Kuya’s Food Express

Kuya’s is a little family run food stand, among several other little food stands, in the sad looking food court, in Assi Plaza (international market.) I had been craving fresh, delicious Filipino food for a while, and found out about this place from someone on Unilocal.My beau and I decided to check it out.
At the front counter, there are signs hanging reminding you that your order may take a while, because the food is made fresh to order. Seeing as we like our meals to be fresh and hot, we had no problem with that. Our order took about 15 – 20 minutes to get to our table. The man who was taking the orders was not very personable at all. I would even use the word gruff to describe how he acted with customers. He never smiled, nor did he seem at all happy to be working, or to get anyones business.
We ordered the Lumpia, to share. These are tightly rolled egg rolls, with finely ground pork and carrot. They looked a lot like taquitos, to me. They were just okay. Fried well, but the filling didn’t taste much like anything.
For my main meal, I ordered the Pancit Bihon (rice noodles with meat and vegetables) with chicken, as the meat protein. Now, I used to work with a Filipino lady who would always make a huge tray of super fresh & delicious Pancit for work parties. It ended up being one of my favourite things that I have ever eaten in my life. I was really hoping that the Pancit here at Kuya’s would be as good at hers was. Sadly, it wasn’t at all. What I ended up with from Kuya’s was a plate of food that looked unappetizing and tasted old. The chicken was especially gross. I ate a piece that tasted of chicken that had gone bad so, I avoided eating any more of it. The only saving grace to my meal were the vegetables on my plate. They were cooked nicely… still crispy and good. (Note: I was going to order the Pancit combo, but I seems that Kuya’s not longer makes/​serves the barbeque meat on a stick.)
My beau ordered the Adobong Baboy (pork with soy sauce and vinegar.) I was a little shocked at how unappetizing his plate of food looked. It turns out, his food tasted as bad as it looked. When I asked him how it was he said «Dry, flavorless, disappointing.
I can, and have, made better adobo than that, back before I knew how to cook.»
I order a box of Biko (sweet rice dessert), to go, because that was another dish that my Filipino friend used to make so deliciously well. I have to say, the Biko here, like all of the other food that we tried, was just bad. It was not at all fresh, and the rice was hard. It was like a rice brick. Not a delicious, soft, sweet rice dessert, like I’d had before. As far as drinks go, they don’t have a soda/​water fountain here, just over priced drinks in cans, and their Halo Halo, Filipino dessert/​drink. I highly recommend bringing your own drink, if you dare to eat here.
Would we eat here again? No. Not even if you paid for our meals, we most definitely would not; and we don’t recommend this place to anyone else!

Great food! I have been coming here for a while and I keep on coming back. This is no greasy fast food. If you don’t mind the mask food court vibe you can enjoy the best lumpia and pancit in the area.

Some days you get lucky and some days you don’t. But even when you do, food is still pretty amazing and reminds you of home. Krispy Pata, Dinuguan, and Menudo are my top three faves and must haves. Of course you can’t forget halo-​halo! A definite worth the drive!

Never again! Talk about horrible service. Went here to grab lunch with a friend, it was not busy at all but yet couldn’t get an acknowledgement from the one guy who works there. He kept walking past us & pretended that we didn’t exist. We walked out with nothing. The guy who worked there had his wife & kid there & they were to busy catering to what I guess were their friends. Needless to say I will not be returning to Kuyas cause I am going to Atas.

I so love lumpia… like I’d eat it right off of the floor if I dropped a piece! So after drooling at pics online at my desk of kuya’s food express, I left work and made the trip. I really wanted to love this place as I thought I’ve found a place to get my fix… terribly disappointed!
Maybe I went at a bad time or who knows but I think the pics will speak for themselves. I ordered the lumpia appetizer and the pork adobo to go, and didn’t check the food when it was ready because I was so damn excited to get home and destroy it.
Well I got home and opened it up, then had to get back on Unilocal to look at the pork Adobe sitting in front of me vs the delicious juicy pics online. What I was given didn’t look appetizing at all, completely dry and honestly kinda looked old.
I gave it a taste anyways but couldn’t get past how dry it was and it just looked bad! I was devastated, I really wanted to love this place and was already planning on a weekly lumpia fix! Not anymore, I’ll have to find a new place. The lumpia was good, but I absolutely love any lumpia and would’ve liked it no matter how it was.
I would not go here again… even if it was free!

U can’t beat the service and price of Kuya’s authentic Filipino food. Whenever I’m missing a good home cooked meal it’s Kuyas place I go when I don’t feel like cooking or when my gf doesn’t feel like cooking.

