Seattle — Jollibee, the popular Filipino fast-food chain, opened its first store in Seattle over the weekend in the Rainier Valley neighborhood. Joshua Padilla, a Filipino-American super-fan and marketing employee at KING 5, was excited to share the joy of Jollibee.
Padilla introduced the iconic mascot, a cheerful bee, at the entrance of the store. “This guy right here is the most beloved character in all of the Philippines,” he said, standing next to the smiling mascot.
Jollibee began in the Philippines in 1975 and has since expanded to over 1,500 locations worldwide. With the new store in Rainier Valley, Washington now has three Jollibee locations.
“It’s like the Disneyland of fast food restaurants in the Philippines, and everyone loves it,” Padilla said.
The restaurant is famous for its happy bee mascot, emotional commercials, and a feel-good philosophy.
What to Order at Jollibee?
Padilla recommends starting with a giant bucket of Chicken Joy. “It is crunchy, savory, and just filled with juicy meaty goodness,” he said. “But you’ve got to get the gravy. This gravy right here is liquid gold.”
The gravy is for dipping fried chicken, but people also dip fries in it, pour it over adobo rice, or even drink it. “I am not joking. I will drink this gravy,” Padilla added.
Todd Reed, a Rainier Valley resident, eagerly awaited the opening. “Filipino Popeyes…that’s what it is,” he said. “It’s, can I say, a mouth orgasm. That’s what we call it.”
Nick Bedell, Jollibee’s Marketing Manager, is excited about the new location. “We’re thrilled to have our first store in Seattle proper here in Rainier Valley. The diverse community here is perfect, and we love being part of the rich culinary scene,” Bedell said.
Unique Menu Items
One unique item is Jolly Spaghetti, which is a sweet and savory dish. “Filipino spaghetti is such a specific meal. It’s a sweet dish,” said Padilla.
At the new Jollibee, customers were enjoying fried chicken with a side of spaghetti. “You come here for Jollibee spaghetti, man. That’s what you do. You get fried chicken, you get spaghetti. Done deal. That’s all that matters!” Padilla said.
The menu also includes burgers, adobo rice, and more. Customers are always greeted with a friendly “Have a Jolly Day!” from the hardworking staff.