Hercules Draft House & Cantina

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hercules Restaurant in the Los Gatos area is an absolute gem. From the moment you arrive, you’re welcomed into a beautifully warm space with stunning and elegant ambiance. The food is consistently delicious, made with care and high quality ingredients, and the service is exceptional attentive, friendly, and genuinely thoughtful. Every visit feels special, as if you’re treated like a VIP with extra care and attention. A truly wonderful dining experience that I highly recommend you will Love it you can have private party in the back room 👍😍🤌💕

This was genuinely some of the best Mexican food I’ve ever had! The tortilla soup, guacamole, ribeye tacos, and shredded chicken enchiladas were all absolutely fantastic, easy 10/10 across the board!! Service was just as impressive. Our waitress was incredibly attentive and skilled at multitasking. She kept our drinks and salsa topped off the entire time, even while managing several other tables. Highly recommend this spot if you’re looking for excellent food and outstanding service!

I stumbled upon this wonderful taco joint driving through Los Gatos, and I’m so happy I found it! Amazing service, great drinks, and really tasty fajitas. I know, who gets fajitas at a taco joint? I do! Forgot to take photos of my food. Instead have photos from around the restaurant. 😄

This is the best Mexican food I have ever had in my entire life and I live in the Central Valley, where the Mexican food is outstanding, but this blows them out of the water! Please, if you come here and you absolutely should, on the appetizer menu the shrimp the grilled shrimp is awesome super awesome. I had Birria tacos, and my husband had the street tacos and they were nothing short of amazing. This will be my now stop every time I go to Aptos or Capitola. I’m actually gonna add this in the maps so that way I don’t miss the exit.

I’m from Mexico City and grew up eating tacos al pastor, so I know the classic taste very well. The ones served in Hercules weren’t close to the authentic style—the meat had a lot of gristle and it wasn’t cooked on a “trompo”. Because of that, it didn’t taste like the real thing. The octopus tacos weren’t our favorite, and the suadero tacos weren’t like the true Mexican version. On the other hand, the chicken tacos were good! The red rice and beans were also ok, and the aguas—jamaica and horchata—were honestly delicious, better than many others I’ve tried. The place itself is pleasant, and the staff is very kind, which I appreciate a lot. My only suggestion would be to bring in a good taquero who knows how to prepare the traditional flavors. That would truly elevate the experience.

We had a pleasant experience at this restaurant, and the food was quite good. The highlight for me was the medical salad. It featured very crispy iceberg lettuce topped with grilled chicken, blue cheese dressing, cucumber slices, and boiled eggs. The presentation was also quite inviting, adding to the overall appeal of the dish. The kids had a great time with their meals too. They enjoyed both the chicken and steak tacos, which were tasty and well-prepared. The guacamole was made to order and tasted very fresh, which we all appreciated. In summary, it’s a nice spot for Mexican food near downtown Los Gatos. While it didn't blow us away, it was still a good experience, and we’ll likely visit again.

This a nice neighborhood cantina. The food is good for the price you pay. The service is excellent. Friendly people and great drinks.

This place was empty when we went. Good was astounding and service was great. We will be going back when we are in the area.

Love this place! They have the best margs and really good tacos. The staff is always so friendly and nice. Definitely recommend coming in for taco Tuesday!

The margaritas, food, and atmosphere are excellent. We have often been served by Nick who always takes great care to greet us and make us feel welcome. It is the go-to spot in Los Gatos for quality Mexican food, and tequila options are plentiful from their robust selection!

Great Cantina Food is delicious Margaritas are fantastic Happy Hour at 4 Specials almost every day Great service as well Cannot not say enough good things about it

Love the ambiance here. Casual but very well put together Mexican restaurant. Great customer service, clean interior, decent food, and awesome outdoor patio dining during good weather. Dog friendly restaurant. Dishes that stood out for me were the shrimp cocktail (Coctel De Camaron) and Hercules burrito. The shrimp cocktail was thick and hearty and they didn't skimp on the ingredients. It was loaded with yummy goodness; flavorful sauce that didn't taste watered down. The prices here are very reasonable and I would love to come back and try other items on the menu. Don't forget their specials on Taco Tuesday and Thirsty Thursday. Street parking as well as public lot parking.

