Los Cabos

[LocalYokul 215]

http://www.loscabosbangkok.com/contact.html

 

Rob runs the place & he's an excellent fellow, used to run the kitchen at Great American Rib

& some of you would probably know his cousin who runs Tequila Reef on Soi 7

 

 

http://www.loscabosbangkok.com/about-bangkok-mexican.html

 

 

here's a review from a fellow Mexican lover on BTF :

 

"

Mexican is a cuisine that has found little favor amongst Asian palates, for a lot of reasons. And yes, I've tried and re-tried all of them in BKK... ALL of 'em.

 

In all honesty, none rise to a standard that really does justice to good Mexican cuisine, making way too many compromises, and leaving admirers of the cuisine wanting, with a lingering "get you through the night until you can get home for the reeeeal stuff" restlessness.

 

Los Cabos Grill is mounting a serious assault on that standard. Other's opinions here will be appreciated... and pul-leaze!... no Mexican food amateurs!

 

Located about 50 metres off of Sukhumvit Road on Soi 14, conveniently situated just below Asoke BTS Station, Los Cabos Grill is attempting to capture a still vacant niche above the many Mexican food pretenders out there.

 

The villa it occupies is nicely renovated, featuring maximum dining terraces staggered at different elevations at the ground-level patio and 1st floor (surrounded by lush greenery), and at elevation on the 2nd floor terrace (amongst the tree canopies). With tasteful accent landscape lighting at night, a superb al fresco dining venue, especially in the November-March months.

 

The indoors is darkened a bit during the daytime by heavy window dressings and large shade trees outdoors which obscure the natural sunlight. The interior design theme is casual and traditional, with a rustic atmosphere... overhead fans drubbing from high ceilings, natural hardwood floors, and tile inlaid table tops.

 

The bar is located outdoors on the 1st level, beneath the upper terrace, protected from sun and inclimate weather. A good place for people watching, with a pleasant view over the grounds.

 

The menu covers all of the expected mainline Mexican standards, plus a few creative cross-over offerings to tempt the locals' curiosity. The menu's attitude leans decidedly toward California-Mex, rather than Tex-Mex (a compromise I, a committed Tex-Mex purist, no longer find offensive given the dearth of good Mexican ANYTHING out here).

 

With a large table, we sampled a number of selections, all of which were just great, and met our expectations of "better Mexican food." The portions were generous and there were no surprises.

 

Ingredients were all quality... real sour cream, cheese, Haas avocados. Three salsas were served, one of which I think was made with grilled peppers - delicioso!

 

Price points range from moderate to moderate+... nothing I would call expensive.

 

The place soft-opened a few weeks ago, and is still shaking out a few of the operational kinks and final construction details. But the proprietor is a veteran restauranteur with several noteworthy successes to his credit here... I am sure it will all settle just fine.

 

Needless to say, a confident thumbs up on this one... probably will do more than merely get you through the night. I don't take too great a risk calling Los Cabos Grill a best in class contender, and my bet is that we will be reading about it in more authoritative forums.

"

 

& before you ask about the name, here's the explanation, what it's named after :

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Cabos

[Stinky 12]

This is nothing more than the Bkk branch of Tequilla Reef, as it was advertised for investors by Rob himself. I am sure the menu's are very very similar, and the ingredients come from most of the same suppliers. Yes, it was supposed to be a step or two above Tequilla Reef, and it seems that they have done what they said they were going to do. The cousin running TR, is also a partner in the Bkk franchise.

[LocalYokul 215]

AFAIK the cousin in TR is not involved, & he sure isn't mentioned on their About Us page

I hope he's not, cause I'm not that impressed with TR

people who've eaten at Los Cabos say it's above & beyond TR

 

I sat & listened to mr. TR trashing the tex-mex at Silver Dollar one day & he was making a fool of himself

the cook there actually lived in Mexico when she was younger & she is the real deal, can still speak excellent Spanish, more than I can say for mr. TR

 

he's so forgettable I can't even remember his name, but I like his cousin Rob a lot.

[Stinky 12]

AFAIK the cousin in TR is not involved, & he sure isn't mentioned on their About Us page

I hope he's not, cause I'm not that impressed with TR

people who've eaten at Los Cabos say it's above & beyond TR

 

I sat & listened to mr. TR trashing the tex-mex at Silver Dollar one day & he was making a fool of himself

the cook there actually lived in Mexico when she was younger & she is the real deal, can still speak excellent Spanish, more than I can say for mr. TR

 

he's so forgettable I can't even remember his name, but I like his cousin Rob a lot.

 

 

I was asked my opinion about TR's food, and how it was ran, by a potential investor in Los Cabos. They specifically said, that it was to be a branch of TR, but at a little bit higher scale. It was also specifically said, that Rob and his cousin were doing it together. I have since deleted the email, but as the potential investor is a member of this forum, I am sure he will chime in and prove what I say is true.

Edited April 2, 2010 by Stinky

[LocalYokul 215]

matters not to me, as long as the food is better than TR & I don't have to listen to his cousin's whinging

[Stinky 12]

matters not to me, as long as the food is better than TR & I don't have to listen to his cousin's whinging

 

 

The food should be better, as that was the whole intent of opening a newer more up scale franchise in Bangers. I am sure the food is more expensive than TR's is as well.

 

You will see how the quality of the food drops off in this new place, as soon as Rob steps away from it. As he has done with others in the not so distant past. He seems to have a very short attention span.

