Handugan Authentic Filipino Cuisine

I went here on a Sat. afternoon, last week, and tried the breakfast «longsilog», which means garlic fried rice, longanisa (sweet Filipino sausage), and 2 over-​medium eggs. Sausage was sweet and full of fat chunks, but that’s how they are really intended, for flavor. Eggs were OK. Main complaint is all food items were cold. And I bet if the LA Health Department was there, they would tell them to turn on the burners to maintain a certain hot temperature.
Topics of discussion I overheard from the staff were disgusting. No class. Some woman was talking loudly about «banil», let’s just say it is something about sweat. After that comment I just finished my lunch and went on my way. Unlikely to try it again.

This is authentic as it gets in Southern California. Ive tried their competitors good and it’s extremely oily, and poor quality in my opinion. Here they serve dried fish in generous portions. The adobo is delicious and nowhere near as greasy as down the street. I’ve experienced nothing but nice people working there. Plus there is an all you can eat lunch special that is really low priced. Check it out, this place has a lot of return customers, I’m one of them.

I came here yesterday around noon to get something for lunch. We usually go to Tita Celia’s down the street but they were closed considering it was new years day.
We walked in and we were the only one there, except for a large group who were just leaving. We went straight to where the buffet line was and we were confused as where to start. We were going back and forth for about 2 minutes, all the while one of the servers was behind the counter. He finally came out and asked what we would like. He was a very sweet guy, which is why I’m not giving this place 1 star. We ordered two combos, which some with 2 scoops of rice + 2 sides of your choice. Unfortunately they don’t offer eggs after breakfast, which was a bummer. In total, we paid $ 15+ for 2 combos.
I ordered the machado and langonisa as my sides, and I first took a bite out of the machado. It was ok, but after eating it a bit more I progressively found that I was disliking the taste. I decided I would start eating the langonisa however that too was cold. It did taste very good but the fact that it was not hot made me want to stop eating. I always make sure to finish everything that’s on my plate, but this was no possible.
I would not go back, considering theres better places like Tita Celia’s down the street or Ninong’s in the valley.

Oh no, what happened to Handugan?
A year ago, as seen in my initial review, my family and I ordered sisig here for our Christmas party. Back then everyone at our party enjoyed the sisig and so when it came to our Christmas party this year, we did not hesitate to order here again. This time around, the experience was so different.
Handugan has changed management and a lot of things changed. We were surprised to see that their catering went up a lot in price. A half tray of sisig is now $ 55 and a half tray of beef kaldereta is $ 65. Nevertheless because we liked it a lot last year, we decided to order again this year. We ordered a tray of crispy sisig and beef kaldereta and pre-​paid.
The real disappointment came the day of us picking up our order. We were standing there for a good five minutes and no one acknowledged us. The lady who owns the place saw us standing there and didn’t even greet us or ask us what we needed. My mom had to say twice we were there to pick up our order and even after that no one handed us the trays. We had two orders, one order of beef kaldereta and one order of sisig and the sisig wasn’t on the table. Finally, someone went to get the sisig from the kitchen and we were surprised to see the size of the tray. Even though both the beef kaldereta and sisig were half orders, it was very apparent that they used a way smaller tray for the sisig over the beef kaldereta. Then to further our dismay, the sisig was all cold. It was not fresh and appeared to have been prepared way earlier and stored in the fridge. Hence the sisig was not «crispy» even though our order was supposed to be crispy sisig. We told the lady owner and she didn’t say anything. She grabbed the tray and brought it back to the kitchen. I guess she went to go get it heated or cooked again (she didn’t say what she was going to do with the tray) but we sat in the restaurant a good 30 minutes before our order came back out. The whole 30 minutes no one from the restaurant’s workers or management e ven acknowledged us. They were not friendly at all to us customers.
Finally after 30 minutes our order appeared again and they handed it to us. We had two big trays to carry between my mom and I and no one helped us out. No one even was willing to open the door for us, until the last minute when one of the lady workers saw us struggling and she came to push the door. As for the lady owner, we again never heard a word from her. No acknowledgement, no thanks for our business and definitely no «happy holidays or merry christmas» greeting.
It was just a bad experience overall. First disappointment was the big price hike on their orders. Second disappointment was how apparent the tray was smaller for one order. Third insult was when the sisig came out not fresh and cold. The fourth and worst thing of all though was the bad customer service.
After this experience and after reading the recent Unilocal reviews, I can understand why other Unilocalers are complaining about the customer service. I experienced first hand the bad customer service here. The old management was friendlier and better, now they’re just plain unfriendly and simply not good to their customers. So sad. How can I be willing to give my business to a place who doesn’t even acknowledge their customers and leaves them standing there for five minutes?
I’ll say the taste of the food was ok and I may have given this place 3.5 stars for the food but after all of the above disappointments, I can’t even do that.

