Subo

Happy Hour is great here. Truly good food and great prices on their drink specials, but they get the 5^th star because I planned an event here for work and they were extremely accommodating. We had a larger than expected turnout and filled the area right behind the bar with over 30 people.
They provided great service despite the fact that they couldn’t move around very well and people almost made them spill trays a couple of times.
Fantastic service and their typical tasty food. I appreciated their help greatly.

Not bad! I’m half Filipino, so when this place popped up 3 blocks from my hotel I knew I had to pay a visit. You really don’t see Filipino restaurants all that often.
I had the pancit bihon, because you shouldn’t go wrong with a staple. I wasn’t sure how much I would get, and it turns out that it wasn’t quite enough to be filling. Still, the chinese sausage is a great contrast to the tangy spices in bowl of pancit. I suppose one could order about two main dishes and have a very filling meal.
Instead, I opted for dessert: turon. The presentation was awesome! It was garnished with what I think was carmelized sugar. In any case, it tasted great.
Since I didn’t have a big meal, my final tab was around $ 20. However, I can see that the prices can add up, at least by Filipino food standards. All in all it was fine and I really enjoyed the place.

I’m always curious about Filipino restaurants. I’ve been to the homeland several times lately and I’ve seen what restaurants are doing to add a bit of glamour or panache to our national dishes. And since Subo caught my eye, I just HAD to visit.
Side note: One of the reasons Subo caught my eye was because it’s what my Sister in Law says to my nephew to get him to take a bite of his food. «Subo» it’s the cutest thing! (It means morsel or bite, depending on the dialect)
Stopped in for happy hour to take advantage of some of the specials. I opted for the cocktail of the day – the Sazerac #7. There were several ingredients in it – but it was very tasty. Strong. But refreshing. The hubs, who was on a quest to only try Minnesota beers while we were on vacay, couldn’t decide between two locally brewed beers and the bartender was so nice in describing it in detail including giving him samples to try.
Had to go with the lumpia (mini pork eggrolls) because that’s probably the dish/​appetizer that’s going to be at ANY Filipino restaurant or any Filipino party. The presentation was amazing. Who would have thought you could make lumpia look so special! The generous serving was served piping hot, very crispy and with a side of citrus/​sweet/​sour sauce. They were good. The pork could have used a little more seasoning, but still enjoyable.
The space is gorgeous. Colorful and thoughtful artwork. Love the Wooden fork and spoon on the wall. We sat at the bar but I wandered back to check out the larger dining area. The space was decorated with cool colors. Between the wood and lighting, It really did represent the Philippines with a downtown feel. The servers were so friendly, not to mention wearing team Pacquio shirts – how cool is that???

Im Filipino so I have to represent. It’s not a cuisine that is easy to find except at family parties. So having a pretty cool/​chill Filipino place in downtown Mpls is pretty sweet.
The place is tapa style so order a lot of items. And the majority of them are really Filipino including adobo, lumpia, Arroz Valenciana, deep fried pork, port tocino and lots of rice. If you go there the pork candy is a must have (the «showstopper» is what my bro kept calling it).
More pluses for this place — I was able to get a drink served in a coconut (I love those!). Our server brought us a free order of adobo chicken wings. And the servers wear «Team Pacquio» shirts. One of my friends asked if he could buy one and the server gave him an extra. I was just upset that I didnt ask first.

Everyone says come in for happy hour, so what do I do? I come in after happy hour and am not that impressed. I already had dinner, so I just wanted to try a small plate. Tried the fish cakes. They were really good, great sauce, but for $ 9 it was a pretty meager portion. If you were hungry, it would probably take about 4 – 5 plates fill up. The bar was also pretty empty.
I don’t doubt for a second that it is an awesome place for HH, probably packed, and great deals and small plates. I guess the point of this review, is that I would make sure that if you come, do so during HH.

What a little gem! I love this place. They have great happy hour specials. I love that there is a special cocktail every day. Great snacks (plantain chips with dipping sauces? yum!). Great food. Friendly service (love it when a server remembers my name, even after I haven’t been in for a month and he’s only had our table once or twice before that). Nice little patio.
Our office is moving downtown this month. Can’t wait to go for lunch — and more happy hours!

