Lunchtime Dives
of Silicon Valley

Your Source for the
South Bay Dive Experience

  View by rating:
  View by city:

 

So Many Dives, So Little Time -- Divemaster
San Jose Downtown

Welcome to the mother lode!! This is dive central. Owing mostly to the decrepit state of downtown for years and years. Plus lots of canning factories nearby. Excellent breeding grounds for dives of all kinds. Most seem to eke out enough of a living to keep on going (bless them), others come and go with regularity. We seem to discover a new one each month. What fun!!!



Bite of Wyoming best
2227 Alum Rock Avenue San Jose Downtown
The Bite of Wyoming has that classic diner feel with a bunch of extras that will have us coming back. It's located in a small strip mall in fairly tough neighborhood but once you step through the door (with the requisite burglar bars), you'll feel like you've been transported 1000 miles east. They serve breakfast all day including biscuits and gravy and hot coffee served in thick, unbreakable mugs. They feature buffalo patties and buffalo steaks ('all the taste of beef but half the calories'), real eggs (not those egg mixes you see most places) and every dish comes with a small plastic tumbler of really great green hot sauce. The decor is pure concrete blockhouse style with pictures of the plains, lots of farm implements and stuffed buffalo heads, plus a man-eating jackalope or two. Pickup trucks encouraged to park in the back. 10% discount for seniors. Extra dive points all round!
Map | Comments


Falafel's Drive-In best
2301 Stevens Creek Blvd San Jose Downtown
Only after a LOT of reader reviews did we manage to trundle down to the Mecca (pun intended) of Middle Eastern fare for Santa Clara County. Nice sunny day, HUGE (50 person) line in front of a '50s style take out joint that has probably seen two or three incarnations. Very impressive efficiency. They carved thru the line and delivered every order (including condiments and water) within 10 minutes, all with a smile. Inside and outside covered dining. Falafels are the specialty (fried balls of chickpeas served with salad in a pita - sounds weird but totally tasty all spiced up). Otherwise, try a Koubby (ground meat in a pastry) or some Baklava for desert. We're told the shakes are awesome but can vouch for the lemonade which was good and fresh. Hamburgers, burritos, tacos, hotdogs and corndogs for the culturally unadventurous. An institution.
Website | Map | Comments


Henry's Hi-Life best
N River St and West Saint John St San Jose Downtown
Henry's is part of the oldest neighborhood in San Jose. This area has been flooded out several times this century (look for the high water mark about 6 feet up) and was threatened to be shut down by the Army Corps of Engineers. Public outcry resulted in right-over-might and the Guadalupe Park plans were redrawn to save Henry's from extinction. So until the next big rain, head on over an enjoy great smoke cooked steaks, links, chicken and the like. Door is on the corner, walk through the bar into the back rooms - dark and smoky like a good BBQ place should be. Helpful service with just enough surliness to force the rookies to become indoctrinated quickly.
Website | Map | Comments


Nick's Pizza best
E Santa Clara Street and N 10th Street San Jose Downtown
Nick has a sign out front that proclaims "Best Pizza in Town". We can't argue, particularly if you like thin crust with lots of cheese. A classic Italian dive with checkered tablecloths, empty bottles of chianti holding plastic flowers, circa 1985 posters on the walls advertising the coming of the transit mall, great variety of homemade Italian dishes and Nick. Nick has lived in most parts of the world but has spent the last 10 or more running this great place. The garlic bread is outstanding. Good selection of beers, including microbrews (the first place we tried Oregon Nut Brown Ale). Prices are very reasonable. We know of at least one VP at a major Silicon Valley Corporation who had his department's Xmas party there. There are rumors that he plans to return.
Website | Map | Comments


