The Original Pares Mami House Retiro in Metro Manila

"Michelin ignored this iconic eatery when they gave their recognition for Filipino eateries. And for me, this is injustice. According to write-ups, this is the eatery which the original creator of the Pares-Pares set up. He was said to be a chef of another eatery, left that eatery and then set this up. Plenty of options. But the top "pair" is the beef pares and an order of siomai. Make sure you ask for an extra serving of chili sauce to spice up your meal. PRO TIP: There are seats on the 2nd floor. But it's still better to sit in the counter to get a better feel of the ambience."

"The food as usual is still the best among other pares/mami house. It still has the same vibes as how it was back when I was still a kid. Although you may need to wait a little to be seated as the place is jam-packed during peak hours especially during noon time and around early in the evening. You might also have a hard time looking for a parking space if you're ever driving going to the place. I suggest parking somewhere where there's a security guard if you can't park in front of the place. All in all, the experience as always is worth it."

"Looking for old school pares (beef stew and fried rice with hot soup and chili sauce), late in the evening, this place never disappoints."

"Walang kupas. Still the best post-walwal eats. We came in hungry at about midnight and the place is full. The beef pares was still great. I like their version because it’s not too sweet. ₱180 for 3 big chunks and many beef bits ain’t bad at all. It was perfect with the fried rice. It was slight dry but when you pour the thick sauce into the rice then its alright. The ₱260 buttered chicken was exactly how I remembered it years ago. Crispy, tasty, buttery and not too oily. Perfect for nibbling just be careful with the small bones. The stuffed shrimp was not bad but it wasn’t as tasty as before. Now you’re not going to get the best service here but you have to understand that the staff are most of the time slammed with waves of customers all day. The food will arrive fast but don’t expect fancy, thoughtful hospitality. This is not that place. Here you order, eat, pay, and leave. Don’t forget to thank and tip the hardworking staff."

"If you want a true taste of classic Filipino comfort food, The Original Pares Mami House along Retiro never disappoints. Returned here after 6 years and its still as good as i remembered. I ordered their pares, bulalo, and another round of pares because it was just that good. The pares is rich, tender, and full of that signature sweet-salty flavor that hits all the right notes. The beef practically melts in your mouth, and the garlic rice brings everything together perfectly. The bulalo was hearty and flavorful, with a broth that feels like a warm hug — deep beefy flavor, a touch of marrow richness, and perfectly cooked vegetables. Service was quick and no-fuss, exactly what you’d expect from a local institution that’s been feeding generations. The place has that nostalgic, old-school charm — simple, bustling, and full of life. If you’re craving authentic pares or just want to experience where it all began, this spot is a must-visit."

"Food is great, been eating here since i was young. Food taste the same. The only thing is sometimes you wont see smiling accommodating staff, but if you dont mind then good. Also during peak times there's a long wait so you have to have long patience. Must try- ofc the pares, buttered chicken and first time trying today— sisig!!!! It's actually not that bad it almost taste like the one in gerry's grill!"

"If you’re looking for some legit Filipino comfort food, The Original Pares Mami House in Retiro (La Loma, QC) is a solid go-to. Their beef pares is the star—super tender beef, flavorful sauce, garlic rice, and a hot bowl of broth on the side. It’s cheap, filling, and seriously satisfying. They’ve also got good stuff like buttered chicken, stuffed shrimp, and big servings of miki bihon if you’re with friends. The place is super simple—basic setup, fast service, always packed, and cash only. Don’t expect anything fancy, just great food that hits the spot. Oh, and it’s open 24/7, so perfect for those late-night cravings. Bottom line: old-school, no-fuss, and delicious."

"As part of my Manila food crawl, visiting the Original Pares and Mami House for an authentic, Retiro-style Beef Pares is an absolute must. ​Even arriving close to 1:00 PM, the place was as usual, jam-packed. I got lucky and managed to squeeze into an empty chair before ordering their signature Beef Pares. One bite of the tender, almost melt-in-your-mouth beef paired with the classic buhaghag fluffy rice, and the memories of my college days came rushing back. ​I remember when a serving was only 60 pesos back in the early 2000s, today, it costs 180 pesos. Despite the price change over the years, the soul of the dish remains the same. For anyone exploring the Manila food scene, this spot should be a mandatory addition to your bucket list."