The Cats

I was really impressed with this place. They have both American BBQ food and filipino food. Both are fantastic. The service was amazing, the food was delectable. I can't wait to go back! While everything was good, the pork and beans appetizer was the highlight for me. The atmosphere is nice too.

The Cats has been around forever. New owner as of two years still has bbq, but also offers Filipino dishes. Tried the crispy pata, a whole ham hock which was huge. The pork was moist and the skin truly crisp. We couldn’t finish it. Their lumpia was tasty and recommended. They still have live music on the weekends offering a mix of genres. The place is still popular judging by the crowd. Friendly atmosphere, good food, drinks and entertainment still works here.

slow ass service, waited over 40mins for take out of chili and brisket. literally two things. received the order and it was completely wrong. didnt get chili, instead gave me the “baked” potato w chili instead and the potato wasnt even cooked! they gave us a raw freaking potato after waiting so long. you would think the potato would already be in the prep work. probs bc the music was so god damn loud they couldnt hear our order correctly. we live here locally in campbell, born and raised. def wont be back or recommending to anyone

First time here & Food was good. We’re from Texas so we know good bbq! Everyone was so welcoming as well. Got seated right away! Thank you!

Just had a great meal while listening to a friend perform. We'll be back, loved the Filipino barbecue.

The food, service, and music were absolutely amazing! 👏 We visited to celebrate my nephew's birthday last night and we had a fantastic time. I highly recommend this place, and we will definitely be coming back!

The service was a little slow, but they were crowded, so understandable. We got the pork ribs and they were amazing!!!! Gladly took leftovers home. After dinner we moved to the bar section to listen to the band and get dessert. We enjoyed ourselves.

The meat was incredibly juicy and tender, and the service was excellent — the staff kept checking in to see if we needed anything. The live music created a cheerful and relaxed atmosphere.

We had a great time last Sunday. Rib eye bone in, so good . Ceaser salad with salmon add on. We sat in the same booth we had enjoyed before. Promise, our waitress, just a delight.

Amazing and quick service! Got the Ribeye Dinner and Brisket dinner and they were perfect! Finished with the Apple Blossom which was so yummy! Our servicers were so nice and attentive.

Frinday night BBQ dinning bonaza! Went at 6:30 by 7:30 the place filled as the 80s band fire up the amps. This place has a awesome mountain town tavern vibe. It's so cool its just 5 minuts from San Jose. The menu has a unique life of its own, filled with awesome barbecue and steak choices. I went for the ribeye, with a monster baked potato, and house salad. Oh yeah, they have a unique four or more group menu also . Check it out on their website . I ordered a mock cocktail which was quite good. Hey, let's add some non-alcoholic beers to the menu, Heineken 0.0 and/or Corona NA as NA beers let the drives drink along with the party . Of course I had to do the lava cake, it comes in a sizzling cast iron pan with boiling butter, cake and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The sizzling butter kept each bite piping hot, amazing. Ashley was our server, total delight, fun and knew the menu perfectly. I haven't been to The Cats for years. Things have definitely changed, and I say for the better. Cats has always been a Los Gatos treasure, and it's back on top of its game. It has a lively Mountain Town Tavern with Rock-n-Roller staff and dynamite new menu. Bring your mountain man/woman vibes here and feast your cares away.

We have driven past the Cats for three years. Finally made it in to eat dinner and it was a blast. Great service, live music, and a menu with BOTH BBQ and Filipino food! Unfortunately, they did not have lumpia but I did try the Filipino Sisig with Smoked Beef Brisket, which was topped with egg and paired with steamed rice for $20. It was tasty! My husband got the ribs and sides. The kids both enjoyed burgers and fries. The kids meals were very generous! The service was very attentive and we will be back.

Lovely place, good atmosphere , food fantastic. Got the Manila chicken which was savory . On top of that Promise ( our server ) , was very fast , accommodating and almost with a smile . Will come here again .

The Cats was the perfect spot to stop on our drive back from Santa Cruz to Berkeley! Red was our server and was extremely attentive and speedy. There was also a great band that made the experience even better. We are from Kansas City and the BBQ has the Midwest stamp of approval. Free bread as well!