Sonia's Kitchen best
S 8th Street and E Williams Street San Jose Downtown
Sonya's is a barely converted gas station with a small inside ordering counter and picnic tables out front. You pull up and park where the gas pumps used to be, go in the side door into a REALLY small room and order up. If you want beer, you need to walk across the street to the liquor store who will put it properly into a #2 bag (60% recycled paper) and haul it back to the half dozen outside picnic tables to wash down the world's best Cheesesteaks. The cooks are "Elpie" and "Raymond". Elpie does a much better job so ask for her. The Medium Combo with provolone cheese is our personal favorite. They also claim to have burgers - we ask why? These chesesteaks are soooo good, they were able to chase away an Amato's Cheesesteak chain that set up shop across the street. Sonia's is only open 'til 5 so get there early for the take home dinner specials. In the interest of fairness in the media, here's a conflicting review: A reader writes, "I tried Sonia's based on your review. I couldn't disagree more with you regarding the quality of her sandwiches. This was perhaps the worst cheesesteak that I have ever had (and I've had many both here and in Philly and Jersy). The meat quality was very low with lots of gristle and fat. This is not what a cheesesteak should be. After two bites I tossed the whole thing in the trash, thoroughly grossed out". OK.
Map | Comments


Guadalajara Market #2 damn
N 10th Street and E Empire Street San Jose Downtown
A great place to order from the cafeteria-style line, grab a burrito and go across the street to sit in the park. This place used to be noted for the sheep heads, trays of entrails and pig snouts that were all in clear view, available for purchase. Thanks to this place, we now know from personal experience that pig snouts can last for over 3 months while sitting behind a co-worker's computer monitor.
Map | Comments


Havana Restaurant damn
Race Street and Park Ave San Jose Downtown
THE place to go if you're a homesick Cuban national. Lots of pictures on the wall depicting pre-revolutionary Cuba as well as the political figures of the time. Slow but friendly service provides various dishes which are generally four piles of food - Meat (tender and tasty), Rice, Black Beans (separate bowl) and Plantains (bananas to the rest of us). Homey atmosphere, worth a try! Reader says "I think the Havana is better than the Cuban Restaurant in Japantown. I'm Cuban, been to both."
Map | Comments


Lunch Box Ethiopian damn
1876 West San Carlos San Jose Downtown
Consider yourself brave? Well, this might be the dive for you. Located on the back end of the San Carlos strip of second hand shops, this nondescript storefront holds many secrets of its own. Open the door to the orange-shaded small room filled with tables, you'll see the local populace sitting at the bar sharing the news of the day - all speaking in arabic. They'll ignore you but the owners are friendly and will try to help with the menu. It's African food, often served on a large 18-inch platter with a tortilla-like bread that you spilt up and use to scoop curry or other delights. Lots of beers available including none that we've ever seen before. Dang -- a dive and then some!!! Here's an excellent review
Website | Map | Comments


Peanut's Deluxe Cafe damn
275 E San Fernando St San Jose Downtown
If you want to relive your college years - Peanut's looks like one of the places that every college campus has (or should have). A Student-oriented greasy-spoon diner. Lunch features burgers and deli (sort of) sandwiches. Happy hour beer specials from 2-4pm (under $6/pitcher. A reader says, "I go for breakfast in the 6:30 timeframe. We're talking a huge omelette, pile of potatoes, toast, cup of coffee, for like $4.75. That's the 'deluxe' meal, too. Eggs/meat/toast specials start at like a buck fifty, and you can get a cheese omelette, pile of potatoes, toast for two fifty. In and out in 10 minutes, can call ahead for takeout. The lunch version of the specials are similarly grand --burgers, club sands, your typical lunch food, plus big ol' pile of fries, all less than 4 or 5 bucks. Oh sure, there are salads, too. The owner is a great guy, he's owned it for years. He was recently lamenting that he may have to raise prices like a dime here or there, because of the cost of goods. So big deal, my huge meal cost be a buck _sixty_. I can deal. Seriously good stuff." -- Right on!
Map | Comments


