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Kuya Lord is an elevated fast casual concept by Chef Lord Maynard Llera featuring regional Filipino dishes that he grew up eating in Lucena City, Quezon Province, Philippines. While the food harkens back to his childhood, Chef Maynard applies his classical techniques in enhancing and reinventing traditional Filipino dishes.
Hours
| Friday | 11 AM–3:30 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–3:30 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–3:30 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–3 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–3 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–3 PM, 5–9 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 5003 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Website: https://kuyalord.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Order: Order online
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
Kuya Lord: Filipino Restaurant, Los Angeles
The monicker “Kuya Lord” is derived from the Tagalog word for “older brother” combined with the chef’s name “Lord Maynard.” This was also the name of the garage …
Kuya Lord™️ (@kuyalord_la) · Los Angeles, CA – Instagram
46K followers · 487 posts · 2024 @beardfoundation Best Chef California @cheflordmaynard ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 @latimesfood:101 BestRestaurants 2023 …
Kuya Lord | Los Angeles CA – Facebook
Kuya Lord, Los Angeles. 2512 likes · 137 talking about this · 1530 were here. Kuya Lord is an elevated fast casual restaurant concept by Chef Lord…
Reviews
Ali F.
Kuya Lord has been on my list for quite some time, and this was actually my first experience with Filipino cuisine. The restaurant has a cozy, casual, and lively atmosphere that immediately makes you feel welcome. It’s an intimate space with a fun energy — the kind of place that feels neighborhood-driven and personal.
The service was warm and attentive, though it’s worth noting that the setup leans toward a partial self-service style. Chef Maynard himself was incredibly friendly and engaging — clearly someone who loves what he does and takes pride in sharing his food with guests. That passion is evident and appreciated.
We ordered the Long Tapsilog tray (good for two), which offers a generous sampling. While the flavors were bold and distinctive, I found the overall seasoning to be heavier than expected. The garlic rice, chain noodle, prime rib beef, and especially the sausage leaned noticeably salty. The sausage in particular had a very strong garlic presence — so much so that it overwhelmed the palate and introduced a slightly bitter finish.
That said, I genuinely hope this was a one-time inconsistency. The dedication of the chef and staff is obvious, and there’s a real sense of care behind the concept. I would certainly be open to returning and exploring more of the menu, as the heart and authenticity of the place are clearly there.
… moreThe service was warm and attentive, though it’s worth noting that the setup leans toward a partial self-service style. Chef Maynard himself was incredibly friendly and engaging — clearly someone who loves what he does and takes pride in sharing his food with guests. That passion is evident and appreciated.
We ordered the Long Tapsilog tray (good for two), which offers a generous sampling. While the flavors were bold and distinctive, I found the overall seasoning to be heavier than expected. The garlic rice, chain noodle, prime rib beef, and especially the sausage leaned noticeably salty. The sausage in particular had a very strong garlic presence — so much so that it overwhelmed the palate and introduced a slightly bitter finish.
That said, I genuinely hope this was a one-time inconsistency. The dedication of the chef and staff is obvious, and there’s a real sense of care behind the concept. I would certainly be open to returning and exploring more of the menu, as the heart and authenticity of the place are clearly there.
Cristo
You gotta try this place. Amazing flavors with every bite. Had the lechon bowl. Salad , garlic rice, vinegar dipping….just wow. Chef Lord Maynard Llera was very welcoming. Whether you live in the area, visiting or traveling and want some amazing filipino food, check this place out.
… moreSirinate S
The crispy pork rice bowl is the standout super flavorful, perfectly crispy, and so satisfying. The grilled chicken is good as well, just slightly on the dry side. Service is quick, smooth, and the staff is genuinely friendly. Highly recommend!
… moreDonna L
Omg the food was very good!! Just a warning, portions are on the lighter side for a meal! The meat dishes are all done wonderfully and the sides are light and refreshing (cucumber tomato salad and pickled vegetable). Also seating is limited and chairs themselves aren’t big, so it may be difficult for plus-sized individuals to dine in.
… moreEidmone Tagaca
4.3/5 for the tocilog tray. Java rice was okay but I really liked the longanisa and the beef. The noodles were also decent. The pork lechon was also really good. A bit overpriced for what it’s worth but it’s definitely worth a try.
… moreJB Jose
Tremendous Filipino food. It’s more elevated than home cooking; like refined versions of the dishes you’d have at Filipino gatherings. The eggplant puree in the insalata was unusual but delicious. The crab sauce on the prawns was insanely rich; you could have the sauce and yellow rice by itself. And the pork belly was delicately crispy.
The ambiance was not amazing though. Uncomfortable stool seats and a smoky odor (from the firewood) made for a functional but slightly unpleasant seating.
… moreThe ambiance was not amazing though. Uncomfortable stool seats and a smoky odor (from the firewood) made for a functional but slightly unpleasant seating.
Albert J The Untamed Chef
Small Restaurant with amazing flavor. Great tasting Filipino food definitely some of the best I’ve ever had in my life. Chef Maynard is a master of his craft. It’s also very amazing seeing a chef who has achieved so much and still working his own line. The only problems I had there is absolutely no where to park so that will pose a problem unless you’re using a car service.. and it took a while to get our food and all I ordered was two rice bowls. Like I said it’s a small restaurant and everything is cooked to order. & a little bit pricey but if you’re a real foodie and you will appreciate it… I will definitely go back
… moreRaoul Tamayo
5 star Filipino Food!!! Hard to give Filipino food a five star since I think my grandmother and mom are the best Filipino cook lol.
Got lucky to get a table for lunch when we arrived at 1130 on Sunday.
