A Filipino buffet serving Texas BBQ on Highway 17 sounds completely unhinged. So obviously we had to stop.
The Cats is tucked along Highway 17 between San Jose and Santa Cruz in a historic 1896 western roadhouse. The new owners took something iconic and made it even more interesting. Filipino food and Texas-style BBQ on the same buffet. And somehow it works completely.
What's on the Buffet
Manila chicken. Crispy lumpia. Smoky Texas-style BBQ brisket and ribs. Pulled pork. Pancit. Sisig. Adobo. Mashed potatoes. Cornbread. Mango coleslaw.
Big garlic, soy, sweet, savory, and tangy Filipino flavors sitting right next to smoked Texas meats. It is a combination that should not make sense and absolutely does.
The Manila chicken was a standout. The lumpia did not survive long. Pretty much everything we tried packed flavor.
And it is all you can eat for $30. For a buffet in the Bay Area that is actually reasonably priced.
The Vibe
Historic saloon decor, live music on weekends, full bar, and a spread that keeps going. This is the kind of place you pull off the highway for and end up staying way longer than you planned.
If you are driving Highway 17 between San Jose and Santa Cruz and want somewhere genuinely different to stop, put The Cats on the list.
📍 The Cats Restaurant | 17533 Santa Cruz Hwy, Los Gatos, CA 95033
BBQ Brunch Buffet: Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 3pm Dinner Buffet: Friday through Sunday, 5pm to 10pm All you can eat $30 per person