This place is a joke. New owner has the bar charging $2 for club soda if you get a whiskey soda or similar. I could maybe understand the charge for a mixer like Coke or another soda, but soda water? Do better.

Made reservations which seemed very important after arrival as it became packed quickly. It's not a large space so definitely make reservations! The bartender lady was fantastic - knew lots of history regarding the place and was super nice. She seemed to have the most jobs and was busy non-stop. I got ribs which were nice. I do like that they don't come slathered in sauce - I prefer to choose my own and the quantity. I wish they were a bit more tender. My wife got the brisket - could use a tiny bit more seasoning for the bark. Re-heated the leftovers the next day in mac and cheese and it was perfect. My son had the pulled pork sandwich but literally engulfed it before letting anyone try it. You get two sides with meals, but not a fan that a baked potato is a "premium side" and costs an additional 5$. Baked potatoes should be standard fare. However, it was cooked and seasoned well. This was a bucket list place that is both historic AND that we had never been to. Worth the money and the evening to check it out.

This place used to have great food. Now the food is mediocre at best. They used to have delicious baked potatoes that were cooked in a fire, the real BBq was not going the last time I was there. The food seems pretty-made down to the small containers of salad dressing they hand you with the meal. Staff is pretty good. The one good thing about the Cats and the real reason I'm giving them 3 stars, is they still have live music.

Honestly I was a little underwhelmed by this place. The atmosphere was awesome but we weren't sure how family friendly it was. The food was pricey and the portions were tiny. The flavor was great but for that much you would think you would get more. Customer service was just ok.

I saw a post about this on social media. To see Filipino food in this area caught my attention so we decided to check it out. AMBIANCE: Parking: Private parking with room for about 15 cars. Seating: Inside and outside seating. Great for pairs and groups. There's room for about 60 people. Vibes: This is one exit off of Downtown Los Gatos. It's a bit isolated so make sure you pay attention to the exit. The spot itself is neat. You see it's history with the vintage architecture. I enjoyed the pop music and appreciated their transition to their evening live music. It's a sports friendly place so a good place to watch a game. Great for a food adventure or date night adventure. FOOD: Corn bread (Recommend) I've had corn bread but this rises on my top favorites. It's the beautiful mix of honey, butter, corn, but I think it's the brown sugar and grilled delivery to eat. Sweet, soft, crunchy, and just delicious. Roasted Root Vegetable Medley (Recommend) I underestimated this order but I'm glad we ordered it. A beautiful mix of roasted brussel sprouts, carrots, red onions & roasted broccoli. This was cooked a special way as the texture was delightfully firm and soft. French Fries (Recommend) Crispy fries that was salted and seasoned with garlic, butter, rosemary, thyme, and tarragon. Feijoada (Secret Menu) (Recommend) They ran out of lumpia but this a pleasant alternative. Meat that was soft, well marinated, and fell right off the bone. A good portion of beans and stew made this dish savory and comforting. Smoked Crispy Pata (Secret Menu) (Recommend) The main course! This did not disappoint. As a Filipino I've had crispy pata but this hit differently. It must've been a mix of the smoked cooking style and spices. Delicious! CUSTOMER SERVICE: Wonderful! Our server was friendly and even had time to meet Chef Raf Lim! TL; DR OVERALL: 5 Stars. Lovely, lovely, lovely. Creative and delicious food, reasonable prices, and an overall pleasant experience. Shoutouts to Owner Richard Tam, Chef Ref, and the team for keeping this pleasant experience going. Whether you're a tourist or local, check this spot out now. #FilipinoFoodMovement TIPS: * Call in 2 days prior if requesting the Smoked Crispy Pata * Check out their website for live performances * Look into their secret menu! * https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzcX9KpPjgk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

This place is wonderful. The owner Richard is kind and helpful. He is hands on with his customers which is great! His staff are all nice. The bbq meals are so tasty and they give you large portions! The lumpia was so delicious too! We will definitely be back! Thanks for a great evening out!

Haven't been back here since the new owners took over. We had the best experience, food amazing, drinks on point and the customer service alone had us hooked! Thanks Ashley for making our experience here so great! 10 out of 10 recommend! P.s the live music too was such a vibe!

