Growing up in Redwood City, Jhed Yuzon noticed a dearth of nearby Filipino restaurants. He went on to study to become a pilot, but when the opportunity came along to start a Filipino restaurant in his hometown, he leapt.

Pamilya, which means “family” in Tagalog, is the result. The fast-casual restaurant allows visitors to customize their plates or bowls, along the lines of a Chipotle or Panda Express counter service model, which makes service quick. Additionally, Yuzon is more than eager to answer questions about the menu from behind the counter.

“I want to make Filipino food more accessible and easy-going for everyone,” he says.

Pamilya began as a ghost kitchen at a different location in Redwood City, operating from 2022 to 2024 before opening about a month ago at its current location on Woodside Road, he says. Since opening their brick-and-mortar location, Pamilya has been the first place a number of customers have tried Filipino cuisine, even while it’s drawn in visits from the broader Filipino community nearby, Yuzon says.

Family — as the restaurant’s name suggests — is an important part of the business for Yuzon. So far, his wife, Therese, and mom have also been involved in getting the restaurant up and running.

Entrees include dishes like pork and milkfish sisig, beef kaldereta, a tomato-based beef stew, and honey fried chicken bites, pork on a stick and breakfast entrees. Visitors can order a bowl ($18) featuring an entree, mixed vegetables and toppings, or a one- or two-entree combo ($20-24), which comes with a side. Servings are generous. Desserts include Yuzon’s favorite, chocolate cake, caramelized mochi balls (think mochi but with a creme brulee crispy sugar exterior), halo-halo and more.

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Details: Open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday at 756 Woodside Road, Redwood City; pamilyakitchen.com.