I went to Subo for lunch, so I had their bento box option (it looks like this is the only way to go for lunch). You get to choose a main entrée (protein), type of rice, and a summer roll or edamame. I ordered the grilled shrimp, coconut rice, and summer roll and it also came with the vegetable of the day, which was bok choy. I loved all of it, except the summer roll was a little too crunchy for me (the rice paper wasn’t as pliable as it could have been). I also tasted a friend’s edamame, which was awesome (I will definitely order that next time!).
Service was accommodating and the décor was nice. It’s a fun break from all the other typical lunch places downtown. I can’t wait to try it again for happy hour.

Good food. Weak service.
A group of 4 of us shared the mushroom dumplings, tofu hot and sour, green beans, pork tricion, papaya spring rolls, scallops, ahi tuna and coconut rice. All of it was really good. We also got some beef salad thing that was so-​so at best, but the other dishes more than made up for it.
And my cucumber sake sangria was delicious.
But the service was just bizarre. The waitress had clearly never been trained on the menu nor had anyone taught her to serve from the left and clear from the right, or at least not to reach across 3 people to serve a guest. She also insisted on putting all of the aforementioned plates on one corner of the tiny table even though there was plenty of room elsewhere on the table, never cleared our dirty plates until after we had already settled the bill, started to re-​set up the table while we were still sitting at it (and it was dead in there, it’s not like she was dropping hints for us to hit the road), and nearly elbowed my friend in the head with her oblivious rug sweeping technique.
Normally when people complain about service it’s because it’s slow or rude. This was just very weird.
The bar area seems cool, but we were seated in the back which lacks the same cool vibe. It was also pretty dead in there at 8:00 on a Friday night which didn’t help the ambience.
There is a parking lot next door that is $ 5. Rumor has it that if you park there they will take $ 5 off your bill. Of course we forgot to do that so I don’t know if they actually do.

Really 3.5 stars. The food we had was really well prepared, but I think it was overpriced and that is why I am not giving it 4 stars.
We had some very good grilled sardines and the smoked fish was also excellent. BF loved the potato croquette, which did not impress me all that much. Coconut rice tasted pretty much like white rice…
I think there were other dishes that looked good, so I might go back and change my opinion.
I guess I would have been more satisfied if dishes were proper entrees and not sampling size.
Décor was awesome!

We had an experience here tonight that was remarkable. I had never had Filipino cuisine before, and classical western training was apparent in several dishes too. We ordered courses 3 at a time for 3 people starting with lighter dishes. We wound up making 4 rounds including a dessert we shared, moving from lighter proteins to steak and roundly sampling the menu. Everything we tried was universally enjoyed in our group.
Two words: pork candy. Two more words: cilantro shrimp (be sure to have rice to sop up that sauce). Two more very important words: pork belly.
Strongly recommended.
P. s. Coconut rice with lighter fare. Garlic rice with richer proteins. Café du Monde coffee (you know, chicory).

Do yourself a favor and go as a group of four. You’ll be able to order more plates and taste more of Subo’s fantastic Filipino food. Call ahead for reservations at a table in the back, as the front (bar) seating gets loud and claustrophobic.
I would recommend trying the roasted pork candy, lumpia Shanghai, adobo chicken wings and the scallops. For desert, don’t bother with the popular turon … not really that good.
Subo has a couple of unique cocktails that are worth trying, most notably the Minnesota Blossom and the Subo Royale.
The staff was attentive and pleasant.

