Escobar Cantina

Elizabeth Esma

4.0

For a mini-reunion with some college friends, we ended up in the bright and eye-catching Escobar which I think opened up around mid-2016. I would always pass it on my way home from work so it was great to finally have an occasion to check it out.Appearance-wise, you cannot miss it on Metropolitan Avenue due to its blaring bright sign in all-caps with the silhouette of Pablo Escobar and his signature mustache as the letter "O". It offers indoor and al fresco seating with the interiors actually being way smaller than I had anticipated. Seating would be around 20-25 inside and 15-20 outside - both areas having a TV playing movies or documentaries on Escobar.Service-wise, the staff are friendly and efficient. I especially liked how they would always offer to trade our warm, unopened beers for new ones.Food-wise, it was pretty good.Burrito Medellin (P185)A friend and I got two burritos - one grilled chicken and one pulled pork and had the kitchen cut them in half so we could trade and try both flavors. It was simple but tasty and came with some garlic sauce and potato chips. Chicharrones De Pollo (P130)An appetizer my friend got was deep fried chicken skin with spiced vinegar and aioli. I considered it a classic pika-pika dish when drinking. Pulled Pork Rancheros (P199) I did not actually get to taste this, but my friend who ordered it could not get enough and wiped out his plate. It is Columbian styled slow-cooked pork shreds in herbs and spices that came with garlic rice, beans and salsa. A good deal, if you ask me. Local Beer (P60/bottle. P330/bucket of 6)What amused me about their bucket is that it is actually not a bucket but a wooden container of some sort. It was funny and quite memorable - this is why our server would offer to trade our warm beers for new ones. Over-all, I give this establishment a 4.5 for its ambiance, quality of food and value for money. It is a great place to meet up with some friends for some after-work food and drinks.

Syed Salauddin

4.0

To those who want Tex-Mex food with cool ambiance, Escobar is the perfect spot to chill with your friends and lovers! We absolutely loved this place, since we are getting tired of eating in the usual restaurants inside the malls.The place is cozy (bar-resto type), so make sure you call in advance to reserve a table. Also, make sure to visit as early as 6pm, since parking is very limited!The place has a smoking and non-smoking area, but can only accommodate 50 pax (or less).We ordered the following:Coca Chicken Wings - an interesting flavor, with lime, and spice. Good for 3 persons. Mejillones Gratinadas - mussels with cheese and salsa. Good for 1-2 persons. The salsa is home-made, I loved the flavor. I just wishes they baked the mussels so that the cheese will melt instead of "largely grated" (lol). Ropa Vieja (Beef Caldereta) - rice with beans with perfectly tender and flavorful beef caldereta. Good for 2 persons. Carbonara Pasta - again, would recommend this to chees and cream lovers like me! My favorite, but not so Tex-Mex. Heineken is also sold for 95 pesos :)@Overall, the experience is quite unique, with awesome music and friendly staff. Would recommend this to my friends, and would definitely come back! Cheers!

Mellisca Falleny T

4.0

Good vibes and good food. Very chill place. Food arrived fairly quick and I must say, their rice was delicious! Prices were also affordable. At 190-260, the meal was generous enough to quell my hunger (after an intense basketball session might I add).Ambiance was very slick. With murals of escobar and rastafarian hints. TV in and out. Aircon'ed inside, ample fans outside. Smoking area. Great place for after work drinks or weekend caps. We should be visiting this place from time to time.Beer was affordable.Pro Tip: Space could be an issue, I estimate maybe a good 40pax (20 inside and 20 outside). Another problem could be the parking. Cash basis only (but Bdo is just around the corner so no biggie). Security, although there are guards nearby, the lack there-off in the establishment itself and the area being a bit dark and street side might be reason enough for riding-in-tandem bandits to target this place (and it has happened already in places in Makati sadly).

Kristine Mandap

2.0

We had the Baked Mussels, Chicken Quarter Meal, and Carbonara. The Mussels were nearly burned. The chicken was good though, nice flavor and evenly browned. Carbonara was okay. All in all the food is okay. Service was terrible though. We were ushered inside by one of the staff. We placed our orders with said staff, which took a long while because said staff didn’t even know his own menu and he had trouble repeating since he wasn’t noting it down. When we got to the drinks part, we asked if coke zero was available (it wasn’t), so the staff excused himself presumably to ask the kitchen re: availability. To our utter bewilderment, another staff appeared and asked to take our orders again. Huh?? When we said our orders were already taken, the staff made excuses and just to get it over with we repeated our orders. In the vernacular panira ng mood yung nangyari. Add to this the overall mediocre food and the experience was just sour. The interiors were also dusty. All in all if the food was just the issue, I’d probably go back since they’re open late on Sundays. But given the service and the ambiance, its a No from me. There’s better food and better service aplenty in San Antonio.