Mama Fina’s House of Filipino Sisig
“Our favorite is the pork or pusit (squid) sisig – get squid if you want a crunchy sisig, and pork if you're looking for a meatier dish.”
“For dessert there's halo halo (like the Chinese ABC ice dessert) and my favorite, The banana turon (wrapped in a flour skin then deep fried with sugar).”
“When I moved to Bergen County and heard about this place, my heart danced with joy!”
Mama Fina’s House of Filipino Sisig
Take-out: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
PokéStop Nearby: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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After trying trays of Mama Fina's pork/chicken sisig at several Filipino family parties, I was an automatic fan and knew I had to check this place out for dinner. My boyfriend's best friends came up to visit from Philly last weekend- they're huuge fans of sisig, so what a perfect excuse to make the trip over to Mama Fina's!
Before arriving, I called ahead to ask what time they closed. Thank goodness I did since their operating hours have changed and hasn't updated online. Arranged to meet up early Saturday evening at 6PM. Parking wasn't an issue and we found an open table right by the window.
I went straight to the cashier and ordered enough plates for the table to share: Pork Sisig, Pusit Sisig, Bangus, and Chicken Adobo with Lumpia Shanghai. We all came super hungry, especially since we've all drove a good distance to be here.
While I would like to give the food 4 stars, we weren't served until AN ENTIRE HOUR LATER, even past their closing time of 7PM… It's a good thing our group had a lot to catch up on to pass the time, but a full hour wait is a bit excessive. Disappointed in my first visit here, but perhaps there'll be a time for redemption if I'm ever in the area again.
Mama Fina's House of Filipino Sisig takes me back to sitting at a bar/lounge in Manila with my cousins the last time I visited enjoying pulutan (think the Philippine's version of tapas). You'd all be sitting around a table sharing good drinks and conversation when a plate of sizzling sisig (pork belly) is brought to your table for all to share. The one thing I can say with ease is that Mama Fina's does it right, making some of the best pork sisig I have ever had, whether back in Manila or here in the states.
Other dishes that need mentioning that I have ordered over time here are the Bistek (seasoned steak and onions), lumpia (Filipino egg rolls), tocino (sweet spice cured pork), kare-kare (oxtail with peanut sauce – which I am not a huge fan of generally, but will eat it here), longanisa (Filipino sweet or spicy sausage), and the crispy pata (deep fried pig knuckles). Every single one of these is done well at Mama Fina's, better than most other Filipino restaurants in the area. But once again, the real standout here is their namesake, sisig. Make sure you order this as well!
Last notes of advice: 1) it is street parking on a main street. Usually end up finding parking down one of the side streets. 2) Cash only!
A friend of mine recommended this hole in the wall, packed with some awesome goodness Filipino joint.
When I walked in I was not sure if the food's going to be good or not since it was kinda divey and not your typical normal restaurant. This is the type of restaurant where the local Filipinos would get their meal when they miss some authentic Filipino food.
Ohh btw, the menu is in Filipino and good food usually comes from menu that's not written in English.
We got a little excited and had ourselves a gluttonous meatfest for lunch. We ordered squid sisig which was super duper crispy, awesome, flavor bomb all around.
Lechon Kawali, talking about meat perfection-juicy and crispy skin!
Crispy Pata (super crispy pork shank)-deliciously rich.
Now, some of you might think how the hell is he going to finish all those rich, decadent, and delicious dishes. Well, I was meat slapped and defeated. As I was eating those delicious food, in my head I'm thinking I wish that they would serve it with some kind of sauce/sides that will cut down the richness so you could keep eating more.
The only reason why I didn't give five stars were because dining area, they don't take plastic (like seriously, it's 2016. No AMEX is understandable).
Worth the trip!
I've been craving legit Filipino food since my visit to the Philippines, so I was pretty stoked to get a tip about Mama Fina's. The place itself feels authentic; it's very small and no-frills, and it clearly gets a lot of love from the local Filipinos.
As soon as you walk in, head straight for the counter to order your food. I got the pork sisig and the palabok to share before nabbing a window-front tabletop. Our food came out pretty shortly and had me salivating instantly. The sisig was my favorite and I'm definitely coming back for more. The texture is great; the meat is soft, but there's some cracklings to add crunch. Portion sizes are great and it's pretty cost efficient for how full you are after!
My only complaint would be the bathrooms and the servers. I had difficulty explaining to a server that I was looking for the bathroom. She muttered at me in Tagalog a bit and then disappeared to go do something else. I only discovered later (via Yelp!) that the bathroom is through the kitchen.
Overall, I'm a fan and Mama Fina's has become my go-to Filipino food spot!
I can't believe I have never reviewed Mama Fina's!
I have been a loyal customer since they had set up shop in the old Bergen Mall (pre-Bergen Town Center). I followed them to their location in Bergenfield and then again to when they moved to their current location in Elmwood Park.
Ever since Bergen Mall, the quality of Mama Fina's food has never gone down. I've always loved all the Filipino dishes they offer, especially the sisig. There are so many different types of sisig and they all come out piping hot in a little cast iron skillet. This is hands down, the best sisig you'll ever taste anywhere. I've brought eaters who are reluctant to try new cuisine and have absolutely fallen in love with Mama FIna's sisigs and Filipino food.
If you've never had Filipino food before, I definitely think you should try Mama Fina's and if you have, definitely come here too! It's so delicious.
This place is amazing. I was referred by a friend of mine and I wasn't disappointed. We ordered the squid and bistek sisig. The bistec was good but that squid is the ultimate. I never thought I would love squid so much. Definitely coming back to this place.
BRING CASH!!
SISIG (I was told it's pronounced "see-sig") is what I always come here for….well it is called Mama Finas House of Sisig…..
I always get the pork sisig….when it comes out its sizzling…be careful because it's HOT….and oh soooo good. Crispy pork bits with chopped red onions, great seasoning and just awesome on garlic white rice. My absolute fave here. My second fave is the tuna sisig.
The other faves is the bistec….comes out sizzling and the sautéed onions makes it so flavorful. Great over white rice too.
Here's some tips:
– you walk straight to the counter and place your order then sit and wait for your food to come to you
– Pay after you finish eating
– no wi-fi
– bathroom is quite an obstacle to get to because you literally pass through the kitchen
– Parking is off street….read the signs because sometimes you can't park on certain streets on Saturdays from 9a-6p
– you can call to reserve a table if you have a large party
The service is ok….the cashier can somewhat be rude at times especially if your not sure what you want but I can't help but want their sisig. Other than that….the food hits the spot. I also love their tortang talong (broiled eggplant omelet).
If you haven't had filipino food….great spot to try.
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Hands down the best sisig, I've ever had! Oily but amazingly delicious! Pork sisig is a must… Fast service and tasty food, doesn't get any better than that. Only down fall is that it's cash only, but prices are more than reasonable!
Total hole in the wall joint with limited seating, so smaller groups are probably best! Definitely a must try! Plan on going back for more on my next day off!!