After many years of driving by The Cats on 17 and wondering about it, we finally went here for dinner. It's a cool spot that feels like it's from another region and another era. The live music was great. Note that it can get loud if you are in the main area...you are only there to listen to the music and not have any conversations at the table at that point. There are other tables that you can get further away from there if you want to have a conversation, so mention what you want when you make a reservation. Our waitress was cool and engaging. The cocktail was okay. The cornbread was different and got mixed reviews, I liked it probably because it was very sweet and I like dessert. The sides were good. The bbq however was not that good. The meat was all served cold and the chicken was mostly bone and had barely any meat. Would have been a 4-star rating otherwise.

I've passed this restaurant going down 17 multiple times. I finally decided to stop by on my day off. There's plenty of parking and the staff is friendly but there is no one at the door so it can take a while to flag someone down for a seat. The lychee lemonade was surprisingly good. Maybe the best I've ever had, which is unexpected at a bbq joint. The portions on the brisket are quite small. I asked the waitress what the portion size is, expecting an answer in ounces but she said 6-7 slices. Later I found it to be a lot less. Looking at tables around its 4-5 thin slices. Overall, I'd give it two stars if not for the surprisingly good lychee lemonade. Lemonade: $3 Brisket plate: $32 The menu was a bit confusing as the premium side prices are the up charge for upgrading not the stand alone prices. $4 to upgrade the fries to a baked potato... needless to say I got the house salad and fries as my sides. The total before tip is $38.24 for cash, $39.77 for credit.

We went here on a Friday night with a live show. First the place is nicely tucked away. Signs are clear. Hard to miss. We ordered beef ribs, Caesar salad, fries, loaded nachos. The food was nice. Good quality and nice portions. The stand out are their drinks. Very nicely made, strong but flavorful. The band was playing but given the structure of the restaurant it's hard to hear well The service is very responsive and quick. A good place to hangout with a hum of live music.

We enjoyed our first visit to Cats...have seen the building for years and happy to stop. We absolutely enjoyed ourselves, love the live music and will go back to try other meals. Sam, our server, was great.

I came here solely to try their Filipino smoked crispy pata and I was totally not disappointed. Chef sous vides the pata then smokes it and fries it to perfection. The smoking process gives it another level of flavor. Drinks are great and live music was fun. Great vibe and who'd of thought there'd be a cool spot right off Highway 17

Awesome place! Great service, staff is super friendly. Ashley is the best !!! Live music is enjoyable.

Haven't been to the Cats in a while, since before covid, and we made it out for a birthday dinner on a Sunday night. Driving here, you just have to make sure you take the right exit or it's gonna be a bit to get back around to get to the restaurant. Walking in, we were greeted by the bar as soon as you walk in and live music to the left of the bar. Our party of 6 was sat to the right, down a few stairs into a lowered part of the restaurant with a few tv's. We were the only group in this area and after having a long day, I just wanted to get a beer. We weren't approached about drinks/food until at least 15/20 mins. And when we were approached, it was a "do you know what you want to order?". We had to ask about drinks and utensils as we did order apps for the table. The water was dropped off at the end of the table and so were the plates/utensils and had to be distributed amongst ourselves. The apps did come out timely after ordering and the entrees as well. But then we didn't get any of the bbq sauces or ketchup for fries so we had to grab them from another table and from the hostess stand. We weren't really checked in about the food or to order more drinks, which was a lost opportunity. The food itself, was not bad, but wasn't great either. The ribs were pretty tender, but dry without the bbq sauce. The garlic fries had a creamy garlic sauce and onion rings were pretty good, the onion didn't just fall out after taking a bite. We finished eating and again, it was kinda slow to get takeout boxes and the check. I will say again, it was not that busy and we were the only group in the dining area that we were in. I don't know I would come back

We waited more than 15 minutes + for someone to approach us. We got there first and were seated for at least 5 min before another party was seated and the server served them first... then I finally asked if we could get a drink order and still had to wait... really bad service. Food came out at different times and unfortunately, bbq was a bit dry and disappointing. They also forgot one of the side dishes we ordered. We would not come back here.

