Kuya’s Islander Cuisine
Filipino restaurant · Gresham ·

Kuya’s Islander Cuisine

Filipino restaurant · Gresham ·

Filipino and Hawaiian fare, including breakfast options, beer

Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine by null

Information

1446 E Powell Blvd, Gresham, OR 97030 Get directions

$10–20

See Menu

Information

Static Map

1446 E Powell Blvd, Gresham, OR 97030 Get directions

+1 503 912 1253
kuyasislanderpdx.com
@kuyasislandercuisine

$10–20 · Menu

Features

wifi
payment credit card
Tap to pay
reservations

Last updated

Dec 21, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@infatuation
132,670 Postcards · 3,232 Cities

Seattle's Best Pop-Ups Of 2020 - Seattle - The Infatuation

"This Filipino comfort food pop-up has operated this year out of Sam Choy’s in Hillman City, and future pop-ups are TBD. But you’ll want Your Kuyas on your radar if only for the mechado dip—a glorious sandwich filled with tomato-y braised beef, sauteed peppers and onions, and crumbled queso fresco with a cup of pan drippings perfect for the baguette to soak up and/or for you to drink from the container. And while that’s what hooked us, the rich adobo short ribs, flavorful marinated grilled chicken with garlic rice, and the burger topped with longanisa sausage, chicharron, and calamansi slaw is what made this place one of our favorite pop-ups of the year." - carlo mantuano, aimee rizzo

https://www.theinfatuation.com/seattle/guides/best-seattle-pop-ups
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine
@eater
391,113 Postcards · 10,989 Cities

Tivoli Village plans new restaurants this summer | Eater Vegas

"From Hawaii, Kuyas is an oyster- and martini-focused restaurant touting a taste of the Pacific Rim that will take over the former Kabuki space (vacant since 2017) with a July opening on the horizon." - Susan Stapleton

https://vegas.eater.com/2019/5/30/18644772/tivoli-village-opening-el-dorado-cantina-adas-hop-nuts
Kuya’s Islander Cuisine

Mina S.

Google
The portion was so generous for the price! You wouldn't get a half of the amount at a fast food joint paying same price. Beef Kaldareta is delicious and absolute must try dish. Adobo chicken is just as good. The volume of rice they serve shows you that they do it right! The server was so warm and respectful. I am definitely coming back and bringing my friends and family.

M G.

Google
You have to try this place!! The food is very delicious!! I can’t say which food was the best because everything was very good! Kiddos and I loved the Halo Halo and we enjoyed the left overs when we got home. Service was great and everyone was very welcoming. We will definitely be back soon!!

Eva G.

Google
I was really hoping this place would be better. I was pretty disappointed. Service was very slow. There was only one server. She forgot our drinks and didn’t offer refills during the entire hour we were seated for dinner. We had to remind her about our drinks and ask for refills. The food was mid. I liked the lumpia, but the adobo was pretty bland and so was the pancit. I think it was overpriced for what you get. After we were finished eating we waited for 15 minutes to try to get the servers attention. We finally were able to flag her down to request to go containers and to pay. The server seemed annoyed that we were requesting stuff from her. Overall I was hoping this place would be good enough to become a regular, however I’m not sure I will return.

R Y

Google
I have mixed feelings about this place. When we arrived the music was pretty loud and we were seated right next to the speaker. The server did turn the music down. And eventually the music turned off, which was nice because it was music through youtube videos with ads and the videos were getting pretty inappropriate for my young daughter to see. Service is pretty slow. It was around noon on a Saturday, there was only one other table with two people, and it took quite a while for food to come out. Only one server and she wasn't really attentive. We did have to ask her for water refills. I thought the food was delicious. I got a combo pork adobo plate. (Asked for chicken, but apparently it wouldn't be ready until afternoon, so ended up with pork). We also had the Halo Halo and my husband ordered an adobo bowl. First time I tried Halo Halo and I did like it. Not sure what is 'normal'. I did notice the beans were a bit hard, but it could be because they were on ice. I wish there had been more green jellies! It was a huge serving, so the price made sense... Although it is mostly ice. If you get that... Plan to share it. The place is clean, a little small, but it wasn't crowded when we went. There is a bar section for adults only. It is bright and airy. There are two bathrooms right at the entrance, easy to spot. Bathrooms are clean. I think the biggest thing to be aware of is that the menu price is only good if you pay cash. I was surprised to see they charged us extra for each item and it seemed there were two prices, one for cash and another for cards. Usually, that kind of charge is clearly communicated and is limited to purchases under $15. We were surprised to see it for a purchase of over $50 and it wasn't communicated upfront and maybe I missed a sign, but I didn't see any sign explaining it. The price paid for the amount of food and combined with the 'so-so' service makes this place a mixed bag for me. The parking lot is behind the building and there were plenty of spots when we arrived, though at busy times it might fill up. They do have one or two vegetarian options, but this is mostly a meat and rice kind of restaurant. They have Hawaiian and Filipino cuisine.

