Hmmm. Looks like we have a sequel here. Throughout history some sequels have failed miserably i.e. Speed 2, Robocop 2, even the god awful Blues Brothers 2000. Thankfully we were also spared the thought of these creations such as Shawshank Redemption 2: The Shankering, Forrest Gump: This Time It’s Personal, and The Goonies: The Awkward Teenage Years. Some sequels though not only succeed, but some even triumph over the original like Terminator 2, Rocky 2, and one of my personal favorites, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.

This brings us to tonight’s review for Ihawan 2.

This Filipino restaurant is the second location for the wildly popular Ihawan. The original, though incredible, did have a major negative in being located DEEP into Queens. Woodside to be exact. Beneficial to the people’s stomach and desires as well as Ihawan’s wallet, it made sense to open a new location in the up-and-coming and trendy area of Long Island City.

You’d be surprised to hear that Ihawan 2 maybe actually easier and quicker to get to than most Manhattan joints. The place is off the first 7 train stop into Queens and about 10-15 seconds walking distance from the train station. Good stuff. The establishment is always clean, pristine, and gorgeous.

The food is out of this world from the beginning of the meal to the end. The beginning would be a drink called Iced Lime Juice.

Something so simple, is oh so good. FRESH limes are ground ON THE SPOT and mixed with crushed ice to create slushie heaven. Tart, juicy, and wonderful.

At either Ihawan, getting the Lumpiang Shanghai as an appetizer is always a must.

It’s fried minced pork and shrimp springrolls. They look like little baby cigars don’t they? These small, delicious, crispy treats dipped into duck sauce is the perfect way to start a meal. Careful, they are addictive.

I love Filipino spices and flavors. I haven’t the slightest idea what is in each sauce, BBQ mixture, dip, but I sure do love it. On skewers, Ihawan 2 offers Chicken or Pork marinated in their BBQ sauce.

Each cut of meat is special in its own way. The BBQ sauce reacts different to each meat. However, both turn out tender, juicy, and so flavorsome.

The absolute king of the menu and, well, of all Filipino food really,  is the Bistek.

This marinated beef with onions in lemon soy sauce is no question the most tender and softest cut you’ll ever eat. The pool of lemon soy sauce soaks itself into the porous openings of the beef, thus juicing up and creating an incredible flavor. The crispness of the onions only adds to spectacle in front of you.

Remember, this is only a sampling of what Ihawan 2 has to offer. I’ve had many other items on the menu that were fantastic as well. It looks like I’m hooked on Filipino food.

Ihawan 2

1007 50th Avenue

Long Island City, NY 11101

www.ihawan2.com

Prices: Lumpiang Shanghai $6.50, Bistek $7.50, Chicken Adobo $7.50

Hours: Mon-Thu 11am-9:30pm, Fri-Sun 11am-10pm

Access: 7 Train To Vernon Blvd/Jackson Ave

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