The Cats off highway 17 is a unique, very cool place! If you have a chance I would highly recommend you drop in. The burnt ends were delicious as was the brisket plate which I was loving. Staff was super friendly and the overall vibe of the place is really cool and includes rich history. You'll almost feel like you're in the South and not the South Bay Area. The staff even told us lots about the history of the place. Highly recommend!

Soooooo my hubby loves bbq and I wanted him to try this place because we drive by it all the time and it says it has the best bbq. Oh and they have both pork and beef ribs and I can never remember which ones he likes. The servers and bartenders are great but the hostess seemed bored and did not know her stuff. They only have one beer on tap which she said was a brown ale but it most def was a Pilsner. The salmon was extremely salty, the onion rings were frozen type, the Caesar salad was overdressed and the pineapple slaw was not great. The meat did fall off the bones on my husband's beef ribs. He said he would definitely be willing to go back. For the vegetarians, they did not have beyond burgers tho it's on the menu. Best part was the ambience and the band!

Well, gave this a year to get on its feet. Had all of our fingers & toes crossed. A complete disappointment except for the music. We ordered 4 items but the server only input two correctly. The two input incorrectly never came out. The remaining two dishes came out 5 minutes apart. The first was wrong on too many dimensions to list. When i pointed that out to the man who brought the food, he just shrugged and said "sorry." We had two different chicken dishes. Would have had better chicken at Chick-fil-A. We have officially given up on the food here. No more chances. Bar was good although low energy. Music was fantastic. This would be a good place for bar night with friends. But eat before going. Such a bummer for a place that we loved for so many years.

After considerable time has passed, I decided it was finally time to give this place another chance. We walked in and the atmosphere seemed fun & lively, which gave me hope for a better experience. My previous visits here were disappointing in terms of both the service and the food, I was excited to learn that the restaurant is under new ownership. We were eager to try some Filipino dishes we had read about. but unfortunately, we found out that it's only on a secret menu after the fact. When we arrived, it took a while for someone to notice us, and our order took a bit longer than expected. However, our server was friendly and accommodating. The pineapple slaw that came with the ribeye was delicious, the Caesar salad was good but slightly salty and too saucy. The steak was cooked longer than we wanted and was a bit too salty, but the seared crust and flavor made up for it. The cornbread was a hit, the wings had a nice crunch but they lacked flavor. On a positive note, our son really enjoyed the smoked chicken sandwich. We opted for the pineapple mezcal cocktail with vodka, which was amazing. The peach bischoff cobbler was decent. Despite the minor issues, we would consider coming back to try the BBQ options and explore the secret menu we've heard about. The live performance added a nice touch to the overall experience. Overall, I would give the food a 3 out of 5, and our server a 4 out of 5 rating. Here's to hoping this place continues to thrive and improve.

Food was really good but could have been served a little hotter temp wise. The ambiance is super cool. One of a kind! Not too cheap but plan to spend around $80 for 2 people. Only bad thing was our server, took our order, then someone else delivered our food and forgot our 2 drinks which were charged for. Then after mentioning it to the them it was still on the bill. Aside from our order being taken and food delivered there was absolutely no service.

Great service and solid bbq. Chili with burnt ends delicious and loaded with meat. Brisket lean so alittle on the drier side but good smoke and with the delicious pineapple slaw a tasty combination of flavors. Attentive staff - brought dog water, cleaned outdoor table and checked in on us often- thanks for the great service Promise!

Great food. Great food. Great service. Great band. Def will come back again! Los Gatos = Cat!

