Diamelle A.
Yelp
We love the lechon kiwali- it's delicious!
Aside from the lechon, texture of meats is as if they've been sitting in a crock pot all day and/or made too far in advance to serve. In a medium sized to-go container, there is about a 3/4 inch layer of clear liquid fat/grease at the top of wet entrees (all of them but the kare kare, as the peanut butter thickens it's sauce) with meat (overtime, we've tried them all at least twice). In the past, not enough condensed milk in the halo halos, I think they'd run low or out and hoped we wouldn't notice given most around here don't really know authentic Filipino food. Clean dining area, but tables lack condiments, salt, and pepper (wouldn't be an issue if the food wasn't bland).
Will continue driving to Lathrop, Tracy or Stockton for authentic and better tasting Filipino food. Although I live minutes from Kusina, there is a greater cost benefit for me to drive further for better quality food, at significantly lower prices, even with gas prices as crazy as they have been.
My parents are first generation, and, as a Modesto native of 30+ years, I really, really wanted to love this place; but after 5 or 6 attempts dining/picking up from here with an open mind for improvement, it will continue to be a last resort to fulfill our undeniable cravings for Filipino food without having to cook it myself.
This is Modesto's only Filipino restaurant, so they've got that going for them. I grew up in that neighborhood, I know it well. I foresee them doing OK for now (by default), but only for as long as they remain without local competition. Hopefully the renovations currently being made to Century Center will extend the restaurant's shelf life and attract more patrons sooner than later, while Kusina remains the single option for locals to eat Filipino cuisine.