I was very disappointed! We ordered 1 tray and they did not get it right! I am very upset because the lady owner who I am speaking over the phone NEVER apologize she’s faking being nice while I am talking to her. SMH! She doesnt really want to negotiate at the very least she’s the one who took my order too and for some reason they don’t know the names of what they serve.
The lady server doesnt seem to care either, she is the regular petite lady who’s there most of the time. Ugh!!!
1 star is actually for the old guy he is the only one who helped us and tried to resolved the issue. Thanks for that mister…
For the lady owner, please try to be nice next time. Your business will never last if you are being Rude to your customers. And try to apologize, maybe I could still consider going back here!
I will be honest with it comes to their food I will rate it 3.5 almost everything tasted really good! But minus the bad service you get

It is under new management, and yes its not quite as friendly as it used to be, but the food is very good here. Its probably my favorite place in Carson although I like Tita Celias and Manila Lechon as well. You cant go wrong with any of those 3. Its also a great value as its super cheap with huge portions. They run a buffet now as well as the standard 1 dish with rice, 2 dishes with rice, etc. I am a big guy and the 2 dishes ALWAYS fills me up.
They aren’t great at explaining the dishes to people that don’t know Tagalog or the cuisine that well. When you ask them «whats in this», they will just say the name in Tagalog. That’s really ok, because its good to try new stuff right? Its almost all good, I seldom get something I don’t like here. When you order make sure to get the side of clear sour soup, its free and really helps cleanse the palate.

Before the new management, there used to be an array of foods lined up at 8am. Now, there’s only longganisa and dried fish. They even charge extra for the egg in their breakfast. Eggs shouldn’t be optional on a Filipino breakfast. It’s a part of it. I highly suggest to just go to Tita Celia’s across the street. That is how Filipino breakfast should be.

This restaurant changed management a few months ago and it has been downhill from then on. The new «manager» likes to be on her phone more than talk to the customers. I’m a regular here (before the change) and the former manager would always greet me and talk to me, but now, the new lady is always on her phone while dealing with customers and shows no customer service of any kind. I still recognize some of the employees as before and they’re great, it’s just the new lady that’s the problem.
I went in for some lunch earlier and I stood there for about 5 minutes, waiting for her to acknowledge me, even though she saw me and said nothing. I was about to leave when one of the nicer employees (who I recognized) came out and immediately asked what I wanted. I got my food and the manager rings me up for $ 5.50. I handed her $ 6 and was waiting for my change… she was too busy on her phone that she closed the register without giving me my change. I just left after that. I don’t mind losing the 50 cents, it’s just the way she too occupied with her phone call that pissed me off. I am never coming back here. I miss the old management.

Another star because they now have buffet. There’s a catch though, not all their food are included. Fried Tilapia and Lechon not included. Not sure what else is NOT included.
The taller lady on the counter, the one the helper call Tita, can use some personality and customer service etiquette. I noticed the other day that a customer came in alone, with no other customer around and no one said anything for 5 minutes because they were busy talking on the phone. Customer left.

Sucky costumer service!!! I called this morning to order 1lb of lechon and told the lady I’ll pick it up at 3pm. The lady said Okay and she even asked for my name and number. Then when I went to pick it up, the same lady I spoke with told me it’s all gone!!! What? Why did she even take my order on the phone then??? Definitely Not ordering/​buying filipino food from this restaurant. I tried ordering (on the phone) at other Filipino restaurants in the area and they always have the food ready for me when I come and pick it up. This one Sucks!

This restaurant has improved a lot. I believed it’s under a new management because I noticed new people including the ones in the kitchen.
The foods are good and more variety than before. Affordable price, not overly crowded, good service, and free coffee. I prefer this restaurant over the other two Filipino restaurants near by.

I stopped at this plaza to try out Mamita’s chicken. But spotted the «new management» and «weekend lechon» signs here. Went inside and saw a covered roast and it looked legit. The meat goes for $ 14 per pound. Oh how I miss motherland’s Zubochon and the cost of living. They get two roasts one at 9 AM and the second at 1 PM. The counter lady said the first roast is already allotted. So drop by only for the second roast. Pretty tasty and moist tender meat. Broil the skin and meat in your home toaster oven to freshen it up. What a pleasant find for those of us who crave the filthy animal roasted.

Disappointed!!! Beef steak hard as hell not tender. Eggplant taste burnt & I wasn’t even given patis. Not as good as everyone say. Back to TITA CELIAs!!!

Decided to give Pilipino cuisine a shot and randomly picked Handugan as the first restaurant to try from the bunch of Pilipino joints in Carson.
This is a typical turo-​turo (food is laid out cafeteria style and you point to what you want) restaurant that is located in a small, mostly empty plaza so parking is not a problem. On Saturday afternoon when I walked in I immediately sensed that I stood out like a sore thumb in the midst of other customers there. Anyway after looking at their menu I could not make head or tail of the dishes but luckily saw a two item combo for $ 6.50 + tax that I decided to go with. Next came the hard part of actually selecting the two items that I wanted. Food is laid out cafeteria style but for some reason none of the dishes are actually labeled so figuring out what to get is a challenge. I simply asked for a chicken dish and a beef dish and was provided with that along with a soup and two scoops of rice. My server was pretty patient which I appreciated else I would have probably just walked out.
Coming to the food, the quantity that you get for $ 7 and change is huge. I could not finish in one sitting and had some leftovers. I really liked the chicken dish (I think it is adobo but I’m not sure). The beef dish (bistek?) was also good. A little more sour than what I am used too, with the beef a little on the chewy side (it could have been cooked a little more to make it tender) but it was still manageable.
They accept card only above $ 10 so essentially it’s a cash only place. If they start labeling their dishes it would make ordering much easier but I guess they know that their typical customer profile and the few «outsiders» that walk in simply point to what looks good and go with that — unfortunately that does not work for me. I will return after I try some more Pilipino places.