The band was better than the food, even though the music was too loud to have a conversation with my husband who sat right next to me. I was excited to try the food, especially with the chef from the Midwest, where BBQ is a big thing. I ordered the brisket, one of my favorite cuts. Never have I had to cut brisket with a steak knife! I had to use force with the knife, this meat was so TOUGH and not flavorful! Took way too many chews to get the meat down. The pineapple slaw was way too overdressed (so wet and did not look appealing) and there was not a hint of pineapple in the dressing, just a few pieces of pineapple at the bottom of the TINY ramekin that it was served in. It was apparent this food was not fresh but had been sitting around for quite a while. Having so many Asian food options in a BBQ restaurant is strange, there were more choices of that than actual BBQ options. Perhaps they should bring in restaurant impossible to help with their pricing and the amount of food that is given. The servings were small compared to the high price, which also applies to their cocktails, tiny drinks with no hint of alcohol, and a big price. Either increase the serving size or use smaller serving plates vs the 1/4 sheet pans to serve on, so it doesn't look like/feel you are getting ripped off, common sense! The service was slow as well. But sometimes that can be justified if the food is worth it, not in this case. The price of a pitcher of beer is $15 more than it costs to get 4 individual pints, pints are $10 each and the pitcher is $55, absurd!! The only thing this place has going for it is the historical history of the building (which I think should be highlighted more). Maybe this building is cursed and THIS BBQ owner shouldn't have occupied the space.

Excellent experience. Live music every night and great bbq. Service was great. Promise was awesome server.

We've been going there for years. New ownership with a new menu, but their specialty is still BBQ. The service was great, our server, Promise, was very friendly and proficient. They had a very busy weekend,so by late Sunday night, there were a few items on the menu that weren't available, but what we got was still great. We'll definitely go back!

This was a disappointment!!! My beef ribs were served cold. When fat cools it gets hard and that is not a nice bite. I should've gone with the pork ribs. The brisket was over cooked and dry!! They only had vegetarian lumpia left and it too was over done. The garlic rice was the best thing on the menu!!! I had high hopes for this place but know that it is a once in a lifetime for me. The music was way too loud!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Despite the positive reviews posted here, our recent experience at The Cats for dinner was very disappointing. To be fair, the employees are friendly and attentive. But the food was not good, at all. We all ordered dinner salads, wilted iceberg bagged lettuce with dressing. The rest of our food was overcooked and/or flavorless. $260 later, we vowed not to return. I cannot recommend this restaurant.

Their cornbread is out if this world. I make a pretty mean cornbread, but mine tastes like wallpaper paste compared to this wonderful stuff!!! Jalapeño hush puppies, were good, just not much of a Jalapeño flavour. Pulled pork, brisket, both delicious, but their tri tip melts in your mouth. Pineapple slaw was a unique and lovely surprise. Server was great, food came out fast. So glad we tried this place! We ARE coming back!!!

Driving along the curves of the Santa Cruz highway, it's hard to miss this establishment at the border of Los Gatos. We finally got to check it out this past weekend. The service was decent on a Saturday afternoon, and the food was ready super quick (like 10 minutes). As it should be since it was a ghost town when we arrived, no one in sight, just one employee at the bar who also helped us at our table. She was attentive and friendly. A couple more guests showed up within the hour, as did another staff member. We ordered a whiskey sour from him, and when he got distracted having a conversation with other customers sitting at the bar, my bf had to request again. He gave it to us on the house which was appreciated, but it was pretty weak. For food, we got a half rack of Cats Ribs with fries, and the Tri-tip Plate with sauteed mushrooms. I liked the flavor of the bbq sauce we got on the side, a bit sweeter. The corn bread was pretty amazing too, moist and buttery. Even the fries were pretty good, lightly seasoned and served hot on a separate plate. But the meats were just about average. Worth noting, the tri-tip was a bit dry, and the mushrooms had a great buttery garlicky flavor, but it was way too salty. The setting of the restaurant isn't bad, it's like an old dark saloon inside, dim lighting, cute restaurant signs with funny sayings (like "Eat, drink, and be fat and drunk" or "No working during drinking hours"), and at least three TV's (2 in the bar, 1 in the dining area). Also, plenty of parking out front.

Friendly service from our server Promise, the pulled pork was outstanding :) Enjoyed the Santa Cruz mountain vibe and live music.

Not going back with $8 happy hour beers and no garlic bread. Steer clear. Music was non existent except if you were at least 16 years old. Owner was friendly enough but, it's not enough to make us come back. The Cats ain't what it use to be.

