I love everything about this spot! Staff are super kind and attentive, the atmosphere is fun and exciting, and the food and drinks are amazing! The nachos are one of my faves here, they're shareable and loaded with cheese, beans, guac, meat and all the goods!! I'd recommend the flautas too, they're super fresh and crispy. I definitely recommend trying this spot if you're looking for great food and vibes in downtown SJ! read more

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There are so many good things to take note of. Fun, vibrant atmosphere that still allows for conversation! Humongous appetizers that actually allow for sharing and could easily turn into dinner for 2! Friendly servers who will actually let you know when they think you're over-ordering instead of just trying to jack up the bill! To have variety, we ordered 2 appetizers and split and entree, which was more than enough food for 2. I'd recommend any of the dishes we tried -- Ceviche, Pork Carnitas Sopes, and Camarones a la Diabla. Cocktails were also absolutely scrumptious but I can't recall the name of what we ordered. It was reminiscent of an Espresso Martini with a horchata twist. All told, this was a great new find in San Jose. Bonus -- it is open until 1:30 am on weekends! read more

El Cabron Kitchen & Cantina - The Bar - Mexican Near Me - San Jose, California

We went here on a Saturday night and it was not too crowded. We got two drinks that were both very good! The guacamole was much larger than I thought and it was worth it! The aguachile was also very delicious, I recommend getting this one! The camaron a la diabla was also very good! I would recommend getting that dish as it was very flavorful and had a good spice! Altogether a solid spot for food in downtown SJ and good ambiance! read more

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We stopped by El Cabron Kitchen & Cantina in downtown San Jose for an early dinner on a Saturday evening, and the vibe was fantastic. The ambience is great, with amazing decor and large cultural paintings that really stand out and add so much character to the space. Definitely make a reservation, because it gets crowded fast. Our waitress, Emily, was friendly, attentive, and super quick, which made the experience even better. For food, we ordered the Pollo Asado, which was decent, and the Barbacoa, which really stood out--the beef was tender, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. Both entrees came with a great spread of salsas, chopped onions, black beans, and fresh, warm tortillas. For drinks, we tried the Paloma with mezcal and the Tamarindo, and both were delicious and well-balanced. To finish off the meal, we shared the churros, which were warm and crispy with a caramel filling, served alongside two generous scoops of creamy vanilla ice cream--an excellent way to end the night. Overall, great food, great drinks, and an awesome atmosphere. We'll definitely be back! read more

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Came in on Sunday late afternoon for a quick bite. Got a table right away as the restaurant wasn't busy. Inside the restaurant was very dark. Mangonada was good and tasty, but didn't seem like it had any alcohol in it. Michilada was just average, tasted like they just put some clamato juice and a squeeze of lime. Guacamole with Chips was just okay nothing special or anything that stood out. Queso Fundido with Oaxaca cheese and chorizo, was great they made it with the Oaxaca cheese but the chorizo had no flavor. Flautas Combo got all 3, Chicken, Carnitas & Potato, that was good and tasty. Quesobirria was pretty good, the meat was tender and flavorful. The consome was a little oily Aguachile Verde was best thing we had, the shrimps were fresh. read more

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The food was delicious and the atmosphere was great, which is why I'm giving this place a chance. Unfortunately, the service was extremely disappointing. We had to keep looking for our waitress every time we needed something, and it made the entire dining experience frustrating. I understand that the restaurant appeared to be understaffed, and that is a management issue rather than the fault of the servers. However, as a paying customer, I shouldn't have to suffer because there weren't enough employees scheduled. Good food and a nice atmosphere can only make up for so much. I hope management addresses the staffing issue because the service really took away from what could have been a great experience. read more

El Cabron Kitchen & Cantina - Mexican Near Me - San Jose, California

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4.25 stars. El Cabron's atmosphere reminds me of house parties from back in the day: murals, Latin music, festive lights, & fake flowers galore. I love the nod to Selena with the "Como la Flor" LED sign. The restaurant wasn't particularly busy the evening we visited, but I wouldn't be surprised if the place gets poppin' on Friday & Saturday nights. My group of three shared a trio of items, a couple of which were served on massive wooden boards: -- I appreciated the generous scoops of guac on the mountain of El Cabron Nachos ($25.) The tortilla chips had a pillowy, airy crunch that I enjoyed, but the carne asada was chopped up in tiny pieces & didn't have much flavor. Will order with a different protein next time. -- If your spice tolerance is high, try the Camerones a la Diabla ($18.) Served on a poblano pepper with cheese. The perfect comfort food when sandwiched in their handmade corn tortillas. -- Whoever said size doesn't matter lied & never saw the Costilla de Res ($48) here. Impressively displayed on a board was one dinosaur-sized slow-cooked beef rib with all the salsas & sides one could ever wish for including quesadillas. We were too busy stuffing our faces to notice that service wasn't as attentive as it should've been. read more

