Masagana Enterprises

4.5
Probably one of the best Filipino grocery/​turo-​turo places I’ve been to! The place is super neat and orderly, the products look brand new, the dining/​food area is very clean, and for the most part, 80% of everything here is labeled. For people who don’t know what certain things are, it helps. They do have small selection of produce here (asian egglants, bittermelon, ginger, okra, chayote), all basic essentials to Filipino cooking. It’s small but fresh.
I only have two peeves or two comments to this place which may not bother most but it’s:
1. They’re not a computer system. All items have to be punched in which is all well, but I know some people coming into the store would like to know how much they’re charged for an item instead of guess the order in which the items were punched into the register, return policy, contact information, tidbits of info that come on a receipt.
2. The turo-​turo place is not labeled. I think it would really set them apart from all the other filipino places I’ve been too. I’m Filipino and even I get confused with what dishes are what. Face it, anything in dark orange sauce can be a multiple of answers. Its that pork afritada? chicken afritada? Menudo? Caldereta?

Woohoo! I’m theee first?!? Come on, a die hard pure Filipino mini grocery store? They used to have 3 filipino stores in Belleville, one owned by my uncle (closed), then the other 2, Bayanihan (which is closed) and Masagana (open, staying strong.) How come no love or review? Well, allow me…
I’m giving this a place 5. Mang Noli (the owner, in tagalog roughly titled, Sir/​Mr. Noli) not only pulled a nicely done risk/​success, but helped fellow filipinos living in Belleville be sane by owning this place. Sanity is a big thing because driving to Jersey City/​Bergenfield/​East West for filipino stuff is well. insane, especially if you need something quick.
They have Filipino staples, from Magnolia ice cream, sinigang packet pouches, smoked/​dried/​marinated fish (they have daing! *SQUEAL*) to pulvoron… sawheeetttt!!! They have sarsi– filipino root beer! (Score!) An aisle dedicated for filipino snacks, and fresh veggie/​fish area (even if scarce, but hey, it does the job.)
They also have a small turo turo place (cafeteria style restaurant/​café). When lazy of cooking filipino food, I secretly dash there, stuff my face with their 5.99 (2 meat, rice/​or pancit) meal combo during school lunch breaks. As if my fatty self hasn’t had enough, I buy their empanadas (which is bangin’ by the way) and if lucky, hoard some sesame balls and bbq sticks until my self consciousness kicks in, telling me no more.
True, their filipino food turo turo selection is hit or miss, but come on here, their selection is huge and varies every day.