I love the shrimp burrito picture -- you can see my hand hovering over my fork waiting for you to take the damn picture so I can get in there.

I second the food thing: it was pretty good. The fried plantains were fantastic -- I recommend them to anyone who lives for salt as much as I do.

I don't recommend the Waborita, though, unless you hate tequila, which it seemed to be lacking. The Caborita was good, even if it's not as pretty.

I can't wait to go. The place looks awesome.

mmmmm Tequila!! finally!!! i'm going tonight!

SEXY!!!!

Looks hot. We're getting quite a few bars/pubs/watering holes. I know we rank 19th on "walkability" but how do we rank on "staggerability"?

PLACE LOOKS DOPE! DO I SMELL A NEW HOT SPOT?

Damnit that burrito is making me hungry.

I think I better go introduce myself to the bar tonight, I loves me a good margarita.

ok did we find out if Sammy was in town or not cause his son (pictured in this post) looks like the guy in the pic with the possible sighting of Sammy...

hmmm....

The place sure did come together in a week. The drinks and food look yummy ... I'll be all over those plantain chips. One of my favorite foods. It'll be interesting to see how many drunk people get pulled over after sampling the tequila room. I can see a DUI check point in the future.

I've been waiting for this place to open, and I was there from 4pm till closing.....it was fantastic!! Food and drinks were great! But it's the atmosphere that will keep me going back as often as I can!
Smiles on everyone...even the overwhelmed wait staff and bartenders!! Those people deserve some recognition! It was crazy in there with people, and they scurried around throughout the night. Service was still slow, but I'm not worried that it'll be that way a couple weeks from now!
The house band rocked....so did Aaron Hagar! It was just ONE BIG PARTY!! And I am so glad I was there to witness it!
Mike, your next mission is to get the scoop on WHEN Sammy is gonna be over there.....keep us posted!

Your photos really captured the atmosphere of this venue. The Cabo grub and margaritas made my mouth water. Looking forwarding to checking out this new hot spot!!

cool place, seems like no one noticed its built in the middle of the ghettoe though

Sammy Hagar would be rolling in his grave if he were a dead guy knowing that his Cabo Wabo Fresno was such a deporable disappointment. Long horrible night, short story

1. 15 of us arrive at 5:30.Seated at 6:00
2. Served drinks fairly quickly; margaritas in martini glasses for $9.00. Tepid Negra Modelo.
3. Food order taken at about 6:30. Three meals served about half hour later; three people get soup. Nine people watch six people eat.
4. 45 minutes later, nine people still waiting for food. I ask another waitress to track down our waitress. She asks me her name; sorry, I wasn't introduced to her.
5. My friend tries to hunt down a manager, telling the minion that our table is not happy, has no food and needs to speak to a manager immediately.
6. About 5 minutes later, a manager shows up. "Oh, we usually only serve appetizers and drinks out here . . . blah blah blah" Oh really, the owner Milt is the person who seated us! Don't make excuses, just get some food out here for gods sake.
7. Still waiting another 5-10 minutes. Finally ready to give up and leave to go to Taco Bell, a parade of food, if you could call it that, finally arrives. My plate is a three taco joke . . . the tacos were made from corn tortillas 4" in diameter w/ chewy carne asada and a side of about a tablespoon of rice and beans. I've never seen tortillas that small. The food is cold, to go w/ my tepid Negra. My husband was one of the few who had got his food 45 minutes earlier, fajitas which were also cold. Asked for corn tortillas and was served cold flour tortillas, eew.

The manager, who pointed out that we should only be eating appetizers, comped the meal, along w/ a round of drinks. At least we didn't have to pay for a horrible meal, but in the end, it was still a horrible meal . Don't care that they just opened. Train your staff; don't leave a table unattended w/ no explanation for a slow kitchen. Tell us that your microwave is unable to heat the Swanson frozen dinners that you are trying to pass off as food . . . there are WAY too many other places to eat in this town. Cabo Wabo . . . you're going down. There's NO way you'll survive with bad food, bad service and mad customers.

