Tampa’s Manila Eats hosts Sunday night market to celebrate Filipino Independence Day

Complete with jeprox, too.

By Ray Roa on Tue, Jun 18, 2024 at 3:04 pm

Tampa’s Manila Eats hosts Sunday night market to celebrate Filipino Independence Day

Manila-Eats/Facebook

While June 12 is the official Independence Day, marking the day in 1898 when the Phillippines broke free of Spanish rule, Filipinos spend the whole month celebrating the independence for the nation made up of more than 7,000 islands.

And while expats are divided on whether or not President Bongbong Marcos is good for the country (his father was an ousted dictator accused of human-rights violations, and found to have ransacked billions of dollars of state money), nothing—absolutely nothing—will stop Filipinos from throwing a party with big ol’ plates of food.

In the working class neighborhood of Palmetto Beach, Filipino restaurant Manila Eats teams up with the Juju Taiyaki to celebrate “Kalayaan” (aka “liberty” and “freedom”).

There’ll be a little Japanese (Juju, Sugar House Confectionary) and Thai flavor on site (Chada), but the rest of the lineup is pure Pinoy, from the desserts (Yumsty's, Reyzen’s), grill (Maya’s Merienda) and gloriously-funky fish thanks to Salt’n Fish which produces jeprox (crispy fried smelt), bagoóng (shrimp paste, IFYKYK, pictured), and dried fish, too.

There’s no cover for the Kalayaan Celebration Night Market happening Sunday, June 23 at Tampa’s Manila Eats.

Slideshow

20 Tampa Bay Filipino restaurants and eateries everyone should try at least once

Lucky Tigre 1101 S Howard Ave. Suite B, Tampa This sari sari-inspired walk-up concept has occupied its little SoHo parcel for about a year now, and it’s definitely South Tampa’s go-to spot for Filipino-American dumplings, bao buns, milk tea and lumpia. It’s also probably the only place in all of Tampa Bay where you’ll be able to find vegan and dairy-free halo halo, complete with homemade ube ice cream. Owner and Tampa native Julie Michelle Sainte Feliciano plans to open a larger, full-service version of Lucky Tigre in West Tampa. Photo via theluckytigre/Instagram

Masarap Bowls food truck Various locations throughout Tampa Online Tampa foodie groups have been gushing about this new food truck since it opened a few years ago. Masarap serves all of the classic Filipino entrees, from sisig (sizzling pork cheek) to BBQ skewers, in a build-your-own-bowl style that lets you choose your base, protein, and sauces inspired by different regions of the country. It posts daily about where its parked, specialty dishes of the day, or if the truck is sold-out of something—so keep an eye on Facebook for updates. Photo via masarapbowls/Facebook

Matas Philippine Cuisine 4350 W Waters Ave. No. 102, Tampa After decades of operating a stand at Tampas annual PhilFest, Delio and Ellen Mata decided to open their own brick-and-mortar in early 2020. After trying Matas pinakbetan indigenous Illocano dish from northern PhilippinesCreative Loafing Tampa Bay's s food reviewer, John Palmer Claridge, stated it exhibits layers of satisfying flavor; you really cant go wrong. Adorned with statues of baby Jesus, money trees, and the sound of a Filipino soap opera faintly playing in the background, Matas is the type of place where you leave feeling like family. Photo by Melissa Santell

Filipiniana Philippine Cafe 3848 W Waters Ave., Tampa Strip mall neighbors with fellow popular Southeast Asian eatery Saigon Deli, Filipiniana Philippine Cafe offers a balanced menu that highlights both the savory and sweet side of Filipino cuisine. Sweet treats include the beloved halo-halo, shaved ice desserts, ube cakes and freshly-baked pandesal, while traditional dishes like adobo, lumpia and BBQ skewers occupy the entree portion of the menu. The longsilog (sweet pork sausage, served with fried egg and garlic fried rice) is worth the wait, too. Photo by Ray Roa

Jollibee 4057 Park Blvd. N, No. 120, Pinellas Park Not your typical mom-and-pop shop, this global fast food chain occupies a special place in the hearts of Filipinosespecially those who love Jolly Spaghetti. Jollibees menu is also stacked with all sorts of fried chicken and burgers. And if sweet spaghetti sauce with hot dogs isn't your thing, try your hand at another noodle dish called palabok, which is smothered garlic sauce, sauteed pork, shrimp, and hard boiled eggs. Photo via Ogilvy

Tindahang Pinoy 9150 49th St. N, Pinellas Park If you want food thats going to remind you of something your tita cooks, then head to the very back of this tiny Filipino grocery store and take a seat at one of the two tables at Tindahang. Classics like lechon kawali, kare-kare, lumpia, dinuguan and various breakfast silog options are featured on the limited menu. And if you need to send a balikbayan box back home, this all-purpose store has got you covered. Photo via Google Maps

Click to View 20 slides

Tags:

WE LOVE OUR READERS!

Since 1988, CL Tampa Bay has served as the free, independent voice of Tampa Bay, and we want to keep it that way.

Becoming a CL Tampa Bay Supporter for as little as $5 a month allows us to continue offering readers access to our coverage of local news, food, nightlife, events, and culture with no paywalls.

Join today because you love us, too.

About The Author

Ray Roa

Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief in August 2019. Past work can be seen at Suburban Apologist, Tampa Bay Times, Consequence of Sound and The...

Scroll to read more Food & Drink Events articles