Kuya J Restaurant Otis — Restaurant in Manila

Nestled in the bustling Otis area, Kuya J offers a comforting escape with its familiar Filipino flavors, and my recent visit confirmed that it's more than just a restaurant; it's an experience. From the moment you step inside, the warm ambiance and attentive staff set the stage for a delightful meal. Let's talk about the food. Kuya J is known for its classic Filipino dishes, and they deliver on that promise. The Crispy Pata was, as expected, a star. The skin was perfectly crackling, giving way to tender, flavorful meat. It wasn't overly greasy, a testament to their skillful preparation. The Kare-Kare, another staple, was rich and nutty, with generous portions of tender beef and vegetables. The bagoong, served on the side, was robust and complemented the dish beautifully. Even the simple Garlic Rice was fragrant and fluffy, a perfect accompaniment to the main courses. But what truly elevated the experience was the exceptional service. Our server was incredibly attentive, anticipating our needs before we even voiced them. They were knowledgeable about the menu, offering helpful recommendations and ensuring our drinks were always topped up. The staff's genuine warmth and hospitality made us feel like valued guests, contributing significantly to the overall enjoyment of the meal. The restaurant itself is clean and well-maintained, creating a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. While it can get busy during peak hours, the efficient service ensures that you don't feel rushed. Highlights: Delicious Filipino Cuisine: The Crispy Pata and Kare-Kare are must-tries. Excellent Service: Attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable staff. Comfortable Ambiance: Clean, well-maintained, and welcoming. Overall: Kuya J in Otis delivers a consistently enjoyable dining experience. The combination of delicious, well-prepared Filipino food and exceptional service makes it a standout choice. Whether you're craving familiar comfort food or looking for a place to enjoy a relaxed meal with family and friends, Kuya J is a solid recommendation. I'll definitely be returning for another taste of their heartwarming dishes and...

We dined at the Kuya Jay Otis branch. My mother ordered this dish:

1 Baboy Sinigang ₱460 1 Platter garlic rice ₱175 1 Crispy Pakbet ₱150 3 Halohalo special ₱204 (note that this is a promo since it's 50% off)

The total bill is ₱989 without the 20% discount.

Now, after eating, my mother was about to pay, presenting her OSCA ID to avail of the 20% discount. The cashier said the halohalo was exempt from the discount because it was already on promo, which is reasonable. After the computation, my mother paid ₱1000 and only received ₱85 in change, which was drastically different from the total computed. When we asked the cashier why the change was short, he said a lot of things loudly, possibly to embarrass us since many people were eating. If we consider it, only ₱200 was missing from the change, but since we didn’t want to create a scene, my mother let it go. It’s a small matter, but it’s not about the money; it’s about their modus operandi. We’ve encountered similar issues in other restaurants before, so we just left.

So, for everyone dining here, please double check your receipts before you leave, especially if you’re using discount IDs.

Shout out to those in charge at the cashiers: please be professional with...

Three times My visit, the menu is always missing at least two items, no stock even before midday. Service attentiveness is terrible. I counted 5 service crew, not even one is attentive enough, maybe they should be given station duty. The crew should be briefed on what is on stock, both times the crew came back from the kitchen to tell us the ordered item is out of stock. Crew should be trained in wait service. They brought 4 glasses of water, put the 1st two glasses at the edge then proceeded to serve the other two glasses for the guest on the inside part of the table making the 1st two glasses sitting on the edge of the table being accidentally spilled by their uniform sleeves. How careless, no common sense. The cashier needs a lot of training. Took 3 times before the bill is properly punched and still waited twice to print out the correct...