I'm sorry to hear about Janet's experience. Ours was quite the opposite. Our party of 4 was seated very quickly at a table up behind the stage. Our server, Steven, was friendly and quick with the drinks and appetizers. However, I was disapponted with the "small" and tasteless Caborita for $8. Though the dinners arrived in twos, the second two weren't far behind.

All dinners were absolutely fantastic. The food was served piping hot and was very appetizing.

We will definitely be returning. And, I truly hope Cabo Wabo isn't "going down" as Janet predicts. It's a great place that still has some kinks to work out--as do many new restaurants.

It's a unique place for Fresno that needs to be supported.

cool place, seems like no one noticed its built in the middle of the ghettoe though

Kinda like Riverpark?

I haven't been there, but Janet?

You show up ANYWHERE on labor day weekend with a party of FIFTEEN with no reservations, and guess what? Service and food are likely to be a bit slow, even non-existent.

Especially if the restaurant has only been open for ONE day.

You got your food and drinks comped and you're still beefin'?

WhatEVah.

Would people stop with this place being in the ghetto. Like Mike said, Riverpark is in the "ghetto" being it's a block west of Pinedale. Seriously move somewhere else, you aren't doing this town any good with your idiotic comments.

I went there last night and it was packed, but it's labor day weekend and it's opening weekend. Janet that sucks what happened, but you had a huge party go there on a busy weekend. I say wait a bit till all the kinks are ironed out and give it another shot.

I enjoyed the place, but the only thing I found wrong with it was the house band did a David Lee Roth era Van Halen song (Jump) in a Sammy Hagar themed bar. If that's the only problem then this place will do fine.

yo mike, youre right about the riverpark! never thought about the place in that sense, pinedale, highway city, helllooo

Oh Janet, I wish you had a brain in your head. 15 people during opening weekend at Cabo. Way to bash Milts place, your such a good friend (assuming he is your friend since he sat you, that's not the norm) Every restaurant has problems to work out the first couple of weeks. Maybe you should have gone to Michael Jackson's 50th birthday instead, I here he still lives in fairy tale land as well.

the place was a blast!! went Friday night with my wife. the place was packed, the band was awesome, and there was nothing but smiles on the faces of the people partying inside. i didn't order food because i knew i wasn't going to be getting anything to eat due to the place being so packed. i wasn't there to eat anyways, i was there to get my drink on and listen to some great music. i'm going back most definently.

To Ms. Sanchez,
Are you familiar with Sammy Hagar? He would have been thrilled that everyone just taking it easy, enjoying the music and the excitement by hanging out for the opening of this cantina!
Although it was crazy busy, everyone was doing the VERY BEST they could to accomodate one another. It was no secret that it was first come, first served for this place....it was in the news, on the blogs and they told you when you called! I'm not real familiar with the restaurant business, but I would guess that just about anywhere on opening night, on a Friday, during a holiday weekend, with no reservations, with a party of 15 would have been encountered difficulties of some sort.
Give them another try in a few weeks when they ARE taking reservations for large parties...

