Selecta

While Selecta says they’re a filipino buffet/​grocery store, I’d probably say they’re more of a buffet than anything. I was in the mood for Filipino food while in Vallejo and with my entrusted Unilocal app I was headed to Selecta.
The grocery shelves were dusty and bare. There were no comsumables to be seen and it was apparent that they were using those shevlves as storage. They had numerous kitchen items and a bathroom sink down one isle, a few empty can plates and brooms down another but that was all. There wasn’t any canned goods, sauces, chips or crackers to be seen.
In a small segragated section of the room, you’ll find about twelve tables and a large buffet of Filipino food. The selection was pretty impressive and it seemed as though you could make your orders to go.
The service was alright. More of sit yourself, eat, and then pay. Nothing too over the top but I can only imagine that this place would be a hit for larger families or parties.

I dig it; like I dig a pig… and I love me some swine. Beefsteak too well worth the price and a whole salmon included with the buffet freshly prepared. I say it was good timing — or was it destiny. Selecta COME DOWN!!!

All I can say is WOW !!! If your palate craves good homemade Filipino food along with home style hospitality then this is the place TO GO. Very casual and clean setting which reminds me of the cantina feel at home ambience, if you have any questions ask Tito Rey, he is MORE than happy to accommodate you; my bf and i came on a random day, Monday, and was not at all disappointed with their buffet selection; from pancit sotanghon, garlic fried rice, pinakbet, monggo soup, pusit, beef nilaga, baggoong with tender pork, appritada, steam rice, upo soup, ginisang shrimp, fish sarsiado, pinaksew na pork to fresh sliced watermelon all SO fresh & tasty. YOU will NOT be disappointed… our new FAVORITE Filipino buffet.

Very unprofessional. And over priced due to Buffet trays cold with not heat whatsoever keeping the food warm. A group of 3 came in and complained and was given a option for a 1 free item. I requested to do the same and was told that i and my wife could not because we served our selfs a plate of the old cold food. The noddles section was ok. ATTENTION OWNERS, contact me to correct my unpleasant meal.

Im working in the supermarket 100 yards away from selecta, i eat here very often for almost 5 months. Large selection of food for the first timers but for me, its just the same food over and over again. they should have a new set of food every once in a while

The food was great (except for the lechon which was mostly fat and skin). I loved that they were not overly salty just the right balance of flavors. The buffet was clean and had a good variety of dishes. There was a salad bar with fresh honeydew melon, watermelon, grapes, and pineapple (delicious & sweet). We got there around 10:30 am and there was no coffee, no ice for water just a water dispenser with barely cold water.
Buffet entrees:
Pancit, Fried rice, Dinuguan, Laing, Pakbet, Monggo,
Afritada, Menudo, Kare kare, Adobo, Steamed vegetables, Fried fish (sorry don’t know what kind),
Fresh Lechon only on weekends (call to find out what time they will have it), Corn maiz, and more.
Definitely tastes like home!

Every year I go to the San Francisco Bay Area from the L.A. area homebase to visit old college friends for a few weeks. A big part of the fun is going to new places to eat, and where appropriate, rate the on Unilocal.This year’s Epic trip (3+ weeks) is already a great success with my visit today at Selecta Filipino buffet. I actually used my GPS to find Pinoy-​Pinay to compare it with the local Van Nuys branch I know. When I arrived at the plaza, I walked around, saw Ihaw-​Ihaw (a «roast meats» place), then just walked on to see a «Buffet» sign. I saw a cheap-​looking, sorry, Filipino flag inside. (Cheap because it was made of paper, not cloth, seemed like a child’s project). Notwithstanding this, I was happy at the combination «Filipino» and «buffet». Not too many of these places around, and an initial walk-​through convinced me the food was plentiful, fresh, not left-​over dried out crap.
So I asked the older gentleman who was tending the buffet «how much» and he said «$ 8.59». I’m in. Traditional Filipino fare such as apritada (pork stew); ground pork with tomato base and potatoes, carrots, and peas; beefsteak with onions with a rich gravy, pork cubes simmered in shrimp fry base; roast pork, veggies such a string beans, eggplant, squash, okra, and bitter melon; steamed rice AND egg fried rice.
I had my fair share. I noticed when I went in I was the only one there and a small family; afterwards several parties came in; some Filipino, some Hispanics, some white, and some black people. Those who ate enjoyed the stuff as I saw them heaping their plates with the rice and stewed meats.
The plaza seems to be in a so-​so part of town. Nearby, at the Island Pacific market, lots of people knocked-​out drunk hanging out. Far from Selecta, but in the same plaza. I avoided them.
I am very much pleased and happy to try this place and this trip is a great success for this discovery. Alas, my next visit will be next year.

