Highlights
- Great dessert
oChef » Kusina – San Diego
Kusina - San Diego
Photo from Kusina
Kusina at a glance
San Diego Miramar
- 🇵🇭 Filipino Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 67 of the guests
#422 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#2 Filipino Restaurant out of 3 in San Diego
Good
7.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
454
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Authentic Food
- Friendly Staff
- Good Ambiance
Frequently criticized
- Service Issues
- Comfort Problems
- Parking Difficulty
The restaurant Kusina San Diego is a Filipino Restaurant located in San Diego’s Miramar neighborhood. You’ll discover a cozy and casual atmosphere perfect for enjoying authentic flavors.
Don’t miss out on their great dessert options, which are a true highlight after a satisfying meal. Whether you’re looking for lunch, dinner, or even breakfast, this spot offers a delightful culinary journey with convenient service options like dine-in, takeout, and delivery.
Overview: Introducting Kusina
Kusina generally provides a pleasant dining experience, with many guests praising the quality of the food and the attentive, friendly staff. The generous portions are often highlighted, contributing to a sense of good value for the meal.
However, some visitors have noted inconsistencies in service, occasionally experiencing delays or mix-ups. The ambience can also be a mixed bag, with mentions of noise or temperature issues, and parking sometimes proving challenging.
Good
7.2
out of 10
454
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
103
negative
33
neutral
318
positive
Kusina earns a respectable overall score of 7.2, indicating a good dining experience for most patrons. This is further supported by a 70% customer satisfaction rate, suggesting that a significant majority of diners leave pleased.
Based on 454 customer remarks, with 318 positive observations compared to 103 negative, the general sentiment is quite favorable. Delving deeper, the Food (7.2) stands out as a consistent strength, often described as flavorful and authentic.
The Ambience (7.4) also contributes positively, though some specific comfort issues are occasionally mentioned. Service (7) is generally competent, yet some experiences point to occasional inconsistencies.
Lastly, Value (7) is considered fair, especially given portion sizes.
What people like
- Delicious authentic food
- Friendly attentive staff
- Pleasant clean atmosphere
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service quality
- Ambience comfort issues
- Difficult parking access
Kusina, with a solid 7.2 recommendation score, generally offers a satisfying dining experience, especially if you’re seeking authentic Filipino cuisine. The food often stands out as a highlight, providing flavorful and well-prepared dishes that many appreciate.
If your priority is delicious, genuine food in a mostly pleasant setting, Kusina is certainly worth considering. However, be aware that service consistency and certain comfort aspects of the ambience might occasionally fall short of expectations.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Kusina
Food (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 91% of the guests
Based on 282 customer comments, the food here generally hits the mark, earning a good score of 7.2. Many rave about the Filipino gourmet taste and authentic flavor, often praising the large portions and variety of options. With 196 positive remarks, it seems many leave satisfied with delicious and fulfilling dishes.
However, customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 69.5%, with 61 negative comments highlighting areas for improvement. Some found dishes soggy, not fresh, or lacking authentic flavor. There were also mentions of food being not great or not flavorful in general, suggesting inconsistency in preparation.
Food
282
Reviews
69%
Satisfaction
61
negative
25
neutral
196
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic flavor
- Generous portions
- Delicious dishes
What people don't like
- Lacks flavor
- Not fresh
- Soggy food
Often praised
- foodI had a fantastic experience at Kusina San Diego with my friends. It's a very nice place with really yummy food and amazing service. This restaurant has quickly become one of my favorite spots.
- FoodFood was great
- kare kareThe place was also very clean. I ordered the sisig and kare kare with garlic rice, and it was perfect for the hungry!
- Filipino foodMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I was impressed with the great service and the delicious Filipino food. I particularly enjoyed how straightforward their dish preparation was, which is something I really appreciate.
- Lumpiahad some Lumpia and Pork sinigang. Both were excellent.
- sushicame back for sushi and it was soooo tasty!