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We had a fun time here! I think I would prefer coming here for happy hour to try their specials because I feel like this place is a bit overpriced for what it is. Nachos and drinks were a solid 5/5. Crispy chips with a ton of yummy toppings. The drinks were also tasty, our server recommended the cabron y vago, solid 5/5 it was very refreshing on a hot, summer day . We got the molcajete that serves two, it was okay, presentation is gorgeous and looks better than it tastes, I wasn't impressed by the actual meal, would definitely skip this one next time. Carnitas had a gummy texture, neither tender or crispy (the way I prefer it), the chicken was so dry I had to gulp water after each bite. The carne asada, sides and sauces that accompanied the molcajete were tastier. We also tried the birria tacos, and those were also okay, not the best, but not bad. Also, beware of the chairs! A tiny, bent nail was sticking out, poked me and snagged my fishnet stockings. Our server was great, the staff in general were all around friendly and helpful. I would like to come back another time to try more of their drinks and smaller plates. read more

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After a concert at the SAP Center, my family and I were looking for a good spot to eat near San Pedro Square. Yelp recommended El Cabron Cantina as the top choice and it absolutely lived up to the hype! Location tip: It's not directly in San Pedro Square, but just across the street, behind the parking structures and past the Chipotle. Only a short walk away. When we arrived, we passed a small nightclub and were greeted by security at the door. I believe this spot turns 21+ after 11pm. We were seated right away (party of 4), and the nighttime vibe was incredible: dim lighting, live music, and themed décor throughout. We were lucky to sit in the Selena-themed corner, which added a fun, nostalgic touch. The live band was fantastic! The played everything from salsa to Spanish rock and cumbias. The energy was electric, and the service matched it. Staff were friendly, attentive, and made sure our water glasses stayed full. Late-night food menu is available until midnight, and we opted for appetizers: Aguachile Rojo (served in a molcajete with chips) Aguachile Verde (same style) Chicken Nachos - huge portion with all the toppings Drinks: Tepache & Cantarito The tepache (homemade syrup with tequila) was a highlight: sweet, aromatic, and strong! The cantarito was also great and generously sized. As for the aguachiles, I'd rate them 9/10, packed with shrimp and flavor, but I would've loved more red onions. The ambience is where this place really shines. They open the dance floor and everyone's in good spirits. It felt clean, safe, and fun. The staff consistently checked tables and restrooms, which is impressive on a busy night. Highly recommend for a night out with great food, lively music, and dancing. We'll definitely be back! read more

El Cabron Kitchen & Cantina - Left: Tepache Right- Cantarito - Mexican Near Me - San Jose, California

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My three friends had been to El Cabron before, and finally I went with them to see it for myself. It was a fantastic evening. There might not be any venue in town that packs so much punch into a space that size. We quickly got a table on a Friday night (without a reservation) ; our servers (I don't know their names) were terrific -- attentive, friendly and experienced. We started with cocktails. Two of us had the "El Cabron Paloma" with tequila and sweet piloncillo syrup (pictured here), another the "El Matador" with pineapple and coconut, and also the "Tamarindo" with bourbon and syrup. All three were fabulous. Our meal was the Carne Asada with the jalapenos; the Camarones a la Diabla (hot!!!!) and I ordered the Pollo en Mole (shown here) -- a half chicken with textured , traditional and spicy sauce, with generous portions of rice and black beans. It wasn't that crowded until later. A lot of people came as the musicians were arriving; they knew what was up. We had Banda, big, explosive, fabulous. The entire vibe had energy and fun and spirit. The decor is colorful and striking. I can't wait to go back. read more

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Had a great experience at El Cabron. Carol is an amazing person who always does a great job, and the food is always good. Great service and great atmosphere every time! Go carol! read more

We went there after a concert and no one ever came to our table, we waited for 20 minutes and nothing happened so we decided to leave the place. Plus every table was dirty and the placer so dirty general. I'll never return to that place. read more

I recently went on a Saturday evening. We went just after 5 and it wasn't busy yet. Inside has large roller doors like garage doors, an open space, a DJ. It had a great vibe. It was end of November, so a bit chilly for the doors open. The food and cocktails were great. I had the flautas and my friend had the taco trio. And the chips and salsa. The salsa was delicious! Unique cocktails also. I recommend and would definitely go back. They have a happy hour and plan to check that out. read more

