Island Pacific Kitchen, the first Filipino restaurant in Steinbach, is delighting diners with authentic dishes. John Medina, the owner and main chef, was inspired to open the restaurant after realizing the lack of Filipino food options in the area during a family outing to the Steinbach Aquatic Centre.
With a significant Filipino population in Steinbach, as per 2021 Statistics Canada data, Medina felt compelled to bring a taste of home closer to residents. The restaurant’s soft launch in late December drew a positive response from the community, with 60 to 70 customers visiting daily to savor dishes like lumpiang, liempo, pancit, and seafood boils.
Despite facing some delays in the opening process, including necessary kitchen upgrades, Medina is proud of the restaurant’s success. The community’s enthusiastic support and the opportunity to share Filipino cuisine and culture with both Filipinos and non-Filipinos in Steinbach have been fulfilling for him.
The South Eastman Filipino Association president, Kristine Bristol, emphasized the importance of food in Filipino culture and expressed excitement about the restaurant’s role in the community’s growth. Medina, who also operates restaurants in Winnipeg, views Island Pacific Kitchen as a significant achievement and a way to bring joy to people through his culinary creations.