Kerissa M.

Google
The staff here are so sweet! Their food even better! Seating can be tight if it’s busy/dinner rush, but the food never disappoints! I love the pork belly skewers! Highly recommend! Their other pork dishes are great too! The pancit and the mac salad are great side options. The rice has always been cooked well. I pretty much enjoy it all 🤭 The portions are good for the price. I usually have some leftovers (a small lunch worth) but would feed one with a hefty appetite. Do give it a try!

Nick M.

Google
Authentic food, I really enjoyed the halo halo. The mac salad was really good! Pretty much everything we ordered we enjoyed. It just hit different, felt fresh and made to order. Nothing was cold or blah tasting. It was just an all around good experience. But seriously that halo halo was amazing. We will definitely be back.

Robert S.

Google
Hidden gem. This place was great. My son and I snuck in between swim meet activities and boy were we glad. Food was on point. The host was the best as well. Made you feel welcomed and glad for you to be there. A great experience all around. Will be back.

I C

Google
I am sorry to say my phone died before I could finish my review! I loved the beef peanut butter stew with eggplant.Thw service was fantastic! The server was very sweet and personable.Honestly,the only thing that could be improved would be to have more Filipino art and items for atmospheric reasons.I highly recommend this place if you want authentic food.
google avatar

Jam M.

Yelp
We were looking for sour soup (sinigang) for the kids since they were asking for it during our trip. We found this Filipino spot for it instead of going back to The Fork for ilokandia. A few thoughts. We spent about $70+ for food I probably could make better at home. Everything was "mid". 1. Wish we only ordered the sinigang and left and went to the fork. It was decent. It would do. Not the best. Points for taping the sinagang container so it doesn't spill. 2. I ordered lechon kawali. It's ok. Served with mushy rice I heard the kids complain the whole time how mushy it was. The lechon kawali wasn't crunchy but that could be coz it was covered and we had to travel before eating. Served with watery brown lechon sauce. 3. Spam musubi. Comes in pack of 3. It's ok. Kids ate it so it was alright. 4. The hubs got kalbi plate. He ate it all so I guess it was ok. He was very hungry and I did taste the Mac salad and it was good. I also ordered mango cloud drink and regretted it as soon as I saw it. Wish I saw pictures first because ( see picture/video) not sure it's supposed to look like curdled milk. I'm expecting my stomach to hurt tonight. Writing this while my stomach makes noises Overall. It was ok. The lady in there was nice. For the price, I expected more. The restaurant was clean but we had our food to go. I expected more and wish I would've read the reviews before going
google avatar

Jennifer L.

Yelp
A stranger recommended Kuya's to me and said it was the best Hawaiian food he'd had. Unfortunately my experience wasn't the same. The restaurant is pretty nondescript and parking is very limited. I ordered the Hawaiian combo with Huli Huli chicken and teriyaki chicken. All meals come with rice and mac salad. The mac salad was really good. Like hmm 4.5 outta 5 stars. Both chicken dishes were just meh. The chicken alone had very little to no flavor all the flavor came from the sauce which wasn't anything special. The serving size was good but the flavor was lacking so I probably won't try them again.
google avatar

Alex B.

Yelp
This is the second time I have been here. Today I was really looking forward to my chicken adobo. Why? I was imagining the skin of that chicken so flavorfully cooked hitting my palate but alas was disappointed that there was no evidence of skin that the chicken used to have at all on my adobo. So totally disappointed. As this is the second time I have been here, let's talk flavors. The first time I was here I ordered Dinugian but found both the Dinuguan and adobo were both struggling to release their flavors. Like the chef was holding back because the flavor is there but not as strong giving it a quality like you were missing something. The service was quick for the take out adobo.
google avatar

Jason A.

