From Our Kitchen to the Heart of the Community

What started as a simple idea has blossomed into a beloved tradition—one that has united our community in powerful, often unexpected ways.

When I took over 7 Mile House 21 years ago, Filipino food was far from the spotlight. It was frustrating to see Thai and Japanese cuisines thriving in the Bay Area, while our deeply rooted, richly-flavored Filipino dishes remained unknown to many—even though Filipinos were one of the largest ethnic groups here. You could walk into a Filipino restaurant and not see a single non-Filipino guest.

My mom and I were determined to change that—but we knew it had to start with trust and familiarity.

So we offered burgers, wings, and American comfort food to get people in the door. And once they were with us, we introduced them to adobo. But even that was a process.

At first, we served what we knew: a rich, authentic version—oily, fatty, deeply flavorful. Filipinos loved it. Non-Filipinos, not so much. So we adapted—leaner meat, less oil—and suddenly the non-Filipinos loved it... but Filipinos didn’t.

It took us six years of experimentation and feedback to finally land on a version that bridged both worlds: a unique fusion of traditional adobo and paksiw. It became something you could only get at 7 Mile—still rooted in authenticity, but evolved through love, learning, and our desire to make Filipino food accessible without compromising its soul.

Today, that adobo with rice is one of our best-selling dishes.

That journey inspired the Adobo Cookoff for a Cause. We realized adobo is not one thing—it’s personal, regional, shaped by memory and identity. So why not invite others to share their versions? From lola’s old recipe to creative reinventions, we’ve seen it all—and each one tells a story.

Seven years in, the cookoff has raised over $15,000 for Filipino and Asian nonprofits. But more importantly, it has brought people together—Filipino or not—over a dish that means so much to so many.

And each year, we’re reminded: this isn’t just about food. It’s about representation, pride, and connection.

The 7th Annual Adobo Cookoff for a Cause will be held on Aug. 16, 2025. Click HERE for details. We hope to see you then!