The Cats

Great BBQ, super tender brisket and ribs that just have the meat fall off. Nice full-service bar and a laid back, down-home vibe. Service needs a bit of work tho, nothing horrible - but we had to remind out server several time about missing food and drinks.

The BBQ was absolutely lights out!!!!!!! The Cats was an incredible place to celebrate our wedding reception. From the atmosphere to the service, everything exceeded our expectations. The space was welcoming, lively, and perfect for gathering our friends and family together after the ceremony. The staff was attentive, kind, and made sure everything flowed smoothly, allowing us to fully enjoy the night without worrying about logistics. The food, drinks, and overall vibe made the celebration feel fun, relaxed, and memorable. We couldn’t have asked for a better place to celebrate—highly recommend The Cats for any special occasion.

We had a delicious dinner at The Cats. The ribs were so flavorful and well cooked. The pulled pork sandwiches included slaw and were very tasty. Our server Henry was attentive and welcoming. And the food was served quickly. We highly recommend The Cats.

If you're a local native to the bay area, you definitely need to check this place out! My friends and I came to this local hot spot for a live music set and ended up staying all night for the hamburgers, beer, and the beautiful scene. I ended up front and center with the performer and ended up meeting her and exchanging names. What a cool treat!

Sharon Willey

We had a delicious dinner at The Cats. The ribs were so flavorful and well cooked. The pulled pork sandwiches included slaw and were very tasty. Our server Henry was attentive and welcoming. And the food was served quickly. We highly recommend The Cats.

Cheyenne Garcia

If you're a local native to the bay area, you definitely need to check this place out! My friends and I came to this local hot spot for a live music set and ended up staying all night for the hamburgers, beer, and the beautiful scene. I ended up front and center with the performer and ended up meeting her and exchanging names. What a cool treat!

Keenan Stone

The BBQ was absolutely lights out!!!!!!! The Cats was an incredible place to celebrate our wedding reception. From the atmosphere to the service, everything exceeded our expectations. The space was welcoming, lively, and perfect for gathering our friends and family together after the ceremony. The staff was attentive, kind, and made sure everything flowed smoothly, allowing us to fully enjoy the night without worrying about logistics. The food, drinks, and overall vibe made the celebration feel fun, relaxed, and memorable. We couldn’t have asked for a better place to celebrate—highly recommend The Cats for any special occasion.

Joe Armstrong

Great BBQ, super tender brisket and ribs that just have the meat fall off. Nice full-service bar and a laid back, down-home vibe. Service needs a bit of work tho, nothing horrible - but we had to remind out server several time about missing food and drinks.

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.

We haven't been here since the new owners. We had pulled pork plate with pineapple slaw & onion rings plus a baked potato. Pulled pork was so tender and moist. Bake potato was cooked to perfection. Beer and wine list are a little slim. Great service. Live music with Crossing Dana... They were very good with a great lead singer. We'll be back for sure!

Good place for the over 50 crowd (at least on this particular Saturday night). Generous portions of food and live music, with several draft beers on tap, made for a good time. Scary entrance and exit to the Cats ( as it's hi-way 17), but we survived and plan to return.

Michael Bobadilla

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.

Susanne Millar

We haven't been here since the new owners. We had pulled pork plate with pineapple slaw & onion rings plus a baked potato. Pulled pork was so tender and moist. Bake potato was cooked to perfection. Beer and wine list are a little slim. Great service. Live music with Crossing Dana... They were very good with a great lead singer. We'll be back for sure!

