Staten Island’s only Filipino restaurant to close Nov. 30th

By Cristina DC Pastor

Staten Island will lose its only Filipino sit-down restaurant on November 30, when Phil-Am Kusina closes its doors after a decade of feeding the borough’s Filipino American community.

“After a wonderful decade serving you, we have decided to close our restaurant doors on November 30th,” the restaurant announced on its website.

Owner and chef Emanuel “Manny” Imperial confirmed to The FilAm, “I believe we are the only Filipino restaurant in Staten Island.”

He said the decision came as the restaurant’s lease approached its end. Rather than renew, the family chose to launch a new venture in Brooklyn called Aloha Alley.

“I was inspired to open a Hawaiian restaurant after spending some time in Oahu,” he said, while noting he has not finalized whether the menu will be strictly Hawaiian. “We noticed many Hawaiian restaurants, eateries, and food trucks served Filipino dishes alongside Hawaiian food.”

Phil-Am Kusina, located at 556 Tompkins Avenue, will shut down, but the family’s grocery store Phil-Am Food Mart at 527 Tompkins Avenue will remain open. A Staten Island staple for 40 years, the grocery is known for its wide selection of Filipino canned goods, sauces, fresh produce, seafood, and fruits. Both businesses are owned by the Imperial family from Baao, Bicol.

“Our grocery store across the street will continue to serve popular Phil-Am Kusina dishes available for takeout and delivery,” he said.

“Salamat for the memories,” wrote the Staten Island Advance, calling the closure the end of a “flavorful 10-year chapter” in the borough’s food history.

In 2016, Manny launched the Sisig City food truck to bring Phil-Am Kusina favorites — including Sisig, Grilled Liempo, and Lechon Kawali — to Filipinos in Manhattan and Woodside, Queens. The family intends to continue exploring new food concepts and locations as it grows its presence across New York City.

Looking back, Manny described the three years of COVID as a “major challenge,” one that the grocery helped them survive by providing a channel for their cooked dishes.

“It’s always been a labor of love for the community,” he said, reflecting on how Phil-Am Kusina offered Filipinos “a space to be proud of, sharing food and culture with non-Filipino friends and with one another.”