So many fake Yelp reviews on this profile. You can tell it's a fake review when it's a super short review and they've only reviewed one other Restaurant. My parents wanted Mexican food to celebrate their anniversary, so I made a reservation here and noted it was their anniversary since the ambience looked modern and nice on yelp photos. They are severely understaffed. We waited at the hostess stand for eight minutes before being seated. There was only the bartender, and one girl and one bus boy. Happy hour is only on Fridays, but how would somebody know that since there is no menu on their website at all? The menu that we looked up on Yelp isn't what they have available, and it's a way smaller menu. Sweet potato- literally it was just a roasted sweet potato. There was no flavor or anything whipped in it. Street tacos - meat and tortillas only. The one wedge of lime couldn't even squeeze any lime out of it because it was so dry. We ended up leaving right after this since the food was so disappointing, and nobody acknowledged my parents anniversary at all. The restaurant is super loud inside, so don't expect to be able to have any conversation at all. One and done for us.

I went in for lunch one day and they unfortunately did not have what I originally wanted to order, but the Mole enchiladas are simply amazing. I'm a big mole snob and this mole did not disappoint. I also had a glass of Chardonnay, which was also amazing. I highly recommend the spot. A lot of my coworkers go here and absolutely love it. All of the employees that I encountered and interacted with were very respectful, kind and fun.

After a rewarding hike, we stumbled upon this charming spot and decided to give it a try. If you're pressed for time, this might not be your best bet, as the food took a while to arrive. However, once it did, it was well worth the wait! As we browsed the menu, complimentary chips and salsa were brought to our table. The homemade chips were crispy and not overly oily--just right, though they could've used a touch more salt. The salsa was bursting with flavor and pleasantly mild. Being a draft house, the place boasted an impressive selection of local beers. I was a bit disappointed when my first two choices were unavailable, but that didn't dampen the experience. We started with the Mexican Charred Sweet Potato, a true highlight. The sweet potato, whipped to perfection within its skin, paired beautifully with rum and whipped butter. The candied walnuts were divine--I could've done with a few more! Next up were the fish tacos, featuring nicely grilled fish and a vibrant mango salsa that elevated the dish. The plate came with a hearty side of beans and rice. We couldn't resist adding a side of refried beans and chorizo, which was delicious when scooped up with the homemade chips. The moment you walk in, you'll notice the meticulous decor. From the tasteful furniture to the neon sign, every detail was thoughtfully planned. There's a lovely bar area and an outdoor seating space with TVs for added enjoyment.

Came here for happy hour today. The drinks were nice and strong, the tamales were good, and the shrimp ceviche was also good. One of the best things was the chips and salsa they give you when you sit down. The service was really good, ambiance nice and relaxed. The only disappointment was one of the items on the menu wasn't available, but hopefully next time.

Was pleasantly surprised by this place. They have a parking lot directly behind the restaurant which made it really easy. Super cool decor - with lots of attention to detail. I made a reservation, but they weren't super busy so probably ok for walk-in's. Service was fine; the waiter was almost too attentive and didn't let us chill. They had a good beer list with variety and some speciality cocktails. Loved my spicy margarita that had some zing (but not hot) and watermelon juice. We had apps and loved the carne asada fries and street tacos. Will be back again to try more of their menu.

Good choice to get one of their (Holy Ghost) pilsners from Laughing Monk--super clean, crisp beer. We went for the steak fajitas plate (totally worth it with the abundance of tender steak, steaming hot and roasted veggies, delicious rice, beans, and a side salad). Flavors, portions, and presentation were all on point. I went for their Mole Chicken. Loved the depth of flavor. Chicken was difficult to eat as they went for a bone-in versus boneless chicken (try eating that with mole all over). Side rice and beans were delicious. Free chips and salsa were addicting. Ambiance and service were good.

We were pleasantly surprised by taco Tuesday last time we were here so we're heading back again for more! Service was good, understandably busy. Fun ambiance and great looking bar. Loved the $5 margaritas. See you soon!

Average at best The tacos were just okay nothing special. The portions were small and overpriced. The salsa was too watery. Not bad but not great

First time trying Hercules! Found this place on Yelp while on vacation looking for a dinner spot with a nice ambiance, but one that we could still wear jeans and a sweater to (nicest clothes we packed)! I tried the portobello mushroom tacos and they were delicious and not your ordinary taco. We also loved the complimentary chips and salsa. All the employees (host, server, bartender, etc.) that came by our table were friendly and efficient.

Had a very positive experience in all areas. Food was better than I expected. The staff was quick and very knowledgeable about everything. They were able to cater to my food restrictions, and the overall atmosphere was very pleasant.

My go to Mexican restaurant! The chicken fajitas, chips and guacamole are my fave! The guacamole is so fresh and delicious. The bartenders make a mean margarita and they have good tequila and beer selections. The manager and the servers are friendly and knowledgeable. I celebrated my birthday there this year and it was incredible! Highly recommend!

