The service here is awful. If your restaurant is almost empty, why am I waiting over 1/2hr for my food? Adding insult to injury, I ordered carne asada and the food was bland. Beans tasted like they came out of a can and the steak was rubbery. The corn tortilla tasted stale. For $28+ taxes, it was pretty disappointing.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Unsuspecting Dog Walker
I had the Tomas Chile Colorado and the meat was tender, the sauce was tasty and fresh, and also had a slice of freshly, made that day, flan! Service was top too! This place will definitely be one of my "regulars".
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Keith Elston
My wife and I arrived about 30 minutes before they closed. The wait staff and owner did not rush us. It took a while for the food, but it was good. It seemed like each dish was prepared after it was ordered, so it was fresh. My wife had the pancit, which was great!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
MIchael (The Mikes)
What an amazing gem. A great find. Great, creative food. Personable owner and staff.
Great food. I was challenged to describe authentic vs traditional. While this is fusion, I would not describe the food here as traditional. And that is exactly why it is really good! The chef takes care to make sure you're getting a dish they themselves would eat. You can taste it. The lumpia is probably the most consistent taste and bite I've had in lumpia probably ever. Is it traditional, not from what I've tasted, but this lumpia eats like a meal on its own. It's got a vinegar dip for it that compliments really well. I would go for just lumpia alone. The mole sauce is not not traditional, but it's a great blend of sweetness with an earthy flavor that really is great. Meat was tender in all dishes. The horchata was made in house which made for a nice touch. The fusion on Mexican style rice that had peas, corn and carrots. I'm sure the breakfast will be good and the hard alcohol drinks were decent. I would say this is a great spot to try. If they just put a giant picture of their art on the outside front of the building, this place would not probably be much of a secret for long. Side note, yes, service was slow, and the radio was choppy from the Wi-Fi connect . The layout of the place left a lot to be desired. Waitress was amazing. Very personal and enjoys the beers served and food here. Give her a raise.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lumpia Filipino Style
Maryam Mojarab
Super good food and really friendly staff
Phillip Moody
This place is soooo awesome. The owner is down to Earth and makes you feel like your at home. They have sports on T.V, the employees are great the prices are fair and love is for sure in the food. Great place for a first date and you won't be disappointed. Wish I had taken pics. But I will next time.Parking: First come street parking, also side of building parking.Kid-friendliness: Kid friendly and just ask if you want the channel changed.
This is a solid morning choice! We came in and there were a couple large groups, but we were seated fast and had our orders in pretty quick. The service here is fantastic. They treat everyone like family! The food is simple, but tasty. We tried a couple different styles of tacos. Everything tasted fresh. The owner told us he's be making his special salsa soon, but he didn't have any the day we were there, so we got the normal stuff. The beans and rice were pretty basic, just the thing for a Tacoma lunch! Great service, good food.
Garan Williams
Polynesian ribs are so good. Definitely try them when you come.
It's a new place, but the owner is no stranger to running a restaurant. The food is very authentic and the owner William is a very interesting guy.Parking: Parking is plenty on the side of the building.Kid-friendliness: Owner has many children.Wheelchair accessibility: Restaurant is street level.
Recommended dishes: Lumpia Filipino Style
Zach O.
This place is a gem and I don't know how it wasn't packed 24/7. Not only does it serve a fusion of three of the best cuisines: Filipino, Latin, and Hawaiian, but they also have some of the best customer service I've experienced. You can tell that the team working there truly cares about making it something special. When it comes to the food... Best Pork Belly taco I've ever had. Periodt! It's crunchy, juicy, sweet, salty, with a little kick. I would absolutely choose this as my last meal. This is a must when you go. The chicken enchiladas were good as well. The Loco Duck is their signature Ube Horchata with rum and I would have drank like 10 if I didn't have to drive! They also have a regular Ube Horchata, which I did have a few of. Highly recommend that as well! All in all, Ruca is a must stop when you're in Tacoma. I haven't had good comfort food like this in a long long time!
Lindsay Bullock
We were so glad we came to this restaurant! Authentic food and great hospitality. We had a great conversation with the owner and felt very welcomed. If you want to try something new and unique I definitely recommend this place.Kid-friendliness: Our daughter loved the enchiladas!
The service here is awful. If your restaurant is almost empty, why am I waiting over 1/2hr for my food? Adding insult to injury, I ordered carne asada and the food was bland. Beans tasted like they came out of a can and the steak was rubbery. The corn tortilla tasted stale. For $28+ taxes, it was pretty disappointing.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I had the Tomas Chile Colorado and the meat was tender, the sauce was tasty and fresh, and also had a slice of freshly, made that day, flan! Service was top too! This place will definitely be one of my "regulars".