Filipino food is not classy. It’s street food, it’s greasy chicken adobo, it’s oily lumpia.
But Subo takes it up at least 17 notches. Seriously.
Atmosphere: This place is one of the coolest places to grab a drink in Downtown, kid you not. It’s got an awesome vibe, not too loud, and ubercool bartender Adam will take care of you.
Drinks:
— 2 Flights of Sake: ($ 9) A nice sampling of three smooth ass sake’s
— 1 Caraf of Jumnai Daiginjyo: ($ 9.5 during HH) 60% polished sake doesn’t exist in MPLS, except in Subo.
— 2 Mi Amigos (Cocktails of the Day): $ 3 during happy hour.
— some Sake Beer: $ 16. Great but not worth $ 16.
Food:
— Lumpia: This was absolutely awesome. We sat at the bar, not expecting anything this tasty. Crisp on the outside, cooked to perfect pork on the inside. The sauce took it over the top, tangy but sweet.
— Pork Thai Sausage: This really was like candy. Sweet sausage with a candy dipping sauce.
Overall: Awesome place for a drink and a quick bite. I’d start my night there every day. I can’t believe Happy Hours on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. $ 3 tap beers, cheap eats, and cool place to hang out.

I was kinda psyched when my friend invited me to try out Subo for HH/​dinner, primarily because I’ve never experienced Filipino cuisine done in an upscale manner. The Filipino food I’m used to eating are usually in cafeteria type restaurants and, of course, my relatives’ awesome cooking. Ergo, my review will be skewed by the fact that I grew up eating Filipino food and therefore have embedded perceptions of how I want these dishes to taste like. That said…
Our group tried the pork candy, lechon kawAli (at least that’s how we spell it @ home), garlic fried rice, platain chips, a shrimp dish from the happy hour menu, spiced fried chicken wings, and turon for dessert.
My thoughts:
The pork candy was very good, absolutely packed with flavor. It perfectly captures the taste of longganisa, which is a really awesome sausage that’s just… awesome. So kudos to Subo for this dish.
The lechon kawali, while I don’t eat it very often, was very, VERY fatty. Actually come to think of it, I think all I ate was fat. The crispy skin saved it though.
The shrimp dish was another one that brought back memories of great fish/​squid balls that are common street food in the PI. Another authentic, sexier take on a typically dirt cheap snack.
The spiced fried chicken wings were OK, the banana ketchup was the bomb though, dead on replication of UFC banana ketchup with it’s sweet, oddball taste.
The garlic fried rice was really wonderful; somewhat moist like it just came out of a the rice cooker then wok’d with garlic. The plantain chips were very interesting, a great thing to snack on and a hard thing to stop snacking on.
The turon was not as great as the rest of the dishes, I think the plantains could use more brown sugar, as well as the lumpia wrapper itself; also, adding jackfruit would just push it over the edge to greatness.
Overall, a very unique experience for me, and a proud one, too; it’s cool that a restaurant like Subo celebrates and raises the awareness for Filipino cuisine, and does it right.

This might be a little skewed since the full kitchen wasn’t open due to some movie filming going on right outside.
We got the chicken satay and the pork satay, chicken was excellent — pork was very so-​so — very fatty. The thai sausage is pretty awesome though — highly recommend trying that!
I also got the kraken for a drink — and it comes in a real coconut — which is pretty sweet!
Definitely would want to go back (and possibly bump up a star) when they have more options for this.
It was good, just wasn’t really wowed.
The happy hour looks good as well — but didn’t make it there in time for that.

I went back with a friend at happy hour and sat at the bar. If you’re planning on going to this place I would highly recommend that as the waitstaff is not that attentive but the bartenders are amazing!
We tried the scallops again, they were quite good and also got the peking buns which were quite delicious. The food came out on time and hot.
I still will be hesitant to go there for dinner whenever there is any sort of big event downtown… they just aren’t equipped or experienced enough to handle it.

Welcome to my new favorite happy hour spot in downtown.
Buns, satay, peanut shrimp, pork candy… mmmm, all yummy and all cheap! The sake flight is a STEAL at $ 4. Seriously, it’s a steal! I drink a nice cabernet for the price of $ 4 (I chose the «gulp» size — and smaller glass is $ 3). We also tried an unnamed buy amazingly delicous «spiced grenadine» drink — I could have thrown back numerous glasses, but as I was driving, I limited myself to a sip of my tablemates.
Everyone we met was warm, friendly and super helpful. I can’t wait to go back. Happy hour ends and 6, so try and duck out of your cubicle early!