We went back to Hercules, at my insistence, even though my family members didn't enjoy their meals the last time. And wow, it was so bad. The chips were so encrusted with salt, it was like putting a spoon of salt directly into your mouth. Eye watering bad. The food was also way too salty. The food was greasy, overly salty and just generally mediocre. Service was slow. The decor and such is much improved but that's it for us. We tried it a few times and we are done.

This is a cool spot in Los Gatos for a casual dinner. My wife loved the fajitas and I don't usually go for fish tacos but our server Nick recommended them and they didn't disappoint! Good food, solid drinks and great service, I would definitely come back again!

This place was really pretty walking in. Very clean and the vibes were just relaxing. The service was on point our waiter was on it very attentive. Everyone's food was really good and presentation look so pretty. The fish tacos I got were perfectly cooked all toppings were so good the sauce on top was amazing had a good kick. Personally I've never been to a restaurant that add living percentage 4% was a shock to me but overall the experience was good and food was good too

Really good authentic Mexican food, the drinks are excellent. The chicken enchiladas with green sauce was delicious as was the guacamole and chips. Service is fantastic, they really go above and beyond. The ambience is of upscale but casual with a beautiful atmosphere and patio.

meh. I'm of a mixed opinion on this one, but overall wasn't a fan. from the moment you walk in, it feels a bit like they're trying too hard to be instgrammable more than they're trying to put out good food and drinks. food: mixed reviews. guac and chips was tasty. chips were a bit well done, but I rather like that. quesabirria tacos were good. solid flavor. I'd like them more crisped up, but they're good. they serve them on a tile, I'm sure to get that instagram look. I was just worrying the whole time that the consume was going to run off and end up in my lap. steak fajitas were a total miss. more peppers than meat, no sides, and had to ask for tortillas. I've never encountered a place before that doesn't provide some fixings with fajitas. it was weird. drinks: again, more focus was on looks than taste. I'm unconvinced there was even alcohol in mine. if I were to go again, I'd stick to water. service: spotty. the guy who helped us was very nice and doing his best, but it felt like they were understaffed. ambiance: loud. loads of tvs. loud. not sure if I'll go back. the tacos and guac were good, but is that enough?

I've been twice now to Hercules, and loved both visits! The first visit was for a casual dinner, and we were impressed by the food, drinks, and service! Both the complimentary chips and salsa are delicious, and the tacos and burrito we ordered were HUGE and so tasty! My second visit was during happy hour, and they hit the mark here too! Great selection of food to choose from, and super reasonably priced! Love the ambience and location as well!

I'm so torn about Hercules. The food is wonderful. Their hot chips and homemade salsa are addictive. I've only tried the two dishes most recommended - seafood tacos and birria - and the tacos can't be beat. Tender, perfectly seasoned. The birria is nice, but the chips and salsa!! Heaven!

Great spot. Very nice patio and perfect for dogs. Birria tacos were SO much better than expected. Extremely good. Service was great and the restaurant (interior) is very nice. Food was excellent . We will make this a new stop on the food and drink rotation.

Always amazing. !! Almost tried the entire menu. A must try for downtown Los Gatos. Great beer menu too. Been trying the tequila lately. Good mixture with the authentic food. Best food in the bay for sure.

The henhouse is fresh, but this place needs double the staff. Expect to wait and wait some more...

Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Owner: Let's put a Mexican restaurant where Flights used to be. Investor: Yes!! And we'll put margarita flights in the menu. Owner: Yes, yes, only I won't actually sell them. I'll just put them in the menu. Investor: Okay? What will you call it? Manager: Let's name it after the Roman God of... Investor: Tacos? Manager: ...Strength. Investor: Yes, yes, that's perfect because he... Manager: once bit his mom's nipple too hard and resulting spilt milk created the Milky Way. Investor: Brilliant. With stone floors, neon lights, spaced out tables, metal chairs, and marble counters, it's modern. Modern is code for uncozy and pricey (not counting the added 4% living wage). So, it's not your typical Mexican restaurant, which is good if you have Mariachi anxiety like me. The attractive (but exposed) outside patio area has three flat screens, so it might be good for games on nice days or warm nights, despite the traffic rolling by. The chips were fresh and light, the salsa (which might be my favorite red salsa locally) was tomatoey with just enough kick. And they were free. The carnitas burrito ($17) wasn't bad. I prefer carnitas with crispier edges but they were tender. I got mine Christmas style, half-red and half-green sauce, both delicious. I even like the tortilla, which was dough-like. The lime-heavy guacamole is great. I told our server I wanted a Spicy Latina but she gave me a yummy, expensive, ice heavy cocktail. I meant Salma Hayek, but the drink will do.