Their Garlic Shrimp — The Works is the best
Followed by Sizzling Sisig — I highly recommend
Sinigang na Pompano — best sour soup
and their Diningding — super sarap.
Ask for Joseph or Frolyn for service deluxe!
From: Lina Cabal

Good Filipino food is hard to come by and every region and family has its different styles. It’s very meat-​based, often overly greasy, and doesn’t ever look very good piled up in those chafing dishes. But look beyond all of that and try this place … And you’ll find a biz that’s fresh and friendly with a clean taste. I’ll definitely be back!
Sinigang tasted like mom’s (except with meatier portions on the fish, yum). The fish was cooked perfectly, all tender and fatty and flavorful. Perfect with the slightly sour broth. Some of the typical spare greens included in the soup.
Chicken adobo was very good with lots of sauce to flavor my rice. Their type is slightly sweet, not too tangy, stewed down till pretty tender. I prefer mine a little less sweet, but this was still really tasty. I’d definitely order it again. Don’t eat the peppercorns!
Tocino was a bit overcooked IMO, prob will opt for the longanisa sausages next time.
Service very friendly.
Like everyone says, this business is in a completely run-​down, empty parking lot so we all need to make sure we eat here often to keep this restaurant in business so I can still get my Filipino food fix whenever I need it! Thxbye!

3.5 STARS
Handugan Authentic Filipino Cuisine is a «turo-​turo» (Pronounced: Too-​Row, Too-​row; Translation: point what you want to order) kinda place. Consider it as Filipino fast food buffet, where prepared dishes are laid out in sternos/​hot plates and you’re pretty much eating with your eyes (which is bad because I tend to order more than what I want =X).
I’ve been craving Filipino food since Portland doesn’t really have much representation nearby. I’m back in town visiting the fam bam and I went to brunch at a local fave my parents have fallen in love with. This little mom-​and-​pop shop is a bit grungy, yet it has the same type of décor most other turo-​turo places have in the area.
Instead of ordering the typical Tapsilog (vinegar-​soy sauce braised meat with sweet/​spicy longanisa sausage with a 1 – 2 scoops or rice) or similar variations of thereof, I opted for my personalized combo meal:
+ Garlic Fried Rice = was quite tasty. I was surprised how much rice the lady placed upon my plate. I didn’t realize how scrumptious the rice was and how I ate so much of it with my entrees. If you’re not into garlic, they have plain white rice available as well. I sorta had to restrain myself and not eat as much rice.
+ Corned beef with diced potatoes is pretty much your typical run of the mill corn beef (typically from a can) and has been sauteed and cooked with the diced potatoes. Although it is deceivingly delicious, the rice can drown out the sodium you’ll be consuming. Their version reminds me of my mother’s and it was nice to check this one out. It
+ Sweet & Spicy Longanisa sausage (2 – 3 pieces) were perfectly cooked. It was tender to even be cut with a fork. The sweet and spicy flavors of the longanisa paired quite well with the garlic fried rice that the plate was served with.
The employees are quite respectful and friendly. They’re there to answer any of your questions you may have about what your «eyes» are ordering. Parking is in a little strip mall. I wouldn’t mind coming back here to check out their dinner or lunch options. Handugan is worth checking out!

First time here, It’s next door to my dentist.
I was pleasantly surprised that the food was Good.
The place probably needs a renovation, but what do you expect from a turo-​turo (point-​point = cafeteria style restaurant)
It had a tv on the corner playing Filipino shows.
The service was good and they were helpful in describing some of the food that I wasn’t familiar with.
Try it for yourself, you might like this place

I know they can do better.
But to be honest with all of you, it seems as though the management here has either gotten lazy or they just don’t care about the quality of their food. I get it, it’s hard to maintain a buffet setting, but they should really consider rotating the dishes or something because it’s obvious that each entrée has been sitting there for hours. That, and the food is super oily and bland. Gah… It’s just do hard to find a decent Filipino restaurant in the South Bay.

This past Saturday I woke up earlier than normal and had a craving for some of mom’s cooking. So I figured since I was heading out that way anyway I’ll try Handugan.
One Unilocaler mentioned that it was a Kapangpangan style restaurant. My mom is Kapangpangan, so I thought they would taste the same. Not really but almost.
The longanisa was good. But then when is longanisa is ever bad. But the tocino was a bit too sweet for my taste. The garlic fried rice was spot on and the eggs were cooked perfectly over easy.
The lady behind the counter was so nice and laughed when I called her auntie. The price is nice too. And the dinning area was nice and clean.
Next time I’ll be back for lunch or dinner so I can have a full review. But for now handugan is the place for authentic Filipino food.