Why Jollibee's Fast Food has Americans Waiting in Insane Lines — Cult Following

In our premiere episode of Eater's new series, Cult Following, Serena Dai explores Jollibee's in Woodside, Queens. Joined by Dale Talde, Dai finds out why lines and lines of people wait in line for an item called, "Chicken Joy".

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[doedatfeeuhgudbb]

Lol. Tomatoes aren't really sweeter in the Philippines. We just throw a shitload of sugar into the spaghetti.

[Jeffreelz]

bacause for filipinos living or working abroad specially in america having jollibee is like home. So the reason for that line outside jollibee is homesickness and pinoy pride at the same time.

[ulyajnagabriellapalma]

In my own humble opinion, Jollibee in the states doesn't have that kind of bomb reviews because they're trying to relate the "american taste" norm. Jollibee in the Philippines is DEFINITELY LEGIT. :)

[PATRIIEENNG]

That 'lolo' (grandpa) waiter at the end of the vid tho. Salute to you lolo. ❤❤❤ Gotta love everything about Jollibee. Thanks Eater!

[cyrillrappangilinan]

Never judge the food by the way how it is supposed to be eaten or the way how it was presented, it all comes down to the way how it satisfies your palate

[slickarificm]

6:12 salute to jollibee for letting old people work dispite of their age and to the elderly employee working as a waiter.

[rdotified]

One example of how little Filipino-Americans know about Jollibee back home. Dale Talde says that you always find a container of chili vinegar on the table. If he is referring to Jollibee branches, then this is false. (If he's referring to a normal Filipino dining table, sure.) I have eaten at Jollibees at all three main islands and I have never seen condiments on the table; they are set on a counter with the utensils, straws, and the ketchup. There is a finite amount of condiment sets you can take; certainly not one set per table. This is because Filipinos will douse their food with anything that is available, regardless of necessity to feel that they're getting their money's worth, and drive the costs of operation way up.

It's kind of like how our KFC's used to have 3-4 thermoses of gravy in a common area, because their American bosses probably imagined we would get what we needed and come back if needed. Uh, that wasn't what happened. All thermoses would inevitably be taken by customers to their table and guarded with their lives while doling out gravy and pouring it down their throats, straight from the container. What KFC did was to install a gravy dispenser in the common area that could not be taken just so that customers would stop molesting the gravy. That's how fast food places are in the Philippines.

[DessertGeek]

I'm most excited here for people being able to have a slice of home in their new home. Sometimes you crave childhood food and don't have the time or skill to cook it, so I'm glad to see more options like Jollibee popping up.

[Galactic]

Man you guys finally do Filipino food and you chose JOLLIBEE. Not hating on Jollibee, it's legit for fast food, but there's so many good Filipino places especially if you're in NYC anyway. If you go to Queens just to eat at Jollibee you're missing out on some great legit Filipino food.

[spideresque]

I was taking a business class in college when I learned about Jollibee, and was delighted to find that we have a Jollibee in Virginia Beach. I love it. I wish there was one in Norfolk, though.

[jay-rreyes]

6:10 painful to see, yet inspiring. hats off to you, lolo.

[stevonyc]

I'm Filipino and I don't care for jolibees food except for the chicken skin and gravy. I'd rather support and patronize the mom and pop restaurants which serve better food.

[nathanblue]

Why in the world is the guy adding vinegar on every food he eats? Sotanghon soup is absolutely delicious and has chicken broth, so why would he add vinegar to it? No wonder the other person looked like she was going to vomit after tasting it. Aside from some of the breakfast food available, there's really no reason why there should be vinegar to use and certainly not on any of the dishes presented here.

[backhandchop]

The guy is overhyping the food but I don't think the girl is having it. Jollibee is good but it's more nostalgic than anything.

[oweltaxz]

WHy do they have chili vinegar there but not on Jolibee here in the Philippines?

[robertblue]

It's so true the hostess just has that dismissive attitude that's a turnoff for food.

[ryansanteful]

I remember when I used to live in Utah that me and friends literally drove to Las Vegas for some Jollibee

[jif.]

They opened a Jollibee in Honolulu a couple years ago, and all the Filipinos on Oahu went nuts. A nostalgic taste of home. I drive it several times a month on my way to COSTCO. Now you have me curious, I gotta stop and give it a try.

[ariel]

she doesn't seem to enjoy it. you can tell just by her explanation of the Chicken Joy.

[SharonLee]

We don't get vinegar here in Jollibee... and also I was craving for Jollibee aloha burger but then its not available.... Have they given all the best food in another