Tequila Joe's to offer pocket food servings

Tequila Joe's (TJ) Restobar is set to embark into offering small-pocket food serving of its Latin-mixed food menus, through opening a fast-food style outlet at the Ayala Center Cebu Food Choices by June this year.

Striving to attract dine-out customers, TJ managing partner Tony Lozada said there is a need for the restaurant to offer its foods to broader market segments, and provide affordable snacks, as well as meal packages.

The Tequila Joe's in Ayala Entertainment Center is managed by Los Cañones Inc., an exclusive franchisee in the Cebu area. Tequila Joe's is owned by a Manila-based company.

Lozada said the restaurant is trying to erase the impression that because they are offering a Latin inspired menus, its prices are quiet expensive.

TJ's has been in Cebu for over five years now, despite the tough competition in the restaurant industry, with entry of some new food outlets, Lozada said TJ has managed to stay afloat with competition, because it maintains its high food quality standard at a reasonable pricing scheme.

"We have invested so much on our kitchen, and the preparation of our food. We have one of the biggest walk-in freezers here," Lozada said.

He said the company has decided to reach out to new market segments through the opening of its Food Choices outlet, which is more on take-out and fastfood concept.

"I wonder why some Cebuanos who are learning to eat out, still loves to eat food that are cooked in the house, and only a few are learning to eat foods that can't be easily cooked at home, like what we have here in TJs," Lozada said.

However, he hopes that over time, Cebuanos will get to embrace, and adjust other menus, like the Latin-mixed foods.

Aside from opening a small outlet in Food Choices, near the Ayala Theaters, Lozada said TJ is also eyeing to venture into food catering services in small functions, executive meetings and parties, among others.

TJ's in Ayala Entertainment Center has one of the largest spaces, with 400 square meter area occupied by the restobar. It can accommodate a total of 320 customers, including its al fresco area, and the 20-seater accommodation function room called Pancho Villa.

Lozada said TJ's is able to develop a captured market in the last five years in Cebu, these are the tourists (especially family-tourists), and Filipino balikbayans.

He reiterated that its food choices outlet is expected to capture additional lovers of Latin-mixed foods in Cebu, and TJ's will be able to introduce its food menus to a broader market base.