El Cabron Kitchen & Cantina - Cocktails - Mexican Near Me - San Jose, California

Great atmosphere--fun and lively! They played a lot of great Latin music, which really added to the vibe. The service was fast and professional throughout. The food is a bit pricier compared to other spots, but the portions are massive, so it definitely feels worth it. My friends and I arrived close to closing time, but we were still treated with kindness and no rush at all, which we appreciated. I had the chicken quesadillas and nachos with guacamole--both delicious. My friends ordered the spicy shrimp ceviche appetizer and a hearty plate with rice, beans, and skirt steak. Everyone left full and happy! :) read more

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This place definitely prioritizes party vibes over the food, which is great if you're coming to party. Unfortunately I came for the food and it was mid. I had their chicken mole and carnitas plate. The chicken was super dry, it was like they were attempting to hide it under the mole sauce. The carnitas had good taste but none of the good meat chunks you get in a nice plate of carnitas. Also, the tortillas were cold. They did have a really good chili oil though! Would've been nice to have some quality food to pair it with. The service felt forced and rushed and they cramped us into a small table. Overall, I likely won't come back. read more

Such an amazing vibe here! I went with two of my girlfriends on a Friday night and although it wasn't as poppin' as I've seen it has before, the vibes were still at an all-time high. The DJ was on point, the servers were all so sweet and chill. Their drinks were strong and yummy! Their nachos was huge and sooo good! Honestly, this is a great place to start whenever you're in for a downtown SJ night. It's only a walking distance to 1st St. I recommend getting a table closer to the dance floor but just a disclaimer that it gets louder as you get closer to the middle so if you are coming to catch up with your friends and have conversations, consider sitting on the outskirts of the restaurant. The ambiance is similar of a club kinda like Wild Rose in Campbell. read more

El Cabron Kitchen & Cantina - Mexican Near Me - San Jose, California

Loved this spot. Came before a concert, wished we could have stayed longer to enjoy it further. Anytime I'm in SJ plan to return. Ambience on point Decor is awesome. Food on point. read more

El Cabron Kitchen & Cantina - Bar area - Mexican Near Me - San Jose, California

Food and service is great .And desert are awesome ambiance is chill there is even a dance floor. read more

El Cabron Kitchen & Cantina - Service is great food is awesome and we even got this delicious desert from one of the chefs ‍. Great service - Mexican Near Me - San Jose, California

Came here on a Friday night after a concert and this place is a vibe with some great food. The nachos were huge and loaded with lots of toppings, I only wished it would have had more cheese and sauce, but other than that they were flavorful. Tacos were good as well meat was tender. That tepache drink was soo good and you can never go wrong with the churros loved that they add ice cream. I love the whole aesthetic of this place, the vibes and the food was actually pretty food. They also have good music that puts you to dance and I'm not sure if it's always a thing, but they have a live group that plays really good. read more

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Great food, great service from Luis! I got the aguachile and it was really good. And the drinks were very nice as well. read more

El Cabron Kitchen & Cantina - Mexican Near Me - San Jose, California

Service took forever me and my date order a set of four tacos each and still 45 min later it wasn't at the table.. instead they gave us the wrong order.. it wasn't even packed that night..carne asade was over done.. this was my second time here the first time was 2 years ago and it wasn't how I remembered.. not coming g back read more

Had reservations at 9:15 music was extremely loud from the dj. We didn't know there was a dj during that time. Drinks were good but service wasnt good. Didn't feel welcoming. Server cleaned up table and spilled water cup they went onto the seat. No one cleaned it and the next group sat in wet seat. Food was very mid. Chicken tacos came with 5 pieces of chicken. Will not be back. read more

tldr: Food and drinks are good, service sucks We walked in for dinner, early enough to where they are not set up for the night partying yet and we were not acknowledged for 4 minutes. It was a very odd experience. Multiple workers walked by us and didn't say a word. We tried a few cocktails and a few food items. All were great. I wouldn't order the queso fundido unless you have a party of 4. It is very rich and heavy, but good. The burritos are solid as well. read more