Yelp
I placed an order for pick up yesterday. It was an order for dinuguan. It came in a small container (see photo). I was told it would come with rice, but it did not. $16 for a small container of dinuguan is a bit much.
google avatar

Laura N.

Yelp
Savory Filipino and Hawaiian dishes in a cozy environment. The staff is friendly and the service is timley.
google avatar

Melyssa G.

Yelp
I wanted to try a filipino restaurant and found this spot. Opens at 11, but they were a bit late unlocking the doors today. We waited in the car and saw people starting to walk in, so we headed on in. It's an old craftsman house which was renovated into a restaurant. It was nice and open upon walking in and we were directed to a numbered table. Right next to the window was a nice touch. There's lots to choose from, but the kare kare caught our eyes. It was big enough to share. I suggest getting another side order of rice if you plan on sharing a meal. We also got the fresh lumpia, as a starter. You may need to ask for a couple of plates and a serving spoon if you're sharing a meal or appetizer. The staff was very nice. My mom got to chatting with them. We want to come back and try the rest of the menu. As others have mentioned, the portions are definitely big enough to share. Bring your appetite.
google avatar

Prima B.

Yelp
I ordered pancit palabok. Please look at the picture. Inedible. The noodles were undercooked and the sauce was watery. Definitely not the traditional palabok I was expecting. Friendly and accommodating.
google avatar

Katrina A.

Yelp
Yes!! They're literally so good. It's very consistent because I ordered take out before this previous order on DoorDash. I waited for the second order, to be very impressed with their milkfish. So yummy. I forgot how to say it in tagalog lol. Anyways, when I made the order on DoorDash, I called to make sure that they have vinegar on the side and the lady was so sweet. She reminded me of my literal lola .
google avatar

Mary H.

Yelp
Delicious Mac salad. Hulu Hulu chicken was good too. I'd like to try the Philippino dishes next visit.

Carole G.

Yelp
A lovely little Filipino-Hawaiian restaurant with a dining room room full of light! Fairly quiet with quiet music to allow easy conversation. Excellent, unobtrusive service. The food was delicious, especially the pancit and the macaroni salad!
google avatar

cutestuff c.

Yelp
I was here last month. I ordered the pancit, and pork sinigang. The price is ok. Food portion size is good. The pancit noodle was a good portion for 2 adults but the taste was a bit boring for my taste. It didn't wow me like when you take the first bite you want more or for sure wanting to get seconds after you finish. I had pancit from my friends mom and hers is really good that I want more to take home. I felt the pancit here is ok but something I wouldn't want to order again. I feel it could be more flavor or seasoned. The pork sinigang soup was ok. I felt the same as the pancit noodles. I felt that it's lacking flavor and seasoning. It just tasted bland. It just didn't taste like how your grandma or mom would cook it. Like I didn't taste the passion and love in it more like it was cooked quick and it wasn't cooked long enough. Pork tasted a bit dry. Food is ok here. it didn't WOW me. I had many Filipino dishes and it's nothing I would want to come again to order bland flavors. Service was great and the lady is very nice.
google avatar

C M.

Yelp
I ordered a beef meal the other night. The beef itself was sliced into thumb sized pieces; it was tough and unseasoned. I was very disappointed. I cannot recommend the beef at all. The rice was good, but that's it.
google avatar

Rich R.

Yelp
Ordered lumpia Shanghai, chicken wings, banana lumpia, and lechon for delivery this evening. Received notice the banana lumpia were unavailable. Of the remaining order, only the lumpia Shanghai and chicken wings were included in the order delivery. No lechon. However, the lumpia and chicken wings were, without reservation, outstanding! The delivery error was corrected timely. The truncated order was delivered with in the promised time frame and was crispy and warm with tasty sauces. I will be ordering from this restaurant again. Hopefully with greater attention to the details of the order.
google avatar

Pastores P.

Yelp
We were pleasantly surprised with this hike in the wall Filipino restaurant. Plenty of seating and service was good. The food was definitely delicious and to top it all the halo-halo portions was way more than expected. We ordered 2 but could've shared one We'll be coming back!
google avatar

Michelle T.

Yelp
Food is great with good portions, very clean, but service can be hit or miss depending on who is working the restaurant that day.
google avatar

Cin T.

