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PRICE RANGE
$0.00 – $1.00
Meals
Dinner
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Discover, Table Service
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About
a unique dining club open to everyone... reservations only, presents a unique menu every Saturday ... a social hour or two proceeds dinner and allows guests to meet other expats in the comfortable bar/lounge or comfortable gardens. Dinner is in the beautifully decorated main house in multiple rooms; the fern room, library, living and dining room, wine room,sun room ...community or preferred seating, your choice. affordable prices. you'll meet some wonderful people from all over the world with great advice about expat living in Ecuador. guests can preview the menu and make reservations on line. address is given at time of reservation
PRICE RANGE
$0.00 – $1.00
Meals
Dinner
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Discover, Table Service
Contribute
4.5
180 reviews
Excellent
137
Very good
25
Average
8
Poor
7
Terrible
3
janE.
Cuenca22 contributions
Aug 2023 • friends
Cocktails in the sun drenched Secret garden on a Saturday afternoon, chatting with old friends and meeting newcomers to Cuenca was enhanced by munching on fresh, delicious onion rings! This evening's dinner was Barbecue! Smokey Ribs, sausages and pulled pork, accompanied by baked beans, potato salad and cornbread muffins served family style in Joe's artfully decorated dining room. A Delightful Dinner and Experience.
Written August 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruce Engle
3 contributions
Sep 2023 • couples
Joe’s Secret Garden has a scrumptious fixed menu that changes each week. Located off the beaten path, in a private home that has been converted into a restaurant. The meals are scrumptious, and it is popular with the expat community. We are never disappointed with the meals.
The meal is preceded by a social and cocktail hour, and it is a wonderful place to meet people. It is always a fun evening whenever we go there. It is something that we look forwards to all week long. Reservations are required via their web site.
Written September 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken Vix
Thank you for your kind words ... I;m happy you enjoy the comfort and the fellowship of Joes'. It is a dining style that separates us from all of the other restaurants. It''s style and designed for people that come from around the world and expats to meet, find out about the Cuenca community, and make new friends . We are grateful you have found that here and enjoy the garden, lounge, bar, dining and company. And we love Betty Sue ... she's always welcome.
Written September 17, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ryan James
Cuenca46 contributions
Aug 2023 • family
Before we moved to Cuenca full-time, we would come for our 90 days each year. The greatest treat was to eat at Joe's Secret Garden as many Saturdays as we could fit in.
When the pandemic came, places were closed, but we did order from Joe's for delivery.
We had family visit in July and in August. We were thrilled to be able to share the ambiance and fantastic food that is Joe's Secret Garden always rule of thumb.
Written September 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken Vix
Thanks you. We truly appreciate that you have experienced the pleasure of community dining .... a fast 'welcome wagon' when you are far from home and just beginning to feel this sense of community, and not promotes it more than family style dining. Twice a month and the major holidays that's the style of service to make you fell welcome and comfortable. Come join us often.
Written September 17, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Doreen D
Cuenca37 contributions
Nov 2021 • none
Newly arrived, we at at Joe's for Thanksgiving, thinking it'd be a great way to meet other expats. WRONG. Everyone had their little groups together, no one talked to stangers unless they had to sit next to us and although food was decent, we were at the last table and I doubt any of us left full.
Written June 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara W
Tucson8 contributions
Sep 2022 • none
We were invited to go to Joe's on our first week here in Cuenca. it was wonderful to meet what became our new best friends. All through the evening we talked to people who were happy to answer our questions and give good advice. Since we only knew a few words in Spanish, they were encouraging and made us feel like we could somehow fit in to a new life here. we've learned a lot and now have some Ecuadorian friends too.
Written October 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelly M
Cuenca19 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
First time at Joes the other night. The meal was wonderful. Joes is a very nice atmosphere. Casual, and intimate. A nice place for a special evening. Food is great!
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah C
Cuenca16 contributions
Sep 2019 • none
Adter avoiding Joe's for a couple of years due to food inconsistencies, we have been back now twice in 2 weeks and can honestly say the dishes have really improved. The chef offered filet mighnon (tender & delish) served with twice baked potatoes, vegetables au gratin, served after a salad of orange & beet slices on wild greens. Dessert was bread pudding. All were delicious. Last week it was Chicken Marbella and we loved that too. We will be back.