Went to Subo for an event, and although the place was packed the service was still top-​notch. The kitchen was slower than normal so they comped us a round of drinks. Really enjoyable atmosphere and great music.
Oh yes, and the food… wow. Everyone at the table ordered a different dish and everyone was very pleased. The Pork Candy is incredible. I’ve never had anything quite like it, and can’t wait to go back just for it. If you’re a pork fan you must try it!

A few of my friends went over from Target HQ and their happy hour was a Coors light for $ 3.50. They have Dead Guy Rogue for $ 6.50 a glass. If they want to have team members from Target to go over there for happy hour, they better have Dead Guy Ale for $ 3.50 during happy hour or I will not recommend them to anyone.
A cool place but they have a sign outside that says they are the best happy hour in the cities is bold.
Give me 2 bucks off Dead Guy and I will visit again.

One word. AMAZING!.. First of all, I have always been a huge fan of small plates, tapas style eating. I just love tasting different dishes and we always end up sharing our food with everyone at the table anyway. Secondly, I love love love Filipino food. It’s so hard to find good, classy, sexy Filipino restaurants no matter where you live and I live in New York, the mecca of food! (I feel like Filipino food is an undiscovered cuisine) So, when our good friend invited me and my girlfriends to MN for his opening weekend of SUBO, we had to go.
I have to say, this place is hot!!. Me and my girlfriends had such an awesome time! The first thing we noticed was hearing music on the OUTSIDE of the restaurant playing really cool, hip hop beats inviting us to come in. (We couldn’t stop dancing on the sidewalk before coming in) The bar/​lounge, in my opinion, is the best part. Huge vaulted ceilings, long gorgeous bar, exposed brick, soft sexy lights, fancy chandeliers. We went on a Saturday night around 8 and the place wasn’t super crowded where you can’t walk around (which I love) but it was packed with people and there was a nice warm vibe. We sat at the chef’s counter and watched all the action. And a big bonus, everyone who works there was so down to earth and the service was attentive and not overwhelming.
Our food was awesome. Every dish was so colorful and elegantly prepared but oh-​so-​inviting to eat and devour and savor. The dishes were orgasmic ;) and each dish explodes with bold flavor in your mouth from salty, to sweet, to spicy, to tangy. You have to try the adobo falling-​off-​the-​bone wings, scallops with bacon (yum), pulled pork sliders with this sweet aioli spread, of course my favorite was the lechon kewali, the lechon is crispy and hot (the dipping sauce is soo perfectly cool and tangy), the homemade dumplings are fresh and not greasy like other dumplings I find, the pancit is very modern but tastes exactly how my mom makes it and for dessert, the beignets are fluffy and light with this lemony dipping sauce (Oh– My-​God!) It’s so great to be able to eat these classic asian and filipino dishes prepared so beautifully and chic. I was very happy with my meal. Definitely exceeded my expectations and will definitely be coming back for more.

Great remodel of the former LePeep/Hell’s Kitchen Space (although I miss the fireplace). Sat at the bar with a buddy and enjoyed Chang and Summit Horizon Red for our refreshments before we dove into the tapas offerings.
There is a certain order to eating the food (according to our server) and we followed her advice, until we didn’t. Once the food arrived, we said screw it and dove in.
The Roasted «Pork Candy» was off the hook… so good, unique but familiar. An absolute must try.
The Pancit Bihon was good, similar to Pad Thai, but forgettable.
The Steamed Edamame was very good and fun to eat. Not sure what it was coated with, but delicious.
The Green Curry Potato Croquettes by itself was okay but turned into something more flavorful when dunked in the coconut dipping sauce.
We closed things with the Steam Bun French toast which was similar to a crème brûlée.
Great artwork (look for the various cock fighting pieces) and a cool chef’s table in back that is like a bar where you can sit eat/​drink and watch them prepare the food.
Happy Hour is 4 – 6. We really enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. My only wish is they would expand their draft beer offerings and keep it local (like Ngon has done).