PARDON THE PICTURES, but I just drove by Roosevelt Avenue early this morning and took these shots with my bad camera. Yes, Jollibee, that popular Filipino fast food chain, is opening its first branch on the East Coast, right in the heart of Manilatown in Woodside by the 7 train. As you can see, the place is still boarded up (the place used to be a Mexican restaurant), but the ads are already there. Though I am not a big fan of fast food, I know a lot of other Queens Pinoys are rejoicing. One thing is sure: it will bring much-needed jobs to kabayans. Mabuhay!
UPDATE (02/14/2009): According to the owner of the Jollibee franchise in New York, the fastfood joint is going to open Saturday, February 14 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Seating capacity is 70 people, but according their Facebook events page, about 1,200 are already attending. Thanks, Buj, for the information! Although I am working on Valentine's Day, Sara and Mom will go and try to get in. Below are the latest pictures, thanks to New York Magazine and Serious Eats New York.
UPDATE (02/20/2009): Almost a week after the grand opening, people still have to wait in long lines to be served. Still no telephone number. I guess they will give it out when all the novelty and mania subside. Hey, at least for the moment, they already have enough people to worry about!
UPDATE (02/27/2009): Lines not as bad. Winter schedule: Lines open 8 am to 8 pm on weekdays, and 7 am to 8 pm on weekends. And finally, here's their menu and phone number!
Jollibee, 62-29 Roosevelt Avenue, Woodside, Queens, New York 11377, phone (718) 426-4445
Good day! Do you know if the soft opening on Feb. 14 will still push through? My family and I want to celebrate at Jollibee on Valentine's Day! Thanks!
ReplyDeletethe line is punishing going inside the place-"loooong" line and it takes 5-6 hours before the costumer gets in and makes her/his order,jolibee marketing must think of something to solve this crisis,customers sometimes have kids and it's sad seeing them standing in line with this east coast weather,we are happy the pride of fastfood from pinas is here but i hope they try to resource on solving this unforgiving line,is it really worth it?i know popeyes chicken may modestly be even better!may this letter reach the mgt. of jolibee in queens,because pinoy like us are longing for this but we may be dismayed and may not come back for more!
ReplyDeleteto anonymous... what do you want jollibee mgmt to do? take your order in advance and just ask for you to come back at a more convenient time "to you"... it is your choice if you want to get on line for 5 hours or not... same rule applies to the "black friday line people" or the people who camped out just to get the new iPhone... unless you're a celebrity or Obama... you will have to suffer the line like the rest of us... I have a friend who lives 2 blocks and up to now she hasn't been able to taste the "langhap sarap", but that's her choice... don't spin some negativity on this just because your inconvenienced... and another thing... how dare you compare this to popeye's... and you call yourself a filipino... and the threat of not coming back if this is not resolved? good... less "you" on the line and more jollibee for us...
ReplyDeleteThey should give out numbers like Joe's Shanghai. That way people have the option to wait outside and wait for their numbers to be called or go somewhere and come back. If customers don't come back before their numbers are called, then it's on them. But at least they're given options. I was there today with my friend and her son. I don't mind standing outside in the cold but for a child, it could be excruciating.
ReplyDeletehi;D
ReplyDeletethanks alot for the phone number & the menu..
i have been lookin for it for sooo looong...
take care~
I wonder if the entrees taste the same like what's serve in PI? Has anyone tried the food there yet?
ReplyDeletebeen there 3 times, food taste great... aloha burger is good... but to me, still regular yum... simple, original...
ReplyDeleteThey should added 2nd floor and PA system so all customers can eat in the table,enjoying the foods and could hear the order clearly instead of screaming calling their names. But other than that, the foods were delicious (spaghetti,chicken joy and aloha).
ReplyDeleteI recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. Anyway, I'm been looking for topics as interesting as this. Looking forward to your next post.
ReplyDelete-megan-
thanks for the jollibee pictures --- mabuti pa sa blog mo, nandoon yung phone number, whereas sa ibang sites, no phone #'s at all! :-D
ReplyDelete