Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Jollibee, Filipino Fast Food, Comes to Queens
By
Hugh Merwin
Published Feb 17, 2009
Modified Feb 17, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Hugh Merwin
Published Feb 17, 2009
Modified Feb 17, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
New York City has a strange relationship with fast food restaurants—our first McDonald’s, for example, opened in 1973, ten full years after the franchise had sold its one-billionth hamburger. McDonald’s initially took off in the Big Apple in part because diners accustomed to the joint’s kitsch and cheeseburgers were eager to share it with others. The opening of a new fast food restaurant within the five boroughs, it so happens, is hardly ever completely new to everyone.
Such is the case Jollibee, a Filipino fast food chain that serves a mashup of burgers, pasta, fried chicken, and Filipino dishes. New York’s first Jollibee opened in Woodside on Saturday; there are already more than 600 locations in the Philippines and some more all over the world, including two-dozen on the West Coast. On Saturday, the lines were not only out the door on Roosevelt Avenue; they went around the block. By the afternoon, the line wrapped around two blocks: Yelper Luke V. waited five hours for Jollibee’s Chickenjoy. Verdict: “I must say that although it wasn't worth a 5 hour wait, it still tasted delicious.”
Jollibee’s vice president for operations told the New York Times, “We’re expecting a line outside at 7 a.m.,” and “I notified the local police precinct.” On Sunday, there were streamers of yellow caution tape strung up around the restaurant, keeping the crowd in place. Occasionally customers braving the long wait would ask for someone to hold their place, so they could step out momentarily and take pictures of the very long line.
Tagged
filipino
jollibee
mcdonald's
restaurants
woodside
Hugh Merwin
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Published Oct 10, 2026
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .