Pinoy Pam’s Best

Reviews

• Ken W.

  star star star star star 9 July 2026

  Update:
  
  There are a lot of lies here in the reviews.   We have been coming here for years.
  
  Just a note.   I am WHITE and my spouse is Filipino.
  
  The comments about refusing Filipino people is a lie.   The comments about triple charging white people is a lie.
  
  Pay attention.   Not all dishes are the same price.  The seafood items, stuffed fish,.. BBQ and other items are different than the rest.  This nonsense about being ignored is ridiculous.   There are staff that restock the food.   They DO NOT TAKE your order.   Why you would insist on that is beyond me.   It is a cafeteria style with 1-2 food servers and 1 -2 people at the register.
  
  Just because you are standing somewhere does NOT mean you are the most important person in the world.
  
  The service is great and you wait your turn. If your self - importance is so high that you cannot manage simple manners,..  that is YOUR FAULT.
  
  I do not speak Tagalog but have no problem getting stuff ordered.   Really.
  
  You gotta get their homemade pickled green mango,.. the chicken Filipino salad,..  the empanadas,..   so much good stuff.
  
  Ignore the crazy reviews where people post stories with 1 star reviews with crazy stories.   They are going to be dishonest reviews - or as your momma taught you,..  it is a Lie.   Something about bearing false witness.
  
  Reading these posts,...   I see the 1 star review.   Funny story -  we were there that day, the exact same time - sitting next to them and heard and watched and experienced the entire story and attitude.
  
  The customers were difficult and unpleasant as soon as they were in line.   It was embarrassing to see how they treated staff.   They were behind us in line.
  
  The staff were amazingly polite considering the rude behavior, the superior attitude of the customer and the obnoxious behavior.
  
  Then we watched them eat their food.   They ate most of it then wanted to return it for a refund.
  
  They ate the plates of food and wanted to return it.
  
  It was embarrassing to sit there and listen to the tirade of words and attitude.  
  
  Pam's is a great spot for home cooked style food.  Saturday's are the best day to go as they have tons of choices.
  
  Pam's style is regional and not all regions fix their food the same way.
  
  When you are ordering food -  you can easily choose what you want.  It's right there.   You can see it.
  
  It's all right there.
  
  As far as the grocery store,.. we get stuff there too.
  
  Here is a reminder on how you should behave when you talk to people.   Be nice.   Don't be a Darn Rude inconsiderate person.  
  
  We have been eating there for years and love everyone there.  They know us and we know them.
  
  I would never talk to ANYONE or treat ANYONE the way I watched these customers treat them.
  
  I know Filipino people and what I experienced that day was shocking and horrid.
  
  I think that someone did not get the sandal, flip-flop or wooden spoon used often enough on their hiney.

• Reese J.

  star star star_border star_border star_border 4 July 2026

  If I had reviewed Pinoy's Pam's Best 4 years ago, I would have given 4 stars. Then, the food was amazing, the servers were kind and helpful and they even added  a mini mart which is convenient.
  The reason for my two-star rating today is because the last few times I have visited, the service and the food are not the same. What used to be the kind and helpful servers have had attitudes the last few times - one visit, one server did not want to explain some charges on my receipt, she huffed and puffed and rolled her eyes a few times; another time, I walked out feeling like I was in their way and it was a burden for them to put my order together.
  I've been going here for years, I have probably had every single item on their menu, I've dealt with the clutter and the disorganized racks, I've waited in their long lines all because I knew the food was worth it. But I'm finding out that the calamari I typically order that is usually fresh and yummy is now stale and hard because they have turned to refrying the calamari and the chicken empanada that is usually simple and tasty is now mixed with other ingredients and is not to my liking.
  I've been loyal but I think it's time to venture to a different go-to pinoy restaurant. Yelp reviewers - I'm open to suggestions :)

• Nette T.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 1 July 2026

  I don't care for the place too clutter no
  organization ,service too slow too expensive
  Service is bad not friendly at all. The food too greasy .

• Laurence W.

  star star star star star 28 June 2026

  In So County there really aren't too many Pinoy establishments. This establishment is located in Lake Forest which makes it nice if you have a few items to pick up and don't want to trek to Irvine or Cerritos or Carson. My wife stops by this place occasionally. Personally, I haven't tried the food here at this establishment. The food is served from a glass case that you can see and point out what you want. I have always found that the people working here as friendly and helpful. The Calamansi drinks that I have bought here were good. My wife buys a few items from the grocery part of this establishment. This place is a " limited " one stop shop if you live in the general area. I don't mind driving to the other areas for more variety of Pinoy establishments. This establishment offers a local choice if in or around Lake Forest, if purchasing Pinoy food and grocery items.

• Jason G.

  star star star star star_border 16 June 2026

  My experience at Pinoy Pam's has been better last couple of times so adding a star. They really fill a niche in the market and serve a large variety of authentic filipino food and desserts that you would be hard pressed to find elsewhere. Just stick to what looks fresh and you should be good. Favorites include: fresh pandesal bread, sliced mangoes with bagoong, leche flan, steamed mani, halo halo, and whatever food is just made.