food scene of LA, Kuya Lord is a wonderful fast casual addition that has quickly gone from being a cult favorite to food media recognized establishment.
Address | 5003 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles |
Website | https://kuyalord.com/ |
Yelp | https://www.yelp.com/biz/kuya-lord-los-angeles |
@kuyalord_la | |
Hours | 11am – 3pm, 5-9pm Wednesday and Thursday, 11am – 10pm Friday – Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday |
Price | $$ – pretty much everything everything is $15-25 |
Aesthetic | Ā cozy and welcoming and personalĀ |
Go here for:Ā filipino favorites, a casual lunch or dinner, a fan favorite catering choice
Order this:Ā either of the pork belly options lechon kawali or lucenachon, laing (braised taro leaves), beef tapsilog, and of course garlic java rice and chami noodles on the side
Amount of time to spend:Ā 30 min to an hour, itās a fast casual spot that is worth lingering
When to come:Ā weekday lunches, an earlier dinner, or order ahead for take out to avoid a wait
Parking:Ā thereās usually plenty of street parking available in the side streets nearby
Other things to note:Ā For a meal to share, go with the Kuya tray. If you want to dine in with a party of 6 or more, they do limited reservations ahead of time with a prix fixe menu.
Last visited: March 2023
Last updated: May 2023