Yelp
Not bad but not great. It's bare bones diner that would probably work better with counter service instead because it's just awkward really. Food was good, service was sad.
google avatar

Iachi M.

Yelp
We had lunch here before our flight back to SF, and it was a great experience. The place is extremely clean and inviting. We were the first diners of the day, and the service was prompt and friendly. One thing to note is that the food is cooked fresh after you place your order, so there's a bit of a wait, but it's definitely worth it. When our food arrived, we were pleasantly surprised by the generous serving sizes--enough to share between two people! We ordered the sisigsilog and halo-halo, and both were excellent. The sisigsilog was flavorful and satisfying, and the halo-halo was humongous and delicious--a perfect treat to cool down with. Our server was very pleasant, checking in to make sure we had everything we needed before quietly enjoying her Filipino teleseryes on her laptop.

Bob M.

Yelp
I heard about this place from a friend of mine. I was traveling with friends to Hood River, OR for the weekend from the Seattle area and I thought I would pass by and give this place a shot. Overall, the food was very good. The portion size was reasonable and the customer service was excellent. The owner Gabriel was most welcoming and very customer service oriented. My friends also enjoyed the food. He even threw in some ube shaved ice and it was very tasty and refreshing I told my friends in the Seattle area that the food was good . I would not hesitate to stop by if I am in the area again. Thank you Gabriel and staff for a wonderful dining experience.
google avatar

Asia D.

Yelp
Love me some food from a kuya . I came mainly to try out KARE KARE which is a peanut butter curry type meal with ox tail it was so rich and tastey but def a preferred dish for someone We loved the kalbi ribs and the beef dish was okay My man loved his gravy and meat in his loco MOCO We definitely loved the halo halo it could be more sweet
google avatar

Jean-Pierre G.

Yelp
While my car was getting some maintenance nearby, I hoofed it over to Kuya's to grab a bite and beverage. Having lived on Maui, it was good to dig into some tasty island style grinds (cuisine).
google avatar

Linda D.

Yelp
DELICIOUS food, EXCELLENT & friendly service! My friend and I stepped inside the restaurant and was greeted with a smile and a hello...we felt very welcomed and really appreciated. Cute place, but my friend and I wanted to sit outdoors to enjoy the weather. We ordered the Combo plate with Pork Adobo, Pancit and Lumpia. Ordered Halo Halo for dessert. VERY GOOD!!! Go check it out!
google avatar

Chase M.

Yelp
I really enjoyed stopping by their brick and mortar. You would even see the owner coming out of the kitchen to talk to guests. The food was very good we tried the Filipino items and and liked everything we got. My girlfriend is quite unfriendly to gluten and they and they accommodated some dishes so she was still able to enjoy.. Just know there are not very many options for gluten free.. The lumpia was amazing it's always good places but these were especially friedwell. I love the glass noodle Filipino dishes the pino dishes the only thing was I am not used to all of the shrimp and it wasn't listed on the ingredient but it was still very good even though I'm not a huge shrimp fan. They had people singing karaoke out front and and it was very cute and welcoming though we opted for indoor seating lol. I believe this was once a food cart and the menu seems to stay about the same it is nice to have a smaller menu to know things are fresh but also a little bit limiting if you have people with diet restrictions.

Cheryl A.

Yelp
I've been to Thailand and Bali. While there I took a cooking class to learn how to make this cuisine when returning to my home. When I visited this restaurant I felt that the food was what I ate in the countries I had visited. I love returning to eat the fresh and authentic food! Cheryl Anderson
google avatar

Samuel A.

Yelp
I got the Laing and Kare-kare. The Laing was on point - good flavor, just the right amount of spice. The kare-kare was average, so compared to the Laing it was a letdown. The beef was chewy and the peanut curry lacked flavor. I will definitely visit this place next time I'm in the area.

Judith M.

Yelp
First time buyer today. Delicious! Loved the lumpia, the chicken, rice, pulled pork! We'll be back.

Kat W.

Yelp
Been driving by after Market & finally stooped in. I tried the Hawaiian Philippine Combo and I ADORE!! the chicken Huli Huli ! it was DIVINE! The portions are quite hefty, I had enough for a goodly dinner the next day! Had their Leche Flan and OMG!! I've never had a portion so big I didn't crave more! and it's just so yummy! Can't wait till next week, I'm going to try something new! Service was great, atmosphere homey, everything was savory, delicious and welcoming! My tummy was very happy! Didn't take pictures lolol was too busy sampling!