Super Taqueria damn
476 South 10th Street San Jose Downtown
Although it's part of a chain with one in Hollister and a couple more besides, this is a good, solid Mexican food spot with excellent burritos, tacos, tortas and the like. One of the only places that serves Hog Mawe (whatever that is) and Cabesa burritos. Stick with the Carne Asada or Carnitas and throw in a quesadilla (done the right way, with salsa) and you'll have a great, cheap meal. Also features the best assortment of free spanish-language newspapers. A great place if you're in a hurry or want food to go. A reader writes, "If you want Authentic Mexican food go to Super Taqueria. If you want a Gringo version of Mexican food go to Una Mas and eat their pig slop...... Super Tacqueria is a 5 star restaurant..... so what if it's a chain, it just means their doing something right !!!"
Map | Comments


Supreme Dog damn
S 11th Street and E San Carlos Street San Jose Downtown
Formerly a part of the Berkeley-based Top Dog chain... Located next to a 7-11, behind a House of Bagels. This was a former mexican restaurant ($1 tacos we think) that carries a bit of that character into its new incarnation. Exact same menu as the world famous Top Dogs in Berkeley (read that review to get an idea), this is larger, has tile murals instead of libertarian propoganda on the walls and has an outdoor patio with heaters. Definitely a student hangout, they have bands play monthly outside. Very cool. Very nice addition to the SJSU scene.
Website | Map | Comments


Wing's Chinese damn
131 Jackson Street San Jose Downtown
A reader says "The hunan chicken is better than Streisand's Broadway album and if you live in the downtown area, they deliver. Sometimes, old Mr. Wing delivers your meal himself". We tried it for ourselves. The outside looks like it came right out of an old 1940s chinatown movie. You walk in but it's hard to tell where the actual restaurant is (upstairs). The tables are all along the walls, partitioned off into rooms of two tables each. The waiters can't see you so to get service you ring a buzzer on the wall. Weird but it works. The food was well prepared, not too greasy but not too flavorful either - even items marked as "HOT", weren't. But, overall worth trying.
Map | Comments


Mini Gourmet not
599 South Bascom Ave San Jose Downtown
The only 24 hour South Bay dive we know of (since Denny's is NOT a dive). Some call it the ultimate place for pancakes in the southbay. The menu is SOOOO long that the worst thing about the Mini Gourmet is having to decide on just one thing (well, maybe two). Waitresses who will remember you, tell you last time you were in and what you ordered. Spooky! Recommended for both breakfast meetings as well as post-pubcrawl sobering up... because, it is all about who can take care of you at 4 in the morning. Would have rated higher but a few too many ferns and just a shade too nice. The "Joe's Scramble" is a dive crew favorite.
Map | Comments


Panorama Restaurant not
302 North Bascom Avenue San Jose Downtown
Americana-style BBQ and Chinese (what's up with that?). Lots of artificial flowers and nice elderly waitresses with big hair (Marlene). We're told the Chinese is pretty good, staring with the Tomato Beef Chow Mein. There's a BBQ pit out front which the City of San Jose has frowned upon - there could be the promise of smoky links or something if you hit things right.
Map | Comments


Westside Billiards not
1050 W San Carlos Street San Jose Downtown
The sign out front says "Billiards and Coffee Shop". A dozen pool tables and a small counter with swivel seats. Menu is grill-based burgers, sandwiches and fries. Fresh, not bad. Cold case with beer and mexican sodas. One cook/waitress was very indifferent to anyone attempting to order making this quite an immemorable experience.
Map | Comments


Burger Bar disaster
1101 South 1st St San Jose Downtown
This place has been here for 30 years and looks like an outdoor dairy queen. Don't let the siren song of the enticing "dive envy" facade fool you into thinking this place has promise. The food is REALLY BAD! The featured menu item is 5 burgers for $3.59. The secret sauce used is stale Mayonnaise. Lots of it! Standard Costco-sized patties surrounded by stale tasteless buns. Each of us ordered the 5-pak. Stomachs hurt!!! Ouch.
Map | Comments


Delfin - a.k.a "Microwave Mexican" disaster
1202 E Santa Clara St San Jose Downtown
Ugly, smelly. Plastic palm tree decor. Food burned on the outside and frozen on the inside. DON'T
Map | Comments