The food was amazing! I usually cook my own Filipino food since I’ve had such a hard time finding a restaurant near me. Now that I have found Kuya’s I’ll def be coming in more often for that taste of home.

One of the few places in Atlanta I was able to find authentic Filipino food! Everything was cooked well and they had a good variety for lunch. Will definitely come back and try some of their other specialties! Only complaint was that the service was sort of slow at lunch — I think due to fresher prep/​cook for some of the dishes. Just a consideration if you’re going on your lunch hour. Stick with the pancit, adobo, lumpia, etc. if you’re in a hurry. They’re all excellent!

I have never been to Assi. I have therefore never been to the food court at Assi. My friend recommended Sedap, the Malaysian restaurant there, so I recommended this food court for our lunch on Sunday. However, since Sedap changed ownership, it is supposedly not quite the same, so I went for some Filipino food, which is a rare offering.
The lady manning the cash register was helpful and kind in helping us choose our orders. I ordered the number 12, Lechon Kiwali. It’s basically deep fried pork rinds. The meat is super rich and fatty, which I love, but for the first two bites. That third piece was very hard to swallow. My table agreed that it was a great idea to order this as an appetizer, but not as an individual order.
Others ordered some okay items, including the Filipino fried spring rolls, the Filipino rice noodles (Pansit Bihon) and some Adobang Baboy (braised pork, from what I could gather in the few tastes I had). Everything we tasted were just ok. The spring rolls were pretty good but nothing mind blowing. The rice noodles were tasty but nothing we haven’t had better of. The pork was a little dry but the flavors were pretty good with the steamed rice.
The halo halo (pronounced «hollow» per a Filipino woman sitting nearby) dessert was awesome! My friends ordered the «special,» which was $ 1 more but came with purple yam ice cream on top. With the mix of fruit and tapioca (I believe), this made for a sweet treat. We also ordered another warm dessert which was not as sweet and I cannot remember the name of for the life of me. It was good but couldn’t stand a chance next to the halo halo.
I wouldn’t make the drive out to Assi just for Kuya Food Express, but if I ever found myself in this plaza again and had an urge for Filipino cuisine, I’ll have to stop by and try something else on the menu! I’m hoping another of the 12 entrees will tickle my fancy next time!

I was so excited to try the place but nothing, NOTHING tasted good. The food was worth three stars but I am giving it a one star coz of poor customer service.
I got a dish which is just a regular pork and mixed veggies (as in the $ 1 frozen mixed veggies!!!). It’s not bad but it’s also nothing special. If anything, it’s worse than your usual mixed veggies and pork coz they added a lot of pig skin in. Is that worth $ 6.99? Sorry, I don’t think so.
I also ordered halo halo. I read the reviews before and people said it’s a must-​order dessert so I tried it because I didn’t have enough cash to pay for the pork dish. BIG disappointment. I enjoyed the ube ice cream. I finished them and I though the ice in the middle would be sweet but it’s just ice. You’re supposed to mix the ice w/​the stuff at the bottom of the glass. After mixing, I got a desert that is pretty common in Asia. Maybe the ingredients are not the same but the taste is about the same. Had I know, I wouldn’t even pay $ 2.99 for it! Even a bubble tea taste better and I already think they are overpriced.
Here’s why I think the customer service is very poor:
— I was going to order the pork dish only. Just as I was about to pay with my credit card, I saw the sign that says minimum $ 10 purchase for credit card payments. I told the guy I only had about $ 4 in cash and asked him if he could make an exception. He gave me a dirty look and then started to look down and do something weird (he mumbled and then started writing the previous order on a piece of paper which he sent to the kitchen later). It was awkward and I guess obvious that he didn’t want to make an exception so I ordered halo halo.
— The stated price of halo halo is $ 3.99, however, I was charged $ 4.99. The owner didn’t even explain, he just assumed that I’d have what he called a special. I didn’t argue w/​him over $ 1 but that leaves a bit of a bitter taste in my mouth. If you don’t expect ppl to order the $ 3.99 option, why put it up there?
Needless to say, I am never going back.

I drove 45 minutes just to get homemade Filipino food. The owner doesn’t seem friendly at all and it was very uncomfortable. Anyway, the food is good with a cheap price.

I love this place period! Food was tasty, service wasn’t bad and I love the homemade filipino snacks.