Gina D.

Yelp
The food was delicious and service was very quick! The space was nice and clean and the store had a nice variety of items including pastries for sale. 10/10 would recommend! The staff were also very kind and welcoming.
google avatar

Charles B.

Yelp
Unreliable! Ordered through Uber eats to pick up. When I arrived there was a karaoke competition going on. I thought it was very cool that they were having it during business hours. I was greeted and told them I had an Uber eats order. He went back to the kitchen and returned to verify my name. I went to show them the app and noticed that they cancelled my order right when I arrived, 15 minutes after I ordered. I asked if I could order there and was told "no". The food is great, but I don't think I'll ever consider them again. Bad business in my opinion to allow someone to order, but then cancel at pickup time.
google avatar

Cindy R.

Yelp
Kuya Fred's Cuisine catered my granddaughter's birthday party. Plenty of food for everyone. All of the food was delicious. My favorites are the pork adobo and beef kaldereta (Filipino beef stew). I've also dined at the restaurant on Powell. The wait staff is prompt and friendly. The restaurant is clean. I heard they have karaoke on sone nights. If you love Filipino food, or Pacific Islander food, try Kuya Fred's. My daughter loves the teriyaki chicken, mac salad, and rice plate. Reminds her of the years we lived in Hawaii. All of us love turon for dessert. The leche flan is good too. Try Kuya Fred's Cuisine. You'll be happy that you did. MABUHAY!

Shann C.

Yelp
Huli Huli chicken was perfect! Great portions and super tasty! Highly recommend if you are looking for authentic Hawaiian flavors.
google avatar

Kevin D.

Yelp
I was pretty excited to try this Filipino/Hawaiian place in Gresham. I didn't have much time between meetings so I decided to get takeout from here. I first called in an order for the chicken adobo plate and kalbi. However, a few minutes later they called back and told me the kalbi was sold out. Okay, that's fine, I was a bit disappointed but got the kalua pork instead. When I got to the restaurant to pick up my food, I stood there for about 10 minutes as they dealt with a payment issue with one of the dine-in guests. Mistakes happen, so I wasn't upset about this in particular. When I got home to try the food, everything looked pretty good. The portion of the kalua pork was pretty sizeable, though the chicken adobo was a bit lacking in the amount of chicken they gave. The kalua pork and lumpia were too salty, unfortunately. The chicken adobo, on the other hand, was dry and underseasoned. The only parts of the meal we liked were the mac salad. I can only hope that the kalbi they were sold out of would've been better than the kalua pork. Honestly, pretty disappointing experience overall but hopefully they can improve on this feedback.
google avatar

Jennifer M.

Yelp
Well, well, well. I expected a very different experience after reading all the reviews about how good the customer experience was. What we got was the polar opposite. First we just stood around waiting for someone to greet and seat us. We finally looked around the corner and there was a lady with her coat still on looking at her phone. We cleared our throat..., nothing. We opened and closed the door... nothing. Finally spoke up and she looked up and seemed very bothered by our presence. Finally was seated where we waited and waited for someone (anyone!) to stop by and acknowledge our presence. Ordered and waited and waited again for our drinks to arrive because apparently our server had dropped into a black hole somewhere. We called over the lady with her coat still on and told her we were still waiting on our drinks and she gave us a look as if to say.."and you're telling me this because?....then smirked and walked away. Food (and drinks) finally arrived and it was pretty good. Not the greatest, but overall ok. Of course food doesn't taste as good when your server s staring at you the whole time!!! Decided at the end not to order the halo halo, which we were looking forward to, but, we were so full from all the "warm and fuzzies", we couldn't eat another bite. Sad, because I have missed Filipino food since moving from SF. Luckily, I learned how to make all of this myself and quite frankly, mine tastes better. So there you go. Hope it was just a bad start to their day and that the lady finally took off her winter coat (it's almost summer btw), adjusted her attitude and " sparkled" the rest of the day. As for me, I have decided to have my friends over and make some "fire" Filipino food. Thanks for the inspiration!
google avatar

Nannette P.

Yelp
I'd come back here. The food was great. We were treated by the owners. Friendly atmosphere.
google avatar

Ron K.

