Kuya J - SM Baguio

Kuya J Restaurant SM City Baguio — Halo-halo favorite. Cozy mall spot. Service can be hit-or-miss.

Casual Filipino restaurant in a mall; mid-priced, family-friendly.

Menu Highlights:
– Halo-halo (most-praised; many come back for it)
– Crispy pata
– Crispy dinuguan
– Spicy tuna belly
– Chicken sisig
– Beef kare-kare
– Pancit canton
– Danggit rice
– Grilled scallops

Service Highlights:
– Warm welcome and generally friendly, polite staff noted by several diners
– Clean, cozy interiors; visually pleasing space
– Al fresco tables with a nice breeze and skyline views near sunset
– Good for family gatherings

Notes:
– Frequent item unavailability (drinks, soups, desserts, sides), sometimes only disclosed after ordering; mixed messages about what’s available
– Long waits for food (around 40–60 minutes for some) and slow billing/change
– Inconsistent attentiveness: some guests unassisted on entry; wet booths/floors not prepped; seating can feel cramped
– Food quality swings: a few dishes arrived cold; some portions feel small for the price; rice quality criticized
– Operational hiccups: wrong receipt given to a table; card terminal reported offline—cash needed at times; some walk-ins turned away before posted closing
– Flavor-specific gripes: sisig (incl. squid) overloaded with chilies for some; bulalo served not hot and a bit salty; bagnet strips bland

Logistics:
– Inside SM City Baguio at the city center; al fresco seating available
– Payment issues reported (card machine offline at times), so cash may be necessary

Customers come for the halo-halo—easily the star here—and many also rave about the crispy pata, crispy dinuguan, chicken sisig, and beef kare-kare. Diners enjoy the clean, cozy space, and a few loved the al fresco tables where you can feel the breeze and catch the Baguio skyline near sunset. Families find it convenient since it’s inside SM Baguio, and when the crew is on their game, service feels warm and accommodating.

That said, experiences swing widely. Some diners mention long waits for food and billing, with several items unavailable—even desserts and drinks—sometimes only revealed after orders were placed, which dampened the mood. A few folks found portions small for the price or dishes arriving cold; others thought certain items like bulalo were not hot enough or a bit salty, and a couple of sisig orders leaned too heavy on chilies. There were also operational hiccups: a wrong receipt handed out, a card terminal going offline (cash needed), and walk-ins turned away well before closing despite the sign saying open.

Overall, diners enjoy the comfort-food hits and halo-halo when everything clicks, although inconsistent service and menu availability can get in the way. Some people love the friendly staff and relaxed ambience, while others felt unattended or cramped and wished communication about wait times and stock-outs was clearer. When the kitchen and floor team are aligned, the experience shines; when not, it can be a frustrating wait for otherwise tasty Filipino favorites.