Dream Comes True As Filipino Eatery Opens In Downtown St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Raquel "Jingle" Baluyut dreamed for years of opening her own Filipino restaurant in downtown St. Petersburg, and with the push of her sister it happened about two weeks ago.

Josie Barber and her sister, Baluyut, are natives of the Philippines, and are sharing the taste of their native country through Pinoy Filipino Restaurant.

"She's an amazing chef, and I pushed her to open the Pinoy because this is her dream," Barber, who is owner of multiple Karma Juice Bar & Eatery locations, told Patch.

Pinoy is located in the same space as the Karma Juice Bar location on Central Avenue.

Baluyut did not attend culinary school, but her sister said she is a great cook who developed a passion for cooking when she was big enough to pick up a spatula. She learned by watching their grandparents cook. In the Philippines, it is tradition for families to be very close and spend a lot of time with each other.

Pinoy customers seem to be drawn to the restaurant menu and flavors, because Baluyut said in the first week of the restaurant's opening, business grew every day. Barber and Baluyut shared a laugh when Barber said that she had to get on Baluyut the first day because she was too laid back.

"I love that she is showing me the ropes of this business with her business experience," Baluyut said. "I felt overwhelmed in the first week, but she helped us get through."

They said they are thankful for the amount of business they have received since the restaurant's opening during the coronavirus pandemic.

Pinoy refers to Filipino people and culture. Barber and Baluyut want for their customers to feel like family when they walk into the building and sit down for a meal.

Beef Afritada is a popular entrée, and it includes beef stew with fork-tender beef, potatoes, carrots and bell peppers in a rich, flavorful tomato sauce. It is served with jasmine rice.

Barber said in the Philippines, they enjoy meat in their dishes but after living in St. Pete for so many years and owning a restaurant that has vegan options, they knew they'd have to create vegan option for Pinoy. Pansit is a Filipino vegan cuisine entrée made of stir-fried noodles, rice noodles, carrot, celery, green beans, celery, onion and cabbage.

If You Go

Pinoy is located at 1113 Central Ave. in the Edge District. Their hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information about the restaurant, prices and menu, visit Pinoy Filipino Restaurant.