Kusina Ni Inang

Running a restaurant is a challenge, and people often don't realize how overhead, personnel and food costs make pricing a tough call. That said, prices are simply too high. Perhaps there's no other way, yet it seems they've exceeded some threshold. Food ranges from very good to average.

The establishment lacked a menu or displayed prices for the dishes. I found myself overcharged for food that was reheated in front of me and tasted stale. I discarded the majority of the meal due to its poor quality. I cannot recommend this place for dining. I am thoroughly disappointed with the overall experience. There are superior Filipino restaurants in the vicinity worthy of patronage.

Kusina is my favorite Filipino restaurant in the area! After a friend recommended me this place, I’ve been going all the time. With cafeteria style ordering, it’s super quick to order your food, and the servers are always willing to help with any questions. The food and desserts always taste great!

I ordered the Lechon Kiwali (deep fried pork), Lumpia Shanghai (Filipino spring rolls) and rice lunch combo as well as the Ginisang Sayote (sautéed chayote) through Grubhub and the order was timely. The food was tepid temperature (not too unusual for Filipino food, but not super hot as some people ordering might expect), but very tasty. The Ginisang Sayote was flavorful, with a very mild kick and some minced pork in it. It was soupier than some other versions of this I have had but not bad at all. Of the two items ordered this was the warmer of the two and came in an 18 oz container. The lunch combo consisted of 5 chunks of lechon kiwali and five lumpia shanghai. The lumpia came with the typical sweet and sour dipping sauce but was a little limp, barely crisp. The taste was excellent though. The lechon came with the typical liver-based dipping sauce and was very tasty as well, being crispier than the lumpia. The set came with about two cups of sticky white rice. Overall the food was delicious, but I suspect this whole meal would be better in the restaurant. I did feel that it was a bit pricey at nearly $35 for the two items ($12.50 for the 18 oz container of ginisang, and $13 for the lunch combo which only had five pieces of each item). I was well satiated between the two dishes but would have been leaning heavily on the rice to feel satisfied with the lunch combo, so not the best value if you are value conscious. I was somewhat disappointed in not being able to order the turon by the piece or pair as well, the only option being by the tray.

Came across this restaurant through a friend. I love their Kalderetang Kambing, Kare-kare & Pork Barbeque. Definitely will be coming back here when in Hamilton area.