Zarlitos Family Restaurant
| Address: | 505 E 8th St, National City, CA 91950, USA |
| Phone: | +1 619-474-1144 |
| Site: | zarlitos.com |
| Rating: | 3.9 |
| Working: | 8AM–11PM 8AM–11PM 8AM–11PM 8AM–11PM 8AM–3AM 8AM–3AM 8AM–11PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 12
WA
Walter Macalma
In my beloved Filipino centric National City sits a changing view on traditional Filipino cuisine, giving established traditionalists like Conchings a run for their money. Though not as old ,they arent new, but theyve adapted to a true local flair and modern flavor vehicles. For those who know of the mythical beast called Carne Asada Fries, but you grew up like me and wanted to throw our islander style meats on their (long before the words Asian Fusion or the Korean Taco truck) westernized palate. This isnt as crazy as it sounds. Tonico, longonisa, adobo, sisig mixed with fries, thrown in tacos or wrapped in burritos are any Filipino foodies childhood dream. To me the menu is very clear, many add ons. if they have it then they can do it. To those in the know GFR is Garlic Fried Rice, a staple for any islander diet. The next level was the garlic French fries. So instead of the classic plate they offer garlic style French fries with all the fixings you would have on a plate item . Very Carne Asada Fries-esque from an Ertos. I usually come here in the day time, unlike most of my food escapes for Mexican in the area, this is my peoples cooking. Its really more of the family spot, order up and share, fast food though. The hours also dont quite appeal to the nocturnal foodie bachelor as I often need the fix well after midnight, except on weekends. They open pretty early. Call ahead and it will be ready for a swoop, especially when I do sneak attack stealthmode trips from Oceanside. Parking sucks carabao hooves. Do not go here on Sundays its fam bam central for pre-post church eats. They need a freaking drive thru for my pickups. They have longanisa fried rice, loco moco chorizo fried rice, bistek torta, all excellent mixes of traditional and modern gluttony. Its a must visit for anyone who is adventurous enough to try a taco food truck, but traditional enough to cook at home.
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Atsuko Jane
The food is good depending on what you order, every restaurant has its own style so I cannot complain. But just the customer service itself is terrible, busy day or not. On busy days, expect at least a 15min wait just to have them take your order. When the owner or server gets annoyed of a customer- they REALLY like to show it. & you can definitely hear their voices when they complain behind the counter. After you pay & leave- no smile, eye contact- they just want you to sign your receipt & leave. There was only a 1 time "bug" incident at this restaurant on a to-go order, but the place is a little well-kept. Depending on what you like, you can really find something that youd like to eat. At least theres 1 kind server there. For the service in general though, its not worth leaving a tip, to be honest. And on an important note- try not to come 1hr before they close because they already start cleaning up & if you want to order- they wont make it unless you order it to go. If you show up 15min before closing time, theyll only accept small orders. They should really change the closing time from 11pm to 10:45pm so customers have a heads up because its not fair having to see customers turned down when the restaurant is technically supposed to be open.
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Henry Romero
Great food BUT the service sucks, really. The Waitresses are not properly trained to provide quality service. When i waited to be seated, stood up in the reception where 3 waiters were also at, no one came to at least greet or acknowledge my presence. As a paying customer, i should at least be told that they will be with me in a moment if they are too busy, but really, there are barely anybody there. I had to ask the waiter if i can be seated or not. That was the only time i was told, ok! I waited for about 10 minutes for someone to take my order. I had to approach the waiter that i was ready to put my order when hes ready to take orders. Eventually, i had to think twice or thrice if i have to leave a tip!
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Joey G
My impression of the place is somewhat taken back. It needs heavy make over. I had Longsilog for breakfast this morning. The portion was good. The taste was good also. I thought Ill try their dinner menu. So i came back for dinner and ordered a Kare-kare and Sweet and Sour pork combo platter. Everything in the combo platter was good except for the pork. It was hard to chew. Now on the other hand... the Kare-kare was exceptionally delicious. The vegetables, meat, soup and in between... it was excellent. I will be returning to this place again and try their other dishes. Good eating.
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Apple de Guzman
If your craving Filipino food this place is the only Filipino resturant I know thats openned late in the south Bay area, Sunday to Thursday 8am-11pm and Friday and Saturday 8am -3am. I do have an issue with the service, mostly being acknowledged. I waited about 20 min for someone just to get my order or even acknowledge Im sitting there. Just a quick "we will be right with you" would be nice. Food is mideocre but like I said if ur craving Filipino food late at night its probably your only option in the south Bay area.
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Kathryn Berling
We go to Zarlitos regularly but this past weekend, we had the worst experience. Our order was received and my husband got his soup. The table next to us were seated after us but they ordered, ate and paid before we got the rest of our food. A large party across the nearly empty restaurant got seated, ordered, paid while we sat waiting. Not once did a server check on us. My husband had to stand up and ask at the counter, to find that they hadnt even started cooking our order. We told them not to bother and left.
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SC Gaming
Good food BUT the service is disappointing, if you want to get take out its fine but if youre planning to dine in expect your order to be taken about 45 minutes to an hour after you sit down when its busy, the staff panics and all over the place when theres a lot of people, no coordination what so ever, we see a lot of vacant tables but it took them about 25 minutes to get us seated, in short, good food but really inexperienced staff
MI
Missy Galang
Great place to find all the Filipino favorites. They gace everything from pancit to silogs, crispy pata, pinakbet, lumpia, arroz caldo! Not printed ob their menu (but is all over their Instagram) are their poke offerings which are also very good! You cant go wrong with the bistek rice. Super authentic and it brought back memories of home.
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Josh Brisco
My favorite Filipino restaurant in SD! They have great tasting traditional dishes with good size portions, and then modern fusion as well like sisig fries and burritos. Their poke is very good as well. All in all great restaurant!
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Lucy Robles
My favorite Filipino restaurant, a few miles away from my house but It doesnt concern me at all. They have variety of menus, combos mainly Filipino food a little bit of Mexican menu. Very tasty foods.
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Rio Dilayre
Food was ok. I dont think its the best Filipino food place in the area. I gave them a three because they have great and clean area. The foods were ok. I love their calamari but their sisig is alright.
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brittany erb
Food is average but the service is AWFUL. The waitress was outright rude from the get go. With Poke Ect. less than 2 minutes away, there is no reason to come here for poke. Very disappointing.