Tucked off Highway 17, The Cats is trickier to find than a ninja in a fog bank—thank goodness for that big ol’ sign! The new owners have turned this spot into a Filipino-American BBQ fusion fiesta, and walking in feels like crashing your cool Filipino friend’s backyard cookout. Picture this: ribs, fried chicken, crispy pork, pancit, and kare kare, all lounging buffet-style, ready for you to pile on. The food? It’s like that friend who’s nice but doesn’t leave a lasting impression—decent, not dazzling. Nothing had me scrambling to return, but the price won’t make you grumble. Service, though? One lone server was zipping around like a kid chasing a laser pointer, juggling drinks for everyone. Oh, and getting back to San Jose? You’ll need to channel your inner racecar driver, zip toward Santa Cruz for a mile, and loop back like you’re in a high-speed chase. Final take? It’s a fun vibe, but The Cats didn’t quite land on its feet for a repeat visit. 😎

Small meat BBQ buffet on weekends. Nothing fancy, but it hits the spot. Overall decent value for a casual meal, but not more than that

Would not recommend as the meat is mediocre and the location is quite out of the way. Possibly only worth stopping by if you're passing to or from Santa Cruz. The meat is on the dry side and quite flavourless. Lots of color but not a lot of substance. I found myself dunking it in the spicy BBQ sauce to make it edible. It was also a bit on the cold side. Sides were great though! Would recommend the chili. That side was eons better than the meat. The portion size is decent for the price, not much to comment on there. Service is a mixed bag. Some friendly folk and some that look like they hate their job. Live music was ok, but doesn't really increase the appeal for this spot. Overall, a questionable experience. Nothing horrible, just nothing particular positive either.

I came here to see a friend perform and was a but disappointed at the service and food! However, the server made it "right" and I would be willing to return...just NOT for the chili. See, when I arrived the server ignored me for a looooong time (like 10 minute). I waved a few time but was essential ignored. When she finally decided to address and ask what I wanted I asked about the chili and it was recommended. Listen, when I tell you! That chili tasted "nothing" like chili. Tasted more like smoked meats with some "tomatoey" chili sauce mixed in. The chili was stringy tough salty meat with hardly any beans (don't wanna have that debate here, lol) and it wasn't described as "brisket" chili. I tried to "shovel it down"! I just could NOT! The corm muffin fell apart (not in a good way) with too much corn and not enough muffin. I finally flagged the server down (the one who essentially ignored me when I arrive) and told I "I just can't do it! It's too salty and just not that great to me (trying to be nice)." I squeezed out of my disappointment and frustration...."Especially after you ignored me for so long when I first arrived." I respect that the server took accountability and completely recognized her error and apologized. She also, replaced that chili (?) with some really good hot crispy onion rings and a drink on the house. Also, their bbq sauce is good. I used it for the onion rings. Imma go back again to see my friend perform BUT I'd probably eat before I got and just get the onion rings. *Sidenote I'm REAL particular about bbq and I did try some meat from others....a bit dry.

Stephen P

Tucked off Highway 17, The Cats is trickier to find than a ninja in a fog bank—thank goodness for that big ol’ sign! The new owners have turned this spot into a Filipino-American BBQ fusion fiesta, and walking in feels like crashing your cool Filipino friend’s backyard cookout. Picture this: ribs, fried chicken, crispy pork, pancit, and kare kare, all lounging buffet-style, ready for you to pile on. The food? It’s like that friend who’s nice but doesn’t leave a lasting impression—decent, not dazzling. Nothing had me scrambling to return, but the price won’t make you grumble. Service, though? One lone server was zipping around like a kid chasing a laser pointer, juggling drinks for everyone. Oh, and getting back to San Jose? You’ll need to channel your inner racecar driver, zip toward Santa Cruz for a mile, and loop back like you’re in a high-speed chase. Final take? It’s a fun vibe, but The Cats didn’t quite land on its feet for a repeat visit. 😎

Mark Hassin

Small meat BBQ buffet on weekends. Nothing fancy, but it hits the spot. Overall decent value for a casual meal, but not more than that

Nicholas Pun

Would not recommend as the meat is mediocre and the location is quite out of the way. Possibly only worth stopping by if you're passing to or from Santa Cruz. The meat is on the dry side and quite flavourless. Lots of color but not a lot of substance. I found myself dunking it in the spicy BBQ sauce to make it edible. It was also a bit on the cold side. Sides were great though! Would recommend the chili. That side was eons better than the meat. The portion size is decent for the price, not much to comment on there. Service is a mixed bag. Some friendly folk and some that look like they hate their job. Live music was ok, but doesn't really increase the appeal for this spot. Overall, a questionable experience. Nothing horrible, just nothing particular positive either.