Written September 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken V
thanks for your kind comments and wonderful review. We appreciate you giving us another try. Happy you enjoyed the meal and your evening and we look forward to your return.
Written October 21, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mike H
Sandpoint53 contributions
Jan 2019 • couples
After 7 days in Ecuador, we were walking in Cuenca's Parque Calderon trying to decide where we would go for dinner the next two nights. We had enjoyed Ecuadorian food, but were ready for a change of pace.
We probably appeared to be lost, and a gentleman asked if he could help. We weren't lost, but stopped to chat with Ken. In the course of the conversation we learned that he was an expat from the San Francisco, California area where he had managed several restaurants. He now lived in Cuenca, and had purchased a Joe's Secret Garden some years prior our conversation.
Joe's Secret Garden is an unusual operation - open only on Saturday evenings, it caters to the expat community as well as visitors to Ecuador. The menu apparently rotates from week to week, featuring a variety of dishes, but is fixed-menu for that particular evening. The food is plentiful and tasty.
We made a reservation for the evening after our fortuitous meeting with Ken. The evening began with a social hour and a half with a pay-as-you-go bar and plenty of delicious onion rings served as you chatted with the fellow guests in the mansion and it's gardens.
Then dinner was served at large communal tables scattered throughout the mansion's rooms. What a treat it was, especially after a week away from home, to be served a meal of BBQ ribs, pulled pork, sausage, potatoes and coleslaw, accompanied by delicious dessert and pleasant conversation. It felt a bit like we were in fancy Texas BBQ restaurant with a large group of newly-found friends.
The meal was superb, and the hosts, Ken and KP, were more than welcoming. It was also very interesting to meet the other guests, and hear their stories of where they had been, what they had done in the past, and how they found themselves in Cuenca.
All-in-all a very pleasant evening with excellent food and service. When we return to Cuenca, we will most certainly return to Joe's Secret Garden.
Written January 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken V
Hi Mike ... Happy to see you had a safe return to the states .... sorry we are a bit late in responding to your wonderful review... we just got back from a 2 week holiday and cruise in the Caribbeans' ... a great holiday ...
so very happy we ran into each other on the streets of Cuenca ...and that you joined us for dinner ...even more pleased that you and Linda enjoyed the evening and the fellowship ... a lot of the folks you met will be coming for our special "Lady in Red" Valentines dinner dance ...a popular celebration.
Again, thanks for your very gracious, kind review ... we look forward to seeing you again when you come our way.
Written February 12, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
SWS
Cuenca11 contributions
Jan 2019 • none
We've been there two Saturdays in a row; once for their fabulous fried chicken (best in Cuenca) and for an Italian pasta meal that was excellent. Check out their weekly menu.
Written January 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken V
what a privilege to have you as a guest two weeks in a row and to know that you enjoyed both evenings. Thank you so much for your review and comments ... and we hope you come see us again.
Written January 23, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Remove all doubt
Cuenca132 contributions
Dec 2018 • couples
A unique restaurant in that they serve Saturday dinner at 4 pm. Arrive early for drinks and socializing. Set menu, all you can eat. Food and service were great.
Written December 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken V
Thanks for your comments .... and very happy you had a great experience.
Our usual Saturday hours begin at 5pm with social hour, mixing and mingling and making new friends ... which is truly the uniqueness of Joes' ... we do live upstairs and downstairs feels like a southern mansion and comfortably seats 100 guests ... dinner is normally around 6;30. Holidays are special and perhaps you were there for the earlier Christmas dinner.
Thanks for joining us and for your review. We look forward to seeing you again
Written January 13, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rebecca D
Cuenca415 contributions
Sep 2018 • friends
Took a new friend to Joe’s this past Saturday night. Didn’t know what to expect as I had never had his country fried steak before, but as usual, it did not disappoint me!!! Certainly you wouldn’t want to make a habit of eating country fried steak, mashed potatoes with country peppered gravy and fried cabbage on to banana bread pudding...omg, I want some right now!!! Honestly, nice owners and always wonderful food! I can vouch for the fried chicken too. Born and bred a country girl, so I know. 😉
Written October 2, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken V
Wow! thanks for the wonderful review... very happy you and your friend enjoyed the food and service ... and the aways popular fried chicken dinner ...
