KAPATAD Kitchen and Cafe

KAPATAD Kitchen and Cafe fulfills the lifelong dream of the Franco family, who migrated from Santa Rita, Pampanga to Austin over a decade ago bringing authentic Kapampangan cuisine to Texas. The restaurant name 'Kapatad'-Kapampangan for 'sibling'-reflects the family's bond and their cooking philosophy: preparing each dish with love as if cooking for family. The seven Franco siblings learned their craft from their mother Francisca and father Zoilo, using recipes handed down through generations that are popular throughout the Philippines. Located in Far West Boulevard, KAPATAD combines traditional Filipino dishes with Chinese-American takeout classics, though the Filipino menu represents the restaurant's true strength. The menu reads like a greatest hits of Filipino staples-dinuguan, multiple preparations of adobo, kare-kare, and especially the standout pork sisig arriving on blistering hot skillets with finely minced pork, crispy bits, liver funk, and punchy lime-chili dressing cutting through the richness. The restaurant's specialty includes crispy thin lumpia for sharing, multiple pork belly preparations fried longer than most for extra crispiness while staying tender, and generous portions perfect for family-style dining. KAPATAD offers outdoor seating with dog-friendly accommodations, vegan options, and services including delivery and takeout. The friendly staff provides excellent recommendations and explanations of dishes, making the restaurant welcoming to both Filipino food veterans and curious newcomers exploring Pampanga's renowned culinary traditions.