I live near this place, and it's always lit every time I walk by so I wanted to try it so I made a reservation through Yelp and we came here on a Sunday night. It's a place where you should glam up because you don't want to be wearing sweats while everyone is wearing dresses. As we got there we were seated immediately and followed by water. The ambiance is loud, lots of nice backdrops to take pictures at. They also had a DJ when we were there which was nice while waiting for our food. We ordered the Asadero Molcajete, it's good for two people. I love the setup, they have 2 small plates for rice and beans, 2 salsas, and a plate for onion and cilantro. The meats were tender though it was a little salty to my liking. I was a little disappointed they didn't have cactus and cebollita, only the green stalk and also they only served 3 tortillas for a big molcajete which was pretty surprising. The employees were nice, but towards the end, they stopped serving us water even though we asked for some. The waiter also charged us for the wrong table but he was very apologetic about it. Good thing he caught it early or we wouldn't even notice that we paid over $200 LOL. Overall, it was a good molcajete. But next time I'll try their other dishes. read more

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Service was average, no complaints about that. The food has to be some of the worst Mexican cuisine I've had in the Bay Area. We both couldn't even finish what we ordered. If you're looking for authentic Mexican food, go elsewhere don't even bother. I only recommend coming here to grab a drink, definitely wouldn't recommended eating here. read more

The Birrria quesadilla was FIRE! The atmosphere is welcoming and friendly. We will be back!

Food was pretty decent, we primarily went for drinks which were pretty good. I ordered ceviche and aguachiles which were decent but the ambiance and vibe was 5 stars. The music, art and overall atmosphere was really nice and it wasn't super busy. Service could have been better, given that I felt forgotten about a few times. Despite the service and food, drinks and vibe was great. read more

El Cabron Kitchen & Cantina - Mexican Near Me - San Jose, California

Food was good and affordable but service lacked. Our waiter was overwhelmed and kept forgetting our drinks.

The San Jose entertainment and dining scene stock keeps rising in my book. We were at the San Jose Center of Performing Arts for a show and this was the closest spot that we had not been to before. This has a party spot vibe...live DJ playing catchy loud Latin music...cool murals...industrial decor with the warehouse garage doors all around that results in an open plan. All the patrons were dressed up looked like they were ready to have a good time. Food was very good. Queso Fujdido FTW. The carnitas sopes and Old Fashioned with tequila were good. Service was attentive without being over bearing. read more

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This spot is a whole lot of fun! The staff was very attentive and kind. The food we got was absolutely scrumptious. The molcajete was packed full of flavor and was a large serving size. I loved all the art work and the indoor/outdoor vibe. read more

Food was awesome, service was quick, a little on the pricey side, but definitely will be back again.

This place is a total nightmare! Seriously, do yourself a favor and steer clear of it. First off, the management and servers are unbelievably rude--like, I can't even express how bad it is. They make everyone else I've dealt with seem like saints. So my friends and I decided to hit this spot for happy hour, but let me tell you, the menu prices online are totally misleading. The staff seemed clueless about their own happy hour schedule. We showed up at 5 pm on a Friday, and they claimed happy hour had already ended, even though it's supposed to run until 6. We had to go back and forth with multiple people just to get that confirmed! And it only got worse from there. Our orders came out at all different times. Two taco plates arrived first, then another three came 10-15 minutes later, and I was left waiting for my order, which came out last--25 minutes after the first dishes were served! By the time I got mine, everyone else was done eating. I tried to voice my concerns to the only nice staff member, who apologized and promised to fix it. But then the manager, Juan, was just as unhelpful. He didn't even acknowledge how frustrating the whole experience was and brushed off the inconsistencies on the bill. A manager should be able to train and manage their team properly, but he just claimed he couldn't control what his staff says or does. To make matters worse, I overheard them calling me annoying and laughing, acting like a bunch of children. Juan was demeaning and condescending, making rude comments and not willing to make anything right. It was beyond unprofessional and completely unacceptable. read more

If you're looking for a place that combines excellent service, inviting ambiance, and truly authentic flavors, this restaurant is a must-visit. From the moment you walk in, you're welcomed with warm hospitality and a beautifully designed space that feels both comfortable and refined. Decor is amazing with Selena, Catrina's, mariachi, artwork. An amazing bar. Beautiful furniture. Great open window space. The food is nothing short of outstanding -- every dish is prepared with care and bursting with authentic flavors that transport you straight to the cuisine's roots. You can tell that only fresh, high-quality ingredients are used, and the attention to detail in presentation makes each plate a delight to the eyes as well as the palate. Service was exceptional: attentive without being overbearing, with staff who were knowledgeable about the menu and eager to make recommendations. Overall, this restaurant delivers on all fronts -- ambiance, service, and food quality. If you appreciate great tasting, authentic cuisine served in a welcoming atmosphere, you'll love it here. read more