Original Joe's disaster
301 South 1st Street San Jose Downtown
An extremely snotty San Jose "institution". We typically find the old Italians dressed in tuxedos pretending to be waiters to be far too surly for their own good. Grow up, enjoy life. Dives have a sense of humor, this place has none. Why it's so popular, we'll never know.
Website | Map | Comments


El Charro virgin
799 South First Street San Jose Downtown
A reader says, "Great enchiladas, tacos, etc etc". We've driven by and it looks inviting. Soon!
Map | Comments


Mariscos Inda #2 virgin
205 North 4th St San Jose Downtown
A reader says "They no longer serve the fat-fried fishbait (smelts), but the piscatory delicacies are still an enchantment, and the Orozco-style mural is still a feast for the eyes."
Map | Comments


Tay Ho virgin
159 E Santa Clara Street San Jose Downtown
The decor says "dive", with the wax imitation foods under Saran wrap, and serving counter straight out of elementary school surplus. But the food is good. Try the roast duck soup with egg noodles. Yum. Better hurry. Tay Ho is in an area that has been targeted for 'urban renewal' by the Redevelopment Agency and will be moved to north SJ to make room for the new City Hall.
Map | Comments


Trial Pub virgin
265 N. 1st Street San Jose Downtown
A reader says, "This place has the most flavorful British food I've ever had. We were served by Tracy the owner plus she cooked our meal too. The cornish pastie was greatnot the usual pot pie version served at most places. This was unique with a wonderful broth and a light pastry covering the top only. They have a great selection of English and Irish beers. The interior looks like someone startedto remodel but never finished."
Map | Comments


Gombei take
193 Jackson Street San Jose Downtown
If you like Japanese food and have ever been to Japan to see how things are really done, you will like this place. It's too clean and well run to be a dive but you will feel right at home anyway. They feature basic Japanese fare except sushi (although they do have sashimi specials every so often). Combination plates are typically served with miso soup and tofu - try the mackerel or chicken/beef yakinuku for a change of pace. Donburi (rice with meat) is good. Udon noodles for a warm up in winter and soba noodles for a cool down in summer. We love this place. They have another one in Menlo Park on El Camino.
Map | Comments


Hukilau take
230 East Jackson St. San Jose Downtown
A Hawaiian restaurant with heavy Japanese influences. Right on Jackson Street in the heart of Japantown. Nice small (8 table) area up front with a bar/counter and a large banquet room in the back. Their lunch menu features chicken, beef and other dishes fried up katsu style or in a sesame batter served with two icecream scoops of rice and one of macaroni salad They do have one spam dish - a rice and seaweed wrapped appetizer. Tiki decor. Full bar (a plus) including Hawaiian beer on tap. Another one in SF. Mom will think it's all 'so cute'.
Website | Map | Comments


Paradiso's Deli take
791 Auzerais San Jose Downtown
Paradiso's has been transformed. It's not a nice upscale neighborhood restaurant. Now known as Palermo Italian Restaurant. Here is the review circa 2010:

Man, is this a great dive or what!?! Located between the original Orchard Supply Hardware and the formerly huge Del Monte canning factory (next to a tire store and railroad tracks), Paradiso's is a combination deli, grocery store, and restaurant. (Sadly the affiliated coffee korner is now closed). You saunter up the wooden stairs, through the grocery items and up to the deli counter where the service is slow but friendly. Eggplant Sandwiches, Italian Sausage and Pasta, Everything we've ever ordered there has been GREAT! Even greater if you ask for sweet fried peppers on top!! Grab a beer out of the cooler and sit in the back with mismatched chairs and beer posters from the 60's, turn on the B&W TV and just wallow in dive-dom. Life is good. Hopefully this place will survive the cannery closing.
Website | Map | Comments


5 Spot Drive-In heaven
869 South First Street San Jose Downtown
Recently received historical status. Temporarily (?) closed. This place was clearly a full blown drive-in during the 1950s and 1960s. You can still see the places to pull in and imagine that you are ordering from your window. The 5 Spot is in a fairly derelict part of town and the clientele reflects that. Off the beaten path from Silicon valley types, you can certainly find a lot of character (and some fair but cheap burgers) but no beer here.
Map | Comments