- Sizzling SisigHaving lived in the Philippines for two years and visited many times, I can attest to the authentic Filipino food. The Sizzling Sisig was a recommended dish. The food received a rating of 4, while the atmosphere was rated 3 and service was rated 4.
- chicken adoboWe arrived a bit late for lunch, around 2: 30 PM, and even though they typically close at 3 PM before reopening for dinner, they were kind enough to still serve us. We ordered the lechon kawali kare-kare, chicken adobo, oxtail-nilaga, cinegang pork, and krispy bulaklak. They also have a sushi bar, and we enjoyed a roll.
- chicken inasalchop suey, pansit, chicken inasal, fish fillet
- garlic riceThe place was also very clean. I ordered the sisig and kare kare with garlic rice, and it was perfect for the hungry!
Frequently criticized
- foodIt’s food that’s not worth waiting over an hour for
- Lechon KawaliThe Lechon Kawali was overcooked, being hard and dry.
- crispy patacrispy pata was old and had been reheated
- flavornot that flavorful either
- lechonThe lechon was either overcooked or reheated from the previous day
- meatthe meat is not tender to cook
- pancitsent me this dish with weird, fat noodles shaped like slugs 😬
- ChickenChicken was a bit hard already doesn't taste fresh.
- Chicken InasalChicken Inasal was still a little bit raw
- Crispy Pataupon taking the food out, it almost seem like half of it is missing
If you're craving authentic Filipino flavors and generous servings, this spot is definitely worth a try. Just be aware that some dishes might not always hit the mark, so choose wisely to ensure a satisfying meal.
Service (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 73% of the guests
The service here generally hits the mark, with a solid score of 7, indicating a good experience for many diners. Out of 106 comments, a strong 72 highlighted positive interactions, often praising the friendly staff, attentive staff, and excellent service. Guests frequently felt welcomed and well-cared for, with many appreciating the personal touch from servers and even the owner.
However, customer satisfaction sits at a more mixed 67.9%, suggesting some areas need a little polish. The 31 negative remarks often pointed to issues like long waiting times, feeling rushed, and the restaurant being understaffed. Some also mentioned poor communication regarding events or unexpected closures, which can definitely put a damper on the experience.
Service
106
Reviews
67%
Satisfaction
31
negative
3
neutral
72
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Excellent, amazing service
- Welcoming atmosphere
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Restaurant understaffed
- Poor event communication
Often praised
- serviceI had a fantastic experience at Kusina San Diego with my friends. It's a very nice place with really yummy food and amazing service. This restaurant has quickly become one of my favorite spots.
- staffMy church group had a wonderful women's Christmas breakfast at Kusina. The food and service were great, and the staff was very helpful and accommodating.
- ServiceService was above average, not really checking on us after we got our food
- ownerthe owner of the place thank us personally
- chefthe chef came out and asked how we were doing
- serverMy experience at the restaurant was mixed. The foods were tasty, and the server was pleasant. However, they decided to change my order from sinigang na milkfish to white fish, which was a 🤔🙄☹ experience.
- serversservers did come often to retrieve empty dishes
- Ate Tinakuya Tress and Ate Tina are friendly and inspirational
- Dora, our waitressDora, our waitress was great, professional, attentive
- Friendly staffFriendly staff
Frequently criticized
- orderShe mixed up our order with the other table and gave us their food
- servicethe service was rated a low 1
- understaffedI particularly enjoyed the Sinigang 👍, chicharon bulaklak 👍, and bangus 👍. The staff were friendly, but the restaurant was understaffed on a Saturday, leading to a long wait before being welcomed and seated. Service issues included a waitress grabbing a water glass by the mouth, a 20-minute wait for soda, and another 10 minutes for straws.
- Googletheir website and Google show that they are open until 8pm
- StaffStaff could put on some smiles. They didn't look happy
- Web siteWeb site says they are open till 8pm
- WorkersNone of the workers speaks Filipino either
- added a tipMy experience at the restaurant on April 17th, 2024, around 6 pm was marked by being understaffed. The waitress, in an attempt to compensate, added a tip on my card without my knowledge. While the food received a rating of 3, the service and atmosphere were rated a low 1.