Over the years, I've frequented this location, witnessing the constant turnover of new restaurants. It's intriguing how this corner with Hercules lacks the attention other places in Los Gatos receive. Finally visiting after the 49ers' victory against the Lions, I found it to be a sophisticated spot for watching sports--quiet, cool, and upscale. The star of the experience was undoubtedly the service. The overall dining experience was good, though not remarkably authentic. A significant gripe was the initial batch of free tortilla chips, some of which were old, hard, and chewy. Upon requesting a fresh batch, they arrived mostly hot and crunchy, yet mixed with remnants of the older ones, disappointing for a Mexican restaurant where chips and salsa are crucial. The guacamole, too, lacked flavor, possibly missing salt. Despite these flaws, the outstanding service and a recommendation for the delicious shrimp fajitas make me inclined to return. Parking is hassle-free in the back or on nearby side streets. Fun place to hang out with friends or family gatherings.

What a great visit! We've seen a few businesses go through this specific address, but I'm hoping Hercules sticks around for a while. We visited for lunch. It wasn't busy and we got seated quickly. Drinks and food came quick and were all SO DELICIOUS. I wish I remembered which margarita I got so I could recommend it by name. You could tell it was high quality. The chips and salsa are complimentary and have just enough kick to stand out. My husband and I shared the fajitas and carne asada tacos and were so full when we were done. My husband wished there was a bit more beer options but I think the cocktail menu makes up for that. I will be excited to visit again soon

We have come before. They allow dogs on the 2 decks ! Nick was our server and he is like a family friend! We came in a Thursday when it is Oysters for $1.50 each and wine for half price by glass and the bottle! I ordered the Carnitas Tacos and my husband had the Queso Birria tacos. The beans reminded me of my Mom's! The oysters were succulent and fresh.

I love this place! This is my third time here and thought it was about time I wrote a review. Hercules is a great restaurant for delicious tacos and drinks! It's pretty easy to find parking in the parking lot behind the restaurant. The severs are very friendly and add to the great atmosphere. I usually get the tacos, but this time I got the enchilada plate and it was superb. I also ordered a margarita, which was very light and refreshing. This is one of my go to restaurants for a good time and good food, can't wait to come back!

I really like this place. Service is always friendly the times I have been. Three times I have visited here and intend to come back for the fourth and fifth time. Very clean and new feeling restaurant and I feel comfortable dining alone here on my own or with friends and family. I really like the ambience too. I feel comfortable using the restroom too, so important lol. Service great! Food has been consistently delicious.

I love the first visit. Second, I became extremely ill! I will not chance it again. Very disappointed that this happened.

First time at this restaurant. (Located in space previously occupied by Flights..) Nice ambiance with indoor and outdoor seating (with heaters) Enjoyed Taco Tuesday special of $3 street tacos and $5 margaritas. Ordered an asado taco with beef (had ordered chicken but received beef..) and Al pastor with pork. I enjoyed both tacos that were served with lime and sliced radishes. Very friendly and hospitable service. Can't wait to return and try other menu items!

Come on over for Taco Tuesday! $5 house margarita's, $3 bottled beer and $3 street tacos. Can't beat their salsa and chips. Great service. The bar is always fun, inside seating is great and outside is very cute but the road noise is a bit much for me. I hear they are working on the patio on the university side, that would be more relaxing.

Such great service & good drinks! Definitely recommend coming here for any occasion or just a night out!

Fun atmosphere, good food, excellent service, what's not to like! First choice on Taco Tuesday for great prices and tasty beverages. Shout out to Nick for always helping me decide on what to get, since everything looks so good. Haven't tried everything yet, but favorites are the street tacos, shrimp ceviche, Birra Pizza, and spicy margarita.

Hercules has definitely become my go-to spot! The food and atmosphere are amazing, as well as their drinks. Staff is always friendly and my family loves coming here. Highly recommended this gem

Not too many good Mexican restaurants in the LG area, so I was pleasantly surprised by this one! The chips were fresh, and the salsa was very good--always a great start. I ordered the fish tacos, which had a bit of spice, but some dishes were extremely spicy. If you're sensitive to heat, I'd recommend asking for no spice or choosing something more balanced. That said, the flavors were bold and well-executed. The drinks were solid, making for a well-rounded dining experience. Definitely worth checking out!