I am sure due to our drought, Buffet prices went up — $ 8.59. Still a great deal!

We went there on a Sunday about 12:30 PM and the place was packed with Filipino families who had been at church. I was not sure we were going to find a table, but the man carving the roast pig found us a table for two right away. It was obvious that we were there a bit after the buffet was prime because the bbq pig was mostly gone, but I got a couple of slices and then added a bunch of Filipino dishes. I have no idea what I added from the buffet table because nothing was labeled, but it was all good. Oh, and the meat carver made sure I got some crispy pig rind along with the bbq pig meat.
It was a little disconcerting because it is hard to understand the Filipino accent, but the procedure is that you grab a plate and eat what you want from the buffet and whenever you are ready to leave you walk to the other side of the room where the cash register for the grocery store is and just tell them that you had the buffet. It was not clear to me that there was any way to order from a menu. The buffet seemed like the only way to eat. Maybe on weekdays it is different.
All said and done, I would go back in an instant. The food was excellent and the price for my wife and I for the buffet came to about $ 16 with tax and beverage.
vern

Ahhh, Lent has made me miss you, my dear Selecta. This is the among my top go-​to places for Filipino food in Vallejo. And top dog in value. Just did my review of Ihaw-​Ihaw, which is in the same strip mall as and a few doors down from Selecta, and it made me think about how Selecta really is a great place for good eats at good value.

8.50 all you can eat Filipino food. 5.50 for the kiddos. Whole lechon rolled out on the weekends. Get there early before the lechon becomes a carcass. No frills. Nothing fancy. Straight to the point. Holla.

Friendly people, clean and who knew there is a restaurant right there in the grocery store!
The food isn’t bad… the coffee, now THAT’s bad but I would have been surprised if the coffee had been good.
None of the buffet items are labeled probably because they serve traditional Filipino food and their clientele is return customers. It was not packed but got very busy and then not so busy then busy again.
Then about half way through they wheeled out an entire roast pig! I thought that was really a great move and very generous. I do not eat pork but my friend did and he says it was great.
Fresh traditional Filipino food, friendly staff in a very surprising spot and the price is very reasonable. I say check it out.

Want some good top notch Filipino food? This ain’t your place want some good heaping filipino food for the LOW? This your spot then. Sliiiiide thru!

I came here years ago and all I remember was that it was super cheap for an all-​you-​can-​eat breakfast. It might’ve been like $ 5. I also remember lots of uncles just hanging around watching the TV.
It’s a straight up family owned spot. You’re pretty much walking into your lola’s house or something.
You can’t get anymore Filipino-​mart than this.

I have purchased food for a New Years party before and it was a hit! I keep to the not too exotic dishes; mainly pancit & lumpia. I had just stopped in during my lunch break today to order my dishes for a party this weekend and the owner/​cashier busted out a sheet with the sizes and prices, which is great, because not too many filipino restuarants are thorough or as transparent (you know, by over charging the customer for the container, the amount of food, the varied dishes). ½ sized bihon panicit, $ 30. No more, no less. 50 lumpias (shanghai styled), $ 30.
Since I rarely am ever in Vallejo during lunch, I decided to also purchase lunch — two sides + rice. OMG! Totally worth the $ 6.86 because my plate lunch container was filled to the brim! I can say that one of these could feed two or three people (well, maybe small sized bellies).
I really like this place and will continue to be a patron!

Just love this mom and pop place. The food is soooo yummy! Loved everything in their menu. The owners are very friendly. The price is very reasonable. My go to place when I have the crave!

