Filipino restaurant · Imperial Beach, CA · reviewed since 2022
iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%84+53.4Reliability 28%84+23.7Replies to reviews 8%32+2.6Momentum penalty69−3.1Experts Score= 77Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.77SCORE
BGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#18 of 42 food trucksiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 59%
4.9★★★★★174 Google reviews · 24 photos
93%five-star reviews
4.68★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
2.8%1–2★ in 2 yearsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
Google reviewers rate the restaurant 4.9 out of 5 based on 174 reviews, noting that the owner responded to only 1% of comments. Patrons frequently praise the authentic Filipino street food, friendly staff, and casual outdoor atmosphere where guests grill their own skewers. Common criticisms include sanitation issues such as flies and unwarmed food displays, along with occasional rudeness from kitchen staff and unclear pricing.
Google rating: 4.9 out of 5 from 174 reviews (93% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 174 Google reviews (152 with written comments, 49 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 1% of reviews.
Most recent review: October 24, 2026.
Service: Food Truck serving Imperial Beach, California.
Data from Google, last updated October 28, 2026.
Score profile vs other food trucks
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: satisfaction and reliability; weakest: replies to reviews.
EsKiNiTaFood Trucks median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.EsKiNiTa: 84/100 on this factor. Category median: 76.A
84
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.EsKiNiTa: 84/100 on this factor. Category median: 73.A
84
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 100.–
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ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 83.–
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MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.EsKiNiTa: 69/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.B
69
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.EsKiNiTa: 32/100 on this factor. Category median: 35.D
32
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
174 Google reviews we collected
4.9of 5
5 stars16293%
4 stars53%
3 stars42%
2 stars21%
1 star11%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 152 written reviews
97%praise
Praise11197%
Complaints43%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Staff & attitude5548%
Would recommend2824%
Quality & results1513%
Price & value65%
Honesty & trust54%
Communication43%
Speed & response22%
What customers talk about
We read 152 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“…lly warm and welcoming, and even the staff at the register chat in a friendly manner, convincing me that this place will undoubtedly grow in popularit…”
“I highly recommend this place if you guys want to taste authentic filipino street food.”
“The chicken feet (Adidas), intestines (Isaw), and blood cubes (Betamax) are cleaned thoroughly, seasoned right, and rendered properly over live heat.”
“Delicious Philipino street food grilled out front at a fair price.”
“I honestly can’t put into words how happy and satisfied I am.”
“He explained the process in a simple way which made my experience more pleasant.”
“Raw, open-air parking lot setup with fast, focused grill work.”
People customers mention
Filipino23 reviews
Rich19 reviews
Philippines16 reviews
Diego9 reviews
Food3 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Recent reviews
JJoseph5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a week ago★★★★★
I highly recommend this place if you guys want to taste authentic filipino street food. And the staff, top notch. They will take care of you and very friendly.
KKyle8 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 weeks ago★★
I wouldn’t say that the food is bad but flies were invited and everywhere no warming to keep safe food temperature on the skewers beta max “blood on stick” was falling off the stick, totally a lot of their other food swimming in oil “free cooking oil for deep frying”. Needs to work on sanitation,cleaning the place…
Rrose6 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★
We went here for our midnight snacks and to satisfy our filipino st food cravings. Everything was so good and their staff members are all so nice and accomodating. They even grill some of our bbq's so that we can start eating some of our isaw. Rich is the best! I love how they made us feel like we're in the…
MMark5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 months ago★★★★★
Love this place!!!
We love the casual atmosphere, great food and friendly staff. We wanted a good place to eat outdoors with our little Shih Tzu Mitzi. We enjoyed the variety of skewers, all grilled outdoors on mesquite.
RRobser3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 months ago★★★★★
This place truly reminds me of home back in the Philippines, even though I'm here in the U.S. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the food brings back so many memories. It has that comforting, homey feeling that's hard to find. The staff are friendly, and every visit feels like you're with family. If you're a…
JJR5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 months ago★★★★★
Walking through the doors feels less like entering a restaurant and more like arriving at your weekend cookout hosted by your favorite relatives. The air is thick with the rich scent of caramelised bbq, setting a joyful mood around open tables perfectly built for sharing mountains of food. Parents can finally exhale…
Reviews from Google, shown as published (original wording, unedited).
Team members customers mention
Filter by topic— each topic is highlighted in the reviews in the same color
I
Itadakimasu from TokyoLocal Guide · 39 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Itadakimasu has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
It is a cozy, speakeasy-style spot where you can enjoy carefully crafted dishes and drinks in a relaxed, intimate atmosphere. Guests can select their own items to be grilled fresh on the BBQ. It offers great appeal for both children and adults, with the seafood skewers and the flavors of the Philippine adobo standing out as exceptional. Above all, the team—starting with the owner, Rich—is exceptionally warm and welcoming, and even the staff at the register chat in a friendly manner, convincing me that this place will undoubtedly grow in popularity. My only regret is that they are open so few days a week. I truly hope they open locations in La Jolla and Tokyo as well.
