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ZipPicks Awards
Best Cheap Eats in Sawtelle Japantown
Master Critic Review
Big Boi
7.8
Chef Barb Batiste runs a Filipino combo plate operation on Sawtelle built around family recipes—housemade pandesal, pork sisig, and ube round out generous plates that lean hard into value. It draws a steady neighborhood crowd that treats it as a weeknight default rather than a destination, which is exactly how the format works.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lumpia, Pork Sisig, Chicken Adobo
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 7.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: Chef Barb Batiste serves her family's Filipino recipes as generous combo plates with housemade pandesal on Sawtelle
Who should go: Filipino food fans and Sawtelle neighborhood regulars
When to visit: Weekend lunch for full hours and a relaxed pace
What to order: Get the Bigz combo with two entrees plus rice and pancit — it's enough for two people to share
Insider tip: The lumpia are handmade daily from Chef Barb's family recipe — ask if the Filipino-style spaghetti is available
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking only on Sawtelle—can be tough during peak hours. A nearby plaza lot is a fallback option.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Solid plant-based lineup: Beyond longanisa, Impossible sisig, plant-based lumpia (13 pieces), plus rice, pancit noodles, and seasonal veggies. Plant-based entrees add $3.
Vegan options: Multiple vegan entrees available including Beyond longanisa made in-house daily, Impossible steak with vegan garlic mayo, vegan Spam, vegan eggrolls with Impossible meat, and a made-to-order vegan fried egg add-on.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal — Big Boi is a casual counter-service takeout window with limited outdoor seating and no indoor dining room. The vibe is more grab-and-go comfort food than sit-down date night. That said, Sawtelle is a great strip for a low-key food crawl date — grab plates here and stroll the boulevard together.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations needed or accepted — Big Boi is a walk-up counter-service spot. Order at the window, grab your food, and find a seat at the limited outdoor tables. During peak weekend hours (Sat-Sun lunch through dinner), outdoor seats fill up fast and many customers take their food to go. Note the limited hours: Friday 5–9 PM, Saturday and Sunday 11 AM–9 PM, closed Monday through Thursday.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — the casual counter-service format and comfort food menu (Filipino spaghetti, fried lumpia, garlic rice) are naturally kid-appealing. No dedicated kids menu, but the combo plates are easy to share with younger eaters. The outdoor, no-fuss setting means no worries about noise or formality. The Family Feast option feeds 4–6 and works well for families.
Is it good for groups? Manageable for small groups of 3–4, but not ideal for larger parties. Outdoor seating is limited and not designed for big gatherings. For groups of 4–6, the Family Feast platter (includes adobo, sisig, lumpia, Filipino spaghetti, rice, and pan de sal) is a solid move — but plan to eat standing or find nearby seating on the Sawtelle strip. Not the spot for a sit-down group dinner.
Is there outdoor seating? Yes — limited outdoor seating is available in front of the storefront. It's a small setup with a few tables, uncovered, typical of Sawtelle's casual sidewalk dining. No heating or shade structures confirmed. Seats fill quickly on weekends, so many customers opt for takeout.
Best For
Better for: Quick, hearty Filipino comfort food—counter service means you're in and out. Big plates are enough for two, making it a strong lunch move or easy takeout.
Consider Alternatives If: You want a sit-down dining experience—it's a small shop with limited outdoor seating that gets tight during peak hours.
Hours
MondayClosed
TuesdayClosed
WednesdayClosed
ThursdayClosed
Friday5pm - 9pm
Saturday11am - 9pm
Sunday11am - 9pm