Alma's Restaurant heaven
355 W Alma Avenue San Jose Downtown
Former bowling alley cleared out for 'high density housing' near the light rail that no one ever rides... Is it a Mexican food place or a Bowling alley hangout? Both! As a Mexican food dive it has Burritos, Huevos Rancheros, Enchaladas and Menudo. They also feature Tamales, cooked daily and available in bulk ($12.99/dozen). As a bowling alley hangout, they have Burgers, Pizza, Sandwiches and Ice Cream - scooped up and served in silver dishes. Good, clean, counter seating. Not bad for a bowling alley! Breakfast as well.
Map | Comments


Betsy's (McKee Bowl) heaven
1661 McKee Road San Jose Downtown
Gone together with the McKee Bowl which housed this Coffee Shop. Old Review: Betsy's is a 60's era diner trapped inside a bowling alley (extra dive bonus points). Lunchroom counters and booths only. Breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. Service is slow and occasionally friendly. The food was descent but the atmosphere reeks of a dive. If you're not a picky eater, give Betsy's a try.
Map | Comments


Bini's Grill heaven
655 North 6th Street San Jose Downtown
Alas, Bini's officially closed on Febuary 2, 2001. Lack of revenues after an attempted relocation (without a bar) did them in. We miss Bini's!
"Bini's has been San Jose's penultimate dive for decades. Occupying the corner of 8th and Taylor, large spot, full bar. Featuring great specials of the week (Steak of the Week, Sandwich of the Week, Pasta of the Week) or just the Pot Roast. Huge numbers of regulars would return each week but newcomers were made to feel totally welcome. A family owned and run dive of which we never tire. In fact, the dive group has held more than one Xmas party at this locale. In 1998, Bini's capitalist landlord sold the lot (and the adjoining produce market) to developers to put up a bunch of condos or something.
Map | Comments


Chris' Country Kitchen heaven
W. Alma Ave and Pomona Ave San Jose Downtown
Former 'disaster' dive. Closed for good in 2002. Rating: Normally not a bad place. Good breakfast crowd most days. However, the big lipstick stains on our water glasses on two separate visits made us demote this dive until they hire a professional dishwasher.
Map | Comments


Cuban International heaven
625 North Sixth Street San Jose Downtown
Long time anchor of the east end of J-town, this place finally closed down... One of the two Cuban restaurants in the South Bay. Fans of one are not typically fans of the other (warning: can cause heated arguments in spanish). Located in Japantown just because they can but somehow it fits into the neighborhood. If you're hankering for black beans, plaintains and the best roast pork in town, give this place a try.
Map | Comments


Dac Phuc heaven
198 W Santa Clara St San Jose Downtown
A reader says, "This is a real dive, but this is the best Vietnamese food I've had. (specifically the best Pho and spring rolls)." Drove by - now rebuilt thanks to the SJ Redevelopment Agency and your tax dollars. Officially retired from the list.
Map | Comments


El Tarasco heaven
170 E Taylor St San Jose Downtown
Entered into Dive Heaven. Too bad as the artwork was an icon along 4th Street as you entered into J-Town in SJ. The huge mural on the outside and the great dive location on Taylor, near 4th (behind a Foster's Freeze) were somewhat deceiving. While El Tarasco serves up a decent plate of food, it's more of a 'gringo' Mexican food place than a real dive. All menu items are listed in english (shredded beef, grilled beef, jello...) and the spicy food wasn't. Customers were mostly middle aged guys dressed in golf shirts with cell phones on their belts. But on the good side - it's clean, there's beer in the cooler with the Mexican sodas and the people we're all very friendly. A reader says, "Outstanding. Cold cerveza and great burritos in the Bulk Man Food category"
Map | Comments


Jesus Abundant Life Glorious Church heaven
Monterey Road at Cottage Grove Avenue San Jose Downtown
A "poor man's" version of the B.C.C.C., the JALGC was a storefront church in SJ that decided to try to raise extra cash by offering some pretty decent BBQ ribs, ckicken and links to the hungry peoples. Once you got past the looks and location of the place, the food and the gab were both pretty fine. We miss this dive.
Map | Comments


