DID YOU KNOW? Nestled at the heart of Mendiola is a haven for the weary, the carefree, and everyone in between. While it might be just another trendy spot for some, Pounce Café Manila, situated at 2nd Street of the historic San Miguel district stands out as a “paw-sible” sanctuary for those seeking respite from demanding academic workloads.
Known to many as “Pet Butler” before its rebranding, the family-owned business outgrew its offerings as a pet food store and hotel. After the rebranding, the new Pounce Café Manila switched its business model and built its reputation as the go-to pet café within Mendiola. This haven within 2nd Street is for aspiring fur parents, enthusiastic pet lovers, or regular everyday college students like us!
This is why we decided to embark and take a look at this “paw-sinating” haven!
A Sanctuary at the Heart of Mendiola
Nestled on 2nd Street, just off Concepcion Aguila St., Pounce Café Manila is conveniently located within walking distance of San Beda University (SBU) and other schools in Mendiola.
However, the current situation on Concepcion Aguila St. poses a significant challenge due to ongoing road reblocking and sewage enhancements by the authorities. This hinders students and visitors who wish to enjoy this safe haven, as they have to navigate through construction equipment and narrow sidewalks. Patience is advised when traversing this area.
Therefore, we give the location a rating of 3 paws out of 5!
Appetizing Meals with Cute Fur Babies
With the “furry” environment as its main selling point, Pounce Café Manila serves various dishes at a relatively decent price point, based on its classification as a pet café. For instance, you can order one of their best-sellers, their famous BLT Cheeseburger, for Php169, which is a hearty dish consisting of fresh vegetables such as lettuce and tomatoes, combined with crispy bacon partnered with an all-encompassing cheesy beef patty. This mouthwatering dish amused us as the meal was served, although, you might want to tone it down a little since it was quite salty. With its massive size and great taste, it still offers good value for the price nonetheless!
One of their appetizers, the Php65 Cheesy Bacon Fries, could have been more impressive for the price, and it did not help that it was far from being warm when served. On the other hand, their Coke Float worth Php65 was a reasonably satisfying experience, with the classic Coca Cola paired with a rich, creamy ice cream topped with generous amounts of chocolate – a balanced yet lighthearted drink perfect for the hotter days.
With this, we gave the food quality a total of 3 paws out of 5!
Bang for the Buck?
For the average Bedan allowance, Pounce Café’s prices would convince you to spend a little more than your average meal. Prices were reasonable as they bring out a generous serving, especially for a solo meal.
Their pricing for hot and cold refreshers ranged from Php119 to Php179—which is quite expensive compared to other stores on First Street or within Legarda area. However, their variety of choices, such as coffee, non-coffee, and soda beverages, well-suited to your typical day-to-day comfort drink choice, puts them up against the competition.
Meanwhile, the food offers a price range of Php129 – Php269. These include different kinds of burgers and side dishes such as fries, nachos, and quesadillas. While they don’t serve rice meals, the main and side dishes that they offer will surely satisfy a craving, perfect as a reward after a long day of classes.
In line with this, we gave the budget-friendliness aspect of Pounce Cafe Manila a total of 3 paws out of 5!
The Pet Sanctuary of Mendiola
Last but not least, Pounce Café Manila pitched a home run with the ambiance it provides for its ‘hooman’ visitors and delinquent pet inhabitants. Perfectly suited to be a hangout spot for your friend group, it offers a variety of recreational activities such as card games and board games while also being suitable for personal consumption with its selection of books and the like. However, none of these mentioned beats out the inhabitants of our pet haven. Featuring different breeds of cats and dogs, living in harmony, playing with each other, while simultaneously bonding with the ‘hoomans’ that come to visit them — they surely know what to do for students who are looking for a good time or those who seek relaxation from their comfort.
Although, with the limited space capacity, the place gets filled during lunchtime. Despite the presence of pets, the cafe’s staff ensures each customer is sanitized, even providing them with foot rugs before entering the place.
This is why we have given the ambiance rating of Pounce Cafe Manila, a 4 paws rating out of 5!
Whether a pet lover or not, this place is ideal for a date or a hangout spot. It offers an all-in-all deal, with various food and beverage choices, adorable animal companies, and a comfortable place to unwind. So, what are you waiting for? Come and visit Pounce Café Manila today!
(With Manssel Jianne Latonero and Thirdy Pabilico)
Artwork by Lourdes Ordoña
Photos by Manssel Jianne Latonero and D.S. Elijah De Castro