Manila Bay Express

Manila Bay Express stands as a beloved Filipino institution in Greater Kansas City, founded by former nurse Norma Thayer in 2014 and operated with her daughters Adrianne and Maruth and son-in-law Brandon. Located in Grandview at 6305 Main Street, this family restaurant has earned regional fame for its broasted chicken prepared using patented pressure-frying techniques that create exceptionally crispy, juicy results. The restaurant showcases authentic Filipino cuisine passed down through generations, with recipes reflecting Thayer's upbringing in Luzon, the culinary capital of the Philippines. Known for serving some of the only Filipino food in the Kansas City metro, Manila Bay Express draws devoted customers from a four-state area including Wichita, Kansas. The restaurant emphasizes from-scratch cooking without preservatives, using fresh ingredients including pork sourced from Spring Hill, Kansas suppliers and delivered same-day. With over 9,000 Facebook followers worldwide, Manila Bay Express has become a cultural ambassador for Filipino cuisine in the Midwest, supported strongly by the Filipino Association of Greater Kansas City.