Las Brasas Mexican Restaurant heaven
763 E Julian St San Jose Downtown
We've heard they've gone under: "Pity, they were pretty good." Prior reviews follow: A reader writes, "This is real, awesome Mexican food, the way it is supposed to be cooked (leave your diet at the door kind of food). The whole family works there, and the father often meanders around at night (I think partly sauced) to make sure you are enjoying the food. Ambiance is perfect dive. There are metal/vinyl chairs inside (seating maybe 10) and some K'Mart specials on an outdoor "patio." You could easily convince yourself you were in a small Mexican town sitting down to a family dinner...best if you speak a little spanish. Everyone we have taken loves it, and we highly recommend it!" A third contribution: "Go when you can eat outside. Please try it! If they are serving from the menu, try the chicken huraches. If they have their outdoor taco BBQ going, the carne asada is great. And it surely is a dive!"
Map | Comments


Lou's Village heaven
1465 West San Carlos Street San Jose Downtown
It's reopened in downtown Willow Glen at the corner of Willow and Lincoln. Smaller with an homage to the old place but not quite the same. This was definitely a "take your mom" dive. Closed down after New Year's Eve 2005 when the family ownership sold out to housing developers. Here's the old review: Around since 1946 in a generally nondescript area of town, you know this place used to be a dive once upon a time. It's now a swanky (in a good kind of way) seafood place with a bunch of banquet and meeting rooms (for up to 1000 people) as well as an upscale sports bar. Hundreds of black and white photos on the walls of 1950s era 'stars in their day' - names we've never heard of but sure they entertained someone once upon a time. Acres of parking - land that will make some real estate developer rich someday.
Website | Map | Comments


Oak Room heaven
The Alameda and Sunol Street San Jose Downtown
Promises of oak grilled BBQ have been left unfulfilled.
Map | Comments


Ocean Harbor Chinese Restaurant heaven
Winchester Blvd and Stevens Creek Blvd San Jose Downtown
Lots of readers commented on Ocean Harbor so we felt compelled to try it. Their "claim to fame" is the Dim Sum which is wheeled around by drone-like cart bearers in cheap threadbare formalware who may treat you to a grunt or two if they feel up to it. The food is fair. A bit more variety than a typical dim sum house but there is a reason why you don't typically see the types of items that you don't typically see. If you like dim sum, give this place a try before they knock town the Town & Country shopping center in the coming months.
Map | Comments


Q N Brew heaven
The Alameda & Stockton Ave San Jose Downtown
Alas, we didn't have a chance to visit this dive before it ended it's flirting chance at life in 2006. To memorialize, a reader wrote: "Q N Brew is at the former location of the old retired A&W spot where they used to show projection movies on the big wall every friday night. Great dive location across the street from a used car lot/car wash and the trendy SE7EN spot. Great BBQ with pits out front and wood piles. The now serve beer. I checked it out on opening day and the food was great. Service was piss poor but maybe that because they rushed to open it (photo copied menus) nevertheless I heard they have kicked it up. Pop-up tables with paper table cloths and auditorium chairs. Try the western BBQ sandwich, Tri Tip sandwich or the killer good ribs. You would think that a place this new would not have flatware that looked so worn and jangley. All in all its a great place to try out if yo u are in the area."
Map | Comments


Sam's Log Cabin heaven
245 Willow Street San Jose Downtown
Formerly a 4 dive rating. Same location for over 40 years. Now a mexican restaurant. Park in the back and walk through the kitchen, the boys will be glad to see you. Sam's has been a great dive for years. Don't even look at the menu since Steak 'n Beans is the traditional house specialty. Park yourself near the pay phone and you'll hear the sour refrains of disti deals being done. Pool tables in back for 50 cents/game. Give a good hearty handshake to the regulars at the bar. Life doesn't get any better than a day at a dive like Sam's.
Map | Comments