I have driven by here a trillion times when I used to commute to UC Santa Cruz, but never stopped here until tonight! Ridiculously delicious chili cheese fries with brisket burnt ends, goodgod!!! And their signature Barbacoa cocktail is absolutely fantastic; first cocktail with mezcal I have ever enjoyed like this! The service here is very attentive; Red and Karla were very helpful, as were the rest of the staff but I didn't catch their names! Also we caught the band Breaux Show, what an excellent playlist! They played my favorite Tom Petty Song "Running Down a Dream", and they get extra bonus points for "The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World. Honestly a constant stream of bangers! What a wonderful Saturday evening out :) my soul is happy.

We had the best time at The Cats! I have been intrigued with this property since I was a little girl, riding in the back of my parent's station wagon on our way back from Santa Cruz. When we drove into the driveway and I spied those big Mountain Lion statues, my heart skipped a beat as the memories flooded over. But by the time we went inside, I got over it and intrigued by the great historical saloon atmosphere, killer live music, and the smell of apple cobbler. Service was fast , friendly and efficient , and we loved the BBQ. Brisket was a solid B+ and the pork ribs even better. I think the low ratings are not for the current setup and chef cause the place was hopping and you could tell people loved it there!

Ashley behind the bar is an amazing addition to the already historic and timeless atmosphere inside this timeless staple. Not only was the service prime but there was great live music and the drinks where balanced and Soo yummy! Omg the food

I'm giving this place four stars because the food was good, But also because this place is such a cool and historic venue. I loved the cat statutes, the building, and the live music, and the general vibe of the place. When we visited, it was a Saturday night, very busy, and they were clearly understaffed. I recognize this is not their fault. There is a labor shortage everywhere in California. Given how few people were working that evening, the staff were trying their best, running around, and working very very hard. I give him credit for that. So we did have long wait times, but ultimately it was worth it. The cornbread is absolutely amazing, I could eat that all day everyday. The meat was very good as well. And the desserts were delicious. Definitely give this place a try, also please support our local businesses.

Service was amazing, food was delicious, ordered the surprise cocktail and that was also a 10/10. Well rounded and delicious on all fronts! Definitely worth a visit.

What a GEM! We stopped by on a Friday evening and everything about this place was incredible. The ambiance was impeccable and the staff was extremely friendly! The brisket sandwich, omg! It was delectable. The jalapeño hush puppies, the perfect spice with every bite. They have their own sauces - the spicy bbq sauces was out of this world! I cannot wait to go back! Next time, we'll stay longer for the live music, which was being set up when we arrived!

Love their new drink menu, super creative and unique. My favorite is the ABG. If you love boba you definitely need to try this! The oolong tea paired with lychee is super refreshing! Also got the brisket sandwich with coleslaw. The bread was perfectly toasted, and meat was tender. The acidity from the pickled onions really balanced the flavor of the sandwich.

Staff is great. Everything on the menu is made with love! The cornbread alone is worth the trip. The dining room is cozy and had a rustic feel.

Awesome vibe and Friday night had live music- salmon was great as well as their baked potato- will definitely be back!

This has got to be one of the best steak meals I've had. No nonsense, high quality meat, skilled cooking techniques, amazing presentation, and of course delicious and flavorful results, this is my kind of BBQ joint. As we ate it, we said places like Alexander's steakhouse are not even comparable to this. The vibe inside is also super laid back. You got live music some nights, an extensive bar, and a very nice staff serving you. Can't wait to go back and try more!

Great and friendly service! Live music was awesome and really gave the place a lively atmosphere. Food tasted great as well!

Rundown and overpriced. I have not been there in years but thought it would be an interesting place to bring someone out of the country to see. Big mistake! Tables were heavily sprayed with an obnoxious disinfectant spray that was reminiscent of entering a bathroom, not a restaurant... Warning signs started with no pricing on the menu. Tap beer was $8 - $9. Chili fries were $10 and served on non-waxed paper that got soggy and mixed with food because of the sauce... The biggest shocker was a slice of walnut pie or something like it which would have been appropriate to serve at a doll house - about 3 inches on each side triangle with a dollop of whipping cream the size of a quarter... And not only did they have the nerve to serve something this ridiculous, they charged $10 for it! The people at the next table had some major problem with their food, although I could not make what it was because it was too noisy.