Nessa Gee

I came here to see a friend perform and was a but disappointed at the service and food! However, the server made it "right" and I would be willing to return...just NOT for the chili. See, when I arrived the server ignored me for a looooong time (like 10 minute). I waved a few time but was essential ignored. When she finally decided to address and ask what I wanted I asked about the chili and it was recommended. Listen, when I tell you! That chili tasted "nothing" like chili. Tasted more like smoked meats with some "tomatoey" chili sauce mixed in. The chili was stringy tough salty meat with hardly any beans (don't wanna have that debate here, lol) and it wasn't described as "brisket" chili. I tried to "shovel it down"! I just could NOT! The corm muffin fell apart (not in a good way) with too much corn and not enough muffin. I finally flagged the server down (the one who essentially ignored me when I arrive) and told I "I just can't do it! It's too salty and just not that great to me (trying to be nice)." I squeezed out of my disappointment and frustration...."Especially after you ignored me for so long when I first arrived." I respect that the server took accountability and completely recognized her error and apologized. She also, replaced that chili (?) with some really good hot crispy onion rings and a drink on the house. Also, their bbq sauce is good. I used it for the onion rings. Imma go back again to see my friend perform BUT I'd probably eat before I got and just get the onion rings. *Sidenote I'm REAL particular about bbq and I did try some meat from others....a bit dry.

Stephen Hoefler

Lots of potential but The Cats failed to deliver. We ordered St. Luis ribs (w/ pineapple slaw and garlic fries) cornbread, roots medley, and two drinks. The starters and main arrived at the same time. The ribs arrived with the wrong side so we asked that it be corrected and it was relatively quickly. The roots medley never came out. Honestly, the food was not good. Our favorite item was the cornbread...! The ribs were lukewarm and very dry. They had good color but we had to drench them in the spicy BBQ sauce to get them down. Pineapple slaw might as well be called regular cole slaw and garlic fries were very oily. Can't comment on the root medley because it never came out but it sounded like it would be a well balanced vegetable plate. The whole meal left some to be desired (from a quality perspective, portions were adequate) but we didn't dare order anything more. The drinks were not done being made when the food came out and then they sat in the back of the bar for another 5-10 minutes waiting to be picked up by the waitress before we took matters into our own hands, got up, and asked if we could get them from the bartender. As for the drinks themselves, also not great. However, I can't honestly blame the bartender as they appeared to be one of the only employees pulling their weight with servers vanishing or otherwise not being helpful. We ordered the pineapple mezcal and summertime blues. Pineapple mezcal didn't live up to the hype and seemed a bit underpoured and the summertime blues was badly over poured almost entirely muting the flavors. We typically order 2 drinks each but we had a mutual unspoken understanding that we wouldn't be ordering more drinks. Finally, about 20 minutes after the food arrived and 10 minutes after we got up to grab the drinks that were waiting to be delivered by the waitress at the bar, our waitress returned and asked if everything was looking alright. At least she asked but 20 minutes afterwards is not the time to do it. Our waitress vanished a second time after checking in and we eventually asked the bartender if she could prepare the check so we could pay. There was live music playing which added to the ambiance so that's a plus.

Guys don’t make our mistake.. I remember going here years ago and it was such a good food!!! Now it’s disgusting disaster! I would rate the service below zero if I could.. the first bad sign was that the owner brings the food! Servant doesn’t know a single thing from menu, and what food contains. The live music is cool and that’s about it. Would Never come back. We cancel our food and left.