Yelp
Excellent food and owner was the best. This place felt like eating at home because the owner made us feel so welcomed. Again, food is outstanding. Thank you Fred!!!
google avatar

Kal C.

Yelp
I wanted to love it, but it was terrible. - The chicken was burnt and flavorless. - The pancit had no chicken in it, was super oily, lacking in veggies and also flavorless. - The lumpia was anorexic and the only decent thing was the chili dipping sauce (which tastes like it has extra sambal). Otherwise, this was also flavorless. In addition, this was $38 for a bunch of blah. Ended up making something else for lunch for everyone.
google avatar

Vince C.

Yelp
This is hands down the absolute best Filipino food you can get anywhere in Oregon or Washington. Fred is super nice and sociable and the place is a sweet little spot to go eat alone or with family. Try the Lechon or the Patagonia. Have a beer with the pata. You'll thank me later. These folks understand customer service and will take great care of you.
google avatar

Antonio S.

Yelp
We were driving back to Portland from Mt Hood. This was the nearest filipino resto along the way. Safe parking, good food, lasang pinoy. Would highly. recommend this place
google avatar

Jefferson I.

Yelp
This place is fire. Fatass portions for my fatass. Good flavors and shit. Would recommend.

David K.

Yelp
Food heated up out of the refrigerator pork adobo was dry. Where's the sauce that comes with? It didn't have that wonderful taste that it normally has was all chopped up because it was heated up and there was nothing in it carrots celery, and some cabbage. The lumpia was the best part of it and it wasn't even that good of lumpia and when I ordered it, I had to buy two meals to get chicken, adobo and pork adobo. You cannot get just a side of one of the other, it is not worth the 16 bucks for their combo and then they want to tip on top of that and I did put it in a bag and eat it up at the refrigerator even I can make better Filipino food than that
google avatar

Xichen J.

Yelp
There is parking in the back of the restaurant and they have live bands playing there during some evenings. Check their website for the exact schedule. What a disappointment this place has been. Service here was nonexistent (not once did the waitress come around to check on us after ordering; we also had to go up to the cashier to settle the check ourselves) and the waitress could not even describe the dishes on the menu when asked during ordering. I tried the huli-huli chicken, which was just teriyaki chicken with a lousy slice of pineapple on the side. The description says it's chicken with pineapple, which is deceptive since the pineapple is not cooked with the chicken. Also, the sauce is drippy and does not taste too good. The charring on the chicken was quite uneven. All said, this place was a complete let-down for me.
google avatar

Ben U.

Yelp
It's so good ... I don't even know where to start! Some time ago I was longing for a simple traditional Hawaiian-style meal of chicken, rice, and perhaps most importantly, pineapple. At the time, it didn't seem like a tall order to find a place nearby. After all, Gresham is part of the greater Portland area and, with all the foodie choices around, I figured it'd be easy to find what I was looking for. Perhaps it was due to the pandemic, but I had no such luck! I'd even gone in search of the elusive meal at other nearby restaurants that I thought were similar and that seemed as if they'd have what I was looking for. No luck, nothing, nada, zip, zilcho! One fellow, when asked about pineapple, replied with, "No! No pineapple! Only have small cups!" Clearly, he was confused and I, well, I was completely bewildered! However, that scenario has recently changed with the joyful opening of Kuya's Islander Cuisine. Fred Asa and team are our new local purveyors of Authentic Filipino / Hawaiian cuisine, and I couldn't be happier! Nothing says relaxation quite so wonderfully as the islander motif. When it comes to creating a laid-back atmosphere, it can be hard to beat the melodious sounds of Hawaiian slack key guitar, the dreamy images of tanned dancing hula girls adorned with colorfully flowered leis swaying about, the sensual feel of a cool summer breeze upon the skin, the tantalizing taste of cold fruity-fresh beverages, and the soulful smell of seasoned meats being grilled. Enter Kuya's. The interior is clean and well pieced together with nice, tasteful wall decor and furniture. Large menus show menu choices clearly and concisely from quality wall-mounted displays. It's simple, it has a welcome openness to it, it's clean, and it's inviting. I was kindly greeted by the staff and invited to take a seat in the waiting area, which is large and open, and provides easy access to the restrooms. In addition to the open dining area, there is also a separate more private area that, to my understanding, has a bar and Lotto. A small, but nice outdoor patio provides for those who like the breezy, albeit noisier, outdoor setting. I had a few pleasant encounters with the staff while there, including a brief conversation about the refreshing Halo-halo dessert that is served. According to Wikipedia, Halo-halo, also spelled haluhalo, is Filipino for "mixed" and that is precisely what the waitress told me to do with it! It seems that mixing it all up is the intended way to enjoy the cold treat! Now, back to my initial quest for a traditional-style plate of islander food! Did I finally find it? You bet I did! Was I impressed? Well, does a hawksbill sea turtle do whatever it likes out in the ocean? Yessiree! I finally did find it and it really makes me smile. I guess the old saying, "Seek and ye shall find", is true. What I didn't realize, until I caught a whiff of that wonderful food as I walked across the parking lot, is that while I was seeking, angels were hard at work turning a dream into a reality. I'm so glad that they did and I hope you will be, too!
google avatar

