A killer burger and Pan-Pacific themed setting landed Familyfriend on the New York Times’ 2024 Top 50 Restaurant List.

Its owner, Elmer Dulla, is originally from Guam and his cooking staff is composed of others of Pan-Pacific descent. 

The NYT Top 50 Restaurant List chooses establishments around the country and brands them “America's favorite places.” 

While diners gather for their signature smash burgers, Familyfriend offers many other Pacific inspired dishes like their chicken adobo tacos and savory “La Paz Style” noodle soup. 

Not only is the food pleasing to the taste buds, Familyfriend’s cocktail menu is equally bursting with Pacific flavors featuring calamansi and salted Chinese plum. 

The New York Times also praises their freshly fried Typhoon Donuts with white-peach coulis, adding that a meal isn’t complete without this sweet treat. 

In an interview with The Seattle Times, Dulla said his life savings was used to bring CHamoru comfort food and fusion to the Seattle area. 

KUAM reached out to Dulla, who said, "Our little Guamanian restaurant getting nationally recognized alongside the best in America was never the intention of the space. I just wanted to share what I learned growing up on Guam and kept the work ethic hard and fierce."