Menu is limited but can’t go wrong on trying a selection. We got the Lucerna LeChon plate, special dish- eggplant and tomatoes, and hiramasa collar. All dish were cooked perfectly- the LeChon was juicy and had crispy skin with accompanying achara (pickled vegetable, garlic fried rice, chami noodles. The grilled eggplant with burrata, and tomatoes dish was excellent- the flavor combination is amazing. Love the Almond wood-grilled Hiramasa collars with pickled veggies, dipping sauces: toyemans and chile garlic oil.
Didn’t make to desert but the calamansi pie looks great. They do have a house made homey calamansi hibiscus juice- very refreshing.
The place is smallish having 5 tables but seems have access for outdoor seating infront and outside. Parking is street meter parking. They do have a restroom on the back.
Definitely worth trying. And congrats to the James Beard Award.
… moreGot lucky to get a table for lunch when we arrived at 1130 on Sunday.
Menu is limited but can’t go wrong on trying a selection. We got the Lucerna LeChon plate, special dish- eggplant and tomatoes, and hiramasa collar. All dish were cooked perfectly- the LeChon was juicy and had crispy skin with accompanying achara (pickled vegetable, garlic fried rice, chami noodles. The grilled eggplant with burrata, and tomatoes dish was excellent- the flavor combination is amazing. Love the Almond wood-grilled Hiramasa collars with pickled veggies, dipping sauces: toyemans and chile garlic oil.
Didn’t make to desert but the calamansi pie looks great. They do have a house made homey calamansi hibiscus juice- very refreshing.
The place is smallish having 5 tables but seems have access for outdoor seating infront and outside. Parking is street meter parking. They do have a restroom on the back.
Definitely worth trying. And congrats to the James Beard Award.
Pauline Villarin
We were excited to try this restaurant, especially given its James Beard recognition, but unfortunately, our experience fell short of expectations.
While I understand that there isn’t traditional table service, the staff’s demeanor was quite off-putting. We stood at the counter for about five minutes, during which the staff cleared dishes without any acknowledgment or greeting. A simple “We’ll be right with you” would have made a difference.
Our party of three ordered the Lucenachon tray, and I inquired about substituting the Chami noodles with sotanghon. We received a firm “No,” which was disappointing, so we opted for a separate order of sotanghon with prawns.
Sadly, the food was excessively salty, leaving a lingering tingling sensation on my tongue long after the meal. While the lechon skin was delightfully crunchy, that was about the only highlight. The sotanghon didn’t impress either, and we struggled to finish our meals due to the overwhelming saltiness.
I also tried the honey calamansi hibiscus juice, which was so sweet that I had to dilute it with water, ultimately leading to its disposal after several unsuccessful attempts to adjust the flavor. There seems to be a pattern of heavy-handedness in the dishes, which may not align with Chef Lord’s vision. Clearly, there’s a need for better quality control.
Overly salty food and even saltier staff attitude? No thanks. I’m not inclined to return. The warmth and hospitality typically associated with Filipino culture were absent here, and I can easily find friendlier service at many other Filipino establishments in LA.
… moreWhile I understand that there isn’t traditional table service, the staff’s demeanor was quite off-putting. We stood at the counter for about five minutes, during which the staff cleared dishes without any acknowledgment or greeting. A simple “We’ll be right with you” would have made a difference.
Our party of three ordered the Lucenachon tray, and I inquired about substituting the Chami noodles with sotanghon. We received a firm “No,” which was disappointing, so we opted for a separate order of sotanghon with prawns.
Sadly, the food was excessively salty, leaving a lingering tingling sensation on my tongue long after the meal. While the lechon skin was delightfully crunchy, that was about the only highlight. The sotanghon didn’t impress either, and we struggled to finish our meals due to the overwhelming saltiness.
I also tried the honey calamansi hibiscus juice, which was so sweet that I had to dilute it with water, ultimately leading to its disposal after several unsuccessful attempts to adjust the flavor. There seems to be a pattern of heavy-handedness in the dishes, which may not align with Chef Lord’s vision. Clearly, there’s a need for better quality control.
Overly salty food and even saltier staff attitude? No thanks. I’m not inclined to return. The warmth and hospitality typically associated with Filipino culture were absent here, and I can easily find friendlier service at many other Filipino establishments in LA.
Alex Xander
This place is simply outstanding.
I stopped by for dinner on Friday evening and my food was ready before I could even sit down! The cashier was super friendly and helped with questions and describing menu items.
I went with the a la cart 8oz lucenachon, java garlic rice, and the honey calamansi juice.
The rice is one of the best rice I’ve ever had. It’s soft yet firm, moist, without being mushy or overcooked, and has so much amazing garlic flavor without being overpowering.
The pork was amazing. The meat was juicy and tender while the skin was thin and so crispy crunchy without being greasy.
I am a bit torn on the drink. It’s more bitter than I expected but I think the bitterness comes from the honey? I don’t know how tart a calamansi is but this wasn’t like a lemonade drink. It’s nice to have the contrast from the salty and savory foods though!
Overall, a fantastic meal and I will gladly return
… moreI stopped by for dinner on Friday evening and my food was ready before I could even sit down! The cashier was super friendly and helped with questions and describing menu items.
I went with the a la cart 8oz lucenachon, java garlic rice, and the honey calamansi juice.
The rice is one of the best rice I’ve ever had. It’s soft yet firm, moist, without being mushy or overcooked, and has so much amazing garlic flavor without being overpowering.
The pork was amazing. The meat was juicy and tender while the skin was thin and so crispy crunchy without being greasy.
I am a bit torn on the drink. It’s more bitter than I expected but I think the bitterness comes from the honey? I don’t know how tart a calamansi is but this wasn’t like a lemonade drink. It’s nice to have the contrast from the salty and savory foods though!
Overall, a fantastic meal and I will gladly return