Day 55 of eating at 100 Asian restaurants in Maryland took me to one of my go-to Filipino spots, and I feel totally comfortable calling this one a hidden gem because, lol, the exterior’s pretty unassuming. But that’s exactly the kind of place you want to know about.
James Fiesta Grill sits in an unfussy Parkville strip and quietly puts out some of my favorite Filipino food in the area, made fresh to order instead of sitting under heat lamps. The lechon kawali comes out SUPER crispy, and their James’ Special Pancit Bihon might be my favorite pancit in all of Maryland, which is not a small claim. If you’re looking for real-deal Filipino comfort food in Baltimore County, this is a must-visit, so don’t let the low-key storefront fool you. Come hungry and save room for dessert.
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What Makes James Fiesta Grill an ELITE Filipino Restaurant in Parkville
What I appreciate most about James Fiesta Grill’s that everything’s cooked fresh to order, not the steam-table turo-turo setup you’ll find at a lot of Filipino spots (which has its place, but this is a different experience). That matters especially for the lechon kawali, where the fresh fry is the whole point. It’s tucked into the back side of a Parkville shopping center, so it genuinely flies under the radar, but the food punches way above the storefront. James Fiesta Grill also made my list of the best Filipino restaurants in Maryland, and once you taste that pancit you’ll get why it earned the spot.
What to Order at James Fiesta Grill
Here’s everything we got, plus what I’d tell you to build your order around.
Lechon Kawali with Garlic Rice ($14.70)
You definitely need to get an order of this! The lechon kawali comes out SUPER crispy and so good, that crackling-skin, tender-pork situation that makes this dish famous. Make sure you upgrade to the garlic rice too, it’s a move you won’t regret.
James’ Special Pancit Bihon ($13.95)
This is probably my fave pancit in Maryland, no exaggeration. There are a lot of versions of this dish out there, but I really love theirs. Pancit bihon’s made with stir-fried thin rice noodles, and they load it up with different proteins (think fishcake, chicken, and pork) plus lots of veggies, THEN top it all with lechon kawali. It’s just SO good!
Sizzling Pork Sisig ($17.50)
This was my first time getting the sisig here, served with an egg and garlic rice, and I’ll be honest, it’s not my favorite thing on the menu, but it’s still tasty. I always love capturing that sizzle when it hits the table, lol. Worth a try if you’re a sisig fan, though the lechon kawali and pancit are still the two I’d build my order around.
For Dessert: Halo-Halo
Make sure you save room and get their halo-halo. They top theirs with ice cream and leche flan, and it’s a great way to end the meal. If you’re building a bigger spread, the menu also runs deep with Filipino classics like lumpia Shanghai, kare-kare, dinuguan, and pinakbet.
What Is Lechon Kawali?
If you’re new to it, lechon kawali’s deep-fried pork belly, and it’s a Filipino favorite for good reason. The pork’s typically boiled first to get it tender and render some fat, then fried until the skin turns brittle and crisp while the inside stays juicy. It’s the pan-fried cousin of the whole-roasted lechon you might see at a Filipino party, and it’s usually served with a tangy dipping sauce to cut the richness. At James Fiesta Grill, the fresh-fried version’s exactly why you don’t want to skip it.
Why It’s One of My Go-To Filipino Spots
I keep coming back to James Fiesta Grill because it nails the stuff that matters: fresh cooking and flavors that are just really, really good. It’s the kind of unpretentious neighborhood spot I want more people to know about. I didn’t get to try their Maiz Con Hielo this visit (a Filipino sweet corn shaved-ice dessert), but I’ve heard it’s SO good, and I’m definitely coming back for it once it warms up. That’s the sign of a good spot, I’m already planning the next order.
The Vibe and Experience
This is a low-key, no-frills Parkville spot where the food’s the star, not the setting. It sits in the Loch Ridge shopping center, tucked around the back of the strip, which is exactly why it flies under the radar. It’s easy and casual, and there’s plenty of parking right out front. Since everything’s made to order, it’s worth calling ahead or ordering online if you’re on a tight schedule. Plan to leave full and happy.
Good to Know
- 📍 8428 Willow Oak Rd, Parkville, MD 21234, in the Loch Ridge shopping center
- Hours: Wednesday to Saturday 11 to 7:30PM, Sunday 11 to 6PM, closed Monday and Tuesday
- Price range’s inexpensive, most plates land in the low-to-mid teens
- Plenty of parking on site
- Takeout and online ordering are available, plus delivery through DoorDash and Uber Eats
- There are vegetarian options on the menu, and they do party trays and catering
- Order ahead through their online ordering page
Is James Fiesta Grill Worth the Drive?
Absolutely, it’s already in my regular rotation. For anyone who wants fresh, made-to-order Filipino food in Baltimore County without the fuss, this is a must, especially that lechon kawali and pancit bihon. If you’re exploring the Parkville food scene, Pho Saigon Hanoi, also in Parkville, is another great bite, and for more Filipino eats around the DMV, Manila Mart in Beltsville is worth a trip too.
Have you guys been to James Fiesta Grill yet?! LMK your go-to Filipino order in the comments, Nomsters, I’m always looking to expand my rotation. Save this one and bring your appetite!