El Poco Cantina’s owner missed last year’s event after mistaking the invite for a phishing email
A year after he famously missed the Michelin Guide ceremony because he thought the invitation was a scam, El Poco Cantina owner Tots Ramirez finally made it to the stage, and netizens could not get enough of it.
On Thursday, October 29, 2026, the casual Mexican restaurant shared a photo of a grinning Ramirez holding its Michelin recognition at the Michelin Guide Philippines 2027 ceremony. The photo carried a simple line: “Email received!”
“‘Di na ‘to scam!! Finally, naka-attend na siya,” the restaurant wrote in its caption, thanking supporters and the Michelin Guide. El Poco Cantina kept its spot in the Michelin Selection this year.
The post quickly drew thousands of reactions, with many followers catching the inside joke. “HINDI NA PHISHING SCAM,” one user wrote, while another asked, “Hindi na ba sa spam?? Hehe! Congrats!”
The joke goes back to the guide’s inaugural Philippine edition last year. At the time, Ramirez missed the unveiling because he had blocked Michelin’s email address, believing the message was a phishing attempt.
“We got Michelin Selected without me even knowing because I blocked the email. I thought the email was a phishing scam,” he said then. “Yes I’m at home and I am in tears and shock… Akala ko scam ‘yung Michelin.”
This year, Ramirez shared his own video from the ceremony and thanked the people behind the business. “Thank you to everyone who support our passion. El Poco Cantina is not El Poco without my team and you guys,” he wrote.
It is El Poco Cantina’s Taft branch that earned the Michelin nod. The restaurant, which has been around for seven years and opened a second branch in the U-Belt area in 2024, is known for its birria tacos, along with burritos, nachos and quesadillas.
For many netizens, the story was a feel-good reminder that being careful online is smart, as long as you double-check before hitting “block.”