This was my first time eating Filipino food and I think the lady at the cash register knew it because she told me «take a look and see if you want to eat». So I walked over to the buffet and started looking around. Before I had even picked up a plate, the gentleman who I can only assume is an owner came over and asked me if this was my first time having Filipino food. I told him «yes» so he walked me through each of the dishes they had at the hot bar. He was a little difficult to understand but I got the jist of what the main protein was in each dish. He made a few recommendations. He showed me where the soup was. He told me how some of the dishes are intended to be eaten. Despite me being there with my boyfriend, he mostly spoke only to me. I have a feeling he thought my boyfriend was already experienced in Filipino food (my boyfriend is Japanese but is sometimes mistook for Filipino, Mexican, or American Indian) but he had only had Filipino food one time before and would have benefited from the guided tour. The food? Well, I thought it tasted good. Very home made. But since this was my first exposure, I really don’t have anything to compare it to. While I was eating, the same gentleman came up to my table and asked me how I liked the food but, once again, he only spoke to me and made no effort to engage my boyfriend. I told him which dishes I especially enjoyed. Then he apologized for the selection being somewhat limited (I hadden’t noticed) and explained to me that he was done cooking for the day. Then he enthusiastically told me to come back on a Saturday or Sunday morning (11ish) because he roasts a whole pig. If I still lived in the Vallejo area, I definitely would come back for the pig. After stuffing myself full of mysterious dishes, I walked over to the store side of the building and looked around at all the exotic items available for sale. I grabbed a can of white gourd juice and made my way up to the cashier to pay for my meal and juice. She also asked me what I thought of the food and then we talked about how I also had never tried white gourd before. She told me «you’ll be surprised!» and I was and in a very good way.
All and all– great service despite it not officially having a wait staff (it’s a buffet), good food (well seasoned and very rich), and SUPER cheap (ie 6 bucks a person)
Branch out! Give it a try!

Went camping this weekend and for some reason our car was craving Filipino food. On our way back, we came across Selecta on Unilocal and decided to give it a try. As we drove into the shopping center, I was somewhat skeptical – really didn’t look like there was anyone inside. Furthermore, it was inside of a «grocery store».
Right when we entered, we were greeted by the «boss-​lady», who quickly welcomed us and asked us to grab a plate. I’m already thinking (this is going to be good– 4 stars at least). The buffet station was decent sized, probably about 8 – 10 different dishes along with soup and a salad/​fruit bar. All for just $ 7 and some change. I enjoyed the food – had some longonisa, tripe, roast pork, pancit, fried rice and a couple other dishes. My only request would have been to have signs to easily distinguish the different dishes (but the lady did point out a couple things to us). Later on she even made small talk with us asking where we were from, if this was our first time and if we liked the food (smart business lady).
Selecta looks like they get a fair amount of catering take out as well. While we dined at least three small carts averaging about 3 – 4 party trays came out. Roast pork seems to be their specialty as they prepared a whole one for an eager looking customer. They also seem to have a following of regulars as the «boss-​lady» greeted a pregnant lady in a friendly way (as if congratulating her on the baby).
I would definitely come back if I’m in the area and recommend others to try it. Do not be deceived by it’s grocery store appearance. It is some good down home cooking!

Perhaps the only filipino buffet that I know of! I have been coming to this mom and pops shop for awhile for filipino take-​out. This use to be a market but through the years as big chain markets started to open up, the owner makes more money with the cooked food instead. Buffet all day everyday! For around 10 bucks you can eat all the pancit, adobo, fish, squid, soup, beef tapa, ginisa, etc you can think of.
I would def come here for breakfast. The servce fried rice, egg, fish, tapa, –silogs, tuyo and salted egg! TOO DIE FOR! The take-​out price is pretty cheap compared to other nearby resturants.
One thing you must get is the HALO-​HALO! Its cheap and they pack it with so much fruit, jelly, beans ice cream that is perfect for the summer! But beware sometimes the owners talks to customers too long and you might be standing in line for awhile!

Mmmm Anytime My mom or Unties are not around and I’m cravin some serious Filipino food I go here. its all you could eat at a very DECENT price and like others said prior to me. get your island style grocery on, and you could watch wow wow wiiee. Also, There HALO HALO is wayyyyyy better than Goldilocks. In my opinion at least!
I think the best is when i’m cravin that old style Pinoy breakfast — Eggs, Longonisa, Tocino, Garlic rice, tomatoes, Bangus, Mmmmmm I could goo on and on. I don’t know if this is a a good or a bad. but walking into Selecta. is like going into your neighbor hood Sari Sari Store!