隠れ家のような落ち着いた雰囲気のなかで、こだわりの料理やドリンクを楽しめるアットホームなお店です。BBQで焼いていただく具材を自ら選べるスタイルで、大人から子どもまで一緒に楽しむことができます。海鮮のお団子やフィリピンのアドボの味付けが大変素晴らしく感銘を受けました。何よりオーナーのリッチさんをはじめとするスタッフの皆様が本当にあたたかく、レジを担当される方も気さくに声をかけてくださり、今後さらに人気が出るお店だと確信しております。営業日数が限られているのが惜しいと感じるほどです。ぜひLa Jollaや東京にもオープンしてほしいと思っております。
Order type: Dine in
Meal type: Dinner
Price per person: $1–10
Parking space: Plenty of parking
Parking options: Free parking lot
J
Joseph Agustin5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Joseph has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I highly recommend this place if you guys want to taste authentic filipino street food. And the staff, top notch. They will take care of you and very friendly.
I wouldn’t say that the food is bad but flies were invited and everywhere no warming to keep safe food temperature on the skewers beta max “blood on stick” was falling off the stick, totally a lot of their other food swimming in oil “free cooking oil for deep frying”. Needs to work on sanitation,cleaning the place and dining area.so unorganized owner got poor leadership skills and attitude. Also I/we don’t like to be bothered while eating by the guy says and brags “he’s the owner and the food is so good” I would say food is okay “basic”not like how he brags about it. I mean it’s okay to entertain people just to say hi but we don’t need your story.
Order type: Dine in
Meal type: Lunch
Price per person: $50–60
Seating type: Outdoor patio / terrace
Response from the owner · a week ago
We’re sorry to hear that your experience at EsKiNiTa did not meet your expectations.
We welcome honest and constructive feedback and would have gladly addressed any concerns during your visit had they been brought to our attention.
Regarding the flies, their presence can be more common during the summer months, especially in a street food environment. However, this does not automatically mean that our food is unsanitary. We take food safety seriously and follow proper food-handling procedures.
Our skewers are stored in trays with ice packs that are regularly replaced to help maintain appropriate temperatures. We also grill our skewers before serving to ensure they are properly cooked. We intentionally avoid warming trays because they can dry out the meat and compromise the quality of our food.
As for our management and staff interacting with customers, that is simply part of who we are. We take pride in our food, our culture, and the authentic Filipino street food experience we strive to provide. Making our customers feel welcomed and appreciated is something we will never apologize for.
We understand that EsKiNiTa may not be for everyone, and we respect that everyone has different expectations and preferences.
However, there is a clear difference between constructive criticism and making an effort to publicly discredit a business. Given the tone and extent of your review, it is difficult not to question whether your intention was genuinely to provide helpful feedback or simply to portray our establishment in a negative light.
We stand behind our food, our team, and the experience we work hard to provide every day. We appreciate the continued support of customers who enjoy and understand what EsKiNiTa represents.
Thank you for sharing your perspective, and we wish you all the best.
— EsKiNiTa Management
J
John Paul SLocal Guide · 66 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews John has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We went here for our midnight snacks and to satisfy our filipino st food cravings. Everything was so good and their staff members are all so nice and accomodating. They even grill some of our bbq's so that we can start eating some of our isaw. Rich is the best! I love how they made us feel like we're in the philippines eating in our favourite karinderya. Their music is the best too! we will back in a heartbeat! Thank you!
Order type: Dine in
Meal type: Other
Price per person: $20–30
Noise level: Moderate noise
Parking space: Plenty of parking
Parking options: Free parking lot
P
Pearl Caro3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Pearl has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Love this place!!!
We love the casual atmosphere, great food and friendly staff. We wanted a good place to eat outdoors with our little Shih Tzu Mitzi. We enjoyed the variety of skewers, all grilled outdoors on mesquite.
Meal type: Dinner
Price per person: $10–20
Wait time: No wait
R
Robser Loja3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Robser has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
This place truly reminds me of home back in the Philippines, even though I'm here in the U.S. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the food brings back so many memories. It has that comforting, homey feeling that's hard to find. The staff are friendly, and every visit feels like you're with family. If you're a Filipino looking for a taste of home, or anyone wanting authentic food and hospitality, I highly recommend this place. I'll definitely be coming back!
If you’re looking for authentic, uncompromised Filipino street food, this open-air charcoal setup hits the target dead on. Operating right out of the lot, they grill everything live over open fire and coals with zero shortcuts.
Highlights:
BBQ Skewers (Pork & Chicken): Perfectly charred, tender, with a sweet-savory glaze and deep charcoal smoke.
Authentic Offal Selection: They don't dilute the menu. The chicken feet (Adidas), intestines (Isaw), and blood cubes (Betamax) are cleaned thoroughly, seasoned right, and rendered properly over live heat.
Garlic Vinegar Dip: Essential pairing. Cuts through the smoke and fat perfectly.
Atmosphere:
Raw, open-air parking lot setup with fast, focused grill work. You come here for real fire-cooked street fuel, not white tablecloths. Top tier.
Overall, I was excited to come here with my wife. Sadly I can only do it once a week since my days off are Saturday and Sunday. Also the owner is very friendly and welcoming.
Walking through the doors feels less like entering a restaurant and more like arriving at your weekend cookout hosted by your favorite relatives. The air is thick with the rich scent of caramelised bbq, setting a joyful mood around open tables perfectly built for sharing mountains of food. Parents can finally exhale in this wonderfully forgiving atmosphere for energetic children, where staff bring napkins before you even realise you need them. Whether you are chasing the smoky perfection of authentic grilled pork belly or simply desperate for a stress free evening where your entire crew can eat and laugh, this welcoming place turns first time guests into regulars instantly.