Had a great time tonight celebrating my dear dear friends birthday! We shared the amazing prawn cocktail to start and drinks all around. I had the three tacos since it was as taco Tuesday! Margs were $5. We had fabulous service, too. I will always miss Hobees but this place is solid. Excited to go back soon.

The food here is killer and the portions are great! I highly recommend the grilled fish tacos. The staff could have been more attentive which would have really made the experience top notch. The restaurant was clean and had a cute aesthetic. My only recommendation would be to turn the AC down. I would for sure come back here again!

Friendly staff, affordable and lovely ambiance. Taco Tuesdays are fun and would definitely be back.

The Mole Ranchero was amazing and my server Nick was super helpful with and questions I had about the menu! Will definitely be back to try more of the menu !

Great ambiance and delicious food! This is my go to Mexican spot in the Los Gatos area. I love that they also offer salads that are both also hearty and fresh. The complimentary chips and salsa never disappoints. Be sure to check this place out if you are looking for a great vibe and delicious bite to eat!

We came here on a bit of a whim looking for dinner early on a Saturday night. There was plenty of space inside and on their patio. The decor is adorable and manages to be both a sports bar type vibe and super cute at the same time: think wood bar top with the game on next to a hot pink wall with plant accents. Somehow it works! We ordered a whole pile of tacos and I have zero regrets. We got the set of three street tacos (all delicious but Al Pastor was definitely my favorite of the three), the tacos de Cameron (my favorite of the night), and the Quesaberilla (spelling questionable) tacos. All were good and hit the spot - my only comment is that the beans and rice that came on the side were lacking in flavor, and the beans in particular were slightly watery. That being said, we were too full from tacos to really eat much of the sides anyway. Although we didn't drink that night, the tap options looked great. We'd happily come back if we're in the area!

I love this place, just wish I lived closer! Ambiance and cleanliness - 10/10 Food quality - 10/10 Service - 10/10 Beer selection - 12/10 Great Mexican food, I went with the Chile relleno, very satisfying. My lunch buddy had mixed varieties of lunch tacos, also very good. The jewel in the crown is the huge variety of beers. Available in 5 oz. and 9 oz. flights, you can sample to your heart's content, and we did. If you're in Los Gatos this place is a must, I'll certainly go back next time I visit.

Went on a weekday around lunchtime and got a few things to try. I've had this place on my list for a while, but I didn't stop before because I didn't know they had outdoor seating. The day I went I chose to sit inside and they had football on (happy about that). Service was so quick, but not rushing us along. We were in and out of there within an hours time. The birria tacos, fish tacos, guac and friend ice cream were all very good. I'd get the birria tacos again and I know my partner would get the fish tacos again-- she really enjoyed them! Good place to stop before doing some errands in Los Gatos. A big plus is also that they have parking right behind the restaurant.

Hey there Party People In case you haven't tried Hercules Draft House I'm giving you even more reason to come in. I had the Chicken Enchiladas with the green sauce. The sauce was tangy and delicious. The enchiladas were stuffed with chicken super filling. I'm not a huge enchilada fan but I am so ordering these again. My hubby just couldn't give up their amazing fajitas. He promised to try the chili relleno next time....there is so going to be a next time. We also tried the Mexican charred Sweet Potato. It had this crazy good rum butter that was completely off the hook tasty. Once again if you haven't tried this place yet you need to. Be kind to one another

I finally got around to trying this place and it was delicious! The vegetarian tacos were so good. It's so rare to find good mushroom tacos and this place nailed the dish. I had the tortilla soup as well and it hit the spot on a cold night. The best part of the night was definitely the overflow of margaritas we had. They were delicious. The drinks menu is huge and worth a look! We finished the night with cake and it was delicious!

This restaurant was such a fun find. The ambiance is amazing. It's very "instagramable". Our server was attentive and kind. The food was delicious. They give complimentary chips and salsa. The salsa was very enjoyable. Chicken Enchiladas - $19 - The green sauce was so good! This meal was full of flavor and presented beautifully. I enjoyed the pickled onions on top. Fajitas - $24 - Another winner of a dish. The chicken and veggies were cooked perfectly and the flavor was out of this world. They offer happy hour from 4 pm - 6 pm, Taco Tuesday and Thirsty Thursday. I'm taking one star away for the living wage charge on the bill. SUNDAY 10:00AM-8:30PM MONDAY Closed TUESDAY 11:30AM-8:30PM WEDNESDAY 11:30AM-8:30PM THURSDAY 11:30AM-8:30PM FRIDAY 11:30AM-9:30PM SATURDAY 10:00AM-9:30PM I suggest making reservations on Open Table.