- chefThe chef and the owner. No one would reply.
- chef's experienceexpected better if the chef has over 20 years of experience
If youre looking for a place with generally warm and attentive service, youll likely find it here, especially with the friendly staff. Just be prepared for the possibility of longer waits or occasional communication hiccups, particularly during busy times or for special events.
Ambience (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 47% of the guests
The vibe here generally hits the mark, with a 7.4 score indicating a good experience for many. A solid 77.6% customer satisfaction backs this up, showing most folks enjoy the setting. Out of 58 comments, 45 rave about the welcoming atmosphere, nice decor, and how clean and spacious the dining areas are.
Many also appreciate the ample parking, peaceful music, and even great views! However, it's not all sunshine and roses, with 10 comments pointing out some snags. Some guests have encountered issues like a non-working AC, an unpleasant sewage smell, or noisy cheap chairs.
A few also mentioned the place feeling dark or having an odd ambiance where sound amplifies, which can be a bit distracting.
Ambience
58
Reviews
77%
Satisfaction
10
negative
3
neutral
45
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Welcoming atmosphere
- Clean and spacious
- Ample parking
What people don't like
- Unpleasant smells
- Noisy chairs
- Poor AC
Often praised
- atmosphereThe atmosphere is quiet, given that it was not busy.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- placeI had lunch during the soft opening weekend and my experience was great. The food was tasty and the place was nice. I can’t wait for the breakfast buffet coming soon!
- cleanPlace was also clean
- ParkingWhile the Bicol Express was okay, none of the other food tasted authentic. The service was alright, and parking was free and easy. However, this is definitely not a place I would recommend.
- PlacePlace was awesome excellent service!
- amazing atmospherecreate such an amazing atmosphere
- ambianceNice ambiance.
- ambienceGreat ambience with the peaceful music
- decorI appreciate the decor
Frequently criticized
- ACtheir AC was not working 😕
- Atmospherehaving to talk loud with other guests because any sound inside the bldg amplified
- ambianceThe ambiance was a bit strange
- atmospherethe atmosphere were rated a low 1
- chairscheap metal patio chairs makes too much noise when you move them.
- doordoor was opened? Saving on electricity? That’s one way for flies to enter
- parkingparking situation is horrendous
- placeThe place is dark due to dark curtains covering all windows
- sewage smellSewage smell while you eat is the worst
- smellsmell when you walk in the door is extremely pungent
If youre looking for a generally pleasant and clean spot with good parking and often a nice atmosphere, its worth a visit. Just be aware that some have experienced issues with AC, noise, or an odd smell, which could impact your comfort.
Value (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 9% of the guests
When it comes to value, many folks feel theyre getting a good deal! Customers often praise the price and the overall value for its price, noting that its reasonable and often just right for the generous portions. With 5 positive remarks out of 8 total, its clear many find the pricing fair, contributing to a good score of 7.
However, its not all sunshine and rainbows. While the overall customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 62.5%, a few customers felt the price wasnt quite worth it, indicating that for some, the value proposition didnt quite hit the mark. With just 1 negative comment among the 8 observations, this seems to be a less common sentiment, but still worth noting.
Value
8
Reviews
62%
Satisfaction
1
negative
2
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable pricing
- Good portion value
What people don't like
- Not worth price
Often praised
- pricePrice pretty good for the large size portion you get per dish.
- value for its priceThe value for its price is reasonable
Frequently criticized
- priceNot worth it for the price
Overall, the value here seems to be a bit of a mixed bag, leaning positive. If youre looking for reasonable prices and good portions, its likely worth a try. However, be aware that a few diners felt it wasn't quite worth the cost.
How are the prices at Kusina?
You’re looking at roughly 35 per person – reported by 67 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Filipino Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average lands in the $31–$40 range, it’s interesting to note that most guests actually spend a bit less, with a significant number falling into the $21–$30 bracket. This suggests a nice mix of options, catering to both those looking for a quick bite and those ready for a fuller experience.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 67 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Diego.
