Papa’s Kitchen former Woodside location at 65-40 Woodside Ave. (NYC ZoLa)
Oct. 31, 2018 By Nathaly Pesantez
Papa’s Kitchen, the Filipino restaurant operating out of Woodside for the past six years, will be relocating to a new venue in Jackson Heights.
The restaurant, which opened in a tiny space at 65-40 Woodside Ave. in 2012, said it is moving to 37-07 83rd St., right in the heart of Jackson Heights, and planning on opening some time in November.
It’s last day at the Woodside location was on Oct. 28.
The family-run restaurant has steadily gained a large following over the years for its modern take on traditional Filipino foods, offering dishes like lechon kawali, crispy pata, pancit, and more that constantly see rave reviews by guests and food critics alike.
Many restaurant-goers also reveled in the restaurant’s small size and frequent karaoke sing-alongs.
The new location, while yet to open, will be significantly larger than the Woodside Avenue spot, with 50 seats and a small bar to boast, according to Beth Roa, who runs Papa’s Kitchen with her brother, Miguel.
She promises, however, that the new location will still feel intimate, and karaoke will absolutely remain.
“The challenge is going to be more fun. I have to encourage 50 people to sing,” she said with a slight laugh.
Roa said the restaurant’s relocation comes after they were faced with an increase in rent that would have proven difficult to pay with the 15 seats at the constantly-packed Woodside space, where they often had to turn diners away or limit how long they could dine in.
“The place is too small to actually come up with that amount of money at the end of the month,” she said.
The new restaurant will also allow for an expanded menu, with possibilities like seafood nights and even chicken, beef, and pork barbecue (ihawan).
“We want to do more Filipino food so we can showcase what we have,” she said.
The owners are also in the process of obtaining a full liquor license for the venue, which the Woodside location did not have.
The opening date, they say, will be announced on social media.
“I’m just excited to see everyone when we open again,” Roa said.
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4 Comments
So hit it on the Head..Pure Greedy landlords..PENNY WISE,POUND FOOLISH..GREAT THOUGHT AL..SPOT ON
Yet another short-sighted landlord shooting him/herself in the foot. Good for Papa’s Kitchen for making a great go of it I’m a very tough location. Hope they do well in Jack Heights.
Damn Antifa forcing businesses to close again!
Better Ingredients. Better Ihawan. Papa’s Kitchen.