Pulutan, A Filipino Happy Hour at Sari Sari Store (Downtown LA)

"Pulutan" refers to Filipino finger food that is typically eaten while drinking - basically Filipino bar snacks - and the name is perfect for Sari Sari Store's happy hour menu. Yep, Margarita Manzke's Filipino place inside Grand Central Market has a happy hour with $3 San Miguel beers on draft (San Miguel is a popular Filipino beer) and cheap (but delicious) bar snacks!

Here are what you can find on the pulutan menu:
BBQ pork belly skewers ($7)

The pork belly may be our favorite thing on the pulutan menu (it certainly was my mom's favorite). It was nicely caramelized yet so tender.
On the back there you can also see the Adobo Shishito Peppers, available for $5.

Pinoy BBQ ribs ($7)

The ribs are also a great one to order, and pretty generous for $7. The meat just falls off the bone and the BBQ sauce is nice and sweet.

Sari Sari hot wings with spicy caramel fish sauce ($6)

Sweet and spicy wings, how can you go wrong?

Tokwa't Baboy (crispy pig ears, oyster mushrooms, tofu, $6)

The name "tokwa't baboy" translate to "tofu and pig." It's a typical Filipino appetizer (and yes, pig ears are typically involved). Crunchy, fatty deep fried goodness that definitely works well with beer - though the chewy pig ears may be too adventurous for some people.

The pulutan happy hour at Sari Sari Store goes from 4pm until closing, so you don't even have to get there early! It's great for anyone who works nearby or perhaps looking for an early dinner before heading elsewhere in downtown. The quality of the bar snacks is great and the prices are even better.
I brought my mom and aunt here and the three of us were pretty full from eating the whole pulutan menu and they add up to $31. Don't forget the quenchable $3 beers.

Sari Sari Store
Grand Central Market
312 Hill St
Los Angeles, CA 90013
http://sarisaristorela.com/