Considering the range of spending options, we think the pricing feels fair for a Filipino Restaurant. It seems to offer good value, whether you’re looking for a more budget-friendly meal or a more indulgent experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Kusina
Visit Type
- Family Dinner
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
10
Excellent Filipino Food & Atmosphere!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I found the Filipino food to be the best in town. We particularly enjoyed the Sunday brunch with the family, which offered a great atmosphere.
Everyone was incredibly friendly, and they even offer sushi. I highly recommend this place!
- Filipino food10
- Sunday brunch9
- great atmosphere10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
10
Impressive Filipino Food and Service
My family and I had an amazing experience at this restaurant. The staff was super nice. We arrived a bit late for lunch, around 2: 30 PM, and even though they typically close at 3 PM before reopening for dinner, they were kind enough to still serve us.
We ordered the lechon kawali kare-kare, chicken adobo, oxtail-nilaga, cinegang pork, and krispy bulaklak. They also have a sushi bar, and we enjoyed a roll. Everything was cooked fresh and made to order.
This is an impressive Filipino restaurant with a great establishment and even better staff. We're making it a tradition to eat here every time we come to SD.
- staff10
- service9
- lechon kawali kare-kare9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Moderate
7
Good Filipino Food, Lacking Variety
We dined here for brunch with family who were new to the restaurant. The dining room was clean, and the service was on point. Our food arrived hot and delicious.
However, I felt the variety of dishes could be improved with more different offerings. While the ube pancakes weren’t as hot as expected, several dishes were definitely worth getting: lechon, arrozcaldo, talong, fried egg & garlic rice, green beans, and beefsteak. The brewed drip coffee was also good.
Overall, it was a decent experience. Compared to other AYCE Asian/Chinese restaurants nearby or even Kalaveras’ Mexican Restaurant, which offer similar AYCE brunches at a comparable price, the food variety here was significantly less, about 2-2. 5 times less.
This means if you were to visit again soon, you'd likely encounter the same dishes. If you enjoy Filipino food, Kusina's is likely a very good choice. I just wish there were more hot dishes prepared.
- dining room9
- service10
- food8
- variety of dishes4
- food variety3
- hot dishes3
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Closed Despite Advertised Hours
We went to this restaurant hoping to dine, but our experience was disappointing. Although their sign indicated they were open, a sign at the door stated they were closed. This was particularly frustrating as their website advertised they were open until 8 PM, and we arrived at 7 PM.
- sign2
- Web site2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
8
Generous Portions, Great Service
My experience at this restaurant was quite positive. I ordered the chicken inasal and pork adobo combo. We arrived with half-empty stomachs, which is why we didn't finish our food, but the portions were pretty generous.
The service was great, and we appreciated that parking was free!
- chicken inasal7
- pork adobo combo7
- portions8
What Kusina offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Usually plenty of parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of parking and accessibility options does Kusina San Diego offer?
You’ll find convenience at Kusina San Diego with usually plenty of parking available, including free street parking and a free parking lot. The restaurant is also fully accessible, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom, ensuring a comfortable visit for everyone.
What dining experiences and beverage options can you expect at Kusina San Diego?
Kusina San Diego offers a range of dining options, including breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, with comfortable seating and table service. You can also enjoy a selection of hard liquor, wine, beer, cocktails, and coffee, perfect for pairing with their delicious small plates or a full meal at the bar onsite.
How does Kusina score overall, and what are its key strengths?
Kusina achieves an overall score of 7.2. Its Ambience (7.4) and Food (7.2) are particularly strong points, with Service (7) and Value (7) also rated well by customers.
Is the food at Kusina considered authentic and good quality?
Many customers praise Kusina for its delicious and authentic Filipino food, highlighting dishes like Sizzling Sisig and Lumpia. However, some have noted occasional inconsistencies in dish quality.
What are some common concerns or drawbacks mentioned by visitors to Kusina?
Visitors occasionally report inconsistent service, including understaffing or order mix-ups. Ambience concerns like noise, temperature issues, or difficult parking are also sometimes mentioned.