Ms Sanchez,

What were you thinking?!! I went to Cabo Wabo this weekend as well and had a much different experience. Have you ever worked in the food service industry? I am going to guess you haven't. Anyone who has knows not to show up on opening weekend of a restaurant, especially one as highly anticipated as Cabo Wabo, with a party of 15. Are you insane?!! I also wonder what relationship you have with Milt. Is he a friend? As mentioned by someone else, it is not the norm for him to seat people, so you must know him somehow. What kind of friend goes to another's friend's place with a party of 15 on opening weekend expecting perfect service, and then publicly bash's the place after? You should be ashamed. It is expected that there will be glitches, especially so early on. Think of how many “established” restaurants you have been to with a party of 15 and have received questionable service. It happens at all stages. You should cut the staff a little slack, they are doing their best. Also, I too ordered the three taco plate. I found it to be plenty of food. What did you expect when you ordered the Chico taco plate? Have you gotten so used to the portion sizes our gluttoness society insists on serving us that you expect your meal to feed you for the next week? The three tacos with beans and rice were enough to feel satisfied. Other items that were enjoyed by our table were the nachos with carne asada, vegetarian burrito, fried plantains, flan, and banana bread pudding. One last question for you Ms. Sanchez, how many Swanson's dinners have you eaten? You may want to lay off of them, they seem to have killed your pallet. The food served at Cabo Wabo is wonderful. I was invited by a friend to the soft opening and was given a chance to try some of the other dishes (the chicken quesadilla, shrimp burrito, poblano soup, and the beef taquitos) and everything was better than I could have expected. The chef has done a wonderful job on the menu. If Swanson's is what you are used to (you seem to know what they taste like) I believe you will always be disappointed with the freshly prepared food at Cabo.

To all those who have not been to Cabo Wabo,

This is a great restaurant with a wonderful atmosphere. The drinks are great and the food is wonderful. I haven't seen the house band yet but I will soon. I will be a repeat customer for sure. As a former server and bartender I understand the stress that goes into opening a new restaurant. There will always be issues but the staff at Cabo is friendly and accommodating. My friends and I had no problems. We were sat quickly, greeted in a timely manner, received our food in a decent amount of time and it was still hot. The drinks were great and of good variety. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a good time.

interesting

Apparently I was thinking the same as you CVG, if you were at Cabo this weekend too. And yes, I have worked in the restaurant industry and know how customers should be treated. Trust me, it wasn't my idea to go to a new restaurant on Labor Day weekend. I was invited by another person who had previously discussed w/ Milt bringing a large group to Cabo Wabo. He knew that a big group was coming and didn't seem to have an issue with it. I knew they had had some trial run evenings during the week, so I was open to the experience. I full well expected some glitches, but complete abandonment from a server is just not acceptable. Then the manager who came to our table after 3 requests offered excuses rather than concern for the poor service. Just TELL us that the kitchen is having some problems w/ the food. A quick "sorry things are taking awhile, would you like some chips" just some common courtesy. Didn't you learn that while you were in the food service industry? That's not expecting much. And I did not order anything called a taco "chico" plate. It was called the Taco Lock Box; was I to infer that the serving was not meal sized? Any of the area's non-chain Mexican restaurants that offers a three-taco plate serves a true meal portion. I don't think it's too much to expect for a $9 plate, one meal, not a week's worth. I too heard that the food was decent at the soft opening, that's why I was surprised at what was served.

Cabo Wabo looks great, and for someone who hasn't eaten authentic Mexican food and doesn't know how it should taste, it will probably satisfy you. They seriously need to address the service and the food quality. The menu sounds great, but it lacks in execution. Like I said, there are so many places in Fresno that have good food and service. New ventures need to step it up.

Ms. Sanchez~
Based on your summation of your experiences at Cabo Wabo this weekend, I don't think that there was ANYTHING that the management could have done to make things "right" for you. There has never been any claim that the food served at CW is "authentic Mexican", so suggesting that it should look and taste that way, isn't at all accurate.
It has been mentioned that you go back in a few weeks, but maybe.....DON'T. Oh, and maybe have the friend that invited you, apologize for ALL that was substandard about your evening. Then...please, forward all of your pertinent restaurant experience to Mr. Barbis.....oh, you probably already have....

when is timmy t coming back to town? I wonder if he has been in cabo wabo?

My last attempt at setting things straight . . . I was NOT there on Friday, opening night. I was there SUNDAY, at about 5:30 purposefully there to avoid the late-night crowd. I am not suggesting or expecting authentic Mexican food from a chain; but hot and a reasonable portion considering it was from the meal section and not the appetizer section of the menu. AGAIN, the only expectation was a visit from the server stating that there was a delay in the kitchen. A table left unattended for 45 minutes is not a standard practice in any restaurant. Everyone seems to thing that 15 people is a HUGE party. It's basically 3 regular size parties together. Whoopie. Don't worry, I won't be back; I'm apparently too picky to expect some communication from the staff. My friend has already spoken w/ Mr. Barbis, for what it's worth. So to anyone who goes to Cabo Wabo, have at it, it's all yours. I won't take up any valuable table space.