I was so excited to try this place since there aren’t any Filipino restaurants here and the one I used to go to closed down. This place totally let me down. Food was good but it literally took an hour before our food was served. They do have a sign saying that they cook as you order and I did expect some waiting time, but AN HOUR?! That’s a bit too much!
Service was bad here too. I was really wanting to support this place and just turn a blind eye on the long waiting time, but the owner was quite rude. Wouldn’t even look at you as you order. My sister and I forgot to order our drinks, so, we went back to order some and bought pandesal as well. We were taken aback with his response. He said, «siguraduhin niyo na wala na kayong ipadagdag, ha!» Which transtales, «make sure that you don’t have anything else to add to that». We didn’t know if he was joking or not. Whether he was or he wasn’t, that was rude and really bad customer service.
I would give this place just one star if not for the food being good. That being said, im probably not coming back to this place, Even though it’s the only Filipino restaurant in town.

Pretty bad service– the owner of the shop is totally apathetic and unfriendly, and it seems like you’re bothering him by placing an order.
The food seems fairly average– it is well priced and cheap for the most part, but not very top quality. Perhaps their more authentic daily specials would be better, but I couldn’t tell anything significant or outstanding about their dishes, although I am not the most well-​versed in Filipino cuisine.
Do not use their pictures as a reference– their images are totally taken from somewhere else, and the actual food in no way resembles the images. Treat it like a low-​end chinese restaurant for filipino food.
Their halo halo was pretty disappointing considering that the image pictured something well put together with a scoop of what looked like black sesame ice cream. The result was something that was more like what you would get at Bambu (about 20 feet away).

Finally I found a filipino restaurant. .we’ll actually it’s in a food court of an Asian mall. But the food is homemade. I’ve been in atlanta over a year and before this I was only able to find a filipino truck but the food was not good. Anyway I have to say what I ordered was really good. We ordered pork adobo, they cut the pork bite size which I think is a really good idea. My mom usually cooks adobo with big chunks which you have to break apart before taking a bite. We also ordered lechon… how you can not love fried pork with a thick layer or fat and skin. They gave us white rice in a larger bowl to share. It was regular white rice not Jasmine like my mom makes but it’s fine when u eat it with adobo and lechon. Those foods are bursting with flavor so plain rice is needed to balance it off. For dessert we ordered Halo halo. Anyone who has had halo halo several times realized every version is different. It’s typical to have sweet beans, some jelly Like fruits that I don’t even know what they’re called. And condensed milk. What made this special was they added ube ice cream and a sliver of flan. And of course the crushed ice! I love halo halo! And I can’t wait t9 go back for more. I also ordered some ensamada for the next day. It was moist and in smaller pieces. It’s a 4 pack so it’s a good snack for a couple of days. One point I should warn you about. The cashier was not the friendliest at the beginning. He looked very serious and did not smile. Oh well the food was good anyway so I’m not letting that effect my rating. It’s a food court so I’m not expecting great service. I’m going back and will find a way to make that cashier smile!

I was really craving beef kaldareta, but they ran out. Between the afritada and kare kare, I should have tried the kare kare since that is one of their specialities. We were hoping the beef tapsilog was a bit more moist. Next run we’ll def try the kare kare.

Disappointed! This is one of two places I buy Filipino food. The other didn’t have what I wanted so I came here. I used to live in Gwinnett and moved to Henry so it takes me almost an hour to get here. Usually I come and dine in here but had to get it to go this time. When we dine in we order one kind of food and it would be a lot enough to feed two people. This time when I ordered it to go, it wasn’t quite as much. And I even ordered two different types of food. So basically, if you order to go, you get cheated and get less than what you dine in for the same price. Waste of time.