We look forward to your return and another good experience.
Written January 13, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rob H
Cuenca11 contributions
Apr 2018 • friends
Joe’s Secret Garden is a private home with a beautiful garden in the back yard. They serve dinner for up to 100 people and they’re known for their Southern fried chicken which they serve monthly. Except for special holidays, they usually only serve dinners on Saturday evenings and it’s a warm and gracious place for new people to meet fellow expats, although their clientele isn’t exclusively geared to expats.
Ken and KP, the current owners, prepared Osso Buco for the main course tonight along with a sweet and sour beet, avocado and red onion salad, fresh bread still warm from the oven, mashed potatoes with gravy and a key lime pie for dessert. The Osso Buco was perfectly prepared and everyone at our table commented on the overall quality of the meal. The meat was fall off the bone tender and the gravy was very well seasoned. It was a a delicious meal.
I go to Joe’s Secret Garden regularly. It’s not often that I miss a week. The food is consistently good and the atmosphere is warm and congenial. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Cuenca or anyone living here that hasn’t tried Joe’s before.
Written April 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken V
Thanks for the kind comments Rob .... truly appeciated. We are fortunate to have wonderful, loyal guests like you that are integral to the family and success of Joes' Secret Garden. KP and I promise to strive to improve each week and continue to earn your trust and business. Hope to see you soon.
Written May 15, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
keyman751
24 contributions
Apr 2018 • couples
Great meal. Big pieces of tender meat in a delicious gravy. Warm bread, and a tasty beet salad. Ken made my wife and I a special dairy free desert we had requested when we made our reservations. The place to dine on Saturday night if you want a taste of home, and meet new expats.
Written April 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken V
Thanks for the great review .... you truly captured the spirit of Joes' Secret Garden when you suggest that expats' will find a 'taste of home' here, with comforting, home like surroundings and an opportunity to make new friends, exchange information about Cuenca, Ecuador and, in fact. the world ... our guests travel a lot and come from everywhere. We hope you continue to enjoy all of our menus and our commitment to service, quality and value. It is, indeed, the Joes' experience that you described.
Thank you.
Written May 15, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Don Ford
Cuenca36 contributions
Mar 2018 • none
Surprised birthday dinner arranged by my wife on March 3rd 2018.Great evening with friends.Surprise Happy birthday song by the singing sensation Lyn Nadeu and friends. Menu was Joe's Famous Fried chicken with all the trimmings! BYOB with a cork fee. They won the awards for Best Fried Chicken 2017 and 2018!
Written April 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken V
Thanks for your kind comments... happy you had a good birthday celebration. It's always a pleasure to serve you and your wife.
Written April 26, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gerald N
Brandon188 contributions
Apr 2018 • friends
We were in a party of eight for dinner. There was a mixer from 5:00 until 6:30 when dinner was served. Unfortunately, it was raining so the outdoor garden area was not available. The first course for dinner was a bowl of chili which proved to be too spicy for several members of our party. This was followed by a fixed menu dinner served family style. It consisted of chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes and cooked cabbage. The steak had been pounded into a cutlet, breaded and deep fried. It was quite dry and tough. Although the menu was fixed, two members of our party had special orders. The vegetarian was served an eggplant dish. The gluten-intolerant person was served a half of a chicken. Unfortunately, the kitchen does not seem to understand gluten-free cuisine because chicken was served with a gravy containing flour so the individual was forced to be careful when selecting the parts to eat. Desert was a banana foster with caramel sauce. Everyone agreed that it was far too sweet and so most of the deserts were uneaten. In general the service was good and unobtrusive. The portions were large and we were offered seconds of all the dishes.
The meal was very expensive by Cuenca standards and the quality of the food did not measure up. We won't be back.
Written April 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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