I apologize for incorrectly stating you were in attendance on Friday night. It's great that your friend has been in contact with Milt. With your discerning palate, and knowledge of cuisine, and appropriate portion sizes, I'm sure you look forward to a more satisfying experience at another establishment.
Meanwhile the rest of us will....wabo on!!!

exactly, lgr1986. i co-sign everything you are saying. we'll wabo on.

i'm still getting a kick out of the complaints. i was hungry, the drinks are overpriced, the service was poor, blah blah blah blah blah. i was rocking, getting my drinks with no problem (sure i had to wait, but with an awesome band playing, who cares), conversating and having a good time with complete strangers, and getting my dance on, i had a great time.

i'm going back soon. peace!!

Thanks Janet!

Someone FINALLY not afraid to tell it like it is.

Yes, most new places need to work out the kinks, but sounds like they dropped the ball over and over and over. Comping a crappy meal doesn't make it taste any better. And bringing more drinks seems appropriate in such a stoner bar. But keeping the customers drunk doesn't make them happier (just less likely to notice your bad service).

I like Sammy, have seen him live back in the 80s, and even preferred Van Hagar over Van Halen. But this place is so off my radar.

If you want to go to see a live band, don't go here. But I know those folks who live in NoHe [North of Herndon], this is as far as you'll go south.

Sad state of affairs in Fresno...

Yo....GermanBoy.....Where do you go to see a "live band?" The Club Fred?? Where? You don't know jack about the NoHe?? whatever that is. That is me and 3/4 of the other money making people in this town. We will go wherever we want to go for a good time. You don't even know what Sammy looks like now. Seeing him once 25yrs ago doesn't make you a creditable fan at all. Keep this place off your radar please....the same for you Janet. A little enthusiasam and patience is what you need, or maybe the perfect service you get from your River Park area. Fine with all of us who REALLY want to see this place succeed. It is, BY FAR, the best place in town and hands down the friendliest, funnest, fastest place we have EVER had here in Fresno. As far as ghetto goes, it's only ghetto when you ghetto freaks go there. Not when I'm there. No graffitti, no skater freaks in but saggn pants and rediculous sideways hats like in NoHe area. Just a bunch of COOL people havn a great time. Was there Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon, & last night. ALL GOOD. It was my birthday on Sat and I didn't expect ANY free drinks, food, special service, or anything...I let the staff wait on PIA people like yourselves. No complaints here, the place is fantastic and I am going back tonight. Cabo Uno is a fun, fast, friendly band that I'll listen to all night. All 4 nights they played(took Tues off)they played different sets with only a couple repeat "staple" songs. All good. People need to appreciate what Sam & Milt are trying to create here. It's no easy task pleasing all you PIA Fresno people at once. But the majority of us LOVE it Sammy & it was great seeing Aaron there, he's a studd.

its still ghettoe , cedar and dakota helloo

gross

G-Dub -

Please use spell check and proper punctuation when posting to any blog.

Your illiteracy is showing.

See you at the next Van Halen reunion?

Then don't go dave. Simple as that.

I avoid the area, too rough for me

see you at the fresno fair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dude that last comment brained my damage.

blah blah blah it's too ghetto blah blah blah. stop being a pansy. some of the best times in my life have taken place in the ghetto. and i was born and raised in West/Herndon, haha.

I was born and raised in the ghetto, went to CSUF to get out of it

Its different when you see the real side of it, just not visiting from herndon and nees, bluffs and poshy places like that

you guys can have the ghetto, I'll stay at the ROE and places like that

Development needs to be North Fresno

Are we still on a Cabo Wabo thread??

yes

cabo is in the ghettoe