Maty’s is a carinderia and local favorite in the south of the metro, long known as a go-to spot for classic tapsilog. Established in the early 1970s, it remains a staple for affordable, satisfying meals any time of day.
Some places get talked about so much that they start to feel a little unreal—like they can’t possibly live up to the hype.
Maty’s, a Parañaque tapsilogan founded in the ’70s, was one of those places for me.
I’ve heard about it for as long as I can remember. Growing up in Parañaque, the name would come up all the time—friends, neighbors, classmates, even random people would say the same thing: “Best tapsilog ‘yan.” At some point, it honestly stopped sounding like a recommendation and started feeling more like a legend being retold over and over again.
Why Maty’s is a Don Galo Landmark
Maty’s is located at the heart of Barangay Don Galo, and one of the first things you’ll notice is something oddly iconic: three of their branches are just a few minutes apart from each other. I haven’t been able to confirm why, but my personal theory is that a single branch isn’t capable of serving all of their loyal customers. That thought only added to the myth of Maty’s.
I ordered their tapsilog, of course. If I was going to test the legend, I had to start there.
What Makes Maty’s Tapsilog and Barbecue Unique?
The first thing I noticed was the tapa; it didn’t look or feel like the usual kind. Instead of the typical meaty chunks, they had a healthy mix of both chunks and shreds. Some were crispy, others juicy, but they were all soft and tender—the type that slowly melts in your mouth as soon as you bite into it—and each bite was sweet, salty, and satisfyingly savory.
I also ordered their barsilog, half-expecting it to just be a side note when eaten right after their tapsilog. But the barbecue held its own—smoky and juicy, with slight chars that added both texture and flavor.
Must-Try Sides: From Perfect Fried Eggs to Pancit
Silog wouldn’t be silog without the itlog—and the eggs that came with both meals completed the experience. Golden and crisp on the bottom with runny yolks, they coated every spoonful in a creamy richness that kept me coming back for more.
I tried their pancit canton, too, curious to see if they had a unique twist to this Filipino classic. They didn’t, but that didn’t make it any less enjoyable. With a generous amount of noodles, meat, and vegetables, their pancit canton felt more like a filling meal rather than a light side.
The Iconic Open-Air Dining Experience at Maty’s
The place itself isn’t exactly what you’d expect from a spot as highly regarded as this: open-air, a bit warm, a little worn down, with the bustling sound of the street steadily serenading you from the background. Their grill is also positioned out front, so it’s the smoky smell of cooking that greets you before anything else. But for some strange reason, all of these make the legend of Maty’s even more believable in ways that only people who’ve actually eaten there would understand.
Despite being updated throughout the years, their branches feel somewhat untouched by time which feels poetic given that they’ve served quality Filipino favorites to generations of diners time and time again.
I had walked into Maty’s unsure if it could live up to everything I’ve heard growing up, but after eating a meal at one of their Don Galo branches, I walked out with a realization: some places are overhyped, some don’t live up to the stories people tell, but every now and then, you find one that actually does—and Maty’s is one of them.
Maty’s is located at #0385 Quirino Ave., Barangay Don Galo, Parañaque.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are three different branches located just a few minutes apart from each other, which the author theorizes is to accommodate the massive volume of loyal customers.
The tapa consists of a mix of crispy and juicy shreds and chunks that are soft enough to melt in your mouth, offering a balance of sweet, salty, and savory flavors.
The author tried the barsilog, which featured smoky and juicy barbecue with slight chars, and a generous version of pancit canton loaded with meat and vegetables.
It is an open-air, slightly worn-down establishment where the smoky scent from the front-positioned grill greets customers against the bustling sounds of the street.
Maty’s is located at #0385 Quirino Ave., Barangay Don Galo, Parañaque, and has been in business since the 1970s.
