The Angry Jew

The rantings of an Angry Jew in The Pacific Northwest

Part of getting out of one of my funks is to get myself out of the house so I decided last night to treat myself to dinner out.  What I found as I wandered Hillsboro was a dream come true.  Yes Virginia, there is quality Filipino food in Portland!!!!

My love affair with Filipino cooking goes back to my navy days, when Subic Bay was my carriers 2nd home.  We would stop there at the beginning and end of each cruise.  Once I got a taste of REAL Filipino cooking, there was no stopping me.  I was hooked.  Adobo, Caldereta, Ox Tails, I just couldn’t get enough.

I was able to feed my addiction on my return to Los Angeles, where there is a large Filipino population.  Then came my move to Montana and then a year later, Portland.  Here in the Rose City,  I had a neighbor who was Filipina, and every once in a while she would treat me to some of her Lumpia, a Filipino take on egg rolls, and that would quiet my cravings for a bit, but I still could not locate the delicacies that I craved.

Until last night.

Quit by accident, I stumbled across J.P. Cuisine, a take out/catering place located in a strip mall on Tualatin Valley Highway in Hillsboro and Jocelyn, the owner/chef who made her dream a reality.

Until a few months ago, this lovely lady was an engineer a Portland electronics company.  With the support of her husband and two children, she set out to bring Filipino food to the masses and I have to say, she excels at it.

When I walked in the door, I was greeted warmly and before I could look over the menu, she began offering me samples of what was cooking.  I was as surprising yet wholly unnecessary gesture.  My eyes had already located what my stomach craved.

I ordered the Pork Adobo with Pancit , a Filipino Chow Mein made of noodles and vegetables.  To round out my meal, I ordered my beloved Lumpia and a can of Pepsi to wash it down.  She packed it in foam containers in no time flat, but there was no way I was going to be able to make it home.  I availed myself of one of the two tables she has available and dug right in.

The Adobo had just the right amount of spice and was falling apart tender.  The Pancit noodles were great with the veggies crisp/tender.  A wedge of lime to squeeze over it would have transported me back to the streets of Olongapo City, but I was not going to quibble.

I saved the best for last.  The Lumpia.  Stuffed with veggies and fried crispy, but not greasy, absolute perfection.  They were served with a side of sweet and sour, which was great, but I would have given anything for a bottle of banana sauce to go with them.  (Think of a sweet Ketchup, its a Filipino condiment that is an acquired taste.)

By the time I finished the last bite I was stuffed and happy.

You can tell by talking to her that Jocelyn is passionate about her cooking, and her large, well appointed kitchen stands ready to fill large catering orders.

Prices are incredible, with an order of Pancit and 2 entree’s  a meager $5.50.  Toss in a 3 piece order of Lumpia, you are looking at $2.99 more.  Hell, you can spend less then that at Burger King and not eat half as well.  A 25 piece party platter of Lumpia will run you $23.50 and $25.00 will get you a half size platter of pancit, more then enough to feed a good size crew.

Just remember that catering orders do require 1 days notice.

I just can’t say enough good things about J.P. Cuisine.  If you love Filipino food or are just looking for something different, you have got to try this place.  Tell Jocelyn The Angry Jew sent you.

J.P. Cuisine is located at 1895 SE Tualatin Valley Highway in The Crimson Corner Mall.  Hours are from 10:30 am to 8:30 pm Wednesday through Friday; 4:00pm to 8:30pm Saturday; 11:00 am to 8:00pm Sunday.  Delivery available for 5 or more orders.

(503) 681-9738