[nutosf 49]

Another choice for Mexican Food in Pattaya is Mike's Mexican Restaurant on Soi 5, off Thappraya Rd on the way to Jomtiem.

[Stinky 12]

Another choice for Mexican Food in Pattaya is Mike's Mexican Restaurant on Soi 5, off Thappraya Rd on the way to Jomtiem.

 

 

Thanks for that little tid bit of information. But what does it have to do with this thread? This thread is about Los Cabos Mexican restuarant in Bangkok. Nice threadfuck though.

[LocalYokul 215]

his attention span had little to do with it IMHO, as I know Greg his old boss & he had him trying to get things going in Hua Hin & also Jomtien, I don't fault Rob to that.

[bigdelta 46]

Has this excellent Mexican cook spent any time IN Mexico?

[torrenova 644]

Stating that the food is even remotely related to Tequila Reef is about as far from a glowing recommendation as you can get.

[LocalYokul 215]

Has this excellent Mexican cook spent any time IN Mexico?

he's a san diegan, just up the street from Tijuana

of course he's spent time in mexico

 

"

Robb Vaughn who is from San Diego, California is an experienced chef and seasoned restaurant operator with more than 25 years in the U.S. market and over 8 years of experience in Thailand. Robb was involved in a number of operations throughout California and major markets in the United States and has been responsible for opening over 25 locations. In Thailand, he has opened six restaurants throughout the country under two successful concepts, Tequila Reef and Great American Rib Company where he is locally well known for his ribs.

"

[Stinky 12]

Stating that the food is even remotely related to Tequila Reef is about as far from a glowing recommendation as you can get.

 

 

I don't know what you tried there, but you obviously didn't eat the same thing as I usually get there? There are certain things on the menu that I stay clear of yes, but for the most part I enjoy the food at TR a lot. I have many friends in Pattaya that feel the same way. Different people have different tastes.

 

So come on, tell us all what you ate there and when and why it was so bad?

[Stinky 12]

he's a san diegan, just up the street from Tijuana

of course he's spent time in mexico

 

"

Robb Vaughn who is from San Diego, California is an experienced chef and seasoned restaurant operator with more than 25 years in the U.S. market and over 8 years of experience in Thailand. Robb was involved in a number of operations throughout California and major markets in the United States and has been responsible for opening over 25 locations. In Thailand, he has opened six restaurants throughout the country under two successful concepts, Tequila Reef and Great American Rib Company where he is locally well known for his ribs.

"

 

 

From talking with him years ago, he said he used to be a die hard surfer and spent a lot of time in Baha, Mexico.

[bigdelta 46]

he's a san diegan, just up the street from Tijuana

of course he's spent time in mexico

 

"

Robb Vaughn who is from San Diego, California is an experienced chef and seasoned restaurant operator with more than 25 years in the U.S. market and over 8 years of experience in Thailand. Robb was involved in a number of operations throughout California and major markets in the United States and has been responsible for opening over 25 locations. In Thailand, he has opened six restaurants throughout the country under two successful concepts, Tequila Reef and Great American Rib Company where he is locally well known for his ribs.

"

He qualifies then.

[LocalYokul 215]

anyone been & tried it yet ?

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

I was a little disappointed in the ribs (pork), expected better, especially the sauce. Fajitas are good, combo plates are great, margaritas' tasty.

[camstuck 0]

They have the UFC on also, the food was descent for me.

Not many mexican restaurants where i live

[tequilareef 43]

Nobody in Tequila Reef are partners in Los Cabos but we support our cousin Rob fully. I have eaten there a few times myself and the food is really good and the menu is much different than Tequila Reef in Pattaya, the two places cannot be compared. As for the guy who mentioned something about a comment made towards the Tex Mex at Silver Dollar in Bangkok (which I myself have frequented for 20 years), that would most likely be my father. My father also eats at the Silver Dollar regularly while in Bangkok (has forever) and I would imagine you may have taken his comments out of context.

 

We are friends with the owners of the Silver Dollar. Robb is doing a hell of job at Los Cabos in Bangkok and I would highly recommend anybody giving a try while in Bangkok.

 

Thanks for your comments gentleman about our establishment and we are always listening to our customers and making improvements whenever possible. Please let us know how best to do that. Cheers!

[bigdelta 46]

Plenty of Mexican eateries HERE in Los Cabos.Plenty here In Cabo San Lucas and plenty in San Jose del Cabo,which combine to make Los Cabos.

Lesson complete.

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

I just had the Starving Surfer Combo yesterday with some margaritas and it was very good. Robb came around with a bottle of tequila dispensing free shot to make it even better.

[LocalYokul 215]

As for the guy who mentioned something about a comment made towards the Tex Mex at Silver Dollar in Bangkok (which I myself have frequented for 20 years), that would most likely be my father. My father also eats at the Silver Dollar regularly while in Bangkok (has forever) and I would imagine you may have taken his comments out of context.

maybe he was joking, pulling someone's leg, taking the piss, or whatever, but Joom (the cook) wasn't present & neither were the owners, so no one was there to laugh or be offended or anything.

not sure (it was a a while ago), but you're probably right, no ill intent on his part.

 

As for Rob & Los Cabos, glad to hear things are going well for him.

 

Edited April 29, 2011 by LocalYokul

[Hollywood 5]

Always look forward to eating at TR when in town, it's the first restaurant i hit, i enjoy the food very much. The Chicken Fajitas are fantastic...... Strawberry Dak's are great.

Edited May 22, 2011 by Hollywood