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I had high hopes for El Cabron Cantina after hearing so many great things, and I will say -- the restaurant itself is beautiful. The ambiance is stylish and freshly remodeled, and the place definitely has curb appeal that draws you in right away. Unfortunately, the food and service didn't quite match the setting. We ordered several items, including the Queso Fundido, which was listed as being made with Oaxaca cheese but was clearly mozzarella -- a noticeable and disappointing substitution. The Asadero Molcajete arrived beautifully plated, but the steak was tough and tasted more reheated than freshly prepared. The churros with ice cream were another beautifully presented dish, but they were extremely hard and difficult to enjoy. While every dish looked impressive, the flavors and overall execution fell short. Service was adequate, but not memorable. It's clear there was attention to visual detail, but the experience as a whole didn't meet expectations. Regrettably, I don't see myself returning based on this visit. read more

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Ambiance: excellent, well designed and decorated. Big bar and plenty of seating. Foot for just two or a large party. Love that they can open garage style doors( this place used to be a NY pizza place). The open atmosphere is nice and great breeze. For those that get cold they have some serape blankets. Service: excellent, attentive and courteous. They were very fast at getting our order, serving us and bringing the bill. We were a party of 2 on a Friday night at 7pm in April. Not too busy. Food: good Cheese fundido: this was good just needs more chorizo. I feel like there was about half a cup vs cheese was the 4-5 cups only 2-3 slivers of poblano. The chips and tortillas and green sauce was amazing. Divorced Enchiladas: Good, the green enchilada was perfect. The red was super hot for me but I'm weak. Drinks: more to be desired Mangonada- small portion not worth the price. Not enough alcohol Passion fruit Margarita - not enough huge block of ice, not worth the price read more

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If i could give a zero star I would. We have had issues here before about bringing wine, but we thought it was resolved. Tonight, we arrived, were told it would be $30 corkage. We said ok. They brought us beer glasses. Again ok. Then after 20 minutes they came back and said they didn't have a wine opener, again ok. We offered to get one from the car. Now they said the manager had to spprove.it, so I said send him over. After 5 minutes. No manager. So we left. Never to return. Why waste your time when there are so many.good restaurants in San jose. And they had doors and windows.open, so we were all in our coats. It was freezing!! Again. Don't waste.your time read more

Been here twice now and the vibe is great every time! I love the decorations, aesthetic, music, drinks, and food. The Tostadas are probably my favorite thing I've ordered from here, the portion is really filling and even though it's under their small plate section, I don't think I'd need to order any more food on top of this. I've tried a few of their drinks as well and the presentation and taste are always great. The only thing about coming here is parking is tricky since it's downtown, but if you get lucky then there's street parking in front/nearby. This would be a great place to accommodate larger groups! read more

El Cabron Kitchen & Cantina - Tostadas - Mexican Near Me - San Jose, California

Such a pretty restaurant, def recommend this for a special event like a birthday. Some other tables had birthday and they bring out some bottle service kind of thing~ it's cute! They were pretty accommodating I shared nachos with one other and we asked for veggies and meat half and half separately and they provided us with that. The presentation is very cute and their salsa is pretty fresh. The veggies were roasted nicely and I loved the bits of charred corn it added such a sweet salty flavor. Beans are seasoned well and I love how fresh and big the chips are and this was so filling! read more

El Cabron Kitchen & Cantina - Nachos (Vegetarian) - Mexican Near Me - San Jose, California

4 stars for the happy hour menu! My friend and I decided to come here on a Thursday during happy hour (5-7pm). Upon arriving, we stood there waiting to be acknowledged for a while as waitresses just stared at us and talked amongst themselves by the bar. So our first impression was off-putting. We each ordered the 2 tacos and a margarita for $15 deal. I enjoyed my spicy mango margarita and my friend thought his passion fruit one was just okay. The tacos were average, kind of skimpy on the meat. We ended up ordering 4 more tacos ($2.50 each) to share. Our total came out to be around $43 before tip which is a pretty good value for 8 tacos and 2 drinks. If I had to pay regular prices I'd probably rate this place a 3. read more

El Cabron Kitchen & Cantina - Carne asada tacos - Mexican Near Me - San Jose, California

Ambiance was nice but we went at 6 p.m. and it was so cold. They really need to turn up the thermostat because it's not enjoyable to dine in the cold. I had the posole, which was decent. Not the best so I added salsa. Husband had carne asada which was good but everything else was served cold I.e. rice, black beans, tortillas and quesadillas. Paloma couldn't even taste any alcohol. Had to order a shot to add to it. The chips and salsa were very good. Presentation of entrees were nice. Service was decent but a little slow. Nice waiter. Definitely room for improvement in all areas; food, service and climate. read more

El Cabron Kitchen & Cantina - Posole - Mexican Near Me - San Jose, California

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