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
My wife and I arrived about 30 minutes before they closed. The wait staff and owner did not rush us. It took a while for the food, but it was good. It seemed like each dish was prepared after it was ordered, so it was fresh. My wife had the pancit, which was great!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
What an amazing gem. A great find. Great, creative food. Personable owner and staff.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Vegetarian options: Vegetarian burrito
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burrito, Shoyu Chicken, Chicken Mole, Street Tacos, Taco, Birria Braised Beef Brisket, Chips & Fresh Guacamole, Lumpia Filipino Style, Pork Belly Adobo Taco, Enchiladas
Great food. I was challenged to describe authentic vs traditional. While this is fusion, I would not describe the food here as traditional. And that is exactly why it is really good! The chef takes care to make sure you're getting a dish they themselves would eat. You can taste it. The lumpia is probably the most consistent taste and bite I've had in lumpia probably ever. Is it traditional, not from what I've tasted, but this lumpia eats like a meal on its own. It's got a vinegar dip for it that compliments really well. I would go for just lumpia alone. The mole sauce is not not traditional, but it's a great blend of sweetness with an earthy flavor that really is great. Meat was tender in all dishes. The horchata was made in house which made for a nice touch. The fusion on Mexican style rice that had peas, corn and carrots. I'm sure the breakfast will be good and the hard alcohol drinks were decent. I would say this is a great spot to try. If they just put a giant picture of their art on the outside front of the building, this place would not probably be much of a secret for long. Side note, yes, service was slow, and the radio was choppy from the Wi-Fi connect . The layout of the place left a lot to be desired. Waitress was amazing. Very personal and enjoys the beers served and food here. Give her a raise.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lumpia Filipino Style
Super good food and really friendly staff
This place is soooo awesome. The owner is down to Earth and makes you feel like your at home. They have sports on T.V, the employees are great the prices are fair and love is for sure in the food. Great place for a first date and you won't be disappointed. Wish I had taken pics. But I will next time.Parking: First come street parking, also side of building parking.Kid-friendliness: Kid friendly and just ask if you want the channel changed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burrito, Salsa, Pork Belly Tacos, Nachos, Birria Braised Beef Brisket, Chips & Fresh Guacamole, Lumpia Filipino Style, Pork Belly Adobo Taco
This is a solid morning choice! We came in and there were a couple large groups, but we were seated fast and had our orders in pretty quick. The service here is fantastic. They treat everyone like family! The food is simple, but tasty. We tried a couple different styles of tacos. Everything tasted fresh. The owner told us he's be making his special salsa soon, but he didn't have any the day we were there, so we got the normal stuff. The beans and rice were pretty basic, just the thing for a Tacoma lunch! Great service, good food.
Polynesian ribs are so good. Definitely try them when you come.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
It's a new place, but the owner is no stranger to running a restaurant. The food is very authentic and the owner William is a very interesting guy.Parking: Parking is plenty on the side of the building.Kid-friendliness: Owner has many children.Wheelchair accessibility: Restaurant is street level.
Recommended dishes: Lumpia Filipino Style
This place is a gem and I don't know how it wasn't packed 24/7. Not only does it serve a fusion of three of the best cuisines: Filipino, Latin, and Hawaiian, but they also have some of the best customer service I've experienced. You can tell that the team working there truly cares about making it something special. When it comes to the food... Best Pork Belly taco I've ever had. Periodt! It's crunchy, juicy, sweet, salty, with a little kick. I would absolutely choose this as my last meal. This is a must when you go. The chicken enchiladas were good as well. The Loco Duck is their signature Ube Horchata with rum and I would have drank like 10 if I didn't have to drive! They also have a regular Ube Horchata, which I did have a few of. Highly recommend that as well! All in all, Ruca is a must stop when you're in Tacoma. I haven't had good comfort food like this in a long long time!
We were so glad we came to this restaurant! Authentic food and great hospitality. We had a great conversation with the owner and felt very welcomed. If you want to try something new and unique I definitely recommend this place.Kid-friendliness: Our daughter loved the enchiladas!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kalua Hawaiian Pork, Chicken Flautas
Staff is great and the food is AMAZING! Let's go McKinley Ave!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burrito, Salsa, Chicken Mole, Street Tacos, Pinoy Spicy Shrimp Tacos, Nachos, Birria Braised Beef Brisket, Chicken Flautas, Chips & Fresh Guacamole, Lumpia Filipino Style
Delicious! Chef's enchilada sauce was great and he even came out to check on us.