Jose Cuervo Cantina — Restaurant in Makati

If the name "Jose Cuervo" stirs fond memories of middle school, you're probably going to love this place. Servers seem reluctant. Service is relatively quick. Some excellent, live acoustic music. Cash, credit cards and e-wallet payments accepted.

I put it off for a long time but I knew eventually I would have to endure this place. And it was pretty much as painful as I expected. If you're drunk and it's 2am this place has a use. But if you're actually coming for the food or the liquor based on taste, well, I'd suggest filling up elsewhere and then hitting this place at 2am.

Menu features a broad variety of food from pasta to sisig to dishes with Mexican names. The chips are surprisingly light and crisp and tasty. The pico de gallo needs cilantro and jalapeno as well as a liberal dose of lime or lemon juice to spruce it up but otherwise is fresh. Be warned they serve their chips and pico with the pico poured over the chips. Strange, and not nearly enough pico for the basket of chips. Fortunately they'll refill your pico as needed, and fortunately it's not a very wet pico so the chips aren't ruined.

I opted for a carne asada burrito and was not disappointed, mostly due to very low expectations. Mostly flavorless with a stingy amount of carne asada that has a decidedly sweet flavor. Mostly rice and some beans.

They do feature liquor and tequila at that. Not surprisingly it's all Jose Cuervo family labels but they do have a few mid-range options like 1800 and perhaps La Tradicional or La Familia that are actually 100% agave. They have margaritas but that's as far as it goes for Mexican cocktails.

At 9pm on a weeknight the had a decidedly non-Mexican acoustic duo singing pop ballads from the last 40 years or so. The music was not painfully loud and their variety of tunes (plus they take requests) was respectable.

So, yeah. If Jose Cuervo means (still?) tequila to you and you're out with friends looking for a good time to not remember, this place will likely do the trick if the hour is late enough and you're imbibing adequately. And to be fair, that's what this place is really oriented towards, so who am I to poop on that party? ...

Do not go to this place. The staff and managers are thieves and scammers. I caught them 5 times adding things I didn't order to my bill. One time might be an honest mistake but 5 times? I had to stop using my credit card there 'cause I was worried what they might charge me. The last time I paid the waitress in cash, she took the money walked away then came back a minute later and said I didn't give her enough. I had to give her another 1000 pesos. I asked why did you take the money and not count it? I'm sure I paid her enough. She probably stuck 1000 in her pocket and then came back and said I didn't give her enough. It's not just me. I spoke to other foreigners there and they've experienced the same thing. The staff is always trying to get customers to buy them shots at inflated prices. When I tried to talk to the managers about it they told me it was my problem and did nothing to try to investigate or solve the problem. All the employees there run wild and do whatever they want. There is no supervision. It's possible the managers are in on it. So save yourself some money and trouble and go to another place. There are plenty of places to choose from...

Very disappointed with being charged on top of a mix drink for the mixer. Tried to speak with the waitress and the manager to come to a better resolution. At least let your customers know before you add 100 peso to a 300 peso drink. I have had the food here before and it's not bad. Some dishes are great. If you are not a smoker it can be impossible to enjoy your food during busy hours. I dont mind paying for a soda, it's just not right that its not stated beforehand. Other then the location and very, very occasional good live band. Dont be afraid to give it a miss if its busy. The rest of the street has a lot more to offer in the way of gastric delights. Filling station across the road has great atmosphere and friendly if not over worked staff. They are a little pricey on drinks and food but it is worth it and you dont get the bill and feel like you accidentally stepped into a girly bar . Plus the one minor issue I've had in 14 years was solved before asking...