Mike C.

Yelp
Stopped by for dinner with the wife and kids. We had a great experience and would definetly come back again. Service was great. Everyone was super nice, attentive, and helpful. Placing our order was quick and easy. And the food came out in a timely manner. Each dish waa brought out as it was cooked, so it was all hot and fresh, and everything was super tasty. We started off with Shanghai lumpia and crispy chicken wings. You can never go wrong with lumpia, and theirs tasted great. I was able to get one piece before the family scarfed them all down. The wings were a little well done, but still tasted great. For our meals, my girls ordered teriyaki chicken, an adobo bowl, and the adobo combo plate. The wife ordered the pork sinigang, and I got the lechon kawali. All the dishes were super delicious and filling. For dessert the wife and kids shared a leche flan, which they devoured. The whole restaurant was super clean. There was plenty of parking since the place wasn't very busy. They also have a bar if you are looking for a little something to drink. Overall we had an awesome experience and would recommend this spot if you are craving Filipino food!

Liz S.

Yelp
I was Ono for pancit behon. To my surprise, Kuya's was closeby. I had the Adobo Combo, which included the pancit. The taste was light for both the pork adobo and the pancit. I normally like a stronger taste but I did enjoy my plate! The pork in the adobo was super tender and didn't have a vinegar taste at all. Yet, I liked it that way. The restaurant has a small dining area as well as limited parking. I'm glad I went for an early dinner. The service was great & I was checked on often. The ambiance was simple & relaxing. I'll definitely return but not during regular peak hours.
google avatar

Rudito B.

Yelp
For some strange reason I had a sudden craving for Lumpia. Don't ask. So we Yelped and found this place in Gresham. I'm glad we paid Kuya's a visit. We ordered the Lumpia Shanghai appetizer which comes with 10 perfectly savory and crispy little rolls and a sweet dipping sauce. You'll note that I don't have a Lumpia picture to share cuz I just about inhaled them before realizing I forgot to get a shot. For the mains we chose Hawaiian style chicken and pork dishes. Delish!
google avatar

Char S.

Yelp
Came into town for a family gathering and we stopped here for lunch. What a fun place. I do not remember the name of what I ordered, but it was noodles, pork, and sauce. It was very good. All the food was good. Service was good, a little slow, but clearly under staffed. Overall, a good experience.

Graciehla B.

Yelp
I loved how the place gave a very home welcoming feel. When my boyfriend and I entered the place, we were greeted by a tita and she was very generous and kind with her type of service. The food that they served reminded me of home and tasted the way I really wanted it to taste. I got the lechon kawali and my boyfriend got the huli huli chicken with the kalua pork. Overall, this place is amazing if looking for Filipino and Hawaiian food and you're missing home!

Jhe F.

Yelp
It was our first time today. We drove from Vancouver,WA to try it. We were excited to try this new filipino/hawaian restaurant. When we start ordering, we were disappointed that most of the food in the menu they dont have it, "sold out"? It was just around 2pm and they already dont have food ‍ Also, their food are bit expensive. 3pcs of veggie lumpia for $10 and also 3pcs turon for $10 see photo below. Turon was not coated in caramel sugar . Very disappointing for the price. I

Vegas G.

Yelp
I saw this place and got all excited for some Filipino food in the neighborhood but they were closed at 6pm on Sunday! Excited to try Kuya's when they're open
google avatar

Rob H.

Yelp
The food was AMAZING!! We found out about this place through the local Chamber and it's quite the find! We also greatly appreciate their support of the community. Super nice folks too!!