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

Laura A

Guys don’t make our mistake.. I remember going here years ago and it was such a good food!!! Now it’s disgusting disaster! I would rate the service below zero if I could.. the first bad sign was that the owner brings the food! Servant doesn’t know a single thing from menu, and what food contains. The live music is cool and that’s about it. Would Never come back. We cancel our food and left.

Demi Jameson

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

The food here sucks! Ordered barbecue chicken, but only got flavorless grilled chicken and a side of our BBQ sauce to put on top of chicken.. 1st time ever I got barbecue chicken that hasn't seen the light of barbecue sauce. Salad with soggy and mashed potatoes were cold. They had a nice band playing though.. Not a place to go if you're hungry for good food.

The worst service ever! Arrived at 5:55 for my 6:00 reservation (which clearly wasn't necessary) and the waitress brought me right in front of the band speaker in the middle of the room. I said this is all you have? She said go find a table and I'll find you. Went to the back, where I always sit, and 30 minutes passed before she "found us". I asked for a menu, which she had forgotten and said before leave I'd like to order a couple of drinks. She took the order, 10 minutes more passed then she saidthey didn't have the alcohol I requested. Ok fine use another, whatever you have. 10 more minutes pass here come the drinks, no lime in the drink, and still no menus. Before she left I said we'll take an appetizer and have the mushrooms. 20 minutes pass, received the menus no mushrooms, because she gave our appetizers to the table behind us, who just sat down. My friend receives her rib platter 20 minutes later along with the mushrooms. 10, 20, 30, 40 minutes pass and I received my order and it was cold. She said no one knew who's order it was so it sat. Ok I'm beyond starving so the Hell with it, I ate it cold. My friend was waiting to eat with me so hers became cold after 10 minutes so I insisted she eat without me. My brisket was so salty I couldn't eat it and chewy. So I ate the ribs and pulled pork which was good, even though it was room temperature. Complained but nothing happened. Got the bill, gave my credit card, and as we were ready to leave her comes two corn bread muffins....over two hours of sitting on the wood chairs, and all the chaos I felt like throwing them at the wall. But of I was polite and told the owner goodbye for good. The old Cats is dead and buried and you have been warned.

Madlen Shahbazian

The food here sucks! Ordered barbecue chicken, but only got flavorless grilled chicken and a side of our BBQ sauce to put on top of chicken.. 1st time ever I got barbecue chicken that hasn't seen the light of barbecue sauce. Salad with soggy and mashed potatoes were cold. They had a nice band playing though.. Not a place to go if you're hungry for good food.

Mark Mollusky

The worst service ever! Arrived at 5:55 for my 6:00 reservation (which clearly wasn't necessary) and the waitress brought me right in front of the band speaker in the middle of the room. I said this is all you have? She said go find a table and I'll find you. Went to the back, where I always sit, and 30 minutes passed before she "found us". I asked for a menu, which she had forgotten and said before leave I'd like to order a couple of drinks. She took the order, 10 minutes more passed then she saidthey didn't have the alcohol I requested. Ok fine use another, whatever you have. 10 more minutes pass here come the drinks, no lime in the drink, and still no menus. Before she left I said we'll take an appetizer and have the mushrooms. 20 minutes pass, received the menus no mushrooms, because she gave our appetizers to the table behind us, who just sat down. My friend receives her rib platter 20 minutes later along with the mushrooms. 10, 20, 30, 40 minutes pass and I received my order and it was cold. She said no one knew who's order it was so it sat. Ok I'm beyond starving so the Hell with it, I ate it cold. My friend was waiting to eat with me so hers became cold after 10 minutes so I insisted she eat without me. My brisket was so salty I couldn't eat it and chewy. So I ate the ribs and pulled pork which was good, even though it was room temperature. Complained but nothing happened. Got the bill, gave my credit card, and as we were ready to leave her comes two corn bread muffins....over two hours of sitting on the wood chairs, and all the chaos I felt like throwing them at the wall. But of I was polite and told the owner goodbye for good. The old Cats is dead and buried and you have been warned.