The review is strictly for the service because I was disappointed. First of all, there are hardly any Filipino restaurants in Atlanta. My Filipino friend told me it’s because Filipinos like to cook at home and don’t go out to eat. Hmmm, okay, no problem. But I haaaad to try the famous Filipino dessert drink call Halo Halo.
Therefore, I came across Kuya’s Food Express through Unilocal and recommendations. Honestly, I had no idea it was in the Assi food court. I’ve come to Assi for Bambu for the Vietnamese drink desserts called che & eaten at Sedap since I enjoy their Thai/​Malaysian dishes. How could I miss located Kuya’s? It’s across Bambu but snugged in the corner.
The first time I came there, I didn’t have any cash. Halo Halo for $ 3.99? Not bad but I didn’t want any food. I was going to get Lumpia too but it had meat in it and my daughter is a vegetarian. So I opted out. The guy in the front register didn’t even care I existed, he wanted to quickly return to the back to complete the prior guy’s order. That’s just bad customer service 101.
The second time I went, which was last night, I had cash with me. An older guy was at the register, he had very limited English skills, I told him I want Halo Halo, he kept telling me that they ran out of this ingredient for the «Special» Halo Halo. I didn’t care, gimme the «regular» Halo Halo. Then he went to the back. The guy who I saw last time comes up to the register. I told him I’m waiting for my Halo Halo, he goes to the back to his father (I assume), comes back and charges me for TWO Halo Halo. I told him, I only wanted one. Then he charges me for the «Special» Halo Halo which was $ 2 more. Hmmm, I said, I wanted a «regular» Halo Halo and you ran out of that «special» ingredient. Then he charges me $ 4.99. I told him the sign on top says $ 3.99 for Halo Halo. He says he has to charge me an extra $ 1 for a «to-​go cup.» Really??? Are you seriously kidding me???
So when my Halo Halo finally came out. After what? 15 mins, it better be the shitz. I mean, gosh, I could’ve went to Bambu and gotten it for cheaper and quicker. I stuck it out cause I really wanted to try Halo Halo.
You would’ve thought this plastic cup I got was one of a kind but nope, it just had a cover, they packed it up really tight so it was hard to stir all the ingredients, the purple ice cream, I assume is taro was at the top and really tasteful. Right below it was ice, lots of crushed ice, you would have to mix it in with all the ingredients on the bottom. Once finally mixed, it was actually good, I just wish I was able to mix in the taro ice cream too but ate it up before was able to. There was still too much ice for my liking but it was a good dessert.
However, I would not go back to Kuya’s at all. If I want to try Filipino food, my friends better cook me some Filipino dishes or find another restaurant. Totally not worth my time or money, ever again.

Definitely a hidden gem.
This Filipino cuisine is tucked away inside Assi Supermarket’s foodcourt off Pleasanthill Road. It’s a must-​try for Filipino food for decent pricing!
I finally got to try it out and had the Adobo Chicken with rice. It was perfect. Tender chicken and well-​marinated. I didn’t stop there, Halo Halo for dessert it was! If you ever tried Vietnamese «che» before, then it’s similar to that, but very different in regards to ingredients. Halo Halo has many variations depending on who makes it. The highlight for this was the Ube (Taro) ice cream and Leche Flan. Heaven in your mouth.

If my Flipino friends rave about the food and prices here, then I’m a fan too. I do agree the food tastes better than Fil-​Am (one friend said it’s «8 million times better») but I have to confess that overall, I’m still not a huge fan of Filipino food compared to other ethnic options where the flavors just seem bolder to me. Keep in mind I’ve only had Filipino food twice so I’m eating it with an American palate … and again I can express on behalf of my Filipino friends, they love Kuya’s food :)
I had the honor of eating w/​a large group, which means lucky for me, I got to try several dishes — thanks, Mike B :)
BANGSILOG — $ 5.99
Fried marinated milk fish, served with fried egg and garlic fried rice. Popular breakfast dish. Probably my favorite. The fish had a vinegary taste to it that I’d come to recognize as being a Filipino flavor in some of the other dishes, too.
TAPSILOG — $ 5.99
Fried beef, served with fried egg and garlic fried rice. Also a breakfast dish. Beef looked like Korean bulgogi but definitely didn’t taste like it … I thought it was just ok. Filipino friends said they had tasted better.
PANSIT BIHON — $ 5.99
Thin rice noodles w/​chicken, shrimp, and veggies. Very generous portion. Not all that special but still good.
CHOP SUEY — $ 5.99
Sauteed chicken, shrimp, and veggies … honestly tasted like the Pansit Bihon minus the rice noodles. Great dish to complement the «meat only» dishes but definitely don’t order if you’re also getting the Pansit Bihon.
ADOBONG BAHOY — $ 6.29
Big pieces of pork w/​soy sauce and vinegar — very, very generous portion. Pork had the same familiar vinegary flavor as the fried milk fish. Traditional Filipino dish. Good for sharing.
KARE KARE — $ 7.99
Another popular and traditional dish with lots of big pieces of meat — this one in a peanuty flavor sauce … and a little on the greasy side. Good for sharing.
LECHON KAWALI — $ 6.99
Deep-​fried pork belly … it’s exactly what you’d expect, and sampling just 1 piece was a nice guilty pleasure :) For health reasons, definitely better for sharing.
BEEF NILAGO
This was a beef broth soup — tried just a bite … tasted similar to the Korean galbitang soup. Pretty good.
EMPANADAS — $ 1
Just had a bite but it was a good bite :)
Overall 3 stars but rounded to 4 because the food and prices are better than its competitors. Food comes out pretty fast, too. Next time I’d like to try the «Halo Halo» dessert … the purple ice cream intrigued me :)