Kusinang Pinoy Filipino Home Cooking — Restaurant in Springettsbury Township

My filipino family and I were very excited to check out Kusinang Pinoy and support a local Filipino business, but we left thoroughly disappointed and upset. The food was subpar at best, but we were willing to excuse that as we knew our expectations might be higher than others since we often make Filipino food in our household.

The one thing that was inexcusable, however, was the unprofessional and rude service we received. We were confused by a cold block of gelatin and meat found on top of our sisig (not typically found on the sizzling hot dish that sisig usually is, at least in our part of the Philippines) and asked if it was a mistake. This led to two of the waitresses openly bickering at our table over what to do with it, leaving us at the table feeling very uncomfortable. It was clear they were not familiar with Filipino cuisine (didn't know what we were ordering when we said the name and fully relied on the numbers on the menu) which is completely okay if they put in some sort of effort to try and understand, but they instead made understanding our culture feel more like an inconvenience. They eventually came back and explained that the chef did in fact mean to put the block of gelatin on the dish, but couldn't heat it up because it would melt. Again, we were simply confused and looking for an explanation, but this was told in a very disrespectful and condescending manner making us even more uncomfortable. We accepted the sisig as is, WE apologized, and went on with our meal. After a while, in the middle of conversation, a waitress comes back and places a bowl of slush on our table. We didn't order anything like it so we asked what it was and she responded, "It's the gelatin heated up." We never asked for it, we accepted the sisig without asking for any more modification, we made it clear that was simply not how we were used to seeing the dish. This action just felt more like a petty dig at us for even bothering asking rather than a favor to make up for the past grievances. We didn't even touch the bowl, but after a while, a waitress come back and asks how the gelatin specifically tasted, if we liked it. Like I mentioned, if this was meant to be a form of apology, we didn't take it that way, and I doubt others would either.

I haven't even explained how they made THEIR mistake of getting my mom's order incorrect seem like an inconvenience to THEM (It was a technological issue, but again, no apology from them. Instead MY MOM said sorry to them). When they returned with the correct dish (after the rest of us had basically already finished eating, by the way) the waitress even rudely said "This what you wanted?" as she handed the plate over. And yes, this dish was subpar too (It was palabok and the boiled eggs were greyed and cold, clearly not made fresh).

We can excuse the occasional mistake and the evolvement of classic filipino dishes, but what is not excusable is the disrespect and subtle discrimination we experienced here. Every concern we voiced was rudely and defensively responded to. So disappointed to feel like that at a place we were so ready to feel at home in. The only hope here is to fix the menu descriptions and offer better service training or hire more...

This was my first time trying a fillipino restaurant and I can say my experience was a good one. When we entered the restaurant the owners greeted us and immediately came over and talked with us. They sat down next to us and began explaining menu items to us and answering questions we had. They were so sweet and super accommodating! We went around 4pm and it was definitely slow but by the time we were done eating you could tell business was about to start picking up. Each dish brought out to us was presented nicely and were bigger than anticipated, owners expressed to us, if we didn't like something to please let them know and they'd make something else. I can say I enjoyed everything. Appetizers were the steamed bun (Siapao), fried salmon & rice cake (no longer a menu item) but they let us try it!, I ordered the Sinigang (pork belly) they did tell me it was a sour dish but I love sour and to me it was perfect! The vegetables I could have preferred to be cut up a little more, but if that's the authentic way, I'm here for it. My s.o ordered the Pansit Palabok, definitely different and once he added Sriracha to it, he enjoyed it even more. I then ordered the Halo Halo as a dessert, I wanted even more different and authenticity, and it was definitely different but so delicious! If you're open to new, different and a mix of flavors & texture you have to try it. My picture of it is horrible bc I went at it before I remembered, but it's good I promise!

I did have to Google some items to look up what they were which is perfectly fine, but adding pictures and maybe descriptions of desserts will definitely help! Especially for a basic American in York county like me lol.

Overall, I highly recommend giving this place a try, and if you aren't sure or don't like your order...LET THEM KNOW! They seriously were the nicest. Plus, that pork belly was the most tender and flavorful pork belly I've ever had! So good! Thank you! We will...

First, I’d like to begin by saying that I fully support local businesses, especially Filipino-owned establishments. That’s why I was genuinely excited to visit and try this place. However, I also believe in providing honest and constructive feedback, and I’d like to share our experience to hopefully help the business grow and improve. My husband and I drove over an hour from Shippensburg to York to try this newly opened restaurant. We were genuinely excited to support a Filipino business and showcase our love for Filipino cuisine. Unfortunately, our experience fell short. The waitress seemed new and unfamiliar with the menu and the ordering system, which led to a lot of back and forth. Our food came out in a very disorganized order—halo-halo arrived first, followed by garlic rice (without the main dish), then the empanada, and finally the pork belly adobo. The garlic rice tasted more like freshly cooked plain rice mixed with scrambled eggs and garlic chips. The adobo lacked acidity (from vinegar) and flavor, and it had large chunks of bell pepper, carrots, and potato, ingredients that are not typical in traditional Filipino adobo. When I asked about it, the owner responded defensively, explaining that it was how they prepare adobo in their region and pointed out that their chef is Indonesian, not Filipino. Rather than being open to feedback or offering an alternative, the owner dismissed the concern by noting that my husband "seemed to be enjoying the food." While I appreciate the 10% discount that was offered, I felt that the quality of both food and service didn’t justify the long drive or the dining experience. I truly want to support small businesses and promote Filipino food, but unfortunately, this isn’t a place I would personally recommend...