Tequila Joe’s comes to Cebu

Childhood friends Chiling Sala and Tony Lozada, together with their families, would have dinner out on most Saturday evenings after attending the anticipated Mass at the Cebu Country Club. Through the years, they have discovered, patronized and enjoyed restaurants of widely different styles, sizes and prices, from bistros to brasseries, buffets and cafes, and smart establishments and hole-in-the-wall diners, serving distinct cuisines, from Chinese to Italian, Thai to Spanish. They have even savored tasty barbecue of all sorts from that little nook which everyone knows about.

Always in search of a new eating experience Chiling, on one of his many trips to the Capital City, was offered the franchise to Tequila Joe’s, the place that continues to attract party crowds to dine, drink, have fun and, perhaps, even be seen in the different bustling centers of Metro Manila.

Gran amigo Tony and fellow Rotarian Ricky Dakay were only too eager to accept Chiling’s invitation to join the new venture. It was a challenge, as they had no background on restaurant operations whatsoever.

After virtually six months of extensive training, Tequila Joe’s opened its puertas at the Ayala Entertainment Center, offering the best of comida mexicana and favorite continental platters.

Cebu City’s First Lady-with-a-focused-mission-in-life Margot Osmeña and mega businessman Lim Liu were guests of honor.

We had a taste of the specialty of the house, Joe’s Taco Salad, with its fresh, crisp and crunchy vegetables garnished with sweet corn, olives, tomatoes, beans, shredded cheese, sour cream and guacamole over fried corn tortilla. And we were not disappointed. The choice of seasoned ingredients, mostly flown from Manila, is virtually limitless.

Young men, who are always in a hurry and forever on the go, were seen relishing the pica-picas and enjoying their tequilas. Among them were Marcelino Ugarte, Jovy Unchuan, Jonel Borromeo and innovative restaurateur David Ugarte.

Simply savoring the assorted dishes with delight were gourmands Michel and Amparito Lhuillier, who is the Bailli of the Chaine de Rotisseurs Cebu chapter, businessman Ed Alegrado and Dr. Nestor Alonso, who continues to amaze pet owners with how he can have a running dialogue with ailing animals.

"The Asian-inspired Mexican classic chicken quesadilla filled with tea-smoked chicken and roasted poblano pepper is certainly a must. Never tasted anything like it," claims Bernice Streegan Montenegro. Her husband Emil, who had a bite of the appetizer called Sloppy Cow, which is beef tenderloin sautéed with garlic, nodded in agreement.

Las graciosas señoras who could not resist the heavenly desserts para morir were badminton player Tere Moraza Rotaeche, motivator lecturer Pet Misa, altruist Nonie Uy and the much admired Ingrid Sala Santamaria.

Welcome to Cebu Tequila Joe